3 Tips For Saving Money in Venice

Venice, Italy

Venice owes much of its tourist afflux to its reputation of being one of the most romantic cities in the world. But the magic of a romantic getaway in Venice quickly vanishes when you see the prices in Venice which are notoriously high.

Being on vacation and renting Venice apartments you can easily spend a fortune without being overly lavish with your spending. But if we are a little careful doing our homework properly we can avoid some of the expensive tourist traps to save some money.

If you think about travelling to Venice be sure to check out the following 3 essential tips to save some money:

When to Visit?

It is no secret that prices rise up to the double or more during the high-season in any holiday destination. If it is possible for you try to book in the off-season, which is in January and in November into the beginning of December. Compared to the high-season you can save up to 40% in flights and accommodation. Although the temperatures are low, the city will maintain its magic and romance. But be advised to bring some rain boots because Venice gets “aqua alta” aka (high water) on some days between October and January and some of the sights could be temporarily closed due to the flooding.

Venice Transportation

A gondola ride captures the true essence of Venice but they are also incredibly expensive. I can imagine that nobody would really like to renounce his or her right to a gondola ride, but you might want to limit yourself to just one. My best tip for Gondola rides is to find another small group of people who all want to go in on a gondola ride together. It’s your best bet, trust me. As always don’t forget to bargain hard with the Gondolieres.

Another nice way to get around Venice is the Vaporetti which are the equivalent to a bus service in other cities. However, tickets for the Vaporetti are still relatively expensive compared to other public transport systems at €6.50 per ride. One-day travel card costs €18, and a 3 day costs €33. The beautiful thing about Venice, though, is that you can explore the city by foot. So walk the walk and get lost in the streets of the city. This way you don’t have to spend much on transportation and you will discover beautiful hidden spots throughout the city.

Eating on a Budget

If you want to eat out the best thing is to stay away from the big touristy areas such as the Piazza di San Marco and also to put away the tourist guide book that will recommend places. Those are the big tourist traps. If you are going on a walking tour discovering the hidden corners of the city you will sure find a good place to eat with reasonable prices. Another alternative would be to cook your own meals in apartments in Venice. You can get everything you need at the markets or in super markets and it wonﾒt cost you as much as eating out at a restaurant.

Here’s a few places where you’ll be sure to find great deals on food in Venice:

• Pizzeria ae Oche – Great pizza for between €5-10 Euro
• Pizza al volo – This place sells huge slices for €1.80!
• Brek – Meal, Drink and Dessert for around €5 (cafeteria style food)

Have you been to Venice before? Do you have any other tips on how to save money in this expensive city?