Venice trip

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Hi - planning special trip to Venice with DH in April/May & wondered if anyone could help with couple of questions:

1. Is 5 days too long? - bit longer than I would chose but flights work then
2. Which is best area to stay without paying silly money?
3. Is train easiest way to get to & from airport?
4. What do I need to book in advance to make sure we get in?
5. Anything we mustn't miss! Thanks very much!

Splash out and get a private taxi (boat) from the airport and arrive like James Bond. Vivaldi the four seasons in the Vivaldi church. Catch a ferry to burano, colourful little town. Theres a market on a boat near one of the bridges(can't remember where)Just mooch about visit churches and enjoy getting lost

1. 5 days isn't too long but would give you time to go to other islands. You could go to the lido for the beach, hire bikes etc?
2. I really like cannaregio, it's Venice so you can walk anywhere really but it's more affordable, good for evening drinks on the canal, not super busy.
3. I personally get the bus to Piazzale Roma, takes half an hour or so and 10 euros I'm sure
4. I only book restaurants in advance 😂 but I've been a lot so not bothered about doing the Basilica etc, probably best to book that. Try to book DFS rooftop too for nice views.

We spend most of our time in Venice eating cichetti in bacaros and just wandering around, mingling with locals so really depends what you're after. I personally think that's the best bit of Venice. Of course go to Rialto and San Marco, Accademia bridge etc but they all get so busy that I much prefer to wander around Dorsoduoro, Jewish ghetto etc.

We did the waterbus to the centre - super easy and an unlimited waterbus ticket whilst staying on the lido as its accommodation was very cheap when we went - it was nice to hang out at the beach after a day of wondering.

Many thanks for all your help!

We have been a few times, once we stayed just outside Venice and there was really easy local bus that got us there in about 10 mins. Get a travel pass for the period you are there - it will save you a fortune. We have also stayed very central (n the grand canal) which was lovely and authentic but basic.

Murano is gorgeous and we would probably stay there if we went again. We lived just mooching around and seeing where it took us, but avoided the main tourist areas.

April/May can be very wet in Venice so be prepared for floods

Those water taxis really feel so glam don’t they. I feel like channelling Shirley Bassey, standing up in the back and belting out This Is My Life.

There isn't a train from the airport.

Either take the land bus (cheap and fast) or a water taxi (glamorous and very, very expensive, about £120). There is a third option, the Alilaguna boat, but you can’t see anything much out of the windows and it takes longer than the bus.

Second going to Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Vivaldi's church. We also did a great walking tour, run by a local (found it on Trip Advisor) - was brilliant and learned so much. Have a great time!

5 days is a lovely length.

Re airport there are two Venice airports, Marco Polo and Treviso. How to get in is different, from Treviso I would get the bus rather than train. Marco Polo boat is an option and the nicest but priciest.

We stayed on the Venice lido which was 5 minutes on the boat and good value for Venice but stay end by the vaporetto. There are also lots of lidos and you need to make sure it's the one in Venice not one an hour away. Then get a several day ticket for the vaporetto boat, can also go round the islands like Burano, Murano with that which are nice to see. We also stayed in Marconi one time which was nice but small room first day then second day they gave us a room with a grand canal view which was amazing.

Coffee in the main square costs about 25 euros a cup. Go round the corner to the cafes on the canal. The Ghetto is very interesting.

Local here - Book your accom now to avoid not finding what you like Its a public holiday here 25 April and 1st May so things will be busier . Best areas are Cannaregio or Dorsoduro IMO - I wouldnt stay in San Marco area simply as its so quiet in the evenings. Pre book tickets for the Basilica on the official site www.basilicasanmarco.it/prenotazioni/?lang=en. ALso look at getting a vaporetto pass from venezia Unica - you can collect at the machines either airport/ station - pretty much anywhere - VALIDATE before you use it. The dates for the Exemption pass are out - You don[t need to pay the entrance fee as if you are staying in accommodation in Venice you will be paying the city tax to yoru hotel / apartment supplier. - However if you are in the city on any of the dates you will need to apply for the exemption pass. https://cda.ve.it/it/ The portal is not up and running yet !!. As said no trains from the airport either bus , water taxi or Alilaguna . All transport is first come first served - even if you have tickets / have pre booked in advance. Eat OFF the beaten track aviod places with tourist menus and people outside promoting. Sitting down and table service costs more than standing up at bars and obviously the main tourist areas -St Marks / Rialto bridge ara are the most expensive for drinking as you are paying for the view. Venice is NOt expensive ( compared to the Uk IMO) just do yrou research and youw ill be fine . 5 days is a great time as you can really expolore and see loads .