Table of Contents
- First, the thing most people get wrong
- The quick answer (best places to stay in Venice, by vibe)
- Best area to stay in Venice, by traveller type
- Stuff to sort out before you book
- Dorsoduro: where I'd send a first-timer
- San Polo: the best part of Venice to stay if you love food
- Cannaregio: real life and better value
- San Marco: central, but choose your spot carefully
- Castello: room to breathe
- Santa Croce: the practical one
- The areas I wouldn't pick as a base
- Venice hotels: what I'd actually look for
- Hostels in Venice (yes, they exist, and some are great)
- How long are you staying? It changes the answer
- Quick answers to the things people ask me
- My honest bottom line
I've lost count of how many times I've come back to Venice, and the question I still get asked the most isn't about gondolas or the best spritz. It's where to stay in Venice without getting it wrong. And it's a fair worry, because this is one of the few cities where your hotel's exact spot can make or break the whole trip. Pick well and you'll be home in just a short walk after dinner. Pick badly and you'll be dragging a suitcase over four stepped bridges at midnight, wondering why nobody warned you.
So this is me warning you. Below I've broken down every part of the historic centre, the islands and the mainland, with the kind of detail I wish someone had given me the first time I went to explore Venice. I'll tell you what I'd book, what I'd skip, and the small logistical stuff that genuinely changes how a stay feels.
First, the thing most people get wrong
Venice isn't really one place. It's six historic districts called sestieri (the word just means "sixth", from when the city was carved into six parts centuries ago), plus a scatter of islands out in the Venetian lagoon, plus a chunk of mainland. Most articles stop at "best area to stay in Venice" and hand you a district name. But here's what I've learned the hard way: in Venice the micro-location matters more than the district.
What do I mean by that? A hotel can sit in lovely San Polo and still be a pain if it's on the wrong side of a canal with no nearby crossing. The Grand Canal snakes through the entire city like a giant backwards S, and there are only four bridges over the whole thing. Four. So your real question isn't just "which sestiere", it's "how close am I to a bridge, a traghetto or a vaporetto stop, and how many steps stand between me and my bed?"
That last bit is the one nobody mentions. In Venice, distance gets measured in bridges, not metres. There are around 400 of them and most have steps. If you've got a heavy case, three bridges between you and your hotel can feel like a small workout. I always factor that in now, and you should too.
The quick answer (best places to stay in Venice, by vibe)
If you just want the short version of where to stay in Venice Italy, here's how I'd sort it:
- Dorsoduro - my personal favourite for first-timers and couples. Arty, calm, great for walking, and you're a short walk from the big sights without sleeping on top of them.
- San Polo - the best part of Venice to stay if food matters to you. Central, atmospheric, and packed with proper bacari (more on those below).
- Cannaregio - where I'd go for real local life and better value, plus it's handy for the train station.
- San Marco - the most central spot in Venice proper, but only worth it if you stay on the fringes rather than right beside the crowds.
- Castello - big, quiet in parts, brilliant in summer and during the Biennale, and good if you want a bit of breathing room.
- Santa Croce - the practical pick near the station and bus terminal, ideal for a short trip and early starts.
There's no single best location to stay in Venice for everyone. It really does come down to who you are and how you travel. So let me match it up properly.
Best area to stay in Venice, by traveller type
You are...Where I'd stayWhyFirst-time visitorDorsoduro or San PoloCentral enough for the sights, calm enough to actually enjoy themA couple after romanceDorsoduro or quiet CannaregioBoutique stays, evening canalside walks, fewer day-trippersTravelling with kidsCastello or San PoloMore open squares, fewer bridges to haul a buggy overBudget travellersCannaregio, Giudecca or MestreBetter value, hostels, still good easy access to the centreSplurgingSan Marco fringes or the Grand CanalThe best hotels, water-taxi accessA foodieSan Polo or CannaregioThe densest run of cicchetti bars and local restaurantsAn art loverDorsoduro or CastelloArt museums and galleries on your doorstepHere for the BiennaleCastello (eastern end)Walkable to the Giardini and Arsenale venuesArriving late or leaving earlySanta CroceClosest to the station and Piazzale Roma I'll go district by district in a moment. But before you book anything, read the next bit. It's the part that's saved me the most hassle.
Stuff to sort out before you book
How you'll get around (and why your pass matters)
Venice runs on the vaporetto, the water bus, plus your own two feet. I walk most places because honestly it's often faster than waiting for a boat, but the vaporetto is a lifesaver for the Grand Canal, the islands and arrival days when you're loaded down.
A single ride is about €9.50 and only lasts 75 minutes, which adds up fast. If you'll take more than a couple of rides a day, get a travel card.
As of 2026 the ACTV passes run roughly: 24 hours €25, 48 hours €35, 72 hours €45, and 7 days €65. They're timed in hours from first validation, not calendar days, so a 72-hour pass tapped at 2pm Thursday dies at 1:59pm Sunday. One thing that trips people up: these passes don't cover the airport boat or airport bus, and they don't cover Alilaguna. If you're under 30, grab the €6 Rolling Venice Card first, because it knocks the 72-hour pass down to around €27. That's a real saving for not much faff.
The Grand Canal, the bridges and the *traghetto*
There are only four bridges across the Grand Canal: the Rialto, the Accademia, the Scalzi (by the station) and the Calatrava (by Piazzale Roma). If your hotel's on one side and your sightseeing's on the other, you'll be funnelled to one of these. I'd prioritise a base near a crossing, because it quietly shapes your whole stay.
Here's a local trick I adore: the traghetto. It's a stripped-back gondola that ferries you straight across the Grand Canal at a handful of points, standing up, for a couple of euros. Locals use it to skip the long walk to Rialto. There aren't many crossing spots (Santa Sofia near the Rialto Market, San Tomà and Sant'Angelo are the usual ones), so a hotel near a traghetto can shave loads of time off your day. Most travellers never even notice they exist.
Arriving: train, planes and the luggage problem
The train pulls into Venezia Santa Lucia station right on the Grand Canal, which is about as good as arrivals get. If you're driving, you'll stop at Piazzale Roma, the only spot cars can reach, and switch to boat or foot from there. That's also where the Piazzale Roma bus station sits, so it's the hub for mainland and airport buses. Both the station and the bus terminal are in Santa Croce, which is exactly why that district is the smart pick for short or early-start trips.
Flying in, you've got two airports. Marco Polo International Airport is the main one, out on the mainland near Tessera, and from there you can take the Alilaguna water bus, a land bus to Piazzale Roma, or a private water taxi if you're feeling flush. Treviso is the smaller budget-airline airport about 40 minutes out, with buses into Piazzale Roma and Mestre. A water taxi is pricey (think €120 and up) but I'd say it's worth it if you've got heavy bags or you're heading somewhere awkward to reach on foot.
And that's the recurring theme - luggage. There's no rolling your case smoothly to the door here. If you're arriving tired with a big suitcase, I'd look hard at how many bridges sit between your boat stop and your bed. It's the single most underrated factor in where to stay in Venice.
The day-tripper fee (and why staying over dodges it)
Here's a genuinely useful thing. Since 2024 Venice charges day visitors an access fee, the contributo di accesso. In 2026 it applies on around 60 peak days, mostly weekends from April to late July, between 8:30am and 4pm. It's €5 if you book at least four days ahead, or €10 last-minute, and there are spot checks with QR codes at seven entry points.
But here's the bit that matters for us: if you're staying overnight, you don't pay it. Overnight guests are exempt because you're already covered by the lodging tax (the imposta di soggiorno, usually €1 to €5 a night, added to your hotel bill). Even hostel guests skip the fee, though some places ask you to generate a QR code to prove your booking. So sleeping in Venice rather than day-tripping isn't just nicer, it's literally cheaper per visit than the city wants day-trippers to pay. One more reason to actually stay.
A word on flooding and accessibility
If you're coming between roughly November and January, the acqua alta (high water) can push tides up into the lower-lying streets. Saint Mark's Square sits at the lowest point, so it floods first and worst. The MOSE flood barriers have been raised many times since 2020 and have spared the city on plenty of occasions, but I'd still check the tide forecast and pack waterproof shoes if you're staying in San Marco in deep winter.
On accessibility, I'll be straight with you: Venice is hard going if you have reduced mobility, because of all those stepped bridges. Some are fitted with ramps and the vaporetto is step-free, but it's worth choosing a flatter, quiet location (around the Riva degli Schiavoni in Castello, or near a vaporetto stop) and checking your specific route before you commit.
Where your money actually goes
One last thing I care about. Venice's resident population in the historic centre has dropped below 50,000, and short-term rentals are a big reason locals get priced out, which is mass tourism in a nutshell. The city's been tightening the rules on them. I'm not going to lecture you, but I've realised I feel better booking a hotel or a small family-run B&B than an apartment carved out of a residential building. It keeps a bit of life in the neighbourhoods that make visiting Venice worth it in the first place.
Right - on to the districts.
Dorsoduro: where I'd send a first-timer
If someone forced me to pick one answer to "Venice where to stay", I'd say Dorsoduro nine times out of ten. It's recognised for its authentic local feel and its art museums, calm and arty without being out of the way, and you can walk to most of the headline sights in easy walking distance without ever sleeping in the crush.
The sights you've got on your doorstep
This is the art end of town. The Gallerie dell'Accademia holds the great Venetian masters, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection covers the modern stuff, and Punta della Dogana at the tip rounds it out with contemporary shows. The big domed church you'll keep photographing is Santa Maria della Salute, sitting right where the Grand Canal meets the lagoon. The Accademia Bridge connects you straight over to San Marco, which is huge for easy access and exactly why I'd look for a hotel near it.
My favourite Dorsoduro thing, though, is the Zattere - the long sunny southern promenade looking across to Giudecca. Evening walks there are gorgeous, and barely any first-time visitors find their way over. There's also Campo Santa Margherita, a big open square with a proper lived-in feel, and the quieter Santa Marta corner if you want to feel like a resident. There's a strong student presence here thanks to the university, which keeps the area buzzing in a low-key, local way rather than a touristy one.
Eating well in Dorsoduro
The food here punches above its weight, and you'll spot far fewer tourist menus than in San Marco. Cantina del Vino Già Schiavi is a classic spot for cicchetti (Venice's little snacks, more below) eaten standing by the canal. Bar alla Toletta does great cheap sandwiches, Enoteca ai Artisti is lovely for a slower dinner, and La Bitta is a reminder that Venice isn't only about seafood - they do meat, and do it well. For a coffee or a spritz with the student crowd, Caffè Rosso on Campo Santa Margherita is the one.
Who it's best for
First-timers, couples and art lovers, mostly. I'd happily send any of them here. And it's not all splurge prices either - Dorsoduro's got budget-friendly options tucked along the side canals, so it works for a fair range of wallets. The only mild downside is that the far southern edge can feel a touch removed if your hotel's right out by the Salute, so I'd aim for the stretch between the Accademia Bridge and Campo Santa Margherita.
San Polo: the best part of Venice to stay if you love food
San Polo is small, central and full of life, and it's the area I'd pick for anyone who plans their trips around dinner. It wraps around the Rialto Market, so you're in the middle of things while sidestepping the worst of the Rialto Bridge scrum. Staying near the Rialto Bridge reduces walking distances across the city a lot, since it's the natural crossing point, with plenty of shops nearby for when you forget your charger.
What's around you
The Rialto Market still trades fish and produce most mornings, and it's the beating heart of the district. Art-wise you've got the Frari Church (its full name's Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari) with its Titian altarpiece, and the nearby Scuola Grande di San Rocco, which is wall-to-ceiling Tintoretto and genuinely jaw-dropping. There's a handy traghetto near Sant'Angelo and San Tomà too, so crossing the Grand Canal is easy, and there's almost always a nearby canal to sit beside with a glass.
The food, which is the real reason
This is cicchetti and bacaro country. A bacaro is a small old-school wine bar, and cicchetti are the little bites you eat with a glass of wine - think crostini piled with creamed cod, fried things, marinated veg. It's basically Venetian tapas and it's how I love to eat here. All'Arco and Al Mercà by the market are perfect for a stand-up snack. Cantina Do Mori is one of the oldest bacari in the city and worth a stop for the history alone. For a sit-down meal, Trattoria Antiche Carampane does proper lagoon cooking, Adriatico Mar leans more modern, and Ristorante Wistèria is your pick for something a bit smarter. There are a few places I always go back to here, and most of them are this kind of low-key local spot.
Who it's best for
Foodies first, then couples and first-timers who want a great location that's central but calm. I really like San Polo for a second visit, when you already know the headline sights and just want to eat and wander.
Cannaregio: real life and better value
Cannaregio's where I'd go for the Venice that still feels like a place people live in. It runs north from the train station, so it's handy for arrivals, and it's reliably better value than the centre. Long residential canals, washing strung overhead, kids actually playing - that's the local life of Cannaregio.
Worth seeking out
This is home to the Jewish Ghetto, the oldest in the world and a moving, important corner of the city that's well worth your time. Its main square, the Campo di Ghetto Nuovo, is a quiet, powerful spot to sit for a while. In the evenings the action's along Fondamenta di Ormesini and Rio della Misericordia, two canalside strips lined with bars where locals spill out with a glass in hand. There's a traghetto at Santa Sofia near the market, and the pretty Ponte delle Guglie if you're coming from the station side.
Where to eat and drink
Cannaregio's food scene's quietly excellent. Vino Vero is a natural-wine favourite of mine, Al Timon does cracking cicchetti and steak with tables right by the water, Estro Pane e Vino is great for a casual bite, and Osteria Giorgione da Massa throws in a fun Venetian-Japanese twist if you fancy something different.
Who it's best for
Budget travellers, repeat visitors, and anyone who'd rather feel like a temporary local than a tourist. Couples after quiet evenings do well here too. You'll also find budget guesthouses tucked along the calmer canals, often better value than anything you'll get more centrally. The trade-off is that the far northern reaches get a bit removed, so I'd stay closer to the Strada Nova spine.
San Marco: central, but choose your spot carefully
San Marco is the postcard - Saint Mark's Square, the Basilica with its golden mosaics, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge at the edge. It's the most central sestiere and the one most people picture. But I don't generally recommend staying right on the square itself, and here's why.
The catch
The San Marco pros are real - you're steps from the icons and it doesn't get more centrally located than this. But the square and the streets immediately around it get rammed with tourist crowds, and prices reflect it. By 10am you can barely move. I've found the move is to stay on the fringes of San Marco rather than its core. Around Teatro La Fenice, the opera house, there's a much calmer pocket of pretty streets. The stretch leaning toward the Accademia Bridge is lovely and quieter too. It's a slightly longer walk to the Basilica from there, but you get to come home to peace, and honestly that's worth a few extra minutes.
Eating here takes a little planning
I'll be honest - San Marco's where you'll hit the most tourist-trap restaurants, so you do need to choose. Osteria ai Assassini is one of the genuinely good ones, tucked away enough to dodge the worst of it. If a place has a tout outside and a laminated menu in six languages, keep walking.
Who it's best for
First-timers who want to be in the thick of the sightseeing, and luxury travellers - though even then I'd point the splurge crowd toward the Grand Canal palazzo hotels, some with a rooftop pool or terrace, rather than the dead centre. If you only have one night and want to wake up beside the icons, I get the appeal. Just book the edges.
Castello: room to breathe
Castello's the biggest sestiere and it changes character a lot as you move through it, which is the main thing to understand before booking. The western end, near San Zaccaria and the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront, is busy and steps from San Marco. Head east and it gets steadily quieter and more residential, until you reach the Giardini. That spread gives it a nice balance - easy access to the sights at one end, a proper quiet location at the other.
What's out here
The Arsenale, Venice's old shipyard, anchors the maritime history. Palazzo Grimani is an underrated little museum that hardly anyone visits, and Campo Santa Maria Formosa is a great square right where Castello, San Marco and Cannaregio bleed into each other. The Biennale Gardens (the Giardini della Biennale) host the big art and architecture shows, which makes eastern Castello the obvious base in a Biennale year - and an attraction in its own right even when there's no show on.
Good food, less hassle
Corte Sconta is a much-loved traditional restaurant hidden in a courtyard, Pietra Rossa does local produce and natural wine, and Ai Nevodi is a solid, popular neighbourhood spot. None of it's flashy, all of it's good.
Who it's best for
Repeat visitors, families who want fewer bridges and more open space, and anyone here in summer or for the Biennale. The flatter Riva degli Schiavoni stretch is also one of the better choices if bridges are a problem for you.
Santa Croce: the practical one
Santa Croce doesn't get the romance, but it earns its place through pure usefulness. It holds the Santa Lucia train station and Piazzale Roma, so it's the closest thing Venice has to an easy in-and-out - a convenient location if your trip's tight on time.
Beyond the logistics
It's not just transport, though. Ca' Pesaro is a grand palazzo housing modern art, and Palazzo Mocenigo covers historic costume and perfume, so there's culture here too. For food, Bacareto da Lele near the station is a tiny standing-room spot doing cheap wine and little sandwiches that I always stop at, La Zucca is a rare veg-leaning restaurant Venetians actually rate, and Stappo's a good modern wine bar.
Who it's best for
Anyone on a short 1 to 2 night trip, arriving late or leaving early, or hauling heavy luggage. For Santa Croce I wouldn't just chase closeness to the bus station, though - I'd pick somewhere genuinely comfortable, because the area itself is a touch less charming, so the hotel has to carry it. Hotel Olimpia is a reliable mid-range option here, the kind of comfortable base I mean for an early-flight morning.
The areas I wouldn't pick as a base
These aren't bad places. They're just not where I'd sleep on a first or short Venice trip, so I'd weigh them against other neighbourhoods first.
Giudecca
A long thin island across the water from Dorsoduro, with knockout views back at the city and the lovely Redentore church. It's calm and a bit removed, reached only by vaporetto, so I'd save it for a resort-style hotel stay or a budget hostel rather than a sightseeing base. If island peace is the actual goal, it's great. For dashing around the sights, less so.
Lido
The long sandbar with Venice's actual beaches. Lovely for families, summer trips and longer stays, and it hosts the film festival. But it's a vaporetto ride from everything, so I'd only base here if beach time's a real part of your plan, not for a quick two or three days of sightseeing.
Murano, Burano and Torcello
These lagoon islands are wonderful day trips - Murano for glass, Burano for its painted houses and lace, sleepy Torcello for its ancient cathedral. But I wouldn't stay overnight unless slow island life is specifically what you're after. As a base for the main city, they're just too far out.
Mestre (the mainland)
Mestre's on the mainland and people pick it for one reason: price. It's cheaper, well connected by train and bus, and fine if your budget's tight. But let's be clear, staying in Mestre isn't staying in Venice proper - you miss the early mornings and late evenings when the crowds thin and the city's at its best. If money's the deciding factor I'd genuinely rather you took a hostel bed on Giudecca or in Cannaregio and woke up actually in the Venetian lagoon.
Venice hotels: what I'd actually look for
You'll find every tier of hotels in Venice, so rather than rattle off names, here's how I'd think about it.
Boutique stays and B&Bs. This is the sweet spot for most people - a small hotel or a boutique hotel in a converted palazzo, often family-run and elegantly decorated in a traditional Venetian style, with great value if you choose well. They're dotted through Dorsoduro, San Polo and Cannaregio. One thing to set expectations on: hotel rooms in the Venice city centre tend to run small by international standards, so "spacious" here is relative. A modern boutique hotel might give you cleaner, more spacious rooms, while an old-palazzo place trades a bit of space for character. I'd prioritise one near a vaporetto stop or a Grand Canal crossing over one with a fancier room further from transport.
Palazzo and luxury hotels. Venice does grand like nowhere else, mostly along the Grand Canal and the Riva degli Schiavoni. The famous historic names like the Danieli, the Gritti Palace and Aman Venice sit in this bracket, with water-taxi arrivals straight to the door. Here you'll find the showpieces: a rooftop pool, a rooftop terrace with the whole skyline laid out, a junior suite with its own private terrace. If you're splurging, I'd value a canal view and easy boat access over being dead central.
Value hotels. Plenty of honest, comfortable 3-star places exist, especially in Cannaregio, Castello and Santa Croce, where the rooms range from doubles to triples for families. Many a hotel offers a lift, which is gold in a city of stairs, so I'd check for that. For these I'd read recent reviews closely and look for ones with excellent reviews on the things that actually matter - quiet, cleanliness, helpful staff.
Whatever the tier, I always cross-check the exact pin on a map against the nearest vaporetto stop and traghetto before I book. A hotel that claims a central, convenient location but sits a 12-minute walk and three bridges from any transport isn't as central as it sounds.
A few places I'd actually book
I always tie a hotel to the area and the way I'd be travelling, so here's a short list across the budgets, sorted by neighbourhood. Every one is a real, working hotel I'd happily point a friend toward.
- Ca' Pisani (Dorsoduro) - Art Deco design hotel near the Accademia Bridge and the Guggenheim, with a roof terrace
- Novecento (San Marco fringe) - tiny boutique near the Accademia, run by the Romanelli family, for couples
- Hotel L'Orologio (San Polo) - by the Rialto Market, a short walk from the bridge, Grand Canal on the doorstep
- Carnival Palace (Cannaregio) - modern, calm, canal-side near the Jewish Ghetto, handy for the station
- Ruzzini Palace (Castello) - frescoed palazzo on Campo Santa Maria Formosa, spacious rooms and junior suites
- B&B Bloom Settimo Cielo (San Marco) - romantic hideaway near Santo Stefano with a rooftop terrace
- Hotel Olimpia (Santa Croce) - reliable mid-range base near the station, good for an early flight
- The Gritti Palace (San Marco) - 15th-century palace on the Grand Canal near La Fenice, for a splurge
- Aman Venice (San Polo) - hushed, garden-set palazzo on the Grand Canal, once-in-a-lifetime
- Hilton Molino Stucky (Giudecca) - converted flour mill with the city's highest rooftop pool and a free shuttle
Hostels in Venice (yes, they exist, and some are great)
Venice has a surprisingly good budget scene, which is brilliant news if you want to wake up in the city without paying boutique prices.
- Generator Venice sits on Giudecca in a converted waterfront granary, one vaporetto stop from San Marco, with comfortable rooms ranging from dorms to private doubles and Grand Canal views from the bar. It's the design-led, sociable option, and as a guest you're exempt from the day-tripper fee.
- Combo Venezia in Cannaregio (it used to be called We Crociferi) is set in a former 12th-century convent, with double rooms, triple rooms and studios alongside the dorms. It rates well with families and solo female travellers.
- Ostello Santa Fosca, also in Cannaregio, is quieter and cheaper, with a garden, a shared kitchen and female-only dorm options.
- Mestre hostels like Anda Venice, a&O and MEININGER are the cheapest of all (dorms sometimes under €15), but remember you're on the mainland and commuting in.
For solo female travellers in particular, I'd lean toward Combo or a female dorm at Santa Fosca for the location and the calmer feel, with Generator if you want more of a social buzz.
How long are you staying? It changes the answer
The right base shifts with the length of your trip, so here's how I'd play it.
One to two nights. Stay central and low-faff. Santa Croce near the station if you're whipping in and out on a short trip, or the San Marco fringes if you want to maximise sights with minimal walking.
Two to three nights (the classic Venice trip). This is where Dorsoduro and San Polo shine. You've got time to settle into a neighbourhood, eat well, and still hit central Venice and the big sights. It's my favourite length and my favourite areas.
Longer, or a repeat visit. Go for Cannaregio or Castello and live a little slower. By a third visit I'm not chasing the Doge's Palace, I'm hunting the best cicchetti and the quietest canal to read beside.
Quick answers to the things people ask me
What's the best area to stay in Venice for first-timers?
Dorsoduro, then San Polo. Both are central enough for the sights and calm enough to enjoy them, without the San Marco crowds.
Where should I stay to avoid the crowds?
Eastern Castello or northern Cannaregio. You give up a few minutes of walking to the big sights, but you get a real neighbourhood and your evenings back, away from the worst of the tourist crowds.
Best place to stay in Venice on a budget?
A hostel on Giudecca or in Cannaregio gets you a genuine Venice morning for not much, which is the best location value going for budget travellers. Mestre's cheaper still, but you'll be commuting.
Where to stay near the train station?
Santa Croce, hands down. You're walking distance from Santa Lucia and the Piazzale Roma bus station, which is gold on arrival and departure days.
Best part of Venice to stay with kids?
Castello or San Polo. More open squares to run around in and fewer bridges to lug a buggy over. I'd also pick a ground-floor or lift-served place if you can.
Two nights versus three nights - does it matter where I stay?
A bit. For two nights I'd stay in central Venice and keep it efficient. For three I'd happily base in Dorsoduro or San Polo and take it slower.
Is Venice safe?
It's one of the safer cities I've travelled in, with very little violent crime. The main thing's pickpockets in the crush around Saint Mark's Square, the Rialto, the station and on packed vaporetti. Keep your bag zipped and in front of you and you'll be fine.
Should I just stay in Mestre to save money?
Only if the budget really demands it. You'll save euros but lose the early-morning and late-evening Venice that makes the trip special. I'd stretch for a city hostel first.
My honest bottom line
The best places to stay in Venice Italy aren't a secret list of hotels, they're a way of thinking. Pick the district that matches how you travel, then zoom in and check you're near a bridge, a boat or a traghetto, with as few stepped crossings as you can manage between you and your pillow. Do that and almost any sestiere works.
For me, it's Dorsoduro for a first trip, San Polo when I'm here to eat, and Cannaregio when I want to feel like I half-belong. Wherever you land, stay the night rather than day-tripping. You'll dodge the access fee, you'll get the city at dawn and after dark, and that, honestly, is the whole point.
If you're still mapping out the trip, it's worth pairing this with our airport transfer notes, our Venice food picks and our museum rundown over on Alle Travel before you lock anything in. Buon viaggio.