Welcome to volume 4 of my Venice Reader Mailbag series.
Just when I think we’ve covered everything there is to know about Venice, you prove me wrong. The clever, the curious and ‘sometimes’ the downright brilliant.
And honestly? I love it.
My inbox is still full of your questions: some practical, some wonderfully niche, and some that make me laugh because they’re exactly the sort of thing I wished I’d asked before my first visit to Venice. Some of my readers or on their fifth visit!
It’s your questions that keep this series alive (and me on my toes).
Venice Reader Mailbag Vol 4
You’ll be glad to know that in this round, we’re diving into even more of the good stuff: from hidden neighbourhood corners to foodie finds, and those little details that make Venice feel like more than just a backdrop for gondolas and gelato.
If you’ve followed along since Volume 1 to Volume 3 then, you know the drill… this is where your curiosity meets my best tips (with a side of honest traveller chat).
Think of this as your insider’s guide, powered entirely by your questions and my slightly obsessive love of this floating city (and helping you see its best side).
First, I’d like to remind you that I am still offering various styles of trip consultations and even AMA calls where you can ask me questions about your trip over a live call.
Now, let’s begin with…
Question #1
Where is the best place to eat ? But NO fish!!
I suggest Osteria al Cicheto, Al Timon (steakhouse), Osteria La Zucca (vegan and vegetarian but also meat based dishes), then go with Birraria la Corte for pizza.
In general, you should be able to find in many osterie and trattorie meat based dishes or even some vegetarian options. Near Rialto market, it’s mainly fish and seafood but all around the city, you should be fine. There are some great options included in my Venice food ebook for you to try if you want to go deeper.
Question #2
We will be in Venice for two and a half days, what attraction pass would you recommend we purchase, Thanks Bob
With 2 days and a half, I’d probably purchase the San Marco city pass. You can read more about city passes, including this one in my guide.
If you book with GetYourGuide, you can add the transport pass for your 2 days in Venice so you can move around by vaporetto as much as you want and experience Venice from its waterways and lagoon. It’s also a great option if you decide to visit Murano and Burano during your trip!
Question #3
How do you get from the train station to our hotel?
What’s your hotel? Generally speaking, I’d say by water bus but if you want to be more comfortable or have extra luggage, opt for a water taxi.
You can book either a private water taxi or share the ride with others. Both the water taxi pier and water bus imbarcadero are in front of the station, so you won’t have to walk much to get there.
Question #4
Which is the best form of transport from the airport to the hotel (palazzo Veneziano is planned)?
By Alilaguna water bus blue line stop at Zattere. You can book your ride in advance here. The stop is only 4 minutes from Palazzo Veneziano (only one bridge to cross).
Otherwise, if you want to arrive in style and comfort, opt for a shared or private water taxi ride. I believe that in this case, the taxi will leave you in front of the hotel!
Question #5
Departing cruise ship (ncl) in Trieste and need answers to the easiest way to central train station (walk, taxi?) do I need to purchase train tickets in advance? Is it confusing for a first-time visitor to transfer trains in Venice to San Lucia station?
Trieste Centrale train station is 20 minutes walk from the port. If you have luggage, I suggest getting a taxi or a bus. Then from Trieste Centrale you get a train “regionale veloce” to Venezia Santa Lucia. It’s just under 2 hours train ride. Otherwise, you can get a private driver that will take you from the port to Venice.
Question #6
What’s the best way to book water taxi transfers from Marco Polo airport to my hotel?
You can book through reliable sites like Get Your Guide and Tiquets. They also allow you to cancel until 24 hours before arrival day. Otherwise, you can also use Venice Link. There are some water taxi companies you can contact directly but only a few with access to the airport dock. I’ve included some here where you can learn more.
Question #7
I found info on what to wear and getting around Venice useful. We will be traveling at the end of May and only in the heart of Venice for 1.5 days. My question is about the water taxi and prebuying tickets. Should I pre-buy tickets before I go, and how much ahead of time should I purchase them?
If you want to avoid waiting in a queue at the airport, I suggest you pre-book the ride. A week or even a couple of days in advance, should be fine, because it’s a 24/7 service so you can always find availability.
You can either book a private water taxi or a shared water taxi, if you wish to keep the costs down. With GetYourGuide you can always cancel 24 hours before your pickup day, so you can book the ride even today.
Venice Reader Mailbag
And that wraps up Volume 4 of the Venice Reader Mailbag!
Answering your Venice travel questions is important to me, and I hope you have found these answers useful and see the value in me choosing to share them.
Whether you’re plotting your first Venetian adventure or your tenth, I hope this round has sparked a few new ideas for your next wander through the canals.
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for a chance to ask me anything about Venice.
More useful resources for your trip to Venice:
- Your First Time in Venice
- Venice Unlocked Map
- Where to Stay in Venice
- Venice Train Stations
- Venice Neighbourhood Maps
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