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

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.

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

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

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

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

Deb´s last blog ..

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

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