Good day,

Mrs Bickle and I will be taking a cruise in October 2013 with the last port of call being Venice. I want to use Hilton Honor points for the hotel stay in town AND I want to see about saving some € while in Venice (ha!).

My problem is - our departing flight leaves Marco Polo at a bright and early 0650 - and to my way of thinking that means I should be at the airport NLT 0500. Well, the last run of the shuttle service from Hotel Molino Stucky arrives at San Marco at 0035, but the first Alilaguna bus does not arrive until 0345 (!!).

I have just begun investigating this transport and the only water taxi services I have found is in the neighborhood of 100€. Can someone steer me to something cheaper/more timely/more intelligent? Or, will the missus and I be traipsing around San Marco between 0030-0330? God forfend! I cannot even imagine her thoughts on that "option"!!

I am going to contact the Hilton Garden Inn Mestre San Giulanio to see what time their shuttle service runs, but I would appreciate all intelligent replies.

Thanks in advance,