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Travel Tip Tuesday : Venice Transport on the Cheap

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Venice is far from a cheap city. But there are always ways to cut corners and save money in this otherwise pricey locale. This Travel Tip Tuesday, I wanted to share a few easy ways to see an important side of Venice, the views on the Grand Canal, on the cheap.

As you know, Venice is a city built on water – and therefore has no vehicles for transportation. Instead, the transportation floats.

I am an advocate for walking and strolling around Venice- it’s here you’ll find little nooks and crannies. Getting lost, getting found and getting lost again. There is no less expensive way to get around Venice than on foot.

But there is one perspective you just can’t see from the footbridges and alleyways. The large Venetian palazzos that line the Grand Canal.

Many dream of floating along in a private gondola, seeing Venice from water level, but this can be expensive. An hour ride in a gondola will run between 120€ and 150€ per hour.

Why not do what the locals do when they take to the water?

Ride the Vaporetto

The Vaporetto is Venice’s answer to the bus – only it floats and has better views. This large oval, covered. motorized waterbus transports Venetians to and from Venice and her islands. Like any major city bus, it’s crowded during rush-hours, so try to avoid these times. The best views are on the Vaporetto Line #1, which travels along the entire ‘S’-shaped Grand Canal.

Try to sneak a spot at the front of the boat, where the views are unobstructed and grab your camera- you’ll need it. I recommend this trip as a great way to get excited and acquainted with Venice during the day. But, don’t forget to travel the same route at least once in the late evening, when the lights on the Grand Canal light up the dark sky and make Venice more magical, if that’s even possible.

Cost:

Single Ride – 6,50€ for one 60 minute one-way ticket
Tourist Card – Available in increments from 12 hours to 7 days, allows for unlimited rides. Between 16€ – 50€

Take a Traghetto

Another inexpensive option is not for the unbalanced. Try lining up with the locals at the handful of traghetto crossings dotted along the Gand Canal, which can be located on any Vaporetto map or by following the yellow signs in the city. Be prepared to shuffle onto a plain gondola-shaped boat {these boats have been stripped of their luxurious frills} that ferries passengers across both sides of the Grand Canal.

It’s proper to face the direction you came from, as the boat will turn to face you in the direction of travel. Though you can sit, locals will stand, but make sure you are sure-footed- you don’t want to end up in the drink.

Cost : 0,50€ for a one-way trip

Photo credits : Randwill / jlord

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Virginia
March 9th, 2010
Hi! I took vaporetto when I was in Venice last September, and the views were really great. Venice is really magical, but I got lost SO many times that it did ruin my mood sometimes. Great post, very useful!

Thanks. The thing that keeps you sane in Venice is knowing that you’ll get lost. Don’t have too much of a plan – just get lost and enjoy what you’ll discover while you are are on your way to getting found again

Melissa - Want To Go Travel
March 9th, 2010
Unless I am with a large group, I love riding the Vaporetto and Traghetto. Great fun!

If you are really lucky you can find the ones with seats in front to get that unobstructed view. Just remember not to stand up or the driver/captain will yell at you.

And we certainly would NOT want you to get yelled at. Inless you want to learn some new Venetian words

Deb
March 9th, 2010
Great tips, thank you! Your blog helps grow the wanderlust in my soul.

Aw, that’s so sweet of you to say. So glad my blog does that for you Deb.

Deb´s last blog ..

somepinkflowers
March 10th, 2010
yipeeee!
you R the best
at this travel stuff wrap-up, missy!

with this–> Vaporetto
if the front seats are taken, wait 5 minutes for the next one.
after all, where ever you are waiting, it is lovely, too.
i mean, you R in Venice.

with this—> Traghetto
standing up while crossing
made me feel more Local than anything else i did
the entire time i was there.

me, i am a different sort of traveler:
i got lost SO many times that it MADE MY DAY!

there last May,
i still dream nightly of walking the streets
and cafe hopping.

BTW, robin
your ”’10 Memories of Venice”’
were spot on.

clearly you have this dreamy city
dancing in your blood.

Thanks Bonnie, you are right, I love this city! Clearly you have the right attitude about getting lost in Venice. I am so glad you stood on the traghetto and didn’t fall in

somepinkflowers´s last blog ..deep play and play and play

regina
March 10th, 2010
Wow, 6,50 still seems pricey for a means of transport that even the locals use…Great article!

Regina, the locals have a Vaporetto Pass similar to what locals in any city would use for transportation. The 6,50€ would be for a single ride, which I would only recommend if a visitor had limited time in Venice. Otherwise a Tourist Pass is a much better value.

regina´s last blog ..10 Vacation-busters for Rome

Paula Russell
March 10th, 2010
Great suggestions, Robin. I always advise travelers to get up early and start walking. The Dorsoduro and Cannaregio districts are fun to explore.

It definitely pays to get a tourist card with unlimited vaporetto rides (including out to Murano, Burano, and other islands in the lagoon) if you will be spending more than a day in Venice–which I certainly hope everyone will. Added benefit, if you do get lost and don’t want to be–just follow the signs (or ask) where the nearest vaporetto stop is and hop on.

I do think it’s worth riding in a gondola once in a lifetime, but I would suggest taking one on the smaller inner canals rather than on the Grand Canal. Doing this, especially in the early morning or evening can transport you back in time. Plus, it’s something you can only do in Venice. Remember you pay the same price whether you are a party of 2 or 6, so consider splitting the costs.

Can you tell, I am longing for Venice…..

Paula, thanks for your thoughts. I agree on the tourist card for folks that are spending at least a few days in Venice. And though I agree about taking a gondola ride once (I had too!), I also like to let budget travelers know that taking a gondola ride shouldn’t be a make or break thing to do in Venice. If you can’t afford it, there are lots of wonderful things to do- including walking early in the morning, like you suggest. That’s the best time to see the city and take lovely pictures- sans crowds.

Paula Russell´s last blog ..A Spring Soup

wendy
March 10th, 2010
Going to Venice is my dream experience. Thank you for your article and the good tips. I’ve got it bookmarked in my Travel folder. Should I go in May when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are thin, or in Feb during Carnivale for the amazing photo opps? I know, both.

Wendy, both is the right answer Each would offer a different view of the city – I just like to avoid the hot summer months. Let me know if you need any help with your planning.

Nan
March 18th, 2010
Excellent, Robin. You’re right, no matter how much you like to walk, there are simply places you can’t get to any other way than via the vaporetto (like to that marvelous view from the San Giorgio Maggiore bell tower, not too mention that after-dinner ride up the Grand and down the Giudecca Canal on a summer’s eve…).

Don’t forget to remind folks to take advantage of the discounts offered by the advance-purchase VeniceConnected.com. They are significant, and overlooked by too many travelers. Even the 12-hour pass is a better deal than the exhorbitant 6,50 one-way. Waterway robbery!

Oh, and one small traghetto tip: to help keep your balance, make sure you straddle the gondola width-, not length-wise.

Viva Venezia!
Nan´s last blog ..Venicelink: Private and Shared Water Taxi Service in Venice