Venice has been one of Europe's top 10 most expensive destinations for over a decade now. That doesn't mean you should not visit Venice because it is overpriced or out of your budget; it just says you have to be SMARTER when visiting Venice and learn some of these little tricks and tips that will save you $!
 |
| Venice On A January Morning |
WHEN TO VISIT
This is more of advice rather than a tip. Summer in Venice can be sweltering, and with all that water surrounding the city, you can imagine how humid it gets. Add the cruise ships hoards to the mix, and you have one hot and crowded mess! I would try to avoid Venice in the summer if at all possible. I know some of you are at the mercy of school schedules or the type of work that you do, but consider taking a Christmas break or Spring break in Venice-not that cold and NO crowds! The tourist season is usually April-October, with the exception of Carnivale in Feb. But even during Carnivale, Venice is not as crazy busy as the peak of summer cruise ship season. We were in Venice at the beginning of January, and it was magical with all the Christmas lights on. The Christmas season in Italy is usually December 6th- January 6th. Yes, the hours for the tourist sites may be reduced somewhat, but everything is open. The exception is churches that hold special religious celebrations at certain holiday times and closed to tourists.
ACCOMMODATION:
Of course, building space in Venice is limited which makes hotel prices higher than other cities. The average stay in Venice for North Americans is 2.1 nights, which is a high turn over to a town with so much to offer tourists. So with limited hotel rooms, why is Venice so overcrowded? Cruise ships. Cruise ships which are giant floating hotels injecting 60,000 people per day (more than the population of Venice itself) that do not need accommodations. They stay in Venice for about 6 hours then get back on their ship. TIP: DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF STAYING ON THE MAINLAND TO SAVE MONEY. You will spend your time and money on the commute into Venice, and miss the best time to see Venice...when all the day trippers have gone home!TIP: EITHER PACK LIGHT OR GET A PLACE NEAR A VAPORETTO STOP; SCHLEPPING YOUR LUGGAGE ACROSS VENICE'S 400 BRIDGES IS A REAL...DRAG! 😉
1. Hostels - They removed the word "youth" from hostels years ago. There are hostels with private rooms, luxury hostels, and hostels usually include free breakfast. You will be shocked at what you find at hostelworld.com
2. Monastery/Convents So in Italy a great alternative to hostels are convents & monasteries. They open their doors to tourists to help pay for the maintenance of the historic buildings they occupy (because the Vatican won't pick up the bill). There are some really gorgeous convents in Venice, and some provide breakfast. Just be mindful some convents & monasteries have curfews so read the fine print. Check out monasterystays.com -but shhhhh...silencio...don't tell anyone...this is my secret weapon!
 |
| Our Little AirBnB flat With A Kitchen |
3. Airbnb/ VBRO this is a bit controversial in Venice right now, as well as other cities across Italy and the word. Airbnb takes up many apartments that could be rented out to locals, but landlords make more money with Airbnb (and don't necessarily report the income to the government). Affordable housing is a real problem for Venetians. Until the city government sorts it out-DO IT! Get a place with a kitchen so you can save money by cooking at home. This is our preferred method of accommodation because we can live like locals, save some $ and be more environmentally friendly than staying at a hotel.
4. Stay In Residential Neighbourhoods this is a budget tip in any city, but especially Venice since it is so compact. There are seven districts in Venice, find out which ones are the touristy ones and avoid them. Try staying in the Dorsoduro, Castello or our favourite the Cannaregio district. Just make sure you find a place near a boat stop, so you don't have to haul your luggage long ways; especially if you have any mobility challenges.
TRANSPORTATION:
5. Cars in Venice? Obviously, a car in Venice would be useless. If you are driving around Italy and want to stay in Venice for a few days, you can cross the causeway and park your rental car in one of the two public parkades. The Tronchetto parking lot, it is a bit cheaper than the Piazzale Roma lot. It costs about €21/24 hours. It would be much less expensive to park your car on the mainland at the Mestre train station and take the train or bus into downtown Venice.
If you are trying to get around Italy on a budget and you would like to have cheaper options to trains and busses try Bla Bla Car. This is a vast ridesharing community in Europe that is catching on fast all over the world. You just need to have a mobile phone that works in Europe. I can't wait for Bla Bla Car to arrive in Canada. Check out https://www.blablacar.com
6. Vaporetto The Vaporetto is basically like a city bus that cruises up & down the Grand Canal, around the outside of Venice and to the various surrounding islands. This is how the locals commute around Venice. One pass is €7 and is valid for one hour in one direction. You are much better off getting a one day pass for €20 which last 24 hours unlimited riding. If you plan carefully, you can do all your cruising over a two day period. No need for a Grand Canal tour! Vaporetto line #1 cruises slowly up and down the Grand Canal all day hitting all the stops along the way. Line # 2 is the Grand Canal express route and does not stop at all Vaporetto stations. No need to pay for a lagoon tour! You can take a cruise yourself on Vaporetto line 12 and visit the Islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello in one day! Check out my blog on taking the Vaporetto to Burano for more information.
7. Traghetto A gondola tour is a costly tourist activity. To me, the €80 splurge was worth it; check out my blog post "Gondola 101" for all you need to know about hiring a gondola. If you are limited on time or money, then I would opt for a €2 "traghetto" ride. A tragetto is a really big gondola you ride standing up. Two oarsmen take you across the Grand Canal in busy locations where there is no bridge for pedestrians. TIP: I would just forget about a water taxi to get around Venice; it's way too expensive! €15 for a pick-up and then €2/ min plus luggage fees Etc.
FOOD
Many people have said to me the food in Venice is not very good and it is expensive. Unfortunately, this is the case for many restaurants that cater to the tourist masses from the cruise ships. Restaurants can't survive on locals alone anymore, and they know that tourists spend only about 4-24 hours in Venice and will pay the high prices listed on the menu. With all produce having to be shipped in and rent incredibly high, going out for a meal is costly. Here are a few tips to help ease the pain.
8. Cicchetti (pronounced chick-ket-ti) are traditional Venetian finger foods that are served along with a drink like a Spritz or a glass of wine. This can be anything from crostini to cheese & olives to seafood appetizers. You can usually get a mixed assortment for €8-€10, and they are displayed behind glass at the bar. It's a great build a meal option. Just remember, if you sit at a table rather than stand at the bar you will be paying 20-40% more. This applies to espresso at a (coffee) bar as well. Speaking of bars, many coffee bars have hot panini sandwiches or cold tramenzzini sandwiches for snacks. Pizza by the slice is a good option too, and it is sold by the weight-100grams is roughly a small slice of pizza.
9. Picnic The CoOp is a grocery store chain in Venice, and there are seven stores throughout Venice. This is where the locals shop for food and where you should pick up your staples for your self-catering accommodations. This is also a great place to pick up picnic supplies. Now I don't recommend sitting on the steps of a bridge or in a piazza and spread out a blanket! Picnics are technically prohibited in Venice. I am saying get some fruit, sandwiches and crackers and sit somewhere discrete out of the tourist zone.
The drinking water in Venice is excellent!
TIP: USE A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE AND FILL UP AT A PUBLIC WATER TAP. The water for Venice is piped in from the Italian Alps 200km or so away. We filled up our water bottles at our Airbnb in the morning and then refilled at every piazza we found a fountain tap at.
SIGHTSEEING
Venice's most magnificent sight is the city itself, and your sightseeing can just be walking around Piazza San Marco, the Rialto Bridge or the back streets of Venice's neighbourhoods and discovering hidden gems and Insta-worthy photo ops. But there are some world-class sights that you should try not to miss no matter how tight a budget you are on. My top 4 sites (in order) are the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, Accademia and the Correr Museum.
If you are trying to get around Italy on a budget and you would like to have cheaper options to trains and busses try Bla Bla Car. This is a vast ridesharing community in Europe that is catching on fast all over the world. You just need to have a mobile phone that works in Europe. I can't wait for Bla Bla Car to arrive in Canada. Check out https://www.blablacar.com
 |
| Vaporetto Station Fondemente Nova |
 |
| Traghetto Station |
FOOD
Many people have said to me the food in Venice is not very good and it is expensive. Unfortunately, this is the case for many restaurants that cater to the tourist masses from the cruise ships. Restaurants can't survive on locals alone anymore, and they know that tourists spend only about 4-24 hours in Venice and will pay the high prices listed on the menu. With all produce having to be shipped in and rent incredibly high, going out for a meal is costly. Here are a few tips to help ease the pain.
 |
| Cicchetti 101 |
8. Cicchetti (pronounced chick-ket-ti) are traditional Venetian finger foods that are served along with a drink like a Spritz or a glass of wine. This can be anything from crostini to cheese & olives to seafood appetizers. You can usually get a mixed assortment for €8-€10, and they are displayed behind glass at the bar. It's a great build a meal option. Just remember, if you sit at a table rather than stand at the bar you will be paying 20-40% more. This applies to espresso at a (coffee) bar as well. Speaking of bars, many coffee bars have hot panini sandwiches or cold tramenzzini sandwiches for snacks. Pizza by the slice is a good option too, and it is sold by the weight-100grams is roughly a small slice of pizza.
 |
| CoOp Olives! |
9. Picnic The CoOp is a grocery store chain in Venice, and there are seven stores throughout Venice. This is where the locals shop for food and where you should pick up your staples for your self-catering accommodations. This is also a great place to pick up picnic supplies. Now I don't recommend sitting on the steps of a bridge or in a piazza and spread out a blanket! Picnics are technically prohibited in Venice. I am saying get some fruit, sandwiches and crackers and sit somewhere discrete out of the tourist zone.
 |
| Water Fountain On Burano |
The drinking water in Venice is excellent!
TIP: USE A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE AND FILL UP AT A PUBLIC WATER TAP. The water for Venice is piped in from the Italian Alps 200km or so away. We filled up our water bottles at our Airbnb in the morning and then refilled at every piazza we found a fountain tap at.
SIGHTSEEING
Venice's most magnificent sight is the city itself, and your sightseeing can just be walking around Piazza San Marco, the Rialto Bridge or the back streets of Venice's neighbourhoods and discovering hidden gems and Insta-worthy photo ops. But there are some world-class sights that you should try not to miss no matter how tight a budget you are on. My top 4 sites (in order) are the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, Accademia and the Correr Museum.
 |
| Doge's Palace |
11. Concession Discounts Student and seniors discounts are available at some museums including the Doge's Palace and the Correr Museum. It never hurts to ask if there is a concession price, and always bring your ID.
 |
| Copies Of The Bronze Horses On St, Marks |
12. St. Marks Basilica is FREE! The lines here are always long so you can pay €2 to reserve a ticket and skip the line www.venetoinside.com. The time to visit is between 11:30-12:30 when the mosaics on the ceiling are all brilliantly floodlit. There are a few museums inside San Marco that cost extra to enter. I would go to the San Marco Museum (€5 entry fee) where you can go upstairs and have the most fantastic view of the domed ceiling mosaics. You can also go outside to the balcony overlooking Piazza San Marco and see the original Bronze Horses that graced the top of the Basilica for centuries. Remember: THERE IS A STRICTLY ENFORCED DRESS CODE OF NO BARE KNEES OR SHOULDERS IN THE BASILICA. THIS INCLUDES YOUR KIDS!
BONUS TIP (or tip 13): THE ACCADEMIA (OR ANY OTHER STATE RUN MUSEUM IN ITALY) IS FREE ON THE LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. This also means long line-ups the last Sunday of each month; so go first thing in the morning before the museum opens to beat the queue. This museum is Venice's top art museum showcasing Venetian masters and worth the €9 entry fee.
Friends, I know Venice is a pricey city. But visiting Venice is entirely worth the extra cost to travel here and become immersed in this unusual and historic city. I hope you find the tips👆 above useful!
If you have some money-saving tips for other readers, please let them know in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment