Travel Tips for a Wonderful Vacation in Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy, is a stunning city with a rich history and a thriving culture. If you are planning to experience this beautiful locale, you're sure to find plenty to do while there, but be sure to do a bit of research ahead of time so you can know where to stay, how to get where you need to go and how to keep yourself safe.

Staying in the City

Venice is an expensive place to live in because everything has to be boated in. When it comes to hotels, this expense is passed on to the consumer, leaving few budget hotels and hostels in the city itself. If money is not an issue, you might want to stay near the historical Piazza San Marco, but be forewarned that it can be expensive and crowded. In the back areas of Venice, there are some nice bed and breakfasts and hostels that might seem pricey, but are still affordable for this expensive island destination.

Staying Outside of Venice

If you're traveling on a budget, you might find that it is better to stay in the mainland areas of Mestre or Marghera or in local campgrounds in these areas. Travel into the city every day will be far less than you would pay for hotels in the historical district.
If you have plenty of money, but you prefer to stay in a less-crowded area, consider staying on the island of Lido, filled with luxury hotels, beautiful beaches and challenging golf courses.

Getting Around

While on land, you will largely be expected to walk as the city's many staircases and arched bridges make bikes less practical than they are in other European cities and cars are too wide for most of the city streets. As for the water, there are three main ways to get around through the waterways, the water buses, known as Vaporettos, water taxis, and ferries.

Vaporettos are the cheapest way to travel the city, but like any city bus system, they are not the quickest. Tickets can be purchased at most stops or from the conductor and most tourists will find themselves well-suited to invest in a 12 or 72 hour Tourist Travel Card that will provide unlimited trips during the active time period.

Water taxis are quicker than the busses as they can take you directly from one place to another, but they are rather expensive. They are quite luxurious as well, which makes them comparable to renting a limousine in many ways. On the other hand, if you are traveling with a group, these ships can often carry up to 10 people, so the price per person can be reasonable as long as you are sharing the tab.

Ferries are generally used as a public service to get between two or more islands or to the mainland. Because they are public transportation services, they are relatively inexpensive and can be a good option for those who want to see the neighboring islands.

Riding On the Gondolas

As for gondolas, these iconic boats are now largely limited to tourist entertainment and are not generally used to get from one place to another. Trips can be pricey, but it can be well worth the expense to experience a private serenade during a tour of Venice on the classic vessel.

The rare exception is the traghetto ferries, which serve to transport people across the Grand Canale. These gondolas have no seats and are hardly a luxury, but they can be a good way to experience classic Venice and get across the canal for less than one Euro.

Staying Safe

Venice is a relatively safe city and violent crimes are fairly rare here. But that doesn't mean you should drop your guard. Like most popular tourist towns, there are still quite a few pickpockets in the city. Keep an eye on your valuables and make sure your purse or wallet can't be easily snatched.

If you're staying in a hostel, always rent a safe or check your luggage while you are away from your room.

Sources: Venice Travel and Tourist Information and Venice, Italy: A Guide For Travelers