Ask Lonely Planet: Pricey city on shoestring

Venice can be an expensive place for budget travellers. Photo / Jim Eagles

We are two friends in our 60s travelling to Vienna in May. From there, we wish to go to Venice for three or four nights. Can you advise the best way to get there? Do you have any cheap accommodation suggestions close to St Mark's Square please? Also any suggestions for then getting to London?
- Maureen N

Sounds like a brilliant holiday. From Vienna, you can fly to Marco Polo airport (12km outside Venice). However, Ryanair flights stop at Treviso airport, 30km from Venice. Tickets cost about €200 ($355). There's also a train service from Vienna to Venice, which takes about eight hours. You can leave Vienna in the morning and get to Venice in time for a late lunch. The train costs roughly €150.

Accommodation in Venice is pricey. There is a hostel, Ostello di Veniezia, across from the Piazza San Marco on the island of Guidecca. Cross over on a vaporetto. For nicer and pricier digs, try Cadel Nobile. This stylish B&B is 100m from the Piazza San Marco. Rooms are €150.

For the trip back? The most convenient way to get to London from Venice would be via plane.

Gaelic getaway

My family is thinking about travelling to Scotland and Ireland. We particularly want to visit Coylton and County Down. What is the best time of year, best way to get between the two and any tours you can recommend?
- Natalie

Both areas are indeed picturesque.

A good way to get between Scotland and Ireland is via ferry. From the Scotland side, you need to make your way to Stranraer in the Dumfries and Galloway region. Ayr, which is close to Coylton, is served by coach and train to Stranraer. From Stranraer, there are five daily crossings to Belfast and the trip takes three hours.

Belfast is 30km north of Downpatrick, the main town in County Down. From there you can easily get around Northern Ireland. As the towns you're planning on visiting aren't huge on the tourist maps we would recommend hiring a car.

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