Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Venice - some advice on water taxis please

14 replies

jodee · 20/02/2007 13:25

Flying to Venice on 28th Feb and arriving late, after 9.30pm. I know the water buses are cheap, but take about 90 mins(?), so we were going to get a water taxi (4 of us) to Piazza St. Marco as it's quicker.

Does anyone know if I can pre-book them, or even if I need to? Can't seem to find much info on the web.

Thanks!!!

OP posts:
foxtrot · 20/02/2007 14:50

some info here venice welcome

I wouldn't recommend the hydrofoil at night, it's a long trip and you can't see anything.

swedishmum · 20/02/2007 21:50

We've taken water taxis a couple of times just by picking them up from the airport at that time of night (evening BA flight). I think they are great (though expensive) particularly if you have a film star looking driver! They are so cool and 50s. On the drag before the city they go pretty fast. Have a fantastic time!

Callmemadam · 20/02/2007 22:00

If you are flying with BA you can pre book them - we are going the following week and doing just that.

Original poster
jodee · 20/02/2007 22:56

Hi and thanks for the replies- so I am looking at around EUR 85 I think - are the taxis just queued up waiting for passengers/do I need cash or credit card/or do I pay at a booking office? Flying with Easyjet btw.

OP posts:
swedishmum · 20/02/2007 23:01

There were a few there when we arrived - we paid cash when we got to our hotel. Don't know about cards I'm afraid.

DominiConnor · 20/02/2007 23:04

We did Ryanair last time in Venice. The bus is a good deal.
You get dropped a a few hundred metres from the water. It's not 90 minutes to St. Marco (normally) by waterbus. Maybe you have been told the time to do waterbus to the nearer airpor. Which one you landing in ?
I'd take cash, but be aware that Italy is the spiritual home of pickpockets, which I know to my expense

With the booked taxis, what is the deal if the plane is late ?

Original poster
jodee · 20/02/2007 23:04

Thanks Swedishmum, will have cash ready (I presume we can agree a price before boarding?) Will look out for the dishy drivers!

OP posts:
Original poster
jodee · 20/02/2007 23:09

Just seen your post, DC - we are flying into Marco Polo and our hotel is very close to S.Marco - if it wasn't so late I would go for the bus, but have just looked at a timetable for the Alilaguna and they aren't that frequent at that time of night, unfortunately. Sorry you were pickpocketed, I'll bear that in mind.

OP posts:
Arsey · 25/02/2007 18:43

Going to Venice and Lake Garda at the beginning of March with our 14 month old and was wondering if anyone could recommend some good, child friendly hotels with babysitting services? We have stayed at Bedruthan Steps in Cornwall and that set up was fantastic but anything at all similar would do. Any other tips greatly appreciated.

Rosa5 · 25/02/2007 20:11

HI Jodee from Mnetter in Venice. Hope I am not too late to help.
What hotel are you staying at in Venice as it might be easier or cheaper to take a land taxi.and then Vaporetto If you are going to a hotel from Rialto to San Marco ( the lowerhalf) I would pre book your taxi just to be on the safe side. At that time of night boats are limited so if there is a reservation there then better for you! The company to contact is Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia www.motoscafivenezia.it Dont be fooled by the other one oif you google it. You can pre book with them ( They have a stand at the airport. Also should your flight be late then you have a taxi booked If mega late then you call the switchboard and they send the boat up. You can call and book 00390415222303. You are not on the Easy Jet Bristol by any chance are you ????
Shout if I can help on anything else in Vce !

Rosa5 · 25/02/2007 20:16

Arsey ..Venice child friendly hotels erm no way as good as the Cornish !!!
Generally all hotels will cater for little ones , cots, high chairs etc and Italians love children so be prepared for the chambermaids and waitresses to smile and even spoil if permitted !
What kind of hotel are you looking for ? Small and friendly or posher with a few more comforts as can suggest a few? Are you going on your own or via an operator ? Let me know a bit more and will throw in a few names.

Original poster
jodee · 03/03/2007 23:54

Hi Rosa, only just seen your msg, we are back now! We were able to get a water taxi straight away from the stand at the airport and we were going to get the waterbus back, but we loved the speedboat so much we paid again on the return journey! (haggled, of course, as we did with the gondola).
Had a great time, Rosa, a truly wonderful place to live and we were very fortunate with the weather.

OP posts:
CAM · 04/03/2007 00:00

Venice, one of my favourite places in the world. Got a water taxi one time that had pale blue suede seats.

Soapbox · 04/03/2007 00:27

Jodee - water taxis can be prebooked but I'm not sure it is worth it. You queue up on the harbour front of the airport (reasonably good signs to the docks but basically turn left out of the airport and then keep left until you get to the dock).

The harbourmaster then takes your name on his clipboard and then will allocate you to a taxi - he'll radio for one if there isn't one coming in.

I would definitely go for the taxi - it was really special being in one for the first ride through the canals I hope you have a great time - it is a magical place

Fare was closer to 100 euros IIRC, but that might have been with the ubiqutous tip

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread