How to Get Around Venice on the Cheap
Walk as much as you can., Take advantage of water buses., Invest in a vaporetto pass if you plan to be in Venice for several days and you want to travel by water bus frequently., Use traghetti to cross the Grand Canal., Stay in budget...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Walk as much as you can.
Venice is a walking city, with streets that are built for pedestrians only.
All you need is a good map, or a willingness to get lost as you wander.
Take advantage of a walking tour if you want to see historic sites with the help of a guide.
The twisting, narrow streets of Venice might be frustrating and overwhelming if you have never been there before. -
Step 2: Take advantage of water buses.
The vaporetto is the ferry that takes residents and visitors from bus stop to bus stop on the water.
Take a look at the schedules and times, which are posted all over the city.
To get from one end of the Grand Canal (the train station) to the other end (San Marco), it will take 20 to 30 minutes.
You can get on and off at different stops on the Grand Canal.
Consider what you get for the ticket price.
A single trip costs 7 euros (around $8.70), but you will see beautiful sights along the canal such as St.
Mark's basilica, Gothic palaces and restored Renaissance homes. , You can get reduced prices depending on the number of trips you plan to take.
Buy passes at the train station, or any ticketing kiosk where you buy a regular one way vaporetto ticket. , If you do not want to travel the length of the Grand Canal or search for a bridge, but you do want to get from one side to the other, take a traghetto.
It takes about 1 minute and costs about 1 dollar. , Most hotels, even economy hotels, have rooms that face a canal of some sort, even if it is not the Grand Canal.
The further the hotel is from San Marco, the cheaper the price will likely be.
Consider staying in a hostel.
Venice has several hostels that provide dormitory-style housing for travelers on a budget.
If you are staying in Venice for a longer period of time, consider looking for accommodation in the outlying suburbs, such as Mestre or Marghera.
Rent is usually cheaper there, and you can easily reach Venice by train or by bus (the train ride from "Venezia-Mestre" to Venice proper takes about 10 minutes). , Unlike other parts of Italy, Venice is not known for its food.
Therefore, you should not spend a lot of money on eating while getting around Venice.
Try cicchetti, which is Italian-style tapas.
You can order several small plates as snacks or meals.
Include a glass of wine and you will still pay less than you would at a restaurant catering to tourists.
Look for pizza and paninis.
These can often be purchased from a bar or a cafe for less than you would pay in a restaurant.
When looking for a restaurant or cafè, make sure it's not too close to the main tourist attractions.
Food and drink prices are usually much higher around St Mark's Square and along the Strada Nova, that is, the main tourist route that connects the strain station to St Mark's Square.
Refill your water bottle at any of the 122 public fountains scattered throughout the city.
The water from these fountains is safe to drink and completely free. , For example, St.
Mark's basilica is free to enter and you can also enjoy the energy of the piazza or take a stroll for no money.
Purchase a Venice museum pass.
For 18 euros (about $23), you can visit 9 museums in Venice, including the Doge's Palace and the Glass Museum on the island of Murano. -
Step 3: Invest in a vaporetto pass if you plan to be in Venice for several days and you want to travel by water bus frequently.
-
Step 4: Use traghetti to cross the Grand Canal.
-
Step 5: Stay in budget accommodations.
-
Step 6: Eat small
-
Step 7: simple meals and avoid restaurants that cater to tourists.
-
Step 8: Take advantage of free or inexpensive sights.
Detailed Guide
Venice is a walking city, with streets that are built for pedestrians only.
All you need is a good map, or a willingness to get lost as you wander.
Take advantage of a walking tour if you want to see historic sites with the help of a guide.
The twisting, narrow streets of Venice might be frustrating and overwhelming if you have never been there before.
The vaporetto is the ferry that takes residents and visitors from bus stop to bus stop on the water.
Take a look at the schedules and times, which are posted all over the city.
To get from one end of the Grand Canal (the train station) to the other end (San Marco), it will take 20 to 30 minutes.
You can get on and off at different stops on the Grand Canal.
Consider what you get for the ticket price.
A single trip costs 7 euros (around $8.70), but you will see beautiful sights along the canal such as St.
Mark's basilica, Gothic palaces and restored Renaissance homes. , You can get reduced prices depending on the number of trips you plan to take.
Buy passes at the train station, or any ticketing kiosk where you buy a regular one way vaporetto ticket. , If you do not want to travel the length of the Grand Canal or search for a bridge, but you do want to get from one side to the other, take a traghetto.
It takes about 1 minute and costs about 1 dollar. , Most hotels, even economy hotels, have rooms that face a canal of some sort, even if it is not the Grand Canal.
The further the hotel is from San Marco, the cheaper the price will likely be.
Consider staying in a hostel.
Venice has several hostels that provide dormitory-style housing for travelers on a budget.
If you are staying in Venice for a longer period of time, consider looking for accommodation in the outlying suburbs, such as Mestre or Marghera.
Rent is usually cheaper there, and you can easily reach Venice by train or by bus (the train ride from "Venezia-Mestre" to Venice proper takes about 10 minutes). , Unlike other parts of Italy, Venice is not known for its food.
Therefore, you should not spend a lot of money on eating while getting around Venice.
Try cicchetti, which is Italian-style tapas.
You can order several small plates as snacks or meals.
Include a glass of wine and you will still pay less than you would at a restaurant catering to tourists.
Look for pizza and paninis.
These can often be purchased from a bar or a cafe for less than you would pay in a restaurant.
When looking for a restaurant or cafè, make sure it's not too close to the main tourist attractions.
Food and drink prices are usually much higher around St Mark's Square and along the Strada Nova, that is, the main tourist route that connects the strain station to St Mark's Square.
Refill your water bottle at any of the 122 public fountains scattered throughout the city.
The water from these fountains is safe to drink and completely free. , For example, St.
Mark's basilica is free to enter and you can also enjoy the energy of the piazza or take a stroll for no money.
Purchase a Venice museum pass.
For 18 euros (about $23), you can visit 9 museums in Venice, including the Doge's Palace and the Glass Museum on the island of Murano.
About the Author
Evelyn Campbell
Creates helpful guides on pet care to inspire and educate readers.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: