The water-taxi is much more expensive than any other mean of transportation but it can hardly be beaten for speed, luxury and convenience. The water taxi can penetrate the shallowest canals of the city and take you straight to your destination (or very close to it) along back routes that offer an alternative view of the city. It’s also preferable if you'd rather avoid the crowds on the water buses, especially at rush hour. There are water taxi stands at all the Venice terminals (Marco Polo Venice Airport, the port, Santa Lucia railway station, Piazzale Roma bus station and the Tronchetto) and at the main tourist spots. A water-taxi can also be hired with a simple telephone call as in any other place in the world.
How much does it cost? The fare varies according to the distance to be covered, the number of passengers and pieces of luggage and the time of day. Since the fare given is always for a vehicle for four people it is cheaper to share it with other people (i.e. the normal fare from the airport to San Marco is around 95,00 Euros, whether you are travelling by yourself or in a party of four with four pieces of luggage). A surcharge is applied over the fourth passenger and the fourth piece of luggage.
Inside Venice suggests you book your transfer from the airport to Hotel Flora or Locanda Novecento in advance with Venezia Taxi (a 42 water-taxi consortium) that offers a transfer service from the Marco Polo arrivals hall to the hotel (go to the Venezia Taxi stand in the arrivals hall of the airport or call 041.72.31.12).
A last suggestion: if you take a water-taxi please make sure it is licensed (all licensed taxis have a yellow stripe with a black registration number)