Traveling to Venice is an amazing experience, but it’s good to prepare both practically and mentally. Below are some helpful tips to make getting around easier and help you enjoy the city’s unique charm.

Getting to Venice

By Plane ✈️

Venice’s Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is about 7.5 miles from the historic center. You have several ways to get into the city from the airport, depending on your budget and how much time you have:

• Water bus (Alilaguna vaporetto) – These boats leave from the airport dock every ~15 minutes. Follow signs with a boat symbol. Routes are color-coded; for example, the blue line goes to St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) and the orange line to Rialto. The ride takes about 60–70 minutes and offers beautiful views right from the start. Tickets can be bought at machines, ticket counters, or online.

• Bus – The fastest and cheapest way. Buses go to Piazzale Roma, the last point you can reach by car before entering Venice on foot.  ACTV Line 5 (local bus) or ATVO line 35 (express shuttle), both take about 20 minutes and run every few minutes.

• Taxi (land) – Taxis are right outside the arrivals area. A ride to Piazzale Roma takes about 15–20 minutes and usually costs €30–40 ($32–43 USD). Confirm the price ahead or use an official service like RadioTaxi to avoid overpaying.

• Water taxi – This is the most expensive option but also the most scenic. Private boats leave from the same dock as the water bus. Fares start at €150+ ($160+) for the whole boat (up to 6–8 people).

  Shared water taxis are also available if booked in advance — cheaper than private, but still more expensive than the Alilaguna water bus.

By Train 🚄

Traveling to Venice by train is very convenient from cities like Rome, Florence, or Milan — and even from smaller towns. Venice has two main train stations:

• Venezia Mestre – Located on the mainland. Good for connections.

• Venezia Santa Lucia – This is the main station in the historic center, right by the Grand Canal. 👉 If your destination is Venice itself, make sure to get off at Santa Lucia.

Driving to Venice 🚗

Highways from most major Italian cities lead toward Venice. The final stretch is a bridge called Ponte della Libertà, which connects the mainland (Mestre) to the island of Venice. 🚫 No cars are allowed in Venice itself. You’ll need to leave your car at a parking garage before entering the city. Top parking options include:

• Piazzale Roma – Closest to the historic center, but often full. You may need to reserve ahead. ⏱️ Price: €30–45/day ($32–48)

• Tronchetto – Bigger and usually cheaper. ⏱️ Price: €20–25/day ($21–27)

• Mestre (on the mainland) – Cheapest but farthest. ⏱️ Price: €5–15/day ($5–16)

By Bus 🚌

Companies like FlixBus and MarinoBus offer long-distance bus service to Venice. All buses arrive at Piazzale Roma, the city’s main bus terminal.

Getting Around Venice 🚤

Vaporetto – the Water Buses

Venice has no cars — boats are the main way to get around! The public waterbus system is run by ACTV and operates throughout the city’s canals and lagoon. These boats, called vaporetto, come in different sizes and follow various routes.

• Line 1 – This is the most scenic route for visitors. It goes slowly through the entire Grand Canal, stopping at every stop. Great for sightseeing!

• Line 2 – A faster version of Line 1 that skips some stops. It’s perfect for quickly getting from the train station to St. Mark’s Square.

• There are also outer loop lines that circle around the city, and lagoon lines that connect to outlying islands. For example, Line 12 leaves from Fondamente Nove and goes to the famous islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.

Waterbuses come frequently — usually every few minutes on the main routes — and even run at night (night lines are marked with an “N”). Each stop (called a pontile) has maps and schedules posted.

💡 Tip: Single tickets for tourists are expensive. Instead, plan your boat rides ahead and consider buying a 24-, 36-, or 72-hour pass, which offers unlimited rides and saves money if you plan to ride more than once or twice. If you’re between 6 and 29 years old, you can buy a Rolling Venice Card — it gives you access to a special 3-day transportation pass at about half price. Great deal for students and young travelers!

Traghetto – the Local Gondola Ferry

A traghetto is a gondola-style ferry that locals use to cross the Grand Canal where there’s no bridge. It’s not a tour, just a short crossing — but you get to stand in a real gondola with a gondolier for just a few euros.

Traghetto crossings run during the day at several spots, like near Rialto and Santa Sofia. Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding — there are machines at every stop where you tap your ticket or pass.

Gondola Rides

Gondolas today are mostly for tourists — and they’re iconic! A 30-minute private gondola ride costs around €90–110 ($95–115) and fits up to 5 people. It’s not cheap, but it’s a classic Venice experience.

Eating Out in Venice – Prices, Fees & Dining Customs 🍴

Italian food is amazing, but restaurant bills in Venice can come with a few surprises. Here’s what to watch out for so your dining experience stays enjoyable — and stress-free.

• “Coperto” – Table Charge – is a fixed fee charged for sitting at the table — it usually covers things like bread, silverware, and place settings. It’s not a scam — it’s standard in many parts of Italy. In Venice, coperto is usually €2–3 per person (about $2–$3.25), but it can be higher in touristy spots. You’ll usually find the coperto listed at the bottom of the menu. Some modern places advertise “no coperto,” but that’s still rare in Venice. Coperto is not a tip. It’s a taxed charge added by the restaurant.

• “Servizio” and Tipping. In addition to the coperto, you might see a “servizio” charge on your bill — usually 10–15%, especially for larger groups or upscale places. This is a service fee, not optional. If servizio or coperto is already included, you’re not expected to leave a tip. That said, if the service was great, leaving a few extra euros, or rounding up the bill, is a nice gesture — about 5–10% is generous.
• ☕At coffee bars, tipping isn’t expected. Italians often leave small change in the tip jar if they feel like it. Drinking coffee at the bar (standing up) is much cheaper than sitting at a table.

• Live Music Surcharge 🎻 Some famous cafés in St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) — like Caffè Florian or Ristorante Quadri — feature live classical music. It’s beautiful, romantic… and it comes with a fee. 👉 So yes, your coffee might end up costing €10+, but you’re also paying for the once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere. If you sit at a table and listen to the band, your bill will include a “music surcharge” of a few euros per person.This fee isn’t about the food — it’s for the experience of enjoying a live concert outdoors in one of Europe’s most iconic squares.

Tickets, Passes & Smart Sightseeing 🎫

Venice is full of art and beauty — but visiting museums and churches can quickly add up, and long lines can eat into your precious time. Here are some smart ways to save money and avoid the crowds:

• Venice Museum Pass. This all-in-one pass gives you one-time entry to most of Venice’s Civic Museums. Included are Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), Museo Correr, Archaeological Museum, Marciana Library at St. Mark’s Square, Ca’ Rezzonico, Ca’ Pesaro, Glass Museum (Murano), Lace Museum (Burano) …and more. 🕒 The pass is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase. 🛒 You can buy it online or at the entrance of any participating museum.
• ⛪ St. Mark’s Basilica – Book Ahead. Entry to St. Mark’s Basilica is technically free or inexpensive, but the lines are massive — often taking up hours of your day. Buy your ticket online in advance, especially if you want to visit the Golden Altarpiece (Pala d’Oro) or explore the Treasury or Access the balcony (Loggia dei Cavalli) for a great view of St. Mark’s Square. This lets you skip the lines and choose a timed slot that fits your sightseeing plan.

🏰 Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) While included in the Venice Museum Pass, it’s best to reserve a timed-entry ticket to skip lines.
Want to explore Casanova’s prison cell or the secret passages? Those tours require separate bookings with a guide.

• ⛪ Chorus Pass – Venice Church Tour. Some of Venice’s greatest art treasures aren’t in museums — they’re in its churches. You’ll find masterpieces by Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, and more. Many churches charge small entry fees. If you’re planning to visit more than 4 churches, get the Chorus Pass. It grants one-time entry to 20 historic churches. It is valid for 1 year and can be bought online or at your first particapting church. ❗ Note: The Chorus Pass does NOT include St. Mark’s Basilica or Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (home to the tombs of Titian and Canova).

Seasonal Highlights in Venice 💎

Venice is magical year-round, but certain events and natural phenomena make it even more special at specific times of year. Here’s what to look out for:

• 🌊 Acqua Alta – High Water Season (Oct–Jan) From October to January, Venice experiences periodic flooding caused by exceptionally high tides. During these events, water from the lagoon rises and spills into the lowest parts of the city, most notably St. Mark’s Square. Sirens sound in advance to alert both residents and visitors, giving them time to prepare. The city quickly adapts by setting up raised wooden walkways that allow people to move through flooded areas without getting wet. Locals typically wear rubber boots, while tourists often buy plastic over-shoe covers sold around town. ⏱️ The flooding usually lasts just a few hours — and even when partially underwater, Venice is still stunning.
• 🎨 The Venice Biennale is one of the world’s most important art events, held every two years between May and November. In odd-numbered years, the focus is on contemporary art, while even-numbered years feature the Architecture Biennale. The main exhibitions take place in the Giardini (Biennale Gardens) and the historic Arsenale shipyards, but the entire city comes alive with installations, performances, and exhibitions scattered throughout its palaces and public spaces.
• 🎬 The Venice Film Festival, held in late August to early September on the island of Lido, is the oldest film festival in the world, dating back to 1932. As part of the Venice Biennale, it attracts Hollywood stars, acclaimed directors, and international critics, transforming Venice into the center of the cinematic world for several glamorous days. Red carpet premieres, exclusive screenings, and high-profile events make it one of the most prestigious moments in the global film calendar.
• 🎭 The Carnival of Venice, usually held in February, turns the city into a living stage for about two enchanting weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday. Locals and visitors alike roam the streets in ornate 18th-century costumes, creating an atmosphere of elegance and mystery. The festivities begin with the spectacular “Flight of the Angel,” where an acrobat dressed as an angel glides down from the bell tower into St. Mark’s Square. Throughout the carnival, the city comes alive with mask parades, concerts, and lavish masquerade balls held in historic palaces. Everyone is welcome to take part — whether by renting a costume, buying a handcrafted mask, or simply joining the crowd. The celebration culminates on Fat Tuesday (Martedì Grasso) with a grand farewell party, after which the city settles into the quiet reflection of Lent.