📋 Table of Contents
📌 Read in :
Français (French)
Flight tickets, ready. Hotel booking, done… You’ve planned your trip, perhaps a romantic getaway, to Venice well in advance. But as your departure date nears, you realise there’s something you haven’t considered, which could potentially spoil your trip right from the start: the journey from the airport to your hotel. Fortunately, we’ve looked into this for you: here’s how to get from Venice Airport to the city centre, by rail or road.
🛎️ Don’t miss out on the night of your life. Venice has no shortage of luxury accommodations, but do have a look at these selections of hotels with views of the Grand Canal, or those equipped with private jacuzzis.
📍 Where is Venice airport located?
Venice Airport, officially named Marco Polo Airport, is situated on the mainland, about 12 kilometres northeast of Venice’s historic centre.
Though located outside the city, on the lagoon, the airport is well-connected to the heart of Venice, offering travellers several options to reach the city centre (which we’ll discuss below), whether for tourism or business. This proximity to the city, combined with the efficiency of public and private transport services, makes arriving in Venice not only convenient but also enjoyable due to the landscapes crossed. Indeed, it’s all part of Venice’s charm.
🚉 How to get from Venice Airport to the city centre by train?
Travelling from Venice Airport, Marco Polo, to the city centre by train isn’t as straightforward as some might hope, due to the lack of a direct railway line connecting the airport to the heart of historic Venice – yes, it’s a bit of a shame. However, this option is still feasible with a few additional steps.
Travellers first need to take a bus or shuttle service from the airport to Venice-Mestre train station on the mainland. This initial leg of the journey is relatively short and cost-effective, with a shuttle cost of around 3 euros. Once at Venice-Mestre station, visitors can then take a train for the short ride across the lagoon’s bridge to reach Venice-Santa Lucia station, located at the entrance to Venice’s Grand Canal.
Although this option requires a change of transport mode and isn’t the most convenient, it nevertheless offers an interesting alternative for those who wish to explore Venice from its iconic railway entrance, with a minimal additional cost for the train journey from Mestre to Santa Lucia.
🚌 How to get from Venice Airport to the city centre by bus?
To travel from Marco Polo, Venice Airport, to the city centre, the bus offers an economical and convenient option. Two main lines are available to travellers: the ACTV Line 5 bus and the ATVO Express bus.
The ACTV Line 5 bus makes several stops between the airport and its terminus, Piazzale Roma, thus providing a connection to the centre of Venice in about 20 minutes for a cost of less than 10 euros. However, it’s important to note that this urban bus service does not have luggage compartments, requiring passengers to keep their luggage with them during the journey.
On the other hand, the ATVO Express bus offers a direct link between the airport and Piazzale Roma, with no stops, making the journey just as quick, about 20 minutes, but with the added advantage of luggage compartments, thus easing the transport of larger suitcases. ATVO Express buses depart frequently, every 30 minutes, and the ticket cost is comparable to that of the ACTV bus.
Tickets for these bus services can be purchased at automatic vending machines at the airport or directly from the drivers for the ATVO bus.
These bus options all end at Piazzale Roma, the last stop accessible by road in Venice, where travellers can then choose to continue their journey on foot or by vaporetto to reach their final destination in the city.
🚗 How to get from Venice Airport to the city centre by car?
Travelling from Marco Polo Airport to Venice’s city centre by car might seem like a comfortable option, especially for those carrying a lot of luggage or travelling in groups. However, it’s crucial to note that the old city of Venice itself is inaccessible by car – and you’ll appreciate this once there. Vehicles are thus limited to the city’s outskirts.
For those opting to rent a car at the airport, especially to visit surrounding cities like Padua, it’s possible to drive to Piazzale Roma, the closest point to the city centre accessible by car. From there, you must leave your vehicle in one of the public car parks, such as the Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto parking, and continue your journey to the centre of Venice on foot, by vaporetto (water bus), or by water taxi. It’s important to remember that parking fees in Venice can be high, and it’s advisable to check rates and availability in advance.
Opting for a taxi or private hire vehicle? It’s possible, with the same constraints upon arrival, of course. The journey takes about twenty minutes and costs around forty euros for the trip.
There you have it, we hope you now know how to get from Venice Airport to the city centre without any hassle. As transport offerings evolve, feel free to share any updates to the information presented here.