Venice has always been a bucket list destination for many people. Its unique history, coupled with its romantic charm make this city a truly wonderful place to explore.
When exploring Venice, you want to make sure you have the right place to stay. This could make or break your vacation.
In this guide, I’ll give you tips to ensure you have all you need to know to book a hotel in Venice. I’ll also give you my personal recommendation which provides access to everything you need.
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Getting to Venice
Most people, when traveling to Italy, may arrive in Venice by train after visiting some other cities.
Traveling to Venice by train will land you in the blank terminal. Luckily, the train station is centrally located in Venice. It provides convenient access to most places in the city. I recommend arriving in Venice by train.
If you are arriving by plane, you will land at Venice, Marco Polo airport (VCE). It is located about 8 miles north of Venice. It is named after the explorer Marco Polo and is a primary Gateway for tours flying to Venice.
To get to Venice from the airport, I recommend taking the Alilaguna water bus that goes directly from the airport to Venice Island. It takes around 40 to 70 minutes, depending on your location.
Arriving in Venice
Boats travel through the canals of Venice
Stepping out of the train station, you will be greeted by the hustle and bustle of Venice, the grand Canal waterway, and colorful houses built on stilts.
Once you arrive at this beautiful destination, you’ll want to make sure you arrange a way to get to your hotel. You also want to make sure that your luggage will be taken care of. Keep reading to learn the best way to get your luggage to your hotel, as well as making sure you can get around the city.
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2. Venice Is A Walking City
View from the Santa Lucia station in Venice
It may surprise you not to see any cars or bikes, and all of Venice. I definitely looked around and wondered where everybody was driving.
In Venice, walking and water taxis are the two main modes of transportation. The main reason is because of the bridges.
There are over 400 bridges that connect the city of Venice. People don’t bike because they don’t want to lift their bike up and down 15 different bridges on their commute.
Most streets are also way too narrow to drive a car through. Heavy pedestrian traffic would make it even more difficult.
For these reasons, be prepared to get around Venice by foot. It isn’t all that big, as getting from one end of the city to the other only takes around 40 minutes.
For those that don’t want to walk as far, traveling by boat is also possible. There are two main types of water, travel.
3. Know the Best Way to Get Around
Water Taxi
Winding our way through Venice’s tight waterways on a classic Gondola ride
In Venice, a private boat shuttle from one point to another is called a water taxi. These can either be motorized boats or classic long boats that take you to your destination.
Normally a water taxi isn’t shared with anyone else. It’s an exclusive way of travel.
The only downside of the water taxi is its very hefty price tag. Today, you won’t find a water taxi under €100 even if you are going on a five-minute journey.
It is important to keep in mind the price tag when considering taking a water taxi to your destination. Luckily, I will share ways to get around that are much cheaper.
Water Bus
The water bus in Venice is their public transportation system. The water buses are big, motorized boats that take you all around the city.
The best part about the water bus is that it only costs around €10 to access for the day. This means that you can use it to get to your hotel, unpack, and then get back on to explore the city.
It is perfect for those who want to travel around Venice without having to spend all the walking.
The only downside to the water bus is that it gets very crowded sometimes, especially during peak tourist season. If you want a way to travel with luggage, I wouldn’t recommend the water bus. If you have the money, spend a little extra on a water taxi so that you can ensure your luggage fits on the boat when traveling.
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3. Be prepared to carry your luggage
Since there are no cars in Venice, there won’t be an Uber to take you from the airport to your hotel. Luckily, the city has a solution for this.
Outside the airport, there are dedicated porters to take your luggage to your hotel. Lugging big suitcases around the old cobblestone streets isn’t a very good idea.
The luggage porters have a dolly cart that your luggage is loaded on. These carts can fit around eight pieces of luggage for the porter to take to your hotel.
The price of the luggage definitely depends on who you encounter. Some may charge around €25 if you have a small amount of luggage, well prices can get up to €75 if you are going long distance and have lots of luggage. For seven pieces of luggage, we paid around €50 for a five-minute ride.
Trust me, this was definitely worth the money, as I’m not sure if we would’ve made it to the hotel without the porter.
4. Check the Location of Your Hotel in Venice
Bridge located in the San Marco district of Venice
There are several different neighborhoods of Venice, each with its own unique charm. Choosing the location of your hotel depends on what you want to see.
If you want easy access to the train system, make sure to stay near the Venice train terminal.
If you want a hotel in Venice close to Saint Mark’s Basilica and luxury shopping, make sure to stay in San Marco. Keep in mind that this area may be much more expensive.
Knowing each district in Venice can go a long way in choosing your activities for the day. Here is a little bit about each district so that you can decide where you want to stay.
San Marco
San Marco is the heart of Venice and is known for its iconic site in bustling atmosphere. Here, you can find the Piazza San Marco, basilica de San Marco, Das Palace, and the Campanile. San Marco features a lively, tourist-centric district With lots of luxury shops, café, and restaurants. It’s what most people think of when picturing Venice.
Cannaregio
This region is located north of San Marco and is a vibrant, less touristy neighborhood where many of the locals live. The highlight of Cannaregio is the Jewish ghetto, which is Europe’s oldest. Here you can find lots of fresh food in Venetian cuisine. A hotel in Venice’s Cannaregio district is great district for experiencing Venice without much of the crowd.
San Polo
San Polo is located right in the heart of Venice. It’s a small lively district with market shops. Some highlights of San Polo are the Rialto bridge and market and the Basilica dei Frari. A hotel in Venice’s San Polo district will definitely offer some of the best food shopping in Venice with lots of fresh seafood and produce.
Dorsoduro
One of the lesser-known districts, Dorsoduro is known for its bohemian vibe and is home to art galleries, museums, and student life. Dorsoduro features the Peggy Guggenheim collection, the Gallerie Dell’accademia, and the Basilica de Santa Maria della Salute. This district features an artistic, relaxed vibe with a blend of historic charm and contemporary culture. Dorsoduro is perfect for our lovers and those seeking quieter, canals, and charming Piazzas.
Santa Croce
This is also a lesser-known district with a more industrial and residential feel. It is often overlooked by tourists. Santa Croce has a quiet and low-key vibe, with some hidden gems and affordable dining spots. It’s a lot more residential and has fewer tourist sites. If you are interested in experiencing Venice without as many crowds as San Marco, check out hotels in Santa Croce.
Castello
Costello is located on the eastern side of Venice and is the largest district of them all. The area features a rich Maritime history and a mix of attractions. Head to Costello to see the Venetian arsenal, San Pietro di Castello, and the Biennale Gardens. This district has a mix of bustling areas near San Marco and quieter areas along the residential streets. It’s less touristy and offers an authentic glimpse into Venetian life.
How can I maximize my time in Venice and get a curated itinerary for my trip?
You now know exactly where to book your hotel in Venice!
If you want a detailed guide on exactly what to do in Venice during your stay, make sure to check out the Venice section of my 10-day Rome, Florence, and Venice itinerary for inspiration and tips on making sure your trip to Venice is as exciting as possible.
Read: 10-Day Rome, Florence, and Venice Itinerary
