Cheap Flights to Venice

Discover Venice

Cheap Flights to Venice, Italy

Why visit Venice?

The magical kingdom of Venice has stood for over a thousand years and captured the imagination of every person who has been lucky enough to behold it. A fairytale come to life, this floating city feels totally out of time, and there is not a single place in the world that is like it. Sail to this magical place and get lost in its labyrinthine streets, canals, squares and bridges, and you will find long after you leave Venice, Venice has not left you.

Things to do in Venice

Though Venice itself is small there are a vast list of things to do in this city. Wander through the tightly packed streets that wind their way in dizzying directions and try and head for the Piazza San Marco, where suddenly the cramped corridors give way to a huge square. At the end of the piazza stands the glittering, golden Church of San Marco. Covered in tiny, gold mosaic tiles on both the exterior and interior of the building, this spectacular Byzantine church sparkles like a thousand gems, and is a tribute to the visionaries that built it.

Beside the church is the Palazzo Ducale, the Doge’s Palace, where the rulers of Venice held court. Buying a ticket to this museum is one of the best things you will do in this city, because as you are let into room after fabulous room, you will see the walls and ceilings decorated in paintings by great masters like Tintoretto, Veronese and Titian. Then from the palace, you will pass across the Bridge of Sighs and into the famed prison—a fascinating contrast to the lavish quarters of the Doge.

Once you’re done, stroll to the promenade by the water where you can see the whole south side of the city, and the fabulous 17^th century domed church of Santa Maria della Salute. If you have time, spend it in some of the city’s other museums, such as the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Museo Correr, or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

Beyond the city’s most famous sites though, it is Venice itself that will charm you. Hop on a gondola, and let the gondolieri take you to the gorgeous Rialto bridge where you can disembark and throw back an Aperol Spritz by the water on a sunny day. In the evening, try the younger, trendier part of town in the Cannaregio district, where you can go to lively bars, or try contemporary Venetian cuisine.

For day trips, you can head to Murano to witness the celebrated artisans creating glass sculptures, as they have done for hundreds of years. Or go to Lido and spend the day on the beach, enjoying the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Best time to visit Venice

· For beautiful weather, late spring (May) or early autumn (September to October) are the best times to go to the city, where the temperatures average 18-23°C.

· Summers are warm and pleasant, but the crowds are thick and the prices are high.

· Winter on the lagoon can be cold (with means of about 6°C), but you will have the city to yourself until February when the colourful Carnevale comes to town.

Best time to book

· Travelling to Europe necessitates booking between 15-17 weeks ahead for snagging a good bargain on your flights.

Expect to pay

· Euro (EUR).

· Sit and enjoy a cappuccino in this romantic city for about 1.60EUR ($2.50).

Arriving in Venice by plane

· The Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) services the city of Venice, and welcomes flights from all over the world. Airline carriers that fly routes to this city include Alitalia, British Airways, Delta, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.

· VCE airport has a few cafes and eateries, as well as currency exchange services, WiFi and ATMs.

· From Australia you can board connecting, stopover routes to Venice, usually through Doha (DOH) or Dubai (DXB).

Visa requirements

· If you are travelling on an Australian passport you will not need to secure a visa before flying to Venice. If you want further information, or travel tips, then check government advice website.

Transportation to city centre

· There are land taxis and water taxis. The former costs about 45EUR ($70), and the latter up to 120EUR ($185), though they can generally take you much closer to your hotel.

· There are water shuttles run by Alilaguna that run several routes around the city, and are very reasonably priced. Otherwise an airport transfer can be arranged online to pick you up directly from the airport.

· You cannot drive a car within the floating part of Venice, but if you wish to explore the city on the side of the mainland, then you can rent cars at the airport or through Skyscanner’s car hire search tool.

Where to stay in Venice

· San Marco is where most of the hotels cluster because this is where many of the attractions of Venice lie. You can find hotels of all budgets here, but there is a premium on the location.

· The Castello is further east, but still within close proximity of both the attractions and the dining and eating scene of the city.

· San Polo is popular because it is right by the Rialto, where the busy marketplaces are, as well as restaurants lining the Grande Canal.

· Cannaregio is the cheaper and quieter part of the city during the day, but has much more going on in the evening, and is worth staying in if you don’t mind the longer walk to the larger sites.

Useful tips before you go

· If you go during the slightly colder months, then it’s worth bringing some gumboots, as sometimes the city squares can get a little flooded in the evenings.

Please note that the information provided above is accurate as of May 2016