Where to stay in Venice: the six sestieri, Mestre and the islands
By the TravelCheap Editorial Team · Updated October 28, 2026
For a first visit on a budget, stay in Cannaregio or Santa Croce. Both are walkable from the station or Piazzale Roma, so you carry your bag over fewer bridges, and prices are lower than around San Marco.
Mestre on the mainland is cheaper again. Overnight guests there skip the day-tripper access fee, the tourist tax is lower, and the train to Santa Lucia takes 10 to 12 minutes.
The six sestieri compared
| Area | Price | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannaregio | Lower | Arriving by train; evenings along the canals | The streets right by the station are busy and less charming |
| Santa Croce | Lower | Arriving by car or bus at Piazzale Roma | Fewer big sights inside the area |
| Castello | Lower to mid | A quieter stay near the Biennale and Arsenale | A long walk from the station with bags |
| San Polo | Mid | The Rialto market, bacari and aperitivo | Crowds around the bridge |
| Dorsoduro | Mid | Museums and the sunny Zattere | Busy in the evening near the university |
| San Marco | Highest | Being next to the main sights | The heaviest crowds in the city |
Sources: Best neighborhoods in Venice (Lonely Planet) and Where to stay in Venice (Untold Italy).
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Compare hotels in VeniceMestre, Lido and Giudecca
- Mestre: usually the cheapest beds. Overnight guests in the municipality are exempt from the access fee, and the tourist tax is lower on the mainland (Calendar of 2026 access-fee days (The Local Italy), Tourist tax information for guests (Comune di Venezia)).
- Giudecca: a quiet island across from Dorsoduro with few hotels, reached by vaporetto (Where to stay in Venice (Untold Italy)).
- Lido: the beach island. Generally pricey, with longer boat rides into the centre (Where to stay in Venice (Untold Italy)).
Tourist tax and luggage
Your hotel adds the Venice tourist tax for the first five nights. Children under 10 don't pay, ages 10 to 16 pay less, and January is the low season. Mestre and the islands have lower rates than the historic centre (Tourist tax information for guests (Comune di Venezia)).
Book a room no more than a few bridges from where you arrive: Cannaregio near the station by train, Santa Croce near Piazzale Roma by bus or car. A vaporetto ride on arrival day saves you carrying bags across the whole city.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest area to stay in Venice?
In the historic centre, Cannaregio and Santa Croce are usually cheaper than San Marco. Mestre on the mainland is cheaper again and 10 to 12 minutes from Venice by train.
Is it better to stay in Venice or Mestre?
Venice if you want the city early and late without day crowds. Mestre if price matters most; you still skip the access fee as an overnight guest.
Which area of Venice is best with luggage?
Cannaregio near the station or Santa Croce near Piazzale Roma, because you cross fewer bridges with your bags.
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More Venice guides
Sources
- Best neighborhoods in Venice (Lonely Planet)
- Where to stay in Venice (Untold Italy)
- Calendar of 2026 access-fee days (The Local Italy)
- Tourist tax information for guests (Comune di Venezia)
Prices, timetables and trail status change. We checked the figures on this page on October 28, 2026. Found something out of date? Email contact@travelcheap.online.