Venice Travel Forum

We dock overnight in Venice,then leave the ship next morning to fly home to Canada. Are we going to be able to take the vaporeto; public transit, at 10.30p.m.? Two senior ladies would like to see some of Venice. Interested in night photography. Is this possible?

Well, the vaporettos (water buses: see http://www.actv.it/english/navigazione.php?pagina=tariffe_vaporetto ) dayline run more or less till midnight. Then the not so frequent and not eveywhere night lines run all night.

BUT St. mark is quite far (in terms of Venice) from the docks, but some parts of REAL Venice are quite close. In Fact, the docks are in Venice, and just out of them (dependong where you'll find an open gate) you are already there.

Just look at a good map (a good online is at http://maps.venicexplorer.net/maps.php?hlangs=en). You''l dock at the west side, but the sextier of Santa Croce and Dorsoduro are quite close.... and authentic Venice!

Ciao
Francesco

Hi
If you are in need of getting somewhere fast and direct but a little expensive try the Water Taxis.......Corsorzio Motoscafi Venezia (tel. 041-522-2303; www.motoscafivenezia.it) water taxis. But first try this link :HelloVenezia, +39 041 2424, anytime from 8a - 8p (English spoken) for all your transport and event questions. This is an underutilized service that can assist you anytime for ACTV schedules, stops, routes, and city event information.

Hi Most Cruise ships dock at the Maritima Docks, which are within walking distance of Piazzoli Roma (Where you can get a vaporetto (waterbus) to San Marco)
Some cruise ships offer a shuttle service to near Plazza San Marco, otherwise your options are getting a few of your fellow passengers to join you in getting a water taxi to San Marco (not advisable for 2 as it's a very expensive service. Max of 15 passengers. Minimal fare 73 euros for 4 in the centre, 4 euros for each extra passenger, plus surcharges for luggage, after 2200hrs etc - again check the price, because this bit is from a guide book, and it might be out of date), or walking to the nearest Vaporetto station.

Normally I'd advise getting 'off the beaten track' but at night time, for a mini view of Venice and some night photography, I'd head straight for San Marco,Look around, then head under the clock tower and follow the yellow signs for the Rialto Bridge.(You could get the waterbus there (see below), but walking there gives you the chance to see a small bit of the streets and campos en route. Venice is safe to walk around at night.
On my Venice Intro page, there is a link to a short guided walk from San Marco to Rialto, with tips and photos of things to see and do.

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/6f35e/22643/

After viewing the Grand Canal from the bridge, catch a vaporetto No 1, for a night cruise of the Grand Canal down to San Marco, then back to Pz Roma. The entire route, including Lido, takes about an hour.

Vaporettos after 2200hrs are every 20 mins. Line 82 runs hourly and includes Giudecca. Maps of Vaporetto routes are available from the ticket offices.

I'm not sure what time the lights are switched off in P. San Marco - I think it's sometime after midnight. Florians is open until midnight, so for a 'last night treat' I'd recommend a night cap at one of their outside tables - not cheap, but for me it's a memorable treat.

Many restaurants close around 22.30 hours. You may find bars around the Rialto Markets, Campo Santa Margherita etc open til midnight. Some will be serving cichetti - bite size snacks - similar (ish) to tapas.

The Vaporetto night service covers Lido, San Zaccaria (San Marco), Accademia, S. Toma, Rialto, Pz Roma, Zattere, Zitelle and San Giorgio Maggiore. Vaporettos every 20 minutes.

Depending on how long you are intending stopping out exploring Venice, it might be worth getting an unlimited travel ticket, rather than purchasing individual journey tickets. Ensure that it is validated before your first trip - put your ticket into the yellow machines near the vaporetto boarding, and the date/ time will be printed on it.

Have A Great trip!
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Best Wishes
Sue