Types Of Boats You May See Going From Venice Airport To Venice

One thing anyone who has ever been to or even heard of Venice will agree on is that the Water City is quite unlike any other city in Europe or, indeed, the world. In fact, its uniqueness – along with its fascinating history and eye-catching sights – is one of the main reasons so many tourists are tempted to visit this Italian landmark every year.

Similarly, anyone who has ever entertained thoughts of visiting the city, or read up about it online or in a travel guide, will be aware of ‘water taxis’, the peculiar speedboat-type vessels that double for ‘traditional’ taxis in the City of Canals. With no traffic allowed within the city limits, locals and tourists rely instead on boats and other vessels as their main method of transportation - whether it is to go from Venice airport to Venice or simply to move about within the city more speedily.

As such, trying to spot the different types of boat careening across the canals may become an interesting diversion for tourists speeding along from Venice airport to Venice in their water-bound transfer shuttles. In the lines below are only some of the types they should keep an eye out for when visiting this unique and fascinating city.

The Gondolas

Of course, the first type of vessel anyone’s mind travels to when thinking of the city is the gondola, usually complete with a singing, striped-shirt wearing and appropriately moustachioed gondolier. This type of set-up has been at the crux of many a classic love scene, and is still seen as an extremely romantic activity to engage in as a couple – which is why it might come as a shock to discover that it is now mostly a tourist attraction, rather than a ‘genuine’ way for Venetians to move around. Sure, a keen-eyed visitor might still spot the odd gondola passing by as they travel from Venice airport to Venice, but by and large this means of transportation is slowly but surely fading, having already been replaced with more efficient types of vessel in the city's day to day life.

Public Vessels

Examples of these vessels include, for example, the vaporetti (ferries or, if you will, ‘water buses’) and the commercial barges known as ‘topi’ (‘rats’). Both are a frequent sight in Venetian waters, and several will no doubt be spotted by tourists on their way from Venice airport to Venice by water-based shuttle. Many do take the chance on these vaporetti as a way of getting around town, rather than spend the additional money for a private hire taxi.

Another curious aspect of Venetian water traffic is that institutions such as the Police Force, hospital services and the Fire Brigade also move around on boats – so tourists who come across a vessel speeding by with sirens blaring should not be surprised!

Water Taxis

Last but not least, there are the supra-cited water taxis, usually privately operated, much like any regular inner-city taxicab. These constitute the most common way for newly-arrived foreigners to go from Marco Polo Airport to the centre of town, and they display a flexibility that the vaporetti – bound by fixed stops and schedules – cannot aspire to. As such, they are still most tourists’ preferred option for getting around the city.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a transfer from Venice airport to Venice, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.