5 Things to Know Before You Book a Trip to Venice
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This is what I should have googled before I booked my trip, so for the first-time visitor, here's what you should know before you book a trip to Venice.
People love or hate Venice, but often, it's the kind of city that often elicits the "that's on my bucket list" response when it comes up in conversation. How could it not? It serves as a (stunnin', if I do say so myself) backdrop for films like Casino Royale, The Tourist, and Indiana Jones, and it features some of the most famous landmarks in Italy, beyond just Piazza San Marco.
Venice was one of my dream destinations — a place I knew I wanted to see, even as a kid. A place I wanted to see even more as climate change became an (even more) immanent threat. Naturally, as I was planning my 60-day solo stint across Europe, I knew it had to be on my list.
Now, if you know me, you know I'm the kind of traveler who "learns no lessons," according to my former graduate advisor; I tend to make plans at the last minute, and my trip to Venice was no exception. The whole trip seemed straightforward enough, so I booked an apartment in Venice a week before my flight, and I asked absolutely ZERO questions about what would happen after getting off the plane. In fact, I should have done more research — so here are five things you should know (and I figured out on the fly) before you book a trip to Venice.
1. Getting There: Mainland vs. City Center
Venice is a city made up of small islands — over 100 of them, to be unexact — and when most of us think of Venice, we think of the city center located on the islands collected in the Venetian Lagoon. However, part of Venice also sits on a portion of the mainland (terrafirma), and that's where you'll land, if you're flying. Understanding the difference between the mainland and the city center has real implications for booking, so make sure you're looking at accommodations off the mainland, rather than close to the airport.
Once you land at Venice Marco Polo Airport, you'll take the Alilaguna water taxi to the islands; there are no bridges, cars, or other vehicles, so it's the Alilaguna (or a private water taxi, which could run you a couple hundred Euros). Alilaguna tickets can be purchased online ahead of your arrival, but they can also be purchased at the airport once you've landed. I purchased a round-trip ticket which needs to be used within 30 days of purchase, but this isn't necessary.
2. What You Should Know About Expenses in Venice
The thing I found most surprising about Venice was how expensive it turned out to be — it wasn't that I didn't expect it to be expensive, but it was more expensive than I had anticipated. In truth, I ended up shortening my time there because I had budgeted incorrectly, and didn't have the money to stay longer.
Based on some of my research, I had expected to find accommodations within a mid-range budget (around $100-$150 USD), but the canal-side apartment I rented ended up running close to $200 per night, and I couldn't find a hostel that suited my remote-work needs. If you're planning a visit, be prepared to pay the overnight tourist tax, which can run anywhere from €1-5 per night for the first five nights of your stay.
Because of Venice's delicate ecosystem, you also may be required to pay an access fee; as of July 2026 this tax may no longer be in effect, but be sure to check with the local government before booking and plan accordingly, as when the fee is charged and how much it costs changes.
Places to Stay in Venice
San Marco: Hotel Do Pozzi — A five-minute walk from St. Mark's Square.
Dorsoduro: Pensione Accademia – Villa Maravege — A quiet, garden-front villa near the Accademia Bridge.
Cannaregio: Ai Mori d'Oriente — A 15th-century former palace on a quiet canal, with strong value for the neighborhood's local, "less-touristy" feel.
San Polo: Hotel Marconi — Right on the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge, ideal if you want to walk everywhere.
Santa Croce: Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo — A family-run property with old-world Venetian decor, an easy option if you're arriving with luggage by train or bus.
3. When You Visit Matters
There are a few things Venice's critics frequently bring up: Heat, crowds, and the smell.
Personally, I had no problem with any of these things. I visited in a shoulder season, so it was actually quite cool — I wore my jacket everywhere. It wasn't crowded, but I can see how that could become an issue quickly; some of the streets are considerably narrow. I never once even noticed a smell (and neither did my friend Elizabeth, who flew out for a portion of the trip to meet me).
Like any destination, it's best to research when peak seasons are, what the weather will be like, and what to expect before you go. Personally, I'd absolutely consider visiting again during the shoulder season, because I don't think the cooler weather was in any way a drawback.
4. Be a Responsible Tourist
Venice is unique in that it is completely built on the water; the streets are canals, and the cars are boats. Public transportation is also — you guessed it — boats. Its position on the water makes for a delicate ecosystem, which the locals take care of diligently, and you should as a tourist, too. On a more practical note, if you aren't familiar with the waste-disposal rules in Venice, you could be slapped with a huge fine.
Venice collects three types of garbage: Organic & general trash, paper and cardboard, and plastic, glass, & cans.
Knowing what containers are appropriate for each type of waste is important; you could be fined if you dispose of something improperly.
You can take your garbage to a specific site, or you can hand it directly to a spazzino, who will come around during a specific time of day. This is particularly relevant if you're staying in an apartment.
You can't dump household trash in public trash collection (if you can even find a public trash can).
Typically, wherever you're staying should have information on how to dispose of waste responsibly, but you should be aware of the implications before you book.
5. Final Tips
Venice has a few particular quirks, which makes it both an incredible place to stay, and one you should read up on before visiting. Here are a few general recommendations to consider before you book your trip:
Come prepared to WALK. Aside from the ACTV water bus, you'll be on foot for the duration of your stay.
Get a multi-day ACTV water bus pass, rather than paying for the bus when you think you'll need it. You'll definitely end up using it.
Be respectful of attire when visiting religious sites. If you enter a church like St. Mark's Basilica, you'll be expected to cover your shoulders and knees. I found my jacket and jeans were acceptable everywhere we visited.
Visit hotspots early in the day or late in the evening to avoid the crowds and the day-trippers, which are frequent in Venice.
Consider staying away from some of the hotspots. Venice isn't very large, so you'll appreciate being away from the crowds, and you won't have to worry about how long it takes you to get somewhere
Some travelers recommend booking tickets with the "skip the line" option; I did not do this on my trip, but I could see how it may be the way to go during a peak visitation time.
Why You Should Visit
I've found in my travels that almost everyone has an opinion on where you should go or what you should do — and it's almost always the people who have never been anywhere who have the loudest opinions. Venice (in my experience) seems to be the kind of place that elicits that kind of response. People will tell you why you should or shouldn't visit, ranging from it's "overrated" to it's "irresponsible."
Truthfully, I don't believe in "overrated" destinations; I think every overrated place became that way for a reason, and it's up to you as the visitor to discover that reason. I also believe that it's possible to be a responsible traveler, and as travelers, we should do our absolute best to honor the rules and culture of a place to preserve them so other people can visit and learn, too.
Venice was an absolutely magical place for me, and I'd go so far as to say it's on my list of places I'd like to visit again. It's also a place we should be doing our absolute best to take care of, and knowing the above will help you be a responsible traveler.
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