Your Guide to Budget Travel Tips in Venice

The first and perhaps best budget travel tip for visiting Venice involves the selection of dates for your trip.

Be warned: if you visit Venice in summer, the experience will be far different than an off-season stopover. Therefore, plan to be patient and expect to wait in line for major attractions. Additionally, look for higher peak-season prices, too. If this is your only season of opportunity, by all means go. But plan ahead and know that you will be sharing this beautiful place with thousands of others.

01. Cool and Less Crowded in Winter

Winter temperatures in Venice can plunge below freezing, making proper winter attire essential. However, if you’re willing to don a jacket or sweater, there are huge travel benefits to be enjoyed during a winter visit. Notice that during this time, pigeons outnumber people in popular areas like St. Mark’s Square, allowing for a more relaxed experience where you can admire historical architecture without the crowds. Furthermore, budget hotels tend to have more availability and lower prices during the off-peak season.

02. Reserve Hotel Rooms to Avoid Disappointment

Arriving in Venice without hotel reservations can lead to disappointment, especially during tourist season. Therefore, it’s wise to perform a thorough Venice hotel search and reserve your accommodations prior to arrival. Look for rooms located in desirable areas while staying within your budget. Moreover, if you’re open to options, consider checking accommodations in nearby mainland Mestre, which often have lower prices than central Venice.

03. Passes Are a Must

While Venice is famous for its picturesque waterways, travelers will spend much of their time walking. However, you will also require water transportation. The vaporetto, a water bus, serves as an essential mode of transport for both tourists and locals alike. It’s advisable to purchase passes for multiple rides to save money; single-ride tickets are relatively expensive at €7 ($8.25 USD). A more economical option is a 24-hour travel card, available for €20 ($24 USD). Other options include 48-hour and 72-hour cards, as well as a seven-day pass, offering great value for visitors.

04. Take a Self-Guided Tour

At some point, you’ll likely tire of walking around Venice. Therefore, leverage your vaporetto passes to stake out a front or back seat and enjoy a leisurely ride. This is an amazing way to observe the ornate beauty of Venetian architecture. These trips also present excellent opportunities for photography, so capture the moment! In summer, be prepared to wait for outside seats; however, the wait will be worth it.

05. Beware of Veiled Sales Pitches

Murano glass is world-renowned, produced on an island in the Venetian archipelago. Visitors may find factory tours intriguing and may wish to purchase Murano glass or arrange for shipping. However, be cautious of hotel packages that offer “special boat rides and tours” that sound free but often lead to high-pressure sales pitches. Don’t feel obligated to buy something you cannot afford or do not want; there are many showrooms throughout Venice offering competitive prices.

06. Gondola Advice: Save Your Money

Your dream of a gondola ride in the Grand Canal can become a pricey reality. The typical cost for a 40-minute ride for up to six passengers is €80 ($94 USD), while evening rates increase to around €100 ($118 USD). Be sure to negotiate the price beforehand to avoid unexpected costs, such as additional fees for serenades. If the quoted price does not suit your budget, feel free to walk away and consider other gondoliers offering better rates.

07. Eat Main Meals Outside Touristed Areas

Dining in popular tourist hotspots can lead to inflated prices. Consequently, consider venturing to areas such as Accademia, just a few vaporetto stops away from St. Mark’s Square. Here, you’ll find more reasonable prices and a chance at a more authentic Venetian culinary experience.

08. Start or End a Cruise Here

Venice serves as a popular embarkation point for cruises. Many itineraries either begin or conclude here, providing a great opportunity to combine a tour of Italy with a cruise on the Adriatic Sea to destinations including Croatia, Greece, or Turkey.

While you can walk from the train station to the cruise terminals, expect a lengthy journey through the Piazzale Roma, which can be quite confusing for first-time visitors. If your cruise ship starts its itinerary here, you can take advantage of floating hotel accommodations and meals on board, helping to reduce the overall cost of your time in Venice.

09. Visit Venice’s Neighbors

When planning your departure from Venice, consider extending your stay to visit nearby cities such as Trieste, Padua, and Verona. These destinations are easily accessible by train and offer more budget-friendly accommodation and meal options. For instance, taking the train to Padua (Padova) is efficient, with multiple daily connections available in as little as 30 minutes for €10 or less. Milan is roughly three hours away, while Florence is only about two hours from Venice.

Although faster trains may be available on these routes, they could come at a higher price. Therefore, consider second-class fares and explore convenient bus routes that may prove to be more economical.