Transportation

In Venice, public boats are called vaporetti and motoscafi and they are running constantly, after every few minutes. The most frequently used waterbus by tourists is the local one numbered No. 1 and it stops 13 times between the Piazzale Roma and the Piazza San Marco. For details on boat routes, see www.actv.it The usual fare for a waterbus or autobus is very high €6,50 for one hour. For those who plan to travel extensively by public transportation it is advisable to get a 12- to 72-hour "tourist travel card" from ACTV, the Venice transit authority. This will save a lot of money. In addition to this a Cartavenezia card is also available for residents, students, and visitors who are planning on staying on for a while as it offers large discounts on public-transportation fares. This card is not practical for short-term visitors. When traveling in a small boat if a ticket booth does not exist, ask the conductor for a ticket (biglietto) as soon as you board the vaporetto. Traveling without a ticket could result in a heavy fine and public embarrassment.

The main car hire companies include: 1. Avis Tel. 199-100-133

Venice International Airport or Marco Polo Airport has airlines like Alitalia, KLM, British airways and other major airlines flying in. The airport is 6 km or 4 miles from the city on the Venetian lagoon. To reach the city, one can get on the airport boat to the Piazza San Marco. On the other hand, you can get ATVO or ACTV airport bus to reach the Piazzale Roma. The fare would be €30-40 for a land taxi to the Piazzale Roma and for a water taxi it would be €90-100 to get to your destination. Another choice is an Airport Link transfer by shared water taxi but it costs about double the price of an airport-boat ticket. One can also book a private transfer, which includes a person to receive you at the arrivals terminal, providing porterage service, and a car or a van to take you to the water-taxi pier.

Predominantly a boat city, where most of the residents commute by walking, in Venice there are no cars, motorcycles or buses running here beyond Piazzale Roma. Tronchetto is a man-made island which has a large parking garage where visitors from the mainland park their cars, or in the smaller car parks around Piazzale Roma. After that one does not need a car during the whole stay. There are several water buses standing along Piazzale Roma and generally all over Venice. In Lido, however car, buses etc can be seen on the streets. The water taxi is the fastest but also the most expensive way to move around in Venice. These water taxis have a closed cabin and are very comfortable to travel in regardless of the weather conditions. Taxis are available at the several water taxi ranks or the hotel you are staying at could call one for you. Taxi fare can be paid at the hotel. An extra amount is charged for night service, waiting time and luggage. Only travel in a legitimate water taxi that has serial number in black on yellow background and be sure to ask the driver to turn on the meter. To view official water taxi fares visit the Venice City Hall website http://english.comune.venezia.it/news...

A superb network of motorways (autostrada) exists in Italy. The speed limits on these motorways are 130kph (81mph) for cars of 1100cc or more and 110kph (68mph) for smaller cars and all cars when surroundings are wet. The motorways are all tolled. The strade statali, are not tolled and are often fast, multi-lane roads. The speed limit on these roads is 110kph (68mph). There are plenty of small country roads or Strade bianchi in the countryside on the borders of Venice, and while driving through these roads visitors are very likely to come across old fashioned market towns and Palladian piles.