How to get around Venice on a budget?

Getting Around Venice In the morning, take the inexpensive train or bus from Mestre across to Venice and continue on foot—the best way to explore this city. Venice is a fairly small city and very walkable. Try to avoid the Vaporetto public water taxi, which can be relatively expensive.



Getting around Venice on a budget requires a strategic combination of walking and using the "Traghetto" shortcuts. Walking is, of course, entirely free and is the most authentic way to see the city's hidden squares (campi) and narrow alleys (calli). Venice is surprisingly small; you can walk from the train station to St. Mark's Square in about 30–40 minutes if you follow the yellow signs. For crossing the Grand Canal without paying for a pricey gondola ride, you should use a Traghetto. These are large gondolas rowed by two oarsmen that act as "ferries" at specific points where there are no bridges; the ride costs only about €2 for tourists and takes just a minute. If you must use the Vaporetto (water bus), avoid buying single-trip tickets, which cost a staggering €9.50 as of 2026. Instead, purchase a multi-day pass (24, 48, or 72 hours) or, if you are staying longer, look into the "Venezia Unica" card which offers significantly discounted fares for frequent users. Additionally, avoid "Water Taxis" entirely, as they are private luxury boats that can easily cost €100 for a short trip across the lagoon.

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What is the cheapest way to go around Venice? The cheapest way to travel around Venice is on foot. However, to save time and money, you can take the vaporetti, which is perhaps the cheapest public transportation option for travelling long distances.

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You can traverse the canals by vaporetto or water bus/ferry (relatively affordable), water taxi (pretty pricey) or gondola (very expensive).

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A cappuccino will run you 10.50 euros and an espresso is 6.50 euros (3 euros if you stand at the bar). The cornetti were around 5 euros each. A full service traditional tea will run you 35 euros and their tramezzini and panini are between 11.50 euros and 18 euros.

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Venice restaurants are expensive but there's an easy way to eat cheaply (see below). Once you add it all up, a basic hotel can be better value. It's more ethical to stay in a hotel, too – the explosion of Airbnbs and vacation rentals have decimated the housing market, meaning many Venetians have had to leave the city.

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The price for a gondola tour is 80 euros if you book it before sunset or 100 euro if you want it after and during sunset. The price isn't per person but per gondola, which means that if you're in Venice with your family, it won't be 80 or 100 euros per person but for the entire family.

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Train travel makes seeing Venice in a day easy. Once you arrive in Venice, the best way to get around is on foot. All the main tourist attractions are within walking distance of one another. However, public transport is available via expensive water taxis, traditional gondola rides, and easily accessible ferry boats.

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hop on hop off venice - bus tours. Discover one of the world's most romantic cities during a hop-on hop-off Venice tour. No hassle of arranging your own transportation or figuring out uncharted routes in a new city. Simply hop on to see the attractions of your choice and hop off when you don't.

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Prices. The rates of the city's water taxis are fixed depending on the different companies, the distance and the number of people. A Water Taxi from Venice Marco Polo Airport to the city centre costs approximately between € 105 ( US$ 112.40) and € 135 ( US$ 144.50).

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Explore Venice by going on a gondola and riding through the iconic canals. To experience Venice in full, going on a gondola ride is really worth it! The ride is unique, and it's not something you can get anywhere in the world. Gondolas are part of the history and tradition in Venice.

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A whole pizza costs from € 5 ( US$ 5.40) to € 13 ( US$ 13.90), depending on the toppings it has and the size. It is difficult to find as it doesn't have any sign, but if you are lucky enough to locate it, you will try one of the best pizzas in Venice. A whole pizza costs around 5 euros.

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Let's look at the local tipping customs. Venetians see tipping as optional. Most people consider good service a standard and leave a tip only if the service is exceptional. Unlike in other countries, like the United States, there is no need to calculate the appropriate percentage from the bill.

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All the restrooms are accessible with a coin that needs to be inserted in the proper coin acceptors. The entry fee, determined by the City Hall of Venice, is of euro 1,50, Vat included, in all the restrooms except for the Tronchetto island and the Napoleonic gardens, where the fee is of 1,00, euro Vat included.

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Don't expect to pay only for what you ordered when the bill arrives. Restaurants usually charge from €1-2.50 per person for pane e coperto (bread and cover charge). And most probably you will be charged also a service charge, generally 10%.

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A glass of prosecco, which is a local speciality, or a spritz (a mix of prosecco and Aperol or Campari) cost us no more than €2.50 in any bar.

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