The feature that makes Venice so unique can also seem to be the most confusing. Here are some tips for a smooth voyage.
There are no cars or buses in Venice. Until jetpacks go viral your options to explore the city are A) by boat or B) on foot. This however, is half of the city’s charm, which itself is manageable and can be navigated across on foot in a few hours (That is, a straight shot from one end to the other; exploring all of the little streets and alleys would take several months).
So, get lost. It is said that you haven’t really seen Venice until you have gotten lost within the pleasantly chaotic city grid. This should be not only comforting to you as you set out to explore the city, but inspiring. Venice has been habited since the 10th Century B.C. - there are layers of history, architecture, art, and culture, and it is considered by many to be the most beautiful and romantic city in the world. Most of the best shops and restaurants are off the beaten tourist track anyway.
Ride in a vaporetto - a big passenger launch, part of Venice’s public transportation. They have license plates, routes, and tickets. Motoscafo are the smaller versions. Both go through the Canale Grande and make stops along the canal. Buy the tickets at stalls or from uniformed operators. One way tickets are about €3.5.
Get an ACTV Travel Card - they are “the most economical solution for people who want to get around Venice and its surroundings on ACTV’s land and water services.” The Travel Cards provide unlimited travel, and can be used on all land and waterborne services. Here are current rates. They can be purchased from the Hellovenezia ticket desks and the authorized resellers.
The Venice Card is another option, good for public transportation, cultural attractions, toliet access, & Alilaguna. The card is recommended for those spending 3+ days in Venice as most of the top attractions are not included. You can travel from island to island and explore various museums and churches in the city. The card can be reserved online for a substantial discount here.
Note: Picking up a Venice Card from the ticket booths can mean waiting on long lines.
The private motor boats are taxis: the Classical Venice Gondola is a narrow black boat, famous for romantic rows around Venice. They are expensive - typically €70-80 (about $119 USD) for an hour. If you want to do this, make it part of your budget beforehand. You can try to haggle with the gondolier, but a cheaper fare may cut your time short or deter him from showing you the best local spots.
If you have an emergency and need to get to the opposite bank of Canale Grande and are nowhere near a bridge, don’t panic. There are several crossing-stations along Canale Grande, and tourists can be brought to the other bank by a Gondola Traghetto. Only 50 Eurocents.
Have any more questions? Ask one of our qualified travel consultants to help you plan your trip to Venice!
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