Exploring Venice on a Budget

Is Venice overpriced? In some aspects, yes, but not in others. The downside is that hotels and restaurants in this compact city charge high prices, and public transport tickets can be steep.

On the bright side, the major attractions are free, affordable bar snacks are filling, and the city center is easy to navigate on foot, so you’ll only need to hop on a vaporetto (waterbus) if you venture into the lagoon.

Forget what you’ve heard – it’s entirely possible to visit Venice on a budget without compromising your experience. Rather than just rushing through as a daytripper, you can savor the magic of this city while keeping costs low. Our local insights will guide you to the best budget-friendly options for traveling to Venice.

Determine which airport offers the truly lowest fares

Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is located to the north across the lagoon, approximately 13km by road or a direct route across the water. Treviso Airport, a hub for budget airlines, is about 37km away, or a 40-minute drive to the north. However, those aren’t your only options, thanks to the efficient (and affordable) railway system in this region of Italy. Airports in Verona (also serving low-cost carriers), Trieste, and even Bologna are accessible if you’re willing to take a train or bus for a couple of hours.

Travel during the depths of winter

Sadly, Venice lacks a true off-season these days, but the latter half of December through Christmas, as well as from New Year until the start of Carnevale (Venice Carnival, which varies each year but typically falls in late January or early February), usually sees the least tourist traffic. The downside is that some restaurants may close in January. No matter when you visit, try to go midweek, as weekends tend to attract large numbers of daytrippers.

Determine the best route into the city – for your needs

If you're arriving at Marco Polo, many will suggest that taking the coach into the city (€10) is more affordable than the Alilaguna ferry (€15). This could be true, but it really depends on your accommodation's location.

The coach will drop you off at Piazzale Roma, located at the edge of the city; from there, you'll likely need to take a vaporetto to reach your hotel, which costs €9.50 for a single ride (other options are available – see below).

On the other hand, Alilaguna ferries provide various routes and stops, likely bringing you within walking distance of your hotel. Be sure to check the map before choosing your route.

Your choice of accommodation should reflect your planned activities

Similarly, be cautious of misleading savings when selecting budget accommodations in Venice. While it may be less expensive to stay further from the city center, relying on the vaporetto to reach the city can significantly increase your overall costs.

For instance, staying on Giudecca or Murano requires a €9.50 fare each time you want to leave the island – and even in the more remote areas of the sestieri (six districts), you might prefer taking a vaporetto instead of walking into town.

Calculate the total costs before booking what initially appears to be the cheapest option. Similarly, while accommodations on the mainland are generally more affordable, you’ll need to factor in fares for the tram, bus, or train, followed by the vaporetto to enter Venice. Additionally, if sustainability is a concern, choose a location where your spending supports the delicate city rather than circulating on the mainland.

Consider if you can forgo an Airbnb

Many envision Venice as a pricey destination and assume that booking an Airbnb will help reduce expenses. This isn’t always the case. Airbnb rates can be high here, and grocery prices are inflated due to the costs of transporting goods from the mainland to the islands, making self-catering less economical.

While dining in Venice can be costly, there are simple ways to eat affordably (see below). When you factor in all costs, a basic hotel may offer better value. Moreover, staying in a hotel is more ethical – the surge in Airbnbs and vacation rentals has strained the housing market, forcing many Venetians to leave their homes.

Avoid contributing to this issue if you can. Hostels and monasteries present another option – several of Venice’s monasteries and convents offer room rentals, although they typically enforce a curfew.

Take full advantage of the bar snacks

Venice is renowned for its cicchetti – bar snacks reminiscent of Spanish tapas. Like tapas, they are diverse enough to constitute a meal on their own, and you can often get a platter of cicchetti for two at the cost of a starter in a formal restaurant. Most bars nowadays serve cicchetti as creative toppings on thin slices of baguette.

While this is fine for lunch, if you're seeking something heartier for dinner, consider places like Ca’ d’oro alla Vedova, famous for its exquisite meatballs, or Osteria Al Portego, which offers a fantastic range of seafood cicchetti.

Another budget-friendly lunch option is tramezzini. These generously stuffed sandwiches are delicious and perfect for a quick lunch. Try local variations like tuna with cipolline (mini pickled onions).

Walk everywhere

Due to its intricate layout, it’s tempting to navigate Venice using vaporetto maps: your hotel is a couple of blocks from one stop, the restaurant is a short five-minute stroll from another, and reaching Zattere from the railway station requires a lengthy boat ride around the city.

However, Venice is quite compact, making it easy to explore on foot, except for the islands. Walking eliminates the need for costly vaporetto fares and avoids the hassle of crowded boats.

Don't let tales of getting lost in Venice deter you – while it’s indeed possible (and a wonderful adventure), the main paths through the sestieri are straightforward, and you’ll always encounter another church, bar, or artisan shop along the way.

Assess how often you’ll use the vaporetto

If you’ve taken the earlier advice, you might only need the vaporetto for trips to the islands. However, if you plan on using it multiple times during your visit, a timed pass could be beneficial, with prices decreasing for longer stays.

A 24-hour pass is priced at €25, a 48-hour pass is €35, a 72-hour option is €45, and a weekly pass offers great value at €65 (with discounts available in 2023 for early bookings over 30 days in advance – see below).

Planning a longer stay or frequent trips? Look into a Venezia Unica pass. Available at the Piazzale Roma and Rialto ticket booths, it lasts for five years and costs €100 upfront, allowing you to pay only €1.50 per trip (instead of €9.50) or €14 for a carnet of 10 rides, which has no expiration.

Reserve local transport ahead of time

In 2023, Venice is testing a program where visitors can receive discounts of up to 21% by booking city transport more than 30 days in advance. Purchase passes on the Venezia Unica website for travel dates before December 31, 2023.

The price for single vaporetto tickets drops from €9.50 to €7.50, while one-, two-, three-, and seven-day passes are now €21, €30, €40, and €60 respectively. You can include an airport coach transfer, but the savings are just €0.50. This deal also extends to museum entry; for example, a pass to the San Marco museums is priced at €25 instead of €30. Keep in mind that you must book for a specific date at least 30 days in advance, and it remains uncertain if the discount program will continue beyond 2023.

A city pass may not be necessary

Don’t assume that the Venezia Unica (Venice city pass) is a fantastic deal. Unlike many other cities, this pass doesn’t include free transportation, and it costs €52.90. While it grants access to the Civic Museums and the Chorus churches, if your main interest is the Doge’s Palace, it’s more economical to purchase a single ticket and buy the Chorus pass separately.

A scaled-down version of the Venezia Unica card is available for €38.90 and includes only the San Marco museums – specifically the Museo Correr, its associated archaeological museum and Marciana Library, plus the Palazzo Ducale. If you don’t plan to visit all these sites, it may not be the bargain you expect.

Visit churches

While many churches in Venice are free, several are well worth the admission fee, even on a budget. The Chorus collection of 18 churches showcases some of the city’s most remarkable art and architecture. Instead of paying €3 for each entry, consider the pass for all churches, which costs €12 and is valid for a year.

Don’t miss Santa Maria dei Miracoli, a small, gem-like church adorned inside and out with exquisite marble, or San Sebastiano, known for its frescoes and paintings by Veronese, often referred to as his ‘Sistine Chapel’.

Stand while you eat

If you’re familiar with Italy, you’ll know this tip: whenever possible, eat and drink at the bar while standing instead of sitting at a table. Bar prices are fixed and quite reasonable, even in Venice. However, if you take a seat, expect to pay more and likely incur mandatory table service charges for those extra euros.

By staying on your feet, even notoriously pricey spots like Gran Caffè Quadri in Piazza San Marco become more budget-friendly.

Order a shadow of a spritz

While many believe a spritz is a must-try in Venice – including actress Florence Pugh, who made a memorable entrance at the 2022 Venice Film Festival with a bright orange Aperol in hand – these drinks can be quite expensive. Spritzes, typically made with prosecco, a bitter liqueur like Aperol or Campari, and soda, often come at tourist prices, especially if you're speaking English at the bar (trust me, you will pay tourist prices).

Instead, consider asking for an ombra – literally a “shadow” of wine. This is a small serving of house wine named after the stalls that once set up in the shade of Piazza San Marco’s bell tower, and it can cost as little as €1. And if you do decide to go for a spritz, know that the local favorite is Select, not Aperol.

Trade the gondola for a traghetto

Yes, you definitely want to experience a gondola ride and see Venice from the water. While cruising the Grand Canal on a vaporetto isn’t quite the same, before you fork out €80 for a half-hour daytime gondola ride (which will increase to €90 from November 2023), take a look at those low-slung black boats crossing the Grand Canal filled with passengers.

These are traghetti – like communal gondolas – which cross the canal at six points along its length. The best part? A traghetto ride gives you the same on-the-water experience as a gondola, but it only costs €2.

The downside? You’ll be sharing the ride with as many people as can fit on board, and it’s much shorter, only taking a couple of minutes to cross the canal. But we’ll take that over an awkwardly overpriced serenade any day.

Visit the beach

The Italian coast is famous for private beach clubs that charge for access, limiting public enjoyment of its natural beauty. Venice isn’t any different, but there’s a lovely stretch of public beach at the western end of Lido island where you can soak up the sun for free.

Yes, there is a beach in Venice – in fact, the Lido stretches for kilometers with beautiful, sugary sand. If you need a break from all the sightseeing, skip the pricey spritz at a bar and hop on the vaporetto to the Lido for a relaxing lie down.

Skip the tourist traps

Everyone tells you that you must experience certain things in Venice, like sipping a Bellini at Harry’s Bar, enjoying a drink at Caffè Florian in Piazza San Marco, or having a leisurely lunch at Locanda Cipriani on Torcello. If you’re on a budget, avoid these places.

These spots are famous for good reason, but they’re packed with tourists and prices are through the roof. Instead, listen for the sound of the Venetian dialect and seek out nearby venues that offer just as much charm for a fraction of the price.

In Piazza San Marco, consider Aurora, which is more affordable and less pretentious, or enjoy a drink standing at the bar at Quadri, managed by the Michelin-starred Alajmo brothers. On Torcello, trade Locanda Cipriani (overpriced and somewhat snooty) for Taverna Tipica Veneziana, an outdoor buffet where you order at the counter and dine in the garden. And instead of Harry’s, head to Giudecca, right by Harry’s Dolci (sister restaurant to the original Harry’s Bar) where you’ll find other bars near the vaporetto stop at Palanca. Sit outside for the same stunning views, but expect a bill that’s much lighter on the wallet.

Be a conscious traveler

You’re likely aware that Venice is suffering from the effects of overtourism. It can feel like traveling on a budget forces you to contribute to this issue—you might think you can’t afford a nice meal, a beautiful handmade mask, or a stay at a local hotel.

But that’s a misconception! Sure, the high-end restaurant and hotel might be out of reach this time, but you can still make thoughtful choices—starting with souvenirs. Avoid the cheap plastic magnets and masks found everywhere; instead, opt for something handcrafted and truly memorable.

Many artisans in Venice create both budget-friendly and high-end products. A charming hand-stitched notebook, a marbled pencil, or a hand-blown glass bead for just €3 will provide far more lasting memories of your trip than a mass-produced snow globe. If you find a workshop that catches your eye, don’t hesitate to inquire about their more affordable pieces—artisans love meeting those who appreciate their craft and heritage. Plus, it’s a more sustainable choice than importing plastic trinkets from overseas.

Make the most of free attractions

While dining and lodging in Venice can be pricey, remember that the main attractions are often free. The iconic Rialto Bridge and the stunning Piazza San Marco are completely free to enjoy, as is the magnificent Salute church along the Grand Canal. Although the Basilica di San Marco now charges €6 for entry, it’s a small price to pay to see such an opulent site, so don’t skip it. Booking online in advance can help you avoid long lines.

Follow the rules

One straightforward way to save money in Venice is to respect the city’s regulations. Visitors should be aware of the strict rules: no picnicking, no sitting on bridges or in Piazza San Marco, and absolutely no swimming in the canals. Yet, many people still choose to ignore these guidelines.

Venice is an incredibly delicate city, and if all 100,000 visitors on a given day chose to lounge on a bridge or spread a picnic in a public square, it could create significant problems. This is why tourists can face fines for seemingly minor offenses; thanks to a sophisticated CCTV network, police can identify and penalize offenders even after they've left the city. Fines can soar into the thousands of euros—if you have that kind of cash, you’d be better off splurging at the Gritti Palace instead.

Typical daily expenses in Venice

• Hostel bed: US$50-125 (dormitory)

• Standard room for two: US$100-250

• Self-catering apartment: starting at US$180

• Single public transport ticket: US$10.50

• Coffee: from US$1.50 (when standing at the bar)

• Sandwich: starting at US$2.20

• Dinner for two: US$50-200

• Glass of wine: US$1.50-6

• Average daily expense: US$150 per person