Venice says no to wheeled suitcases (2024)

(CNN) — For years, Venice has battled the effects of rising waters on its historic architecture, but now it's facing a new threat: wheeled suitcases.

City officials have become so tired with the cacophony of rumbling luggage they're introducing fines of up to 500 euros ($620) for anyone caught using one. The move, due to come into effect in May 2015, is likely to create a headache for many of 22 million who annually visit the city and need to cart bags to hotels in car-free streets.

For locals, long tired of plastic or hard rubber wheels rattling past their windows as they try to sleep, it will come as a welcome relief. The new rules, which will require luggage to be transported on quieter air-filled tires, are the idea of City Commissioner Victor Zappalorto, according to the Il Messaggero newspaper.

'Serious discomfort'

City officials have reportedly said the noise from hard-wheeled suitcases and traders using trolleys was causing "serious discomfort."

There were also concerns about the "progressive deterioration" of historic marble steps, stone pathways and footbridges around Venice's old canals. The local Il Gazzettino newspaper says the new rule will be legally binding as it'll be written into local building code

Zappalorto has suggested the legislation will be an opportunity for an entrepreneurial luggage to cash in in by creating a Venice-friendly suitcase that runs on soft tires.

Whether the idea takes off could depend on how loud the rumblings of complaint from visitors are.

Venice says no to wheeled suitcases (2024)

FAQs

Are wheeled suitcases allowed in Venice? ›

You may have heard that wheelie suitcases are banned in Venice, but in fact you can safely bring them to the city. A ban on dragging luggage through the streets was proposed in 2014 due to the noise, but it was never enacted.

How do you get around with luggage in Venice? ›

The bus comes around every 15 minutes. There are luggage racks in the seating area, so you'll need to bring your bags on board. You can also take the buses operated by ATVO. These leave every 30 minutes and have under bus luggage storage so you don't need to worry about hauling luggage on board the bus.

Can you take luggage on the vaporetto? ›

Transportation in Venice is easy and fun, but is a little expensive. ACTV Vaporetto tickets machines accept credit cards and have an English language option. Luggage on the Vaporetto is allowed, but bring a small bag as you'll need to carry it yourself.

What is a porter in Venice? ›

From here, you can hire a porter to take your bags to a water taxi and then on to your hotel. The cost of the porter service is 2.50 euro per bag. If you're arriving at the train station, you can take a water taxi directly from the station to your hotel. 2. Public Transportation.

What should you not wear in Venice? ›

To blend in, opt for low-top, urban sneakers and stay away from flashy gym-style models. I recommend you don not wear flip flops in Venice as they don't support you enough when walking, they offer nor cushioning on cobblestone streets and, in terms of fashion, Italian consider them beachwear and not city wear.

Do and don'ts in Venice Italy? ›

Dos and Don'ts Of Visiting Venice, Italy
  • DO take an authorized water taxi from the airport if you have a lot of luggage. ...
  • DON'T order pizza. ...
  • DO ask if a restaurant has a “coperto” before you sit down. ...
  • DON'T spend money in San Marco. ...
  • DO have an Aperol Spritz, in fact, have as many as you can handle.
Oct 24, 2018

Should I bring cash to Venice? ›

Since the prices in Venice are relatively high, 100-Euro bills are usually accepted. With 200 euro notes or even 500 euro notes one has problems in many shops. Venice pickpockets etc. The problem with traveling with cash is the risk of theft.

Do you tip taxi drivers in Venice? ›

Tipping your Venice taxi driver is optional, but always appreciated if you think they did a great job. Be sure to agree on a price before starting your journey.

How do I not get ripped off in Venice? ›

10 Ways to Avoid Getting Ripped Off in Venice
  • Walk instead of taking the vaporetto. ...
  • Speaking of bar snacks, try some cicchetti (chee-KE-tee) – the Venetian version of tapas. ...
  • Beware of the free tours to Murano. ...
  • Taking a gondola ride is actually not a rip-off in our opinion.
Mar 14, 2016

What is the difference between gondola and vaporetto? ›

WHAT IS A VAPORETTO? Since gondolas can only hold a small amount of people, today Vaporetto's, or "water buses" are used to transport people along the canal. Just as we have buses as a form of public transportation through cities, the Vaporetto is used the same way but on water as Venice is a "city on water".

How much is a vaporetto day pass? ›

The Venice vaporetto pass sold by ACTV and Venizia Unica costs €30 for 1 day, €40 for 2 days, and €50 for 3 days, and €70 for 7 days. So, it already pays off after 1 day, and is definitely worth it for a weekend in Venice, as it comes out cheaper and gives you unlimited freedom of movement.

Can you take luggage on Venice water taxi? ›

How many suitcases can be carried on a water taxi? It is possible to carry up to 12 suitcases. The price remains unchanged for up to 4 suitcases; from 5 upwards, a € 5,00 per suitcase surcharge is applied.

Can you leave luggage at Venice airport? ›

A left-luggage office is available on the ground floor inside the airport terminal at access 1. Luggage storage service is provided by Cooperative Trasbagagli with opening hours from 5 am to 10 pm and may change in winters. Always prefer checking the prices and availability beforehand.

What are luggage porters called? ›

Baggage porters and bellhops, known at some hotels as uniformed service attendants, bell attendants, or guest services attendants, are considered front-of-the-house jobs in the hotel industry. They are responsible for carrying guests' luggage to their room upon arrival and back to the lobby when they depart.

What is a porter boy? ›

A Porter ensures their customers' smooth and tireless stay while in various facilities like a hotel or cruise ship. They are responsible for creating a warm and welcoming environment by carrying luggage and assisting in fixing minor issues around whatever premises they may be attending. Post this job for free.

Are jeans appropriate in Italy? ›

Are jeans appropriate to wear in Italy? While Europeans tend to dress up more than Americans, you still can wear jeans in Italy. However, avoid acid wash and extremely distressed denim and opt for medium-dark blues and blacks. Black skinny jeans always look chic in Europe!

How do you tip in Venice? ›

Restaurant Tipping in Venice

Waiters and waitresses are salaried in Venice. When a service charge is included in the bill, there's no need to leave a tip. But, if you are more than satisfied with the service, you may want to leave 5%-10%. If a service charge is not added to your bill, leave a tip of 12% or so.

Can you walk around Venice at night? ›

First of all we need to establish that Venice is a safe city even at night. Fortunately, almost every quarter in the island is easily treaded at all hours of the day and night, which adds another reason to enjoy a nice walk under the moonlight.

Is there a dress code in Venice? ›

Venetians like to dress up and you will feel more comfortable in smart casual dress.

Can you walk Venice in a day? ›

To help you plan your sightseeing, we've listed our ideal itineraries for Venice, whether you're going for one day, two days, three days, or more. Venice is small. You can walk across it, from head to tail, in about an hour. Nearly all of your sightseeing is within a 20-minute walk of the Rialto Bridge or St.

Can you wear heels in Venice? ›

Depending on the city, these streets can also be hilly, slippery when wet, and uneven. In addition, we all love to dress up, but leave heels off your Venice packing list because they'll leave you feeling uncomfortable. Opt for wedges if you must bring a heel.

Is tipping common in Italy? ›

First off, tipping in Italy is neither mandatory nor expected, but if you do decide to do so, the gesture is a very clear indicator that you appreciated the service provided.

How many euros do I need per day in Venice? ›

Venice is certainly more expensive when compared to many other Italian cities, at an average cost of €70 to €105 per person per day, you'll find that Venice is expensive to visit when coming from other nearby cities.

How much does a cup of coffee cost in Venice? ›

A cappuccino will run you 10.50 euros and an espresso is 6.50 euros (3 euros if you stand at the bar). The cornetti were around 5 euros each.

Can you drink tap water in Venice? ›

The public health authority, the environmental protection agency and the public local water service perform thousands of analyses and describes it as safe and fit to drink. Venice water is considered among the best in Italy.

What is the traditional food of Venice? ›

Many of Venezia's traditional dishes are fish-based. Bigoli in salsa (pasta in an anchovy sauce), risotto al nero di seppia (risotto cooked with cuttlefish ink) and sarde in saor (sardines preserved in a sweet and sour marinade) are amongst the most famous dishes from the province.

Do you tip 20% in Italy? ›

At Restaurants

Tips of 15 percent to 20 percent, while standard in U.S. restaurants, are just unheard of in Italy. And remember, for really lousy or indifferent service, you should leave niente (nothing).

Can you walk outside shirtless in Italy? ›

Keep Your Shirt On

Not only is it offensive to locals to have visitors wandering the streets in varying states of undress, it is also against many local ordinances and you can get fined. A good rule of thumb is to take a look around and see how the locals are dressed.

Is the gondola ride worth it? ›

Yes, a gondola ride in Venice is absolutely worth it! While it is not cheap and it can feel a bit touristy, it's a real bucket-list experience that you really have to do when visiting Venice. Furthermore, going on a gondola allows you to explore places that you wouldn't see otherwise.

What not to order in Italy? ›

What are the rules to eat in Italy?
  • Never ask for a risotto as a starter.
  • Pasta and salad don't go together.
  • Chicken carbonara doesn't exist.
  • Chicken parmesan is an unknown item.
  • Fettuccine Alfredo is not a traditional dish.
  • Italians only drink wine or water while eating.
  • Pizza with peperoni is not pepperoni pizza.

How much is a 30 minute gondola ride in Venice? ›

The official tariff of a 30-minute ride on a gondola is € 80 ( US$ 84.80). The price goes up to € 100 ( US$ 106) from 7 pm onwards. If you want the gondolier to sing or to play an instrument during the ride, you will have to pay extra. Note that most gondoliers will charge you more than the official tariff.

What is a female gondolier called? ›

We found out that there was only ONE gondoliera (female gondolier) out of the 425 rowers in the city.

Can a woman be a gondolier? ›

It is not that there are no female gondoliers, although that's how it was for 10 centuries. In 2010, Giorgia Boscolo became the first woman officially recognized by the Associazione Gondolieri di Venezia, or Venice Gondolier's Association.

Are buses free in Venice? ›

A one-way ticket costs € 1.50 and is valid for 75 minutes. If you're planning on using the public transport system in Venice, we recommend buying the Tourist Travel Card, which is valid both for buses and water buses.

How much is Venice entry fee? ›

How much is the entrance fee to Venice? The amount for the entrance fee in Venice should be at least €3.00 and possibly increase to €10.00 per person. The pricing is likely to depend on advance booking, seasonal periods, public holidays, holiday periods or special events.

How late do water taxis run in Venice? ›

Usually, most lines that serve Venice run from 4:30 am until 12:30 am (midnight).

Do you need rubber boots in Venice? ›

Wondering if you need to pack rain boots for your visit to Venice? It's not necessary! Acqua alta is linked to the tide, so you can simply stay on dry land while you wait it out. When the tide goes down, the streets will drain, too.

Are public toilets free in Venice? ›

Public toilets are difficult to find, but there are clean ones at various places around the town (see map below) such as the Station, Academia bridge, San Marco, and Arsenal. Some of these are staffed by an attendant, so you have to pay to use them (usually about 1 euro).

Can I store my luggage at a hotel Im not staying at? ›

Travelers often ask, “Will a hotel hold my luggage even if I'm not staying there?” The answer is usually “yes.” Hotel bellhops will often agree to store your luggage for a tip. Keep in mind that this arrangement is informal.

Can I keep cash in my pocket at airport security? ›

How much cash can you fly with? In other words, does TSA have a limit for the amount of money you can bring through security? No, you can bring any amount of money to the airport. It is not illegal to fly with a large amount of cash on a flight.

Can you stay in Venice Airport overnight? ›

You can search here adding “Aeroporto di Venezia” or “Venice Airport” in your search. Please note that sleeping inside the Airport terminal itself is forbidden. Access to the terminal is permitted from 4 a.m. The terminal closes with the last flight of the day.

Who spends the most money is called? ›

The word closest in meaning to what you want is spendthrift. Spendthrift is a noun that means "a person who spends money in a careless or wasteful way."

What is luggage slang for? ›

a worthless woman. a prostitute or disreputable woman. Often Disparaging. a pert, playful young woman or girl: a pretty baggage; a saucy baggage.

Why is it called a suitcase? ›

suitcase (n.)

1898, from suit (n.) + case (n. 2). Originally a case for holding a suit of clothes.

Can females be porters? ›

16.2% of porters are female in the United States.

Additionally, the percentage of female porters has increased by 1.9 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 36,096 female porters in the U.S. and 186,720 male porters in the United States.

How much does a hotel porter earn? ›

Average £11.33 per hour.

Is porter a girl's name? ›

The name Porter is both a boy's name and a girl's name of French origin meaning "carrier".

Can you use a wheelchair in Venice? ›

Venice is accessible with a wheelchair. As a result, over 70% of the city can be visited.

Can you take large suitcases on Italian trains? ›

There's no fee to bring luggage on the train. The on-board luggage storage options differ depending on the type of train. On the newer high-speed trains, there are storage areas at one end of each train car, often across from the bathroom, which are available for anyone in that car to use for their larger bags.

What not to pack in carry-on bags? ›

Restricted Items NOT Allowed on a Plane in Your Carry-On
  • Sharp objects. ...
  • Sporting goods and athletic equipment. ...
  • Self defense items. ...
  • Gel-type candles. ...
  • Large quantities of alcohol (more than 3.4 ounces) ...
  • Guns and ammunition.
Dec 17, 2022

Can I carry a handbag as well as hand luggage? ›

In most cases, an airline will allow you to bring one carry-on baggage and one personal item. A personal item is normally something like a purse, laptop, backpack or camera case. Personal items should always be small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you.

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