Revised 5/7/20.
If you’ve read my See Italy and Austria in 2 Weeks then you’re here to read how to spend 2 amazing days in Venice, even on a budget, yes? Great! Here I will break down a perfect Venice 2 day itinerary (with Verona) perfect for any traveler, budget or not. I have done this suggested travel myself as a solo, budget, female traveler so, yes, these two fabulous days in Venice can be done.
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To help with your Italy travel planning, remember to check out my great travel information on Italy along with my suggested travel resources.
Don’t forget to also peruse my Guide to Budget European Accommodations for additional accommodation-planning information.
Let me state here that when I say “budget”, I mean your daily travel expenses should total €100 or less. Yes, it is very possible to visit Venice on less than €100. Or more! It’s up to you and your budget. The following travel guide can work for anyone, budget or not. The key factor that can push you out of the “budget” range is the accommodations you choose, not the attractions. Nice, huh?
Ok, now let’s get you to Venice!
The capital of Italy’s Veneto region, Venice is built on more than 100 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon separated only by canals, including the Grand Canal thoroughfare, and linked by more than 400 bridges.
Known as the “City of Bridges”, Venice is considered to have been the first real international financial center of the world and still houses historic Renaissance and Gothic structures like San Marco Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Campanile bell tower – all around the central Piazza San Marco, famous for its pigeons and outdoor lounging.
And who can forget Carnevale? This annual festival that originated in Venice in the 12th century as a way to let loose in efforts to get ready for Lent, a tradition celebrated now in many cities worldwide. However, only Venice can hold claim to their beautiful Venetian masks still worn at festival time.
You could experience heavy rains and possible flooding, called aqua alta, in Venice from late September to December, and heavy tourist crowds (late spring and summer months). Venice offers plenty of outdoor activities, as well as indoor, but I would recommend planning ahead to enjoy as much time outside as possible to enjoy Venice’s ambience.
However, if chilly weather doesn’t bother you, consider going to Carnevale in late February to early March, depending on the year. It lasts for two weeks, so book well in advance!
With Venice’s rich culture and history, it would be a shame not to see Venice, even if just for a day to wander its streets and bridges and soak up the scenery in the Piazza San Marco. I can think of worse ways to spend a day.
From Verona, Milan, Padua or other Italian locations, it is more than likely you’ll arrive by train to the Venice Mestre Train station by way of the mainland Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia.
If you are flying, you could arrive at the Venice Marco Polo Airport, about 12 km from Venice. Remember, Milan is only a 2.5 hour train ride from Venice, which gives you inbound/outbound Italy flight options.
Treviso Airport, a smaller regional airport, is another inbound option.
Venice has strict taxi and licensing rules, so Uber is not available. However, you really shouldn’t need any automobile service in Venice with its walkability and has vaporetto, Venetian public waterbus, services for within and surrounding Venice.
Venezia Unica City Pass
“Venezia Unica” is Venice’s new all-in-one City Pass that includes access to public transportation (land and sea), tourist attractions and cultural events. It can be easily purchased online and you select how much public transportation you wish to purchase: one-way tickets €7,50 or 1, 2, 3-day tickets costing €20, €30, and €40, respectively.
Marco Polo Airport connections are not included in one way/single and/or time-limited tickets.
Transportation to and from the Venice Marco Polo Airport can be added for €8 (one way) or €15 (round trip). From Treviso Aiport, you can catch a bus transfer for about €10 each way.
The City Pass is also supposed to save you up to 30% on entrance fees to main attractions as well as skipping the lines. This may be an option you wish to explore.
Explore the transportation options to and from Venice now to get the best deals and plan your trip to Venice!
Venice is divided into six sestieri (districts): Cannaregio, San Polo, Dorsoduro, Santa Croce, San Marco, and Castello. The San Marco district is considered the city center.
You can probably cover the Venice city center end-to-end in an hour, but do allow time to wander slowly and take in the shops and attractions. Expand your territory to include all six districts by combination of foot and vaparetto.
Venice is considered a safe city to visit and even walkable at night. As with any touristy areas of a city, such as the Piazza San Marco, remember to keep your personal items close to you to avoid possible theft or pick pocketers.
For optimum ease of walking and seeing the sights on a 2-day visit, I recommend staying within the Venice city center (San Marco district) or just across the Grand Canal in the Dorsoduro or San Palo District. This will also provide you access to many vaparetti. As such, I recommend staying within the circle on the map:
For budget purposes, my hotel recommendation/value for the money with breakfast and taxes included at €70/night is Locanda Fiorita. It is in a fabulous location – walking distance top attractions – with a very nice breakfast, and includes all of the lovely amenities you could need.
If you want cheaper accommodations, there are other hotels and hostels to choose from starting at around €20/night, depending on what amenities and location you want. Hostelworld has some great, Venice listings.
Conversely, if you want to pay more, take a look at Venice accommodations. I would still recommend staying in the suggested area noted above.
Many accommodations may not let you check in until 2-4pm, but if available, have them store your luggage until your room is ready so you can get out and enjoy Venice!
Explore the recommended stay or other apartment and home rentals, or hotel and hostel options, now to get the best deals on your upcoming trip to Venice!
It’s hard to find a city with Venice’s charm – this is largely held to being surrounded and traversed by water. If you had been following my 2 Week Italy and Austria Itinerary, then Venice is at the end of your Italy and Austria stay and you may just be looking to slow it down and rest up before the long airplane ride home. Well, Venice is the place to do this. Why do you think I put it at the end of the two week itinerary?
Of course, your tastes will also dictate how you spend your sight-seeing time in Venice so I’ve also provided some options for leaving Venice for a day.
Please keep in mind most of these attractions are popular tourist draws within the city center, which could draw long lines, especially in the late spring and summer months and on the weekends. Prices may have changed since time of writing.
Note: Be sure to address appropriately for basilica access – shorts, sleeveless dresses, low-cut and skimpy clothes are not allowed.
Pro tip: if you want pictures of a specific landmark, start your ride near that landmark and confirm with the gondolier on sites to be seen.
If you passed on some of the above attractions, consider adding some of these if they strike your fancy.
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If it helps in planning what you would like to see, here is a list of annual events held in Venice.
Much like the Spanish, the Venetians enjoy their version of tapas, called cicchetti – small dishes or side dishes eaten by hand or toothpick – and usually standing up – from sandwiches to olive plates to seafood, meat or veggies on top of breads, and more. You can find cicchetti serviced in bàcari (cicchetti bars) or in osterie. This makes it very convenient to grab a bite while trying to fit in all of your sightseeing.
Also enjoy fresh seafood dishes, pasta, delicious wines and coffee. Of course, a visit in Venice would not be complete without a Venetian (Aperol) spritz and gelato.
The typical European breakfast of an assortment of cheeses, eggs, cold meats, cereals, rolls and coffee / tea can be found in most hotels.
Eating out for lunch is less expensive than dinner. The Venetians eat dinner fashionably late – anywhere from 7 to 10pm, which is perfect after a long day of sightseeing.
Check out where the locals are dining and what to avoid for hints on where you may wish to experience your Venetian cuisine.
Why not brush up on your Italian before your trip to Venice?
If you feel you’ve seen most of Venice that you wished to see in a day and want to explore more of Italy before heading home, Verona or Padua are wonderful options close by.
Many trains depart daily from the Venice Mestre station to Verona. The ride is a about an hour and 12 minutes each way and can cost as little as €10 each way, depending your departure day and time.
Likewise, trains from Venice Mestre to Padua can cost as little as €4 each way, depending on day and time, and the ride is only 30 minutes each way.
Check out my 2-day Verona Itinerary, which includes Padua, to see if you might like to see what these beautiful towns have to offer.
Depending on how much you want to see (and spend) is completely up to you. Venice has plenty of options, as I have outlined above.
That said, here is my recommended Venice itinerary, with prices, so you know what you can see and do in 2 days. Mix and match the attractions and excursions to meet your tastes and budget.
Note, my suggested Venice hotel can be booked for €141 for 2 nights (that price includes a fabulous breakfast and taxes). If you get a better deal or choose a more budget-friendly accommodation, then your average daily costs, with all meals, for your stay in Venice could be €100 or less! There are hotels and hostels to choose from starting at around €20/night, depending on what amenities and location you want.
Daily itinerary prices below reflect using my hotel suggestion with breakfast, but not lunch or dinner prices as they can vary. They also do not include using the Venezia Unica City Pass. The itinerary below merely shows how anyone, even a budget traveler, can do Venice and have a wonderful time!
Note: prices may have adjusted slightly since the time of this posting.
I would love to hear if this was helpful to you. Post me your thoughts or questions in the Comments section below!
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Gwen is the Founder of CORR Travel and a global traveler and photographer with over 25 years of solo travel experience. She is also the Founder of the www.CORRConcepts.com sustainability blog. Travel is her passion and environmental sustainability and biodiversity protection is her "religion".
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