The Doge’s Palace is conveniently located in the heart of San Marco, a short walk from the iconic St. Mark’s Square and the Venetian Lagoon’s glistening waters.
The address of Doge’s Palace is Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venice, Italy. Get Directions.
You will learn every detail about how to reach Doge’s Palace easily and comfortably within your preferred budget. Read on.
Venice, also known as the “Floating City,” is built on a network of 118 small islands separated by canals instead of roads.
Given that approximately 70% of the city’s transportation routes are waterways, vaporettos (water buses) are the best way to commute within Venice.
If You are a Budget Traveller
- Walk Around. The beauty of Venice is that the central core is car-free, making walking a delightful and cost-effective way to get around.
- Or try Vaporetto Magic. Vaporetto is a quintessential Venetian experience and a budget-friendly way to navigate the canals.
If You Want to Reach Quickly
For a speedy and undeniably stylish arrival, consider a water taxi. These work like cabs in any other city. You can hail one from your closest vaporetto terminal.
These private waterborne cabs whisk you directly to the Doge’s Palace, avoiding delays.
Best Travel Options to Reach Doge’s Palace
| Transport Mode | Charges (Approx.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Water Bus (Vaporetto) | €9.50 (one-way ticket) | Budget-conscious travelers. It can be crowded with frequent stops. |
| Water Taxi | Minimum €80 per trip | Time-pressed travelers or those seeking a luxurious experience. Fastest transport & expensive. |
| Gondola | Around €80 (30 minutes) | For those seeking an authentic Venetian experience. Slow, expensive and an experience, not mode of transport. |
| Car | – | Not a convenient option with narrow lanes and expensive and far parking spots. |
| Walk | Free | Active travelers, those on a tight budget, those wanting to explore hidden gems. Can be tiring. |
By Water Bus (Vaporetto)
The Doge’s Palace is easily reachable by vaporetto (water bus) from nearly any location in Venice.
Key stops near the Palace include San Marco, San Zaccaria, Vallaresso, and Giardinetti.
The closest and most convenient stops are San Marco and San Zaccaria, about 300 m away from the palace on either side.
This stop is also conveniently close to other must-see sights, such as St. Mark’s Basilica and the Bridge of Sighs.
Board the water bus from your nearest Vaporetto terminal and enjoy the scenic ride to the Doge’s Palace.
Once you arrive, disembark and follow the signs to the Doge’s Palace, just a short walk away.
A 75-minute vaporetto ticket costs €13 and can be bought at vending machines near most stops or onboard the vaporetto.
If you plan to use the vaporetto frequently, consider purchasing a multi-day pass for better value.
By Water Taxi
Water taxis are the fastest and most convenient way to get around Venice, especially if you have luggage or limited mobility.
You can hail a water taxi from any public pier or designated water taxi stand throughout Venice.
These stands are recognizable by the yellow signs that say “Stazione Pubblica Taxi.”
You can also find them at major tourist destinations like train stations and airports.
Generally, a ride from anywhere in central Venice to the Doge’s Palace should cost around €80-€120.
Most water taxis will drop you off directly at the Doge’s Palace’s private pier, located on the canal side of the Palace, a short walk away.
By Gondola
You can also take a romantic Gondola ride to the Doge’s Palace.
While this mode of transportation is less efficient than water buses or trains, it offers a memorable and authentic Venice experience.
You can take a gondola ride from your departure point to Doge’s Palace or cover some distance in a vaporetto and then take a Gondola ride to the palace.
Gondola rides cost €75 to €125 per person and some Doge’s Palace tickets are inclusive of the rides.
By Car
While driving to the Piazzale Roma area and walking to Doge’s Palace is an option, it’s less practical due to a few reasons.
First, Venice’s narrow streets and canals make navigating by car challenging.
Additionally, parking can be both expensive and hard to find.
If you opt to drive, expect a 30 to 45-minute walk from Piazzale Roma to the Palace.
Considering these factors, exploring on foot or using public transportation may be a more convenient choice for visiting Doge’s Palace and enjoying the city’s charms.
Driving Directions from Piazzale Roma
Car Parks near Doge’s Palace
There are several parking lots near the Doge’s Palace, but most are expensive, and parking is hard to find.
Therefore, booking a parking spot in advance is a good idea.
Some of the best parking spaces near the Doge’s Palace are listed below:
| Parking | Address | Distance from Doge’s Palace | Parking Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezia Center Parking Garage (Isola Nova) | Isola Nova del Tronchetto, 30135 Venice, Italy | 3 km | €27 per day |
| Parking Venezia Tronchetto | Tronchetto, 30135 Venice, Italy | 2 km | – |
| Garage San Marco | Piazzale Roma, 467, 30135 Venice, Italy | 1.5 km | €42.49 per day |
| Garage Europa | Mestre, Italy | 12 km | €17.20 per day |
By Foot
Walking to Doge’s Palace is an excellent way to discover Venice’s picturesque streets and canals.
If you are up for a longer walk, start at Santa Lucia train station and walk 30 minutes to the Palace.
If you are coming from Piazza San Marco, follow Merceria Street to the Palace.
The Rialto Bridge is also a 10-minute walk away, allowing you to combine your visit to Doge’s Palace with other nearby attractions.
Walking directions from Merceria Street to the Palace
What’s the Most Convenient Way to Reach the Doge’s Palace from Marco Polo Airport?
There are two main options to reach the Doge’s Palace from Marco Polo Airport, each offering a different level of convenience:
By Vaporetto (Water Bus): Take the Alilaguna boat service from the airport to Piazza San Marco, next to Doge’s Palace.
Many Vaporetto lines also stop at San Marco, allowing you to access the Palace from any part of Venice easily.
By Bus and Walk: Take the ACTV bus line 5 from the airport to Piazzale Roma, then walk across the Calatrava Bridge to reach Doge’s Palace.
This is a budget-friendly option but involves more transfers.
Tip: You can combine your visit to Doge’s Palace with multiple attractions nearby and plan your itinerary and transport route accordingly. This enhances your experience and helps you save a lot of money and time.
For more such tips, read our tips to visit Doge’s Palace article.
Contents
FAQs
1. Can you visit Doges Palace without a tour?
Yes, you can explore the Doge’s Palace without a guided tour.
The Palace offers skip-the-line tickets, which allow quick entrance and exploration at our own pace.
2. Can you get to Doge’s Palace by train?
Yes, you can get to Doge’s Palace by train.
Doge’s Palace is accessible via two primary stations: Venezia Mestre and Santa Lucia.
Travel by train from Venezia Mestre Station to Venezia Santa Lucia Station.
Transfer to the Doge’s Palace by water bus (vaporetto), water taxi, or walking.
3. Can you reach Doge’s Palace by bicycle?
Due to the lack of roads and the presence of canals in Venice, it is impossible to reach Doge’s Palace by bicycle.
However, you can cycle to a certain point in Venice and then park your bicycle before exploring the city on foot or via other modes of transportation.
4. Can we reach the Doge’s Palace by public ferry from outside Venice?
Yes, ferries connect Venice to other cities and islands in the lagoon.
Depending on your departure point, you might arrive at the Tronchetto terminal on the mainland or Piazzale Roma, also on the mainland.
You can take a Vaporetto or water taxi to the Doge’s Palace from there.
5. What are some accessibility considerations for reaching the Doge’s Palace?
The walk from most Vaporetto stops to the Doge’s Palace is relatively flat. Still, the bridges throughout Venice can be uneven and have steps.
The Doge’s Palace itself offers wheelchair accessibility through designated routes and elevators.
The Doge’s Palace itself offers wheelchair accessibility through designated routes and elevators.
6. What’s the best way to reach the Doge’s Palace if I travel with young children?
Walking can be tiring for young children, so consider a Vaporetto ride, as it offers a scenic journey and allows for breaks. A water taxi might be tempting, but the confined space and limited movement options might not be ideal for young children.
7. To avoid crowds, should one reach the Doge’s Palace early in the morning or later in the day?
Early mornings, especially weekdays, generally have fewer crowds than afternoons and weekends. However, if you’re arriving during peak season, even early mornings can have queues.
Read more about the best time to visit Doge’s Palace.
8. Are there any hidden canal routes to the Doge’s Palace by water taxi?
While the main water taxi routes are well-established, discuss alternative landing points with your water taxi operator. They might offer a more scenic (potentially less crowded) drop-off location near the Palace.
9. I’m arriving in Venice by cruise ship. What’s the best way to reach the Doge’s Palace?
Most cruise ships offer shuttle services or water taxi options to reach St. Mark’s Square. From there, the Doge’s Palace is a short walk away. Alternatively, consider pre-booking a private water taxi directly from the cruise terminal.
10.Are there any hidden costs associated with taking a water taxi?
While the driver might quote the base fare, you should factor in additional charges like luggage fees, night surcharges, or extra stops. Before starting your journey, agree on the final price with the water taxi driver.
Featured Image: Wikipedia.org
