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Getting There
By Air
The Marco Polo Airport ( VCE ) ( +39 41 260 6111/ http://www.veniceairport.com ) is tucked inland, seven miles north of Venice. Major airlines include:
Aer Lingus ( +1 800 474 7424/ http://www.aerlingus.com )
Aeroflot ( +1 888 686 4949/ http://www.aeroflot.ru/eng )
Air Canada ( +1 888 247 2262/ http://www.aircanada.com )
Air Dolomiti ( +39 045 2886140/ http://www.airdolomiti.it )
Air France ( +1 800 871 1366/ http://www.airfrance.com )
Alitalia ( +1 800 223 5730/ http://www.alitalia.com )
Alpi Eagles ( +39 049 979 35 11/ http://www.alpieagles.com )
BMI ( +1 800 788 0555 / http://www.flybmi.com )
British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297/ http://www.ba.com )
Cathay Pacific ( +1 800 231 0856/ http://www.cathaypacific.com )
Delta ( +1 800 221 1212/ http://www.delta.com )
Easy Jet ( +871 244 2366/ http://www.easyjet.com )
Finnair ( +1 800 950 5000/ http://www.finnair.com )
Iberia ( +1 800 772 4642/ http://www.iberia.com )
Jet 2 ( +44 207 150 0374/ http://www.jet2.com )
KLM ( +1 800 374 7747/ http://www.lkm.nl )
Lufthansa ( +1 800 645 3880/ http://www.lufthansa.com )
Malev ( +1 800 223 6884/ http://www.malev.com )
My Air ( +44 2073651597/ http://www.myair.com )
Northwest ( +1 800 225 2525/ http://www.nwa.com )
Norwegian Air Shuttle ( +47 21 49 00 15/ http://www.norwegian.no )
Polish Airlines ( +1 212 789 0970/ http://www.lot.com )
SAS ( +1 800 221 2350/ http://www.flysas.com )
Sterling Airlines ( +44 0870 787 8038/ http://www.sterling.dk )
Swiss Airways ( +1 877 359 7947/ http://www.swiss.com )
TAP Portugal ( +351 707 205 700/ http://www.flytap.com )
Thomson Fly ( +43 0192 89 598/ http://www.thomsonfly.com )
United ( +1 800 538 2929 / http://www.united.com )
US Airways ( +1 800-622-1015/ http://www.usairways.com )
Wind Jet ( +39 899 65 65 05/ http://www.volawindjet.it )
ATVO ( +39 041 541 5180 ) Connects passengers between Marco Polo Airport and Piazzale Roma in Venice. Line 35 - ATVO Air Terminal ( blue buses ) depart every 20-30 minutes and rides take about 20 minutes. Fares: EUR3 one-way, EUR5.50 roundtrip. Hours: 05:00-24:20.
ACTV ( +39 041 541 5180 ) Line 5 departs every 30 minutes and lasts 20 minutes. Because its fares are cheaper these buses tend to be crammed with commuters, making it very cumbersome to carry and stow luggage. Fares: EUR 1. Hours: 04:05-11:10.
Alilaguna ( +39 041 240 1701 ) The Blu line goes from Marco Polo Airport to San Marco. Rides last 60-75 minutes. Fares: EUR 12. Hours: 4:00-24:10.
Yellow taxis ( +39 041 541 6363 ) are easy to locate outside the terminal. Rides last 15-20 minutes and generally cost EUR 40.
Water taxis, or motoscafi ( +39 041 522 2303 ), can be found at the main dock just outside the airport's arrival hall to the left. Rides last 40 minutes and are expensive, starting at EUR 80 for two riders. Expect to pay supplements for baggage and groups exceeding four riders. Credit cards are not accepted.
Rental Car Companies
Avis ( +1 800 831 2847/ http://www.avis.com )
Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131/ http://www.hertz.com )
Europcar ( +39 041 541 5654/ http://www.europcar.com )
By Train
Italy's national train company, Trenitalia ( http://www.trenitalia.com ), serves Venice's Santa Lucia Station ( +39 041 524 5346 ) daily. All trains to and from Santa Lucia stop at Mestre on the mainland.
By Bus
Italy lacks a national bus company, consequently independent bus lines only service their respective regions. If you travel cross-continent ride a Euroline ( http://www.euroline.com ) bus to Milan. From there, board an ATVO bus ( +39 041 520 5530/ http://www.atvo.it ) to Venice's bus station at Piazzale Roma.
By Car
Autostrada 4 ( A4 ) originates in Trieste to the east and continues past Venice to Milan in the west. The Ponte della Liberta connects the mainland with Venice.
Getting Around
By Gondola
Gondolas, the symbol of Venice, are easy to locate but eye-popping expensive ( a 50 minute ride starts at EUR 70 ). Make sure you agree to a price before boarding and don't be shy about haggling over the fare: most gondoliers initially ask for twice the going rate. Try to avoid low tide when rancid odors peak and, if possible, ride late afternoon or early evening when the Grand Canal's boat traffic significantly subsides. San Marco ( +39 041 520 0685 ) and Rialto ( +39 041 522 4904 ) are two of the more prominent gondola stands.
By Traghetti
If regular gondola fares exceed your budget consider boarding a traghetto. These two-man gondolas ferry people across the Grand Canal for only EUR 0.50. Rides last but a few minutes.
By Waterbus
ACTV's waterbuses, or vaporetti, offer several lines that cover the entire length of the Grand Canal. A 60 minute ticket costs EUR 6. Or opt for the popular 24-hour tourist ticket for EUR 15. Hours: 6:00-21:00, some run 24 hours. Spiffy looking powerboats known as motoscafi ( +39 041 522 2303 ) offer quick maneuverability but charge a stiff price. For just a short ride across the Grand Canal they've been to known to charge as much as EUR 120.
By Foot
Walking is the best and most popular means for exploring Venice. There are no cars to dodge and Venice's 409 bridges make it possible to walk from end-to-end in 35 minutes.
By Car
Cars can cross the Ponte della Liberta ( the small stretch of road that connects Venice with the mainland ) but must then endure the impossible task of finding parking in one of Venice's two main garages. It is best to either park on the mainland in Mestre and cross on a bus or boat, or phone months in advance to reserve a parking spot. Call either Garage San Marco ( +39 041 523 5101 ) or Isola Del Tronchetto ( +39 041 520 7555 ).
By Bicycle
Bicycles are not permitted in Venice.
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