In Venice, Italy for just a day... water taxis? other options? How much?

Question

I have one day to spend in Venice and upon arrival, from the train station would like to immediately start with my tour. Actually I only have one major stop in mind and to spend the whole day there. That would be the San Marco.

Ive heard that taking the water taxis is an expensive option, as I am used to walking and know that the distance from the train station to San Marco is rather short, I would prefer to walk, but looking at Google earth, I cant find a continous route to San Marco.

Are water taxis really expensive? how do I get one and how much does it cost? what are my other alternatives? I have to be back at the train station in the evening to catch a train to Milan... Please help me....

Answer 1

just take the water bus, vapouretta (???), just be careful of the pickpocket. The stop for the water bus is just in front of the train station, ride down the Grand Canel which is just as good as the St Marco, and get off at St. Marco. Then if you have more time get off at Rilto (???) the cover bridge. You should be OK. Enjoy.

Answer 2

The water taxis or "vaporetto" are actually quite cheap in comparison to the gondola rides, which are ridiculously expensive and aimed for tourists who don't know better. They are cheap because they are actually taxis used for commuting. I don't remember how much but you can look it up in a Rick Steve's or Frommer's travel guide. San Marco won't take an entire day so I'd try to catch a mini-symphony or a mass in one of the beautiful churches. The shopping is also fun. Don't forget to bargain!

Answer 3

when you get to Venice's train station, you can be sure to find all informations about how to reach the city center.

mind that in the center cars and other street transports are not allowed to go. it's easy to find a water taxi there, especially if you are a tourist. you won't have problems... just follow the people and ask anybody!

whatever, they really cost too much! bot once in your life you must do it!

Answer 4

The water taxis are expensive, but the vaparettos aren't so bad. They're equivalent to a water bus. ACTV runs the vaparettos in Venice. A single ride ticket good for 1 hour from validation (6 euro), a multiple ride ticket 12 hours - 13 euro, 24 hour - 15 euro, 36 hour 20 euro, 48 hour - 25 hour, or 72 hour - 30 euro. Obviously you wouldn't need the longest term tickets. The ACTV site has the schedules and a map of the lines. http://www.actv.it/english/navigazione.p...

I almost always walk. It's about 35 - 40 minutes from the train station to Piazza San Marco. The shortest route is across the bridge, but the easier route to follow is to stay on the same side of the Grand Canal all the way. From the station go left and follow the signs for San Marco. There will be other people doing the same thing. On the way baqck, follow the signs for ferrovia; you may want to take the vaparetto back to the station.

Venice is a good day trip - you'll have a great time.

Answer 5

To get to the main island of Venice, the easiest way is to go by water. That's all there is to it. If you can hook up with a day tour group, it will usually be a little cheaper, and include some things you might not have thought of. The San Marco square and church will not take all day, unless there is a huge queue! Take a hat and sunscreen. Try to go to the glass blowers as well.

Gondola rides, while a must-do when in Venice, are not that great, and I was always worried I would fall out!!

Do your best to be in Venice at night, as it is beautiful. Particularly the San Marco Square (the church is not open, however, the absence of the throngs of people, and the way it is lit up is stunning).

Answer 6

One day in Venice and San Marco is your most important thing to see (and rightly so!). I suggest you take the Vaporetto number 1 from in front of the Santa Lucia train station. The cost is 6 euro per person. I recommend the no. 1 vap. because it's slower (than the 82) and therefore will give you more time to enjoy the ride along the Grand Canal. Save your walking strength for the Piazza San Marco area and it's museums.... and to eventually walk back to the station. It would take you about an hour to walk to San Marco – what with not knowing the way and all of the tourist distractions... Take the vaporetto.

There are many ways to get back to the station from San Marco and two main routes: via the Accademia (with 2 c’s) bridge or the Rialto bridge. From San Marco the Accademia route would be shorter... and if you still have some energy left you mat even what to take a quick visit to the Accademia’s galleries.

Taxis go from 30 to 60 euro from San Marco to the station (ask how much before you embark).

Answer 7

you can easily walk from train station to san marco  & you should definitely do it at least one way.  you can stop on rialto bridge for the view & take in market sights you would otherwise miss by vaperetto -- then countinue on to san marco.  go inside the ducale palace & dungeon which takes a couple or few hours or more depending on your interest....read up on other sites so you can choose since you don't have much time.  

stop in a bar/cafe to try the small sandwiches only found in venice....you'll see them in the cases or on the counters.

take the vaperetto back to the train station if you haven't already wandered back by foot.  make sure you get a ticket stamped before you board...very inexpensive...it's the mass transit of venice....

Answer 8

I either walk or use the water taxi like everyone else is talking about they have different rates the all day pass is the best. The water taxi is the fastest way and I would pay for that. I dont know what you are going to do all day at San Marco's the square has lots of very costly stores and the church and tower that about it.

Answer 9

There are water buses - very inexpensive and will get you to San Marco - I think the #1.  If you walk you will spend 1/2 the day lost.  No streets are continuous in Venice.

Answer 10

I would just walk.  Find yourself a decent map and go for a stroll.  If what you want to see in S. Marco involves line, they will be long and check to see if you can buy your ticket in advance to skip the lines.  It's a few euros more but worth it.  Venice really can be done in a day.  Have fun!

Answer 11

We just returned from Venice, and a gondola ride there would have cost $150, and the guy then ran after us and said it was $120.  Needless to say, we walked instead.  We didn´t even ask how much a taxi would be-it was so neat to walk through the town.