What tickets do I REALLY need to buy in advance for Venice?

[World Gallery]

I have read many past posts and threads about Venice Connected, online site for getting tickets in advance to just about everything - bus tickets from airport, 72 hour transport passes, public bathroom passes, public WIFI packages, Doge's Palace, etc.

What is truly necessary to get in advance to avoid long lines or sell outs?

Is it really more convenient and cheaper to buy most tickets in advance? It seems you still need to turn in the email voucher to receive the tickets anyway.

It was overwhelming reading all of the options and I am unsure if we would really need public bathroom passes or if we want to tour the Doges Palace.

[epixx]

We have visited Venezia 3 times and only purchased the 72 hour transportation pass in advance because of the discount. We never found long lines for any of the places we visited, and certainly nothing sold out. Also, we were there in the height of the tourist season in August. However, your results might depend on what you're visiting. We did not take a tour of the Doge's Palace, and we did not regret missing the tour. We had a great time exploring on our own.

[Matcodixon]

We have 2 nights in Venice before boarding in August and are purchasing museum passes and transit passes from Venice connected. I like the discounts and the convenience of doing it beforehand.

[kuldalai]

If you want to avoid long queues and avoid your sightseeing time then pre book on line Doges Palace admission, or better still the Behind the Senes Doges Palace Tour (Escorted ony, limited numbers two departures each morning at set times.) At the end of the Tour you have free access to the general public areas that general admission buys you .

 

If you are lucky enough to bein Venice when an Opera is playing at La Fenice Opera House then pre-book that . Alternatively pre book Opera at a private palace on the Grand Canal through tickitalty most nights of the week .

 

Peggy Guggenheim Gallery just bowl up, but can be pre booked.

[crusingnut]

I would definetly reserve tickets on-line for St. Mark's Basilica. When you do this you don't have to stand in line, when were there the line went around the building. When you get there just go up to the person at the front and give them your reservation confirmation and in you go. We visited Doge's Palace, an old jail, very interesting. There a several tours both can be gotten on-line to avoid lines. Some of our group were lucky enough to get the tour behind the scenes and they were very impressed. Those tickets get sold out in advance. This was a big time saver for us and so easy. Check out the web sites of the attractions you are interested in, most of the time there is a savings if purchased in advance.

[World Gallery]

Thanks for the tips! I have a few more questions:

For St. Mark's Basilica - Do you purchase a general ticket that will allow you to go when you want or is it a specific time and day?

 

For Doge's Palace - I understand that the Behind the Scenes tour would be a specific time and day but what about the other tours at Doge's? It is very hard for us to be tied down to exact times. We have 5 kids (ages 10-17) and things just happen, someone gets tired, we are running late eating, etc., etc. Is there a general tour that I can purchase and go when we want?

 

Behing the Scenes tour - I read some reviews months ago and they were very mixed in regards to bringing children (but my kids are older). Anyone bring their children? Was it interesting or just too long for them? I also read it can get very warm inside. We are there June 1 - 3rd. How's the heat inside.

 

Cruisingnut - You said, When you get there just go up to the person at the front and give them your reservation confirmation and in you go

Do people think you are trying to cut the line? Are you stared out with "evil eyes"?

 

 

72 hour transportation pass in advance because of the discount - what is the actual discount? Is this something we are likely to use? We are staying at Hotel Arlecchino.

[crusingnut]

Cruisingnut - You said, When you get there just go up to the person at the front and give them your reservation confirmation and in you go

Do people think you are trying to cut the line? Are you stared out with "evil eyes"?

 

If my memory serves me right, there was somebody standing at a podium at the front of the line. I had a printed confirmation which I made sure was visible to all in hopes to avoid "evil stares". I had the rest of my party (12) standing in line in case there was a problem. The man at the podium basically glanced at the paper told us to go on in. I believe you had to choose a day & time. Researched paid off. Here's a web site with info http://www.venetoinside.com/en/saint_mark_s_basilica/

 

For Doge's Palace - I understand that the Behind the Scenes tour would be a specific time and day but what about the other tours at Doge's? It is very hard for us to be tied down to exact times. We have 5 kids (ages 10-17) and things just happen, someone gets tired, we are running late eating, etc., etc. Is there a general tour that I can purchase and go when we want?

 

Both of the tickets of Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) were assigned time and day. I believe you tour the palace on your own but the "behind the scenes" tour you are accompanied by a guide to explain what each room was used for. I was one of the unfortunate ones in my group that didn't get a ticket because they were sold out for both days we were there. The ones that did, said it was very interesting. Here's a web site with info http://www.vivaticket.it/index.php?nvpg[evento]&id_evento=838315&idt=566

 

[MeHeartCruising]

Advance entry to St. Mark's cost one euro and is sold for a 10 minute time slot during which you are supposed to enter. You specify the time slot at the time of purchase. This past spring, the advance purchase door was actually a separate door just to the left of the main entrance door (the one with the big, long line). There was a person at the advance purchase door checking your paperwork and letting you in. To me, it was worth 1 euro even if something came up and I couldn't make my time once there. At least I had that option.

Edited March 26, 2012 by MeHeartCruising

[Dayenu]

As for vaporetto pass - how good are you at walking? And yes, there are really are as many bridges as they say :) Some people walk everywhere, some need public transport. If you think you will need water buses, buy the pass on-line, you will save money.

[World Gallery]

We are good with walking but I do get frustrated when I get lost and can't find my way to what I am looking for. We took the family to NCY last summer ( 5 kids ages 10-17) and used the subway and walking as our only transportation, but we did get lost, got on a subway going the wrong direction and had a hard time actually finding the subway stations. I know that Venice is nothing like NYC but just like I could not visualize the subway system and how it worked before actually using it it NYC, I can't visualize or predict how much we would use vaporetto pass. We are staying at the Hotel Arlecchino, which is not in the center of things. I also just read our hotel was the first stop on the Vaporetta route, which is a good thing for getting a seat. Seems like it would be useful. Now I need to decide if I would need it on our "day 3", the day we board the ship. Probably not since we will use the People Mover to get to the ship so I guess I need the 2 day pass.

When does the hours start, the minute you use it (which would be at the airport for the bus) or is it by actually days?

Edited March 27, 2012 by World Gallery

[wisteria1019]

We are good with walking but I do get frustrated when I get lost and can't find my way to what I am looking for. We took the family to NCY last summer ( 5 kids ages 10-17) and used the subway and walking as our only transportation, but we did get lost, got on a subway going the wrong direction and had a hard time actually finding the subway stations. I know that Venice is nothing like NYC but just like I could not visualize the subway system and how it worked before actually using it it NYC, I can't visualize or predict how much we would use vaporetto pass. We are staying at the Hotel Arlecchino, which is not in the center of things. I also just read our hotel was the first stop on the Vaporetta route, which is a good thing for getting a seat. Seems like it would be useful. Now I need to decide if I would need it on our "day 3", the day we board the ship. Probably not since we will use the People Mover to get to the ship so I guess I need the 2 day pass.

When does the hours start, the minute you use it (which would be at the airport for the bus) or is it by actually days?

 

Accept the fact that you will get lost in Venice often. Part of the charm unless you are desperately trying to make a reservation, find a unique shop that you stumbled upon the day before etc... Riding the vaporettos gives you a vantage that you miss when solely visiting the city on foot. With that said, we have visited without ever setting foot on a vaporetto and simply walked (and got lost ) throughout each of the neighborhoods.

Venice is my favorite place in the entire world. Enjoy.

 

Dawn

[deedeetoo]

I keep debating the need for a vaporetto pass. I do want to ride down the grand canal once, but otherwise, I'm not sure its needed. Venice just doesn't seem that big and we don't mind walking. We will be in Venice 2.5 days and if I buy a pass for 4 people for that amount of time, it starts getting pretty expensive. I may buy a one day pass so we can do the grand canal and go out to visit an island or two, but I think the rest of the time we are walking.

[World Gallery]

I keep debating the need for a vaporetto pass. I do want to ride down the grand canal once, but otherwise, I'm not sure its needed. Venice just doesn't seem that big and we don't mind walking. We will be in Venice 2.5 days and if I buy a pass for 4 people for that amount of time, it starts getting pretty expensive. I may buy a one day pass so we can do the grand canal and go out to visit an island or two, but I think the rest of the time we are walking.

 

That is a good idea, just getting the one day pass then picking the day you will use it, and use it all day. I might do the same. We are a family of 7 so it is expensive to get 7 passes!

[Matcodixon]

Advance entry to St. Mark's cost one euro and is sold for a 10 minute time slot during which you are supposed to enter. You specify the time slot at the time of purchase. This past spring, the advance purchase door was actually a separate door just to the left of the main entrance door (the one with the big, long line). There was a person at the advance purchase door checking your paperwork and letting you in. To me, it was worth 1 euro even if something came up and I couldn't make my time once there. At least I had that option.

This was a great tip! I just purchased 2 tickets for our trip in August. What a bargain! Thank you for posting this!

[Carolyn R]

I love walking everywhere in Venice but when you have walked your feet off it is so nice to be able to hop on the vaporetto to get back to your hotel. I was in Venice for four days last fall and bought the 36 hour vaporetto pass. In the end, I was so happy I did. I used it way more often than I thought I would. For a single trip you pay 6.50 euros so a pass is well worth the money. If the weather is bad you can just ride the vaporetto everywhere and it is actually quite the enjoyable experience riding the "bus" with the locals. Each stop is announced "nexta stopa". Also the bus from the airport that is included in the vaporetto pass is NOT the express ATVO bus with the luggage storage underneath. I took the 5 euro express bus from the airport and did not begin using my 36 hour pass until the next day.

[World Gallery]

I love walking everywhere in Venice but when you have walked your feet off it is so nice to be able to hop on the vaporetto to get back to your hotel. I was in Venice for four days last fall and bought the 36 hour vaporetto pass. In the end, I was so happy I did. I used it way more often than I thought I would. For a single trip you pay 6.50 euros so a pass is well worth the money. If the weather is bad you can just ride the vaporetto everywhere and it is actually quite the enjoyable experience riding the "bus" with the locals. Each stop is announced "nexta stopa". Also the bus from the airport that is included in the vaporetto pass is NOT the express ATVO bus with the luggage storage underneath. I took the 5 euro express bus from the airport and did not begin using my 36 hour pass until the next day.

 

Thanks for posting! This is very helpful to me. I was wondering about the bus, the ATVO bus vs. the one included with the pass. It was confusing. Also, it makes sense to not "activate" your pass until you are really ready to use it and I guess taking that bus that is included would activate the pass, right?

[Moksha22]

If I were to buy in advance a secret itinerary tour ticket for doge's palace, would I be able to do a self guided tour of the museum BEFORE the guided tour? I'm thinking of taking the guided tour for 9:55, and use the 8:30 am opening time to see the palace by myself. Thanks very much

[CathyCruises]

If I were to buy in advance a secret itinerary tour ticket for doge's palace, would I be able to do a self guided tour of the museum BEFORE the guided tour? I'm thinking of taking the guided tour for 9:55, and use the 8:30 am opening time to see the palace by myself. Thanks very much

 

 

I don't think you can. When you show up for your tour, they have you gather in a special place in an outer courtyard. My guess is that it would be very difficult to get inside the palace beforehand.

 

My experience was that I would have preferred just seeing the Palace. Venice is glorious and I just wanted to be outdoors, not cooped up in the attics. I am not claustrophobic, I just couldn't wait to get out of there and get back outside!! So when it was over, we just ran through the Palace looking for an exit. I think we missed a lot--it looked pretty as we left!! :o

[Moksha22]

I don't think you can. When you show up for your tour, they have you gather in a special place in an outer courtyard. My guess is that it would be very difficult to get inside the palace beforehand.

 

My experience was that I would have preferred just seeing the Palace. Venice is glorious and I just wanted to be outdoors, not cooped up in the attics. I am not claustrophobic, I just couldn't wait to get out of there and get back outside!! So when it was over, we just ran through the Palace looking for an exit. I think we missed a lot--it looked pretty as we left!! :o

 

Thanks, guess I'm going to set aside an hour for the main palace after the tour. Have the time and would be a shame to miss it.

[Carolyn R]

There is no longer a savings to book your vaporetto pass in advance so no incentive to do so.