In Venice - recommended (scenic) way from ship to St Marks?

[Kidsoftheseas]

We will arrive to Venice by train and the thought is to drop off our bags and go explore Venice.

We arrive around noon and ship does not sail till 1am. We assume that by the time we are done checking in and whatever else, we will start to explore Venice at 2.

 

Obviously we'd want to make it to St Marks, so what is the best way to do that? Walk? Take something down the Grand Canal?

What would be the best place to get a gondola? (Just gotta do it in Venice, right?) :)

 

Any recommendations? Thanks a bunch!

[Andym]

Its Easy,

 

Walk out of the port and across to the people mover, At the end of the line (there only is one stop), walk over the square and catch the water bus to St Marks. This takes you down the Grand canal. tip. Try to get some seats on the front of the bus for a great view. return trip is just to reverse the journey.

 

You can always use Google maps and street view to get your bearings.

 

Andy

[gators70]

We have a similar situation in Venice. Although we are still researching and haven't booked there is a tour offered by Dark Rome (yes, Rome, www.darkrome.com) that meets you at a "central location", gives you a one hour Grand Canal tour on a private water taxi; then a leisurly stroll through part of Venice to St. Mark's where you get to the front of the line for an hour visit at St. Mark's. The whole thing is from 2:00 - 5:00. Price is about $130 pax.

 

One point.....we have been looking at this as a group of ten. Not sure how they handle singles/couples, but it sounds like it may be worth checking out.

[euro cruiser]

Riding on the water at some point is critical to understanding Venice, but it's also important to experience the city on your feet.

 

The city isn't all that big - I remember purchasing multi-day vaporetto tickets the first couple of times I went there, but quickly realized that I didn't actually use the boats all that much.

 

I think it would be fun in your situation to take a vaporetto from Piazzale Roma to San Marco, then make your way back on foot.

 

A traghetto across the Grand Canal is a fun and unique experience.

[paul929207]

Walking in Venice is very easy. All over you will see signs pointing to three places:

Piazzale (sp?) Roma - This is the where you get on/off the People Mover going to/from the ship.

Rialto Bridge - largest bridge.

San Marco Plaza - everyones destination.

[Cornishpastyman1]

We will arrive to Venice by train and the thought is to drop off our bags and go explore Venice. Take something down the Grand Canal?

 

Any recommendations? Thanks a bunch!

If you take vap route 1 from Piazzale Roma it looks like this

and takes 35-40 minutes.

[mapleleaves]

You're checking your luggage onto the ship?

Be prepared for a large bridge after leaving the train station. The bridge crosses the Grand Canal and takes you to Piazzale Roma where you catch the People Mover to the pier. A photo of the bridge in this link. It looks imposing but the steps are very shallow so you can pull your suitcases up and down rather than carry them.

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/arriving_in_venice_by_train.htm

 

After checking your luggage I'd suggest returning to Piazzale Roma and catching the #1 vaporeto down the Grand Canal to St Marks. Spend your day exploring and wandering then either walk back to the ship or take the vaporeto/people mover again.

 

As for a gondola ride.... make a decision about which route to choose when you get there. You might want a Grand Canal route in order to see well known sights or you might choose a quiet back canal. It will be easier to decide when you're there.

 

p.s. lots of great info in the europeforvisitors link, incl gondolas, sightseeing, getting around, etc

[Earl Rosebery]

We will arrive to Venice by train and the thought is to drop off our bags and go explore Venice.

We arrive around noon and ship does not sail till 1am. We assume that by the time we are done checking in and whatever else, we will start to explore Venice at 2.

 

Obviously we'd want to make it to St Marks, so what is the best way to do that? Walk? Take something down the Grand Canal?

What would be the best place to get a gondola? (Just gotta do it in Venice, right?) :)

 

Any recommendations? Thanks a bunch!

 

get off the train in Mestre and take a taxi to the port. This will save you time and a lot of trouble. Forget the gondola ride. Expensive and slow. There is so much else to do and you have limited time. Take the vaporetto in 1 direction and walk in the other from/to Piazzal Roma.

[cruisealex]

We have a similar situation in Venice. Although we are still researching and haven't booked there is a tour offered by Dark Rome (yes, Rome, www.darkrome.com) that meets you at a "central location", gives you a one hour Grand Canal tour on a private water taxi; then a leisurly stroll through part of Venice to St. Mark's where you get to the front of the line for an hour visit at St. Mark's. The whole thing is from 2:00 - 5:00. Price is about $130 pax.

 

One point.....we have been looking at this as a group of ten. Not sure how they handle singles/couples, but it sounds like it may be worth checking out.

 

Hello gators If you are happier with a guided tour then fine - but a vaporetto (water bus) ticket is 7 Euro between Piazzale roma and St Mark's and a prebooked/avoid the line ticket for St Mark's is 1.5 Euro online. There is also a group called freetour venice (which offers guded walks for free - but hopes for tips! $130 pax sounds like a very healthy profit margin.

[gators70]

Hello gators If you are happier with a guided tour then fine - but a vaporetto (water bus) ticket is 7 Euro between Piazzale roma and St Mark's and a prebooked/avoid the line ticket for St Mark's is 1.5 Euro online. There is also a group called freetour venice (which offers guded walks for free - but hopes for tips! $130 pax sounds like a very healthy profit margin.

 

Yes, we are really wanting a guided tour. DW and I have been to Venice before, but the others have not. We also have one person that cannot walk far or fast and we need to do it at her pace.

 

I agree that your option sounds great.

[buchhalm]

Check w your cruise line if they have a luggage service from the train station in Venice (Venezia S.L.) to the port. The last time we were there, July last year there were luggage drop-offs for 2 different lines at the train station. From memory they were HAL and Aida.

 

If you need to go to the ship, the suggestion to get off the train in Mestre (the last stop before Venice proper) is very clever. Certainly a lot less sweat to take a taxi from m

Mestre station more or less directly to the ship "stations maritima venezia" or "Porto di crociera di venezia" should be understood by the driver.

 

If you choose to walk from Venice train station, after exiting the station you will face the grand canal. Turn right and follow the canal - which will be on your left - and keep going until you run into the bridge over the canal. Cross it and end up on piazzale Roma from where you take the "people mover train". With more than 1 suitcase and hand luggage per person this is a major pain in the behind

:)

[Kidsoftheseas]

get off the train in Mestre and take a taxi to the port. This will save you time and a lot of trouble. Forget the gondola ride. Expensive and slow. There is so much else to do and you have limited time. Take the vaporetto in 1 direction and walk in the other from/to Piazzal Roma.

 

so it is possible to get off the train early? Will it have several stops before final destination?

[iancal]

Walk or take Vap. #2 (less stops than #1).

[Cornishpastyman1]

Walk or take Vap. #2 (less stops than #1).

True, but unless you are up against the clock slower is best in the Grand Canal, as it is one of Venice's great experiences.

[Carolyn R]

Hello gators If you are happier with a guided tour then fine - but a vaporetto (water bus) ticket is 7 Euro between Piazzale roma and St Mark's and a prebooked/avoid the line ticket for St Mark's is 1.5 Euro online. There is also a group called freetour venice (which offers guded walks for free - but hopes for tips! $130 pax sounds like a very healthy profit margin.

 

I agree! Holy cow! 130 pp is way over the top for what it would cost less than 10 on your own at your own pace. There would be no less walking with a private water taxi unless they actually picked you up right at the port.

[4774Papa]

I suggest taking the vaporetto (water bus pubic transport) to St. Marks square, and walk back across the Rialto bridge.

[compulady]

Vaporetto is the best introduction to Venice #1 stop at all the stops, #2 is express only stops at a few locations on the way to San Marco.

 

A Gondola is Nice lovely too. It's romantic and a more intimate view of Venice. Expensive but worth it!