Escaping Venice in 7 Easy Steps with Luggage

    CHeap transport to Marco Polo or Treviso aipotts 

The water bus (vaporetto) service run by ACTV around Venice and the lagoon does not go out to Marco Polo.   Alilaguna (See www.alilaguna.it) is the only ferry serving Marco Polo and run several routes to and from a limited number of landing stages around Venice, the Lido and Murano. The Alilaguna ferry is slow and takes over an hour to reach San Marco. Ticket prices vary depending on the route you are travelling -

Marco Polo to Murano 6 euros

           "         to Lido 12 euros

           "         to San Marco 12 euros

           "         to Zattere 12 euros

           "         Stazione Marittima 15 euros

           "         Punta Sabbioni  15 euros

These compare with the standard ACTV water bus fare of 6.50 euros which permits a maximum of 60 minutes travel in any one direction.

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Much cheaper are the bus and coach services running between Piazzale Roma and Marco Polo.  The ATVO express airport coach is the best choice if you have much luggage as their luggage compartments are of a reasonable size.  Single ickets cost 3. euros  and the journey takes  around 20 minutes..  See www.atvo.it for timetables



Boarding a Water Taxi

ATVO also run the coach service between Piazzale Roma in Venice and Treviso aiport, which takes around 40/45 minutes and costs 6 euros or 10 euros return

The ACTV scheduled bus service No. 5 takes around 35/40 minutes to travel from Piazzale Roma to Marco Polo airport. Tickets cost only 2 euros but luggage space is very limited.  

 

 Expensive, but quick, tranport to and from Marco Polo airport.

  1. A private water taxi can be hired to take you anywhere in the lagoon.  Out to the Locanda Cipriani on Torcello perhaps. They are especially useful when arriving at Marco Polo airport  as they are a very convenient means of transport  to your Hotel or when departing from Marco Polo. They avoid the need to walk, carrying your luggage, to and from a landing stage served by Alilaguna as the small private water taxi launches can travel down narrow side canals to reach close to a Hotel. 
  2. If you are arriving at Marco Polo airport you can book a private water taxi at the Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia desk in the Arrivals Hall.  It should be waiting for you when you have walked along the path to the left of the main exit which leads to the landing stage..
  3. If the Consorzio desk is closed outside normal office hours you can just walk down to the landing stage and hire one of the waiting private water taxi you will find tied up at the ;landing stage. Beware however, this is where there is a danger of been quoted an excessively high charge for the journey and it will be difficult to argue with the driver as he will refuse to understand English!
  4. A private water taxi provides a very convenient, quick but expensive method of transport from your Hotel to Marco Polo airport., especially if your Hotel is located on a canal.  Pre-book your private WATER TAXI either through through your hotel the night before or on the internet lwith www.veneziataxi.it or www.motoscafivenezia.it..  You should confirm the cost on booking.  Beware that some Hotels add on their own booking fee which can be an expensive mark-up. Your TAXI could cost you anywhere from 80-125 Euros depending upon the part of Venice in which you are staying.  Leave before 7 AM and you should expect the fee to increase by at least 10 Euros.   Private water taxi drivers require a cash payment unless you book through a Hotel or one of the water taxi companies who accept credit cards.  The drivers DO NOT expect a tip, their charge is suffiicient. 
  5. Many Hotels have direct access to a canal where a private water taxi will collect you..  If not,  place all your baggage in the hotel lobby.  If you are lucky, an Italian bellhop will carry your luggage for you to the private water taxi..Tip the bellhop, a couple of Euros is fair.   If not, pack light because you'll be pulling your luggage across uneven cobblestones.   Bridges can be quite an obstacle for any cart or even if carrying your own luggage.  Make your way to the Venice canal where your WATER TAXI should be waiting.  . Board and enjoy your ride snuggled down in the cabin with vinyl-covered cushions to sit on.  If it is rainy and stormy, you are in for the ride of your life.  Choppy, bumpy, and noisy, but you will stay dry at least for the c. 20 minute crossing.  Some people would pay for a thrill ride like this.
  6. Disembark from your WATER TAXI very carefully especially if it's raining. The boards are very slippery. Plenty of eager men may be at Marco Polo to assist you because they are about to offer you PORTER services for only 25 Euros.  If it's raining, take the offer.  The airport is about 450 metres way from the dock along a covered path for you to walk down.
  7. If you employ a Porter jusy follow him down the path into the airport.  The PORTER will point out the flight board and in perfect Italian explain your next move.  
  8. Watch the FLIGHT BOARD.  Find your flight number and wait until a wicket number shows up alongside.  Go to this wicket number and check in.  If you are too early, you will be watching the flight board for awhile, but your number will come up. 
  9. Once checked in, you will pass through security, very SLOWLY!  Go to your gate and now queue up to board a bus.  That will take you to your plane.  Climb the stairs after guessing which end of the plane you must board, get to your seat, strap in, and wait.  Lift-off.  
    Now that you know, sit back, relax and truly enjoy that creamy delectable cappuccino.  You and your luggage will make it to the airport efficiently and on time.   Just remember to fill your pockets with cash first if you take the private water taxi route.