I’m not going to lie; Venice was probably the most expensive city we visited when we were in Italy. However, we did splurge on an unforgettable gondola ride so that may have been a tiny factor! If you’re going to visit Venice and need to figure out your mode of transportation, then I’m here to help! Here are some ways that you can get around Venice without breaking the bank.Â
DON’T
We saw so many people on their cool private boats and chauffeured water taxis, I must say I was a bit jealous. If you want to get around Venice without spending a lot of money, then a private water taxi is definitely not the way to go!
DO
Like many other cities, Venice’s local transit authority (ACTV) offers a Tourist Travel Card that can be purchased for 1, 2, 3 or 7 days of traveling around Venice by using their public transportation. This covers not only water travel but also land (bus, tram and “People Mover” – an elevated shuttle.) Venice is compact and walkable for the most part, so you may not have to use this card for the entire stay.
A one-way ticket for a ride on their vaporetto (water taxi) is outrageous running about 8 euros each trip! The tourist travel card is very well worth it especially because it costs a lot less and you’ll have unlimited rides and multiple transportation options. We purchase a tourist card at every place we visit because it just works out cheaper that way – especially if it includes museums and sites admission!
TIP: If you want to take a nice tour along the Grand Canal without paying 80 – 100 euros for a gondola to do so, hop on the vaporetto starting from Venice’s train station and you can cruise all the way down to Piazza San Marco where that line ends.
DON’TÂ (Well sort of)
A gondola ride is very expensive, however if you can work it into your budget for Venice then go for it! However, there is another alternative for getting your gondola fix.
DO
Take a ride on a traghetto. What is a traghetto you ask? It is a ferry but it is a gondola! A rather larger one than the traditional gondolas. Traghetti are passenger boats without decorations and beautiful trimmings. You are rowed by two oarsmen: one who stands behind the passengers like a traditional gondolier, the other closer to the bow. It’s not romantic, there isn’t any singing, but at least you only had to pay 2 euros for a ride on a gondola instead of 80 euros and heck – who cares, you’re in gorgeous Venice!
But seriously, if you can afford a gondola ride I recommend it!
How do you like to get around a city you’re visiting? Comment below and share this post!
Interesting thoughts and tips on travelling round Venice. I’ve only been to Venice on a day trip from Lake Garda so didn’t require transport, but this is food for thought on planning a future trip.
When I’m in a new city, I like to use the open top sightseeing bus to get around to a certain extent. I find the commentaries very informative and the views unrivalled, and if planned well, covers most transport required for a first trip.
If in Paris, carnets (10 single trip metro tickets) are by far the best value options for getting round the city.
Hi Tilly! Sightseeing buses are awesome! I’ve always wanted to take one especially the red double decker buses in London 🙂 Thanks for the tip on the Paris metro tickets, we are big on using public transportation when visiting a new place! Thank you for reading and hope you have a great week!
80 – 100 euros for a gondola?? Whoah, that’s quite a lot :/ I haven’t been to Venice, but it’s been on my bucket list for years 🙂
Yes it is a lot! My husband says “never again” lol But I’m glad I ticked it off my bucket list, it’s cool to do it once but if we go back we are definitely saving those euros for other things!