Transport in Venice

Q: My husband and I have booked a Celebrity Cruise in September leaving from Venice and we will be spending a few days there prior to embarkation. Our hotel is in Calle Della Pieta, behind Piazza San Marco and near St Marks Square. Could you advise us of the most reasonable transport from near the hotel to the port? - Val Bryan

A: The easiest way to get to the Venice Cruise Terminal is by private water taxi. This would transport you from your hotel directly to the luggage check-in area at the port, where a hostess from the shipping line will guide you to the embarkation point. However, at a cost of 60-90 Euros per taxi, it is not the most economical way of doing it. If you are interested, you can ask your concierge to get you a good deal or book in advance through the www.veniceguideandboat.it website. A cheaper way to do it is to catch the Alilaguna ferry service (www.alilaguna.it). This express service runs between the Piazza San Marco and Marittima pier (Line M) every 30 minutes from morning until late afternoon. The trip takes 20 minutes. You can buy a ticket (which you can use for the entire line to the airport) for 13 Euros on www.venicelink.com, but you may be able to get a ticket at a cheaper rate if you buy it there. Finally, you could take a vaporetto, a shared public water bus, from your hotel to the Piazzale Roma. This is the main transport hub in Venice. Here you can take a free shuttle bus to the port or board a mechanised tram service to the port known as the "Venice people mover" for only one Euro per person. (12/2/12)