That’s the thing - I can’t envision how one would know whilst still at the airport if the Alilaguna would be there or not, or rather, whether we can get to it before it leaves.

Taking that 00:10 bus example as THE example.

Emerge at arrivals hall at 00:05- race down to the Alilaguna port to make the 00:20 departure, and if it’s there, then buy the tickets from the ticket machine. But this assumes that there is a ticket machine there, which I’m not entirely sure about, all the advice I’ve seen just says to buy the Alilaguna tickets in the airport building (10-15 mins away)
Given the option of the Alilaguna route departing at 00:20 (goes directly to the doorstep of our hotel) or the bus at 00:10 (involves hurried transfer and some added complications to get a vaporetto) I’m definitely going to want to get the Alilaguna service.

I suppose if we did try for the 00:20 Alilaguna departure and did miss it we should juuuust have enough time to rush back to get the 00:40 linea 5 bus before the final 01:10 bus departs (I don’t think there is a “so on” until past 4am)

I’ve seen lots of horror stories of people buying their fares online before they arrived and not being able to exchange them for actual tickets when they arrived without additional time consuming complications. Again, not something I want to do in advance as we may not make the 00:20 departure.

It’s not being certain that I can buy a ticket at the dock next to the Alilaguna boat that is really bothering me.