The water taxi charge is not per person. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> But yes, it is expensive. When in Venice we buy a 7 day vaporetto pass (I think 50 euro per person) that allows unlimited use of all public transportation. When we head to an outer Island (say Burano) we will splurge on a private water taxi. The public transport can be crowded and hot.