Quick answer: Venice runs about EUR 155 per day mid-range - noticeably less if you eat local and walk. Cheapest window: April-June and September-October - mild and clear; November-December risks acqua alta high water, and Carnival and August bring peak crowds.
What things actually cost
| espresso standing at a bar | 1.30 EUR |
| spritz in Cannaregio | 4 EUR |
| cicchetto | 2 EUR |
| vaporetto single | 9.50 EUR |
| vaporetto day pass | 25 EUR |
| gondola ride (official daytime rate, 30 min) | 90 EUR |
Eat well for little
- Cicchetti at All'Arco or Cantina Do Mori near the Rialto1.50-2.50 EUR each, eaten standing with a glass of wine
- Sarde in saor (sweet-sour sardines) in a bacaroabout 10 EUR
- Spaghetti al nero di seppia (squid ink) at a mid-range osteria - about 17 EUR
- Spritz with Select or Aperol standing at a Cannaregio barabout 4 EUR (triple that on Piazza San Marco)
- Tramezzini sandwiches from a bar counter2-3 EUR, the cheap lunch locals actually eat
Money mistakes to avoid
- Day-tripping in for four hoursyou will mostly see queues; stay overnight for the quiet early mornings and evenings
- Eating at places with photo menus near St Mark'swalk 10 minutes into Cannaregio or Castello and pay half for better food
- Not validating your vaporetto ticket at the platform reader before boarding - inspectors fine on the spot
- Forgetting the day-visitor access fee charged on peak dates (about 5-10 EUR) - register online in advance if you are not staying overnight
Transport without the tourist tax
From Marco Polo airport take the ATVO or ACTV bus to Piazzale Roma (about 10 EUR, 25 min) or the Alilaguna boat into the city (about 15 EUR, 60-75 min). Inside Venice you walk everywhere; vaporetto singles cost 9.50 EUR, so a 25 EUR day pass pays off fast on island days.
Planning the full trip? Start with the 3-day Venice itinerary.