If you’re thinking Venice might be too much for little ones, it’s time to reconsider. I’ve explored this special city with my own family, and while it’s certainly unique, it’s wonderfully rewarding. I’ve gathered my best advice to help you have an amazing family trip, covering how to get around the canals, how to find quieter spots, what delicious food to try, where to stay, and how to plan it all.
When to Visit Venice
Having visited Venice in spring, summer, and autumn, my top tip is to avoid the peak summer months if you can. Venice can be humid, and when you add high temperatures and huge crowds, exploring the city becomes much less pleasant. I remember one afternoon in July, the heat seemed to radiate off the stone pavements, and navigating narrow alleyways with a stroller felt like a real challenge.
The shoulder seasons, spring and autumn, offer much more comfortable weather for wandering. You might encounter a few showers, but you can also enjoy sunshine and temperatures around 20-22°C. I recall a crisp October day where the light on the canals was beautiful, and we could walk for hours without feeling overwhelmed by the heat.
Certain times are especially busy. Carnevale, which happens in the two weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday (usually in February), draws huge crowds. Easter is also a very popular time. So, if you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, aim for March to May or September to October. Winter is quieter, but the weather is less predictable, which can make boat trips and exploring on foot less enjoyable with children.
Getting to Venice
The closest major airport is Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). Some budget airlines might fly into Treviso Airport (TSF), which is also an option.
From Marco Polo Airport
There are a few ways to get from Marco Polo Airport to Venice with your family and luggage.
The easiest way to buy public transport tickets for your entire stay is often at the machines right in Marco Polo airport. I found them near the baggage carousels. You can pay by card, and there’s an option to see instructions in English, which makes it very straightforward. While waiting for my luggage, I managed to buy tickets for all our journeys, avoiding the potentially long queues at the airport ticket desks.
By Alilaguna Boat
Alilaguna boats offer a scenic route directly from the airport to various parts of Venice, including Murano and Lido. They have different lines that operate year-round, plus seasonal ones. Depending on where you’re staying, it might not be the quickest, but it can save you from changing boats. For example, the Blue Line takes about 90 minutes to reach San Marco or Zattere, but much less to reach stops in Cannaregion and Castello. The Orange Line takes about an hour to reach Rialto. You can buy return tickets, which are a bit cheaper than two single journeys. Look for the machines in the airport or the ticket office in the arrivals hall.
By Bus to Piazzale Roma
Two bus services connect Marco Polo Airport to Piazzale Roma in Venice. Since Venice is a car-free city, Piazzale Roma is the point where you’ll switch to a vaporetto (water bus). It’s just a short walk to the vaporetto stops. Be aware of the different routes and companies, as ACTV and ATVO can be confusingly similar.
The ATVO express bus is a great option as it makes no stops between the airport and Piazzale Roma, taking around 20 minutes. There’s dedicated space for suitcases, making it convenient. You can buy single or return tickets from machines at the airport or by the bus stop. Remember to validate your ticket before boarding.
The ACTV Bus 5 follows a similar route but may make stops along the way. It doesn’t have separate luggage space and costs the same as the ATVO bus.
By Water Taxi
For a truly memorable arrival, a private water taxi is incredibly glamorous. These sleek wooden boats can take you directly to your accommodation, or as close as the water allows, cutting down travel time significantly – sometimes as little as 30 minutes. The main drawback is the cost, with starting rates around 120 euros, often rising to 150-200 euros for groups with luggage. They can fit up to 10 people, so if you’re traveling with a larger family or friends, it can be a worthwhile splurge. Shared water taxis are also available, and children under six travel for free, but you might have to wait for other passengers.
From Treviso Airport
If you’re flying into Treviso Airport (TSF), there are also bus services to Piazzale Roma in Venice.
By Bus
The ATVO bus service from Treviso Airport takes about 70 minutes, with a stop in Mestre, and has space for luggage. Alternatively, the Barzi bus is faster, taking around 40 minutes to reach Venice by using the motorway. It stops at the Tronchetto vaporetto stop. Children under 10 travel free, and return tickets are valid for 10 days. You can purchase tickets from the driver or at the airport.
Navigating Venice by Vaporetto
You absolutely must experience the vaporetti – Venice’s public water buses. They are a vital part of getting around and, honestly, part of the fun. The Alilaguna lines also operate within central Venice, but the ACTV network is usually the most convenient for exploring the main islands, although you can’t use the same tickets for both.
Children under six travel for free. For older travelers, a single journey costs €9.50 and is valid for 75 minutes from validation. However, for any kind of extended stay or frequent use, day passes offer much better value. A one-day pass is €25, a 48-hour pass is €35, a 72-hour pass is €45, and a seven-day pass is €65. If you plan to make even two trips a day over a few days, you’ll save money. These passes also cover trips to islands like Murano and Burano, and save you worrying about ticket machines or queues.
I always recommend buying travel passes at the machines in Marco Polo airport, near the baggage carousels, when you first arrive. They’re easy to use and have an English option. It saves you queuing later, and you can even pick up an extra single ticket if you think you’ll need one after your pass expires.
When your little ones’ feet get tired from all the walking – and they will – hopping on a vaporetto, even for just one or two stops, is a lifesaver. It’s also a wonderful way to see the city from the water.
You can even create your own mini boat tour. Line 2 takes you on a significant loop around the city. Starting at San Marco Giardinetti, it travels under the Accademia and Rialto bridges, heads west past the cruise port, and loops back towards San Marco. Line 1 is a slower route that travels along the Grand Canal, perfect for seeing many of the key sights.
While there are apps to help plan routes, I found Google Maps works very well for this, often with good real-time updates.
Crucially, always remember to validate your ticket before boarding. Some stops have gates that open when you validate, while others have machines. Just hold your ticket close until it beeps and the light turns green. Ticket inspectors do check, and you can expect a fine if you haven’t validated. You can use a single ticket on different modes of transport within its 75-minute window, but you must validate it each time you board.
Other Ways to Explore
The absence of cars in the center of Venice is a huge advantage when exploring with children. Your main focus is the water, not traffic.
Regarding scooters, bikes, and strollers, only children under 14 are permitted to use scooters. Bikes are not allowed in the city at all. For strollers, navigating the many bridges and steps can be quite a challenge, so a lightweight, easily foldable model is definitely your best bet.