Ciao and welcome to Venice Travel Tips!
I get messages from readers planning their dream trip to Venice, asking everything from “Where’s the best pasta?” to “How do I get from the airport to my hotel?”
So I thought, why not put all the most common questions in one handy place?
Whether you’re trying to figure out airport transfers, where to find gluten-free meals, or how to ride the Vaporetto like a pro, this FAQ guide has you covered.
It’s packed with practical info, local insights and of course, a few personal tips I love to share with you and long time subscribers of the VTT family.
Your Venice Questions, Answered
If you still have a question that’s not answered here? Just leave a comment or reply to one of my emails I’m always happy to help!
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Let’s dive in…
Where’s the best places to eat pasta?
My tried‑and‑tested go‑tos, where the pasta never disappoints:
- Al Mariner – A hidden gem in Cannaregio, perfect for seafood pasta lovers. Casual, local vibe.
- Al Parlamento – Relaxed canalside spot with big pasta portions including all classics and risotto and a great wine list.
- Trattoria da a Marisa – Old-school Venetian trattoria with set menus and generous portions. Simple, authentic, always busy.
- Osteria al Cicheto – Tiny, cosy spot near the train station. Great for seasonal traditional dishes including pasta, natural wines and a warm welcome.
- Osteria al Portego – Known for its cicchetti, but don’t miss their rich and flavourful pasta dishes too.
- Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi – A classic in the heart of Venice. Locals love it, especially for traditional pasta like bigoli in salsa.
For an expanded list, you can also see my walking maps:
- Traditional Venetian restaurants map;
- Venice Unlocked Visitor Map which includes a complete section with the best restaurants of the city.
Where’s the best places to eat pizza?
- Trattoria dai Fioi – Excellent pizza with a slightly gourmet twist, served in a lively, youthful setting in Castello, far away from the San Marco crowds.
- Strazzaria – Neapolitan-style pizza in the Jewish Ghetto, made with top-quality ingredients.
- Birraria la Corte – the best pizza in Venice! This one is in Campo San Polo. Big menu, great beer selection and a spacious courtyard.
Where’s the best Gluten free restaurants?
- La Vecia Cavana – Cosy and traditional, with gluten-free versions of many Venetian favourites.
- Al Giardinetto da Severino – Elegant, family-run place offering gluten-free pasta and risotto options.
- Antico Dolo – Historic osteria near the Rialto, with clearly marked gluten-free choices.
- Frary’s – Mediterranean-inspired menu with several gluten-free dishes. Friendly and flexible for dietary needs.
Where’s the best Vegan and vegetarian food?
- La Tecia Vegana – 100% vegan restaurant tucked away in Santa Marta. Homey, healthy and satisfying.
- La Zucca – A favourite for vegetarians, with creative veggie dishes and a beautiful setting by a canal.
- Orient Experience – Unique concept run by refugees, offering Middle Eastern and North African dishes, with plenty of vegan options.
- Frary’s – Great for vegetarians and vegans too, with a mix of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and local flavours.
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Airport transfers
Got a 6–7 am flight that requires you to wake up and leave your hotel super early?
Here are the best options from Venice to Marco Polo airport:
- Private/shared water taxi (~30 min): Fastest and most convenient—starts around €140 private or €35–40 shared. You can book here: private taxi: check this list and contact one of these companies to confirm the pick up time and additional charges. For the shared water taxi, you can book here.
- ATVO/ACTV bus (~20 min): Budget-friendly; ATVO bus 35 leaves at 4:20 am for €10 one way; ACTV line 5 starts at 4:35 am. Book your advance ticket here.
- Alilaguna water bus (Blue line, first ~3:35 am): Takes ~1h15, more scenic but slower; single ticket from Venice is ~€18. Get your ticket here.
- Taxi/car: Fixed fare of €40 (~20 min) from Piazzale Roma.
Arriving late at night?
Here are your options from Marco Polo Airport to Venice:
- Private Water Taxi (24/7)
The fastest and most direct option. Expensive but convenient—especially with luggage or if you’re staying by a canal. Book in advance. - Land Taxi to Piazzale Roma (24/7)
Takes you to the edge of Venice. From there, walk or use a night vaporetto or water taxi to reach your hotel. - Night Bus (Lines 5 and 35) Runs until late, with the last bus at 00.40am with ACTV and 1.10am with ATVO. €10 to Piazzale Roma in about 25 minutes. A good budget-friendly choice.
- Alilaguna Water Bus Slower but cheaper than a water taxi. The Blue Line runs until around midnight (00.20am)—check the timetable before relying on it.
Got travel insurance for Venice?
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
Accommodation near the airport
For peace of mind (i.e early flights), consider staying near Marco Polo Airport.
Popular options:
- Torre Antica Venice Airport Hotel (~2 km, shuttle provided)
- Venicegreen Agriresort (~2 km, shuttle/bus stop)
- Annia Park Hotel Venice Airport (~600 m, 4⭐, free shuttle)
Do you offer private tours?
I don’t offer guided tours—but I do offer personalised trip consultations to help you plan your time in Venice like a pro.
Whether you’re after a few tailored suggestions to complement your plans or want a full day-by-day itinerary built from scratch, I’ll help you make the most of your visit—without the overwhelm.
During a consultation, I can assist with:
- Custom itinerary planning based on your interests and travel style
- Full-day walking routes to help you explore at your own pace
- Local insight on where to eat, what to book in advance and what to skip
- Booking advice for experiences, transport and hidden gems
- Everything is 100% personalised to you—no generic templates, no sponsored recommendations.
- The main public transport in Venice; frequent, well-connected by lines. Check routes and stops with this interactive map.
- There are 3 vaporetto companies: ACTV and Alilaguna. ACTV is the best one to move around the city centre and the other islands in the lagoon. You can purchase tickets and passes here. Alilaguna is the only water bus company connecting Marco Polo airport to Venice city centre. You can check routes and stops here.
- I explain routes, timetables, fares and tips in detail here: How to use the vaporetto.
- A fast, private watercraft service—24/7 availability and flight‑aware pick‑ups from Marco Polo .
- Not all water taxi companies have access to the airport darsena, you can consult the full list here.
- Prices from airport: €140 to Venice center; to €70 to Murano, €120 to Lido, etc.. The cost is for up to 5 or 6 people. You can read more about getting a water taxi in Venice here.
- To experience at least once, ideal for façade drops, travel with luggage, if you have a hotel with water taxi access, for a small group or family, or late-night/early pick-ups.
- Doge’s Palace Skip‑the‑Line Entry + Tour – Includes a guided tour of the apartments and rooms inside Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs.
- Private Gondola Ride – The once-in-a-lifetime experience you should try in Venice. It’s romantic and if you want to learn more about gondolas, check out my gondola eBook and learn everything you should know about this ancient means of transport.
- St. Mark’s Basilica Entry + Terrace Access – A guided tour of the Basilica and its terrace from where you can enjoy panoramic views over Piazza San Marco.
- St. Mark’s Campanile Skip-The-Line Ticket – for the best bird eye view of the city and the Venetian Lagoon.
- Murano & Burano Boat Tours – Colourful islands known for glass‑blowing & lace. Best to leave with one of the first tours of the day or the last in the afternoon to avoid the crowds in peak season.
- Sunset Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tastings – I went on this tour not long ago and I had a lot of fun and had a lot of food and drinks too! You’ll stop at local bacari to try small bites like cicchetti, mozzarella in carrozza and Veneto soppressa with regional wines and also sit down for a meal at one of the historic restaurants near Rialto. It all ends with a sweet treat and gelato!
- Shuttle Bus – Most cruise lines offer a shuttle bus to Piazzale Roma (Venice’s main entry point), taking around 20–30 minutes.
- From Piazzale Roma – Walk, take a vaporetto (ACTV water bus), or hire a water taxi depending on where you’re staying.
- Public Ferry – A ferry line 16 runs from Fusina to Zattere (in Dorsoduro), taking about 25–30 minutes. With this ferry, ACTV tickets and passes are not available.
- By Land – Alternatively, take a bus or taxi to Piazzale Roma and continue from there.
- Cruise Shuttle – Most ships provide a shuttle to Ravenna train station.
- Train to Venice Direct trains to Venezia Santa Lucia station take about 2–2.5 hours. From there, walk or use a vaporetto.
- Private Transfer A car transfer from Ravenna to Venice takes around 2.5 hours. You can book it here.
- Bus/Taxi to Station: The Trieste Centrale train station is close to the port.
- Train to Venice: Frequent direct trains to Venezia Santa Lucia, taking 1.5–2 hours. Check timetables and prices on the Trenitalia website.
- Private Transfer: A car or minivan service takes about 2 hours to reach Venice. You can book the private transfer here.
📞 Want to chat about your trip? Book your consultation here.
Can you help with my Venice itinerary?
Absolutely! Whether you’ve already mapped out your days but need a second opinion, or you’re starting from scratch and don’t know where to begin, I can help you create an itinerary that makes the most of your time in Venice—without falling into the usual tourist traps.
I offer personalised advice tailored to your interests, travel style and how much time you have. Want to focus on food?
Looking for authentic experiences off the beaten path? Travelling with kids or need a slower-paced plan? I’ve got you covered.
You can either share your existing plans for feedback and suggestions, or I can help build your itinerary from the ground up on a one-on-one consultation call.
📅 Ready to plan the perfect trip? Book a call with me here.
Purchasing tickets/passes and tours
Vaporetto (Water Bus)
Water Taxi
To Attractions in Venice
The top-rated experiences to live in Venice and tours you can book in advance:
Most tours provide skip‑the‑line options—book ahead to avoid long queues.
How do I get from the cruise ship port to Venice city centre?
Cruise ships no longer dock in central Venice. Depending on your cruise line, you’ll disembark in Marghera, Fusina, Ravenna, or Trieste.
🚢 Here’s how to reach Venice from each:
1. Porto Marghera (main port for large ships)
Located on the mainland, just outside Venice.
2. Fusina Terminal
Used by some smaller ships or river cruises.
3. Port of Ravenna (Porto Corsini)
About 2.5 hours from Venice by car or train.
4. Port of Trieste
Roughly 2 hours from Venice by train or car.
🧳 A few tips:
Always double-check your cruise’s disembarkation port and whether transfers to Venice are included.
If arriving by train, Venezia Santa Lucia is the station you want — it’s directly in the historic centre.
If carrying luggage, avoid vaporetto lines 1 and 2 during peak hours — they can get very crowded.
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