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 – 7.50€ 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 : 2,50€ for a one-way trip
Photo credits : Randwill / jlord
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