Getting Around Venice???

[spangnash]

If we find that our cruise line offers a shuttle from the cruise ship to St. Mark's Square in Venice (sounds like we won't know for sure until we are actually on the cruise), we will most likely use that instead of the vaporetto's to get to St. Mark's Square each day (we are there overnight)... if we use the cruise ship's shuttle, is there really any need for us to buy a 24 hour vaporetto pass? I've read that taking vaporetto line #1 down the Grand Canal can be a great (cheap) way to see the Grand Canal, so we'll plan on doing that, but if that is the only time we'd use the vaporetto, it seems it would be more economical to buy a single trip ticket (6.50 Euro) vs. a 24 hour pass (18 Euro)... but, am I missing something? Would we need the vaporetto for anything else? It just seems to me like Venice is a place where we would want to WALK instead of 'ride' (we are 2 quite fit 34 year olds)....

[skisteamboat]

Your plan for a "Once Around" vaporetto on the Grand Canal and walking otherwise is a good one. Back when we were younger, that's the way we always visited Venice. One trip around the island to see what (if anything) had changed like restorations complete and walk the rest of the time.

 

Another hint is to use one of the Tragehetti to cross the Grand Canal. That way you can say you rode a Gondola but only pay about .5 Euro.:D

 

One of the great things about Venice is you can't really get "lost" since you are on an island. ;)

 

Cheers

[ab0si]

Venice is actually a collection of islands. Getting lost is quit easy since few of the "streets" (calli) are straight for more than 10 meters. It is also harmless as you will quickly become unlost. There are frequent signs pointing to the major tourist areas (S. Marco; Rialto, et al). So walking is both easy and enjoyable.

 

The vapos are useful for getting to the outer islands and to some of the more out of way areas (these are quite accessible by walking except for the outer islands) and the Lido (why one would want to get there is a different question).

 

It is also useful for seeing some of the sights. For example, going through the Arsenal (which I would argue is the world's most important commercial/business/state capitalism site).

 

So, walk or ride or both. It's a matter of style and all three choices work fine.

[penny1]

We just got back from a cruise on the Ruby Princess. We were in port overnight & disembarked in Venice the morning of our 2nd day in port. I don't know if that is your situation. The ship did provide a water shuttle to St Mark's Square for $15 pp but this was only for the 1st day in port. The pass was not good on the day of disembarkation. We stayed one day in Venice & had an early flight the next morning. Wished we had bought the 24 hr pass for the 2nd day. There is a lot of walking & it is hot. Some of the churches we wanted to see were on the other side of the canal from St Mark's & a long walk. The streets are not always marked & there are quite a few dead ends. There are signs to Rialto Bridge, Piazza Roma & St Mark's but you can go several different ways & they only point you in the general direction. You might want to look at a map & determine where the sites are you want to see & how you would have to walk to get there. There is not necessarily a direct route. That might help you decide if you need the pass. We really liked Venice but pass would have made it a lot easier. Have a great trip.

 

Gail

[maryann ns]

I don't remember the day pass being expensive and it does give you choices. I loved the trip to Burano and the pass made it easy.

[cherylakers]

We just got back from a cruise on the Ruby Princess. We were in port overnight & disembarked in Venice the morning of our 2nd day in port. I don't know if that is your situation. The ship did provide a water shuttle to St Mark's Square for $15 pp but this was only for the 1st day in port. The pass was not good on the day of disembarkation. We stayed one day in Venice & had an early flight the next morning. Wished we had bought the 24 hr pass for the 2nd day. There is a lot of walking & it is hot. Some of the churches we wanted to see were on the other side of the canal from St Mark's & a long walk. The streets are not always marked & there are quite a few dead ends. There are signs to Rialto Bridge, Piazza Roma & St Mark's but you can go several different ways & they only point you in the general direction. You might want to look at a map & determine where the sites are you want to see & how you would have to walk to get there. There is not necessarily a direct route. That might help you decide if you need the pass. We really liked Venice but pass would have made it a lot easier. Have a great trip.

 

Gail

We will be on the Star Princess in Sept. How did you get from the ship to your hotel the 2nd day? Did Princess provide any luggage transfer? We are staying near the Rialto bridge.

 

Thanks

Cheryl

[janina]

Princess does provide a luggage transfer and it is worth every penney. There are many stairs and bridges to get to the hotels, and dragging luggage is definately not easy. We have done it while traveling from Rome to Venice on our own. Take the luggage transfers, and you will definately thank me later.;)

[Earl Rosebery]

We will be on the Star Princess in Sept. How did you get from the ship to your hotel the 2nd day? Did Princess provide any luggage transfer? We are staying near the Rialto bridge.

 

Thanks

Cheryl

 

Depends on where your hotel is. Unless you are at P. Roma, the easiest way is always a water taxi. This will be door to door to your hotel from the port. You can pick one up as you leave the terminal building and also find someone to share with. If you are at St Mark's, there is a direct water bus from the port to St mark's. Everything else is a chore.

[spangnash]

Thanks for everyone's input! I should have stated initially that we are just in Venice overnight, we do not disembark there. We dock at 1:30pm on a Saturday and leave at 2pm on Sunday. I think we'll wait to see how much energy we have at that point in the cruise and determine then what to do; its good to know that really either option is feasible!!!

[daryleann]

Just got a posting on our roll call from someone who just returned from RCCL Brilliance. They also had the overnite in Venice. She said the ship shuttle was $35/pp. Read it here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1083889&page=5 post # 182

 

If you go to http://www.veniceconnected.com/local-public-transport you can get reduced vaporetto passes and pick them up at the Piazalle Roma.

[sneffles]

We always get the 24-hour pass as we like to explore various parts of the city. Example: even if you take line #1 during the day, take it again at night for a different perspective. And as others have said, do not try to lug any suitcases around...the bridges are a killer. But for sure, walking around is the best way to really see Venice. How can you get lost if you really don't care where you are going? It is all interesting!