Our Anniversary to Italy: Part 19 – Around the Hilton Molino Stucky & Free Shuttle Boat Details

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Emily Jablon:  Daraius and I went to Europe in September to celebrate our 2nd anniversary for ~2 weeks.  It was my first time in Italy so I was very excited!  In Italy, we visited Varenna on Lake Como, Milan, Venice, and Rome.

Since we were in Europe, we visited a friend in Strasbourg, France and also spent a night in Zurich.  We started our trip with a one day layover in Chicago to see friends!

Emily Waiting at the Hilton Venice Water Shuttle Stop

Our Anniversary To Italy – Trip Report Index:

Hilton Molino Stucky Shuttle

Link:  Hilton Molino Stucky Shuttle

The Hilton Molino Stucky isn’t on the main island of Venice, but on a more residential island called Giudecca.  We liked being away from the crowds and it was great to be able to explore the smaller and less crowded Giudecca island.

The hotel has a free shuttle from the hotel to St. Mark’s Square and Zattere.  The shuttle runs from 8:00 am to 1:00 am, but it’s not always on time.

The Hilton Water Bus Free but not Always on Time

Once, we arrived at the Hilton pier in San Marco ~10 minutes before the hotel boat was scheduled to arrive.  We waited another 45 minutes for the boat, and eventually took a water bus back to the hotel.

Hilton Shuttle Boat Location

In general, be sure that you’re getting on the Hilton boat, since different boats arrive and depart from the same docks.  Some boats go to the airport etc.

However, the Hilton boat is clearly marked!

A.   Outside the Hilton Molino Stucky

The Hilton shuttle is directly outside the Hilton Molino Stucky.  You can’t miss it!

The Hilton Shuttle Dock Outside the Hilton Molino Stucky

There’s a big sign with the Hilton shuttle boat schedule.  You can also download the shuttle boat timetable here.  And you can download shuttle boat stop map here.

B.  On San Marco

There is a sign with the Hilton shuttle boat timings by the pier in San Marco.

Emily Waiting at the Hilton Shuttleboat Sign

The shuttle boat schedule was easy to read and makes stops in San Marco and Zattere.

The Hilton Shuttle Boat Schedule

However, the sign is not along the main walkway, but in the pier.  So it can be hard to find.

We used the Pensione Wildner Ristorante (see picture below) to find the Hilton shuttle dock.  That’s because the Hilton shuttle dock is just opposite the Pensione Wildner Ristorante!

The Hilton Shuttle Dock is Just by the Pensione Wildner Ristorante in San Marco

Sometimes there are a lot of folks waiting for the Hilton shuttle!

Waiting in Line for the Hilton Shuttle Boat

Water Bus

In case you miss the Hilton boat, you can buy a public water bus (vaporetto) ticket.  The public water bus has a lot of stops on its route.

We took the “2” route which runs every ~10 minutes.  You can also take the “N” route which runs at night.

A single ticket costs 7 euro (~$10), a 12 hour ticket costs 18 euro (~$25) and a 24 hour pass costs 20 euro (~$27).  So these aren’t cheap!

Buying Public Water Bus Tickets at the Ticket Office
Here’s a link to the water bus route map.  The Hilton Molino Stucky and the Palanca stop are at the bottom left of the map.  The nearest stop to the Hilton Molino Stucky is the Palanca stop.
The Palanca Water bus Stop

It is a 5 to 7 minute walk to the hotel from the Palanca stop.  The Hilton Molino Stucky is the building with the green tower in the picture below.

It is a 5 Minute Walk from the Palanca Stop to the Hilton Molino Stucky

You have to cross a small bridge, but there is no handicap accessible route over the bridge.

These Aren’t the Steepest Flight of Stairs, but Don’t Bring Too Much Luggage!

Around the Hilton Molino Stucky

The Hilton Molino Stucky is located on a residential island away from the crowds in Venice.

View of Giudecca From the Hilton Molino Stucky

We loved walking down the side streets around the Hilton Molino Stucky and getting a glimpse into normal life in Venice.

I’d suggest walking along these streets even if you’re staying on the main island of Venice to get a glimpse of a quieter version of Venice.

The Neighborhood Butcher

We bought some grapes as a snack.

A Fruit and Wine Shop!

And walked down piers and streets with nobody else besides us!

Walking Down the Side Streets by the Hilton Molino Stucky

There was a gondola maker in one of the side streets and we checked out the gondolas on display!

Emily by her Dream Gondola!

We continued our stroll and saw clothes hanging to dry, children playing in the courtyard of buildings and folks chatting at cafes!

A Quiet Day in Giudecca

You can also sit on the benches by the canal and eat in the cheaper local restaurants.

Bottom Line

It does take extra time to go from the Hilton Molino Stucky to San Marco.  But we loved being able to retreat to the quieter island of Giudecca after visiting busy Venice!

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