Visiting Venice in northern Italy is an unmatched experience. With gondolas floating across the Grand Canal, stunning bridges, and striking architecture, it’s no surprise that it’s one of Italy’s most beloved cities. But when it comes to logistics and Venice airport transfers, it may seem a little challenging.
That’s where this guide comes in, detailing everything you need to know to make your travel as seamless as possible. Whether you want to know which airport to choose, which mode of transfer is better, or if you need some extra tips, we’ve got you covered.
DISCOVER: This Venice Travel Guide – the perfect addition to your vacation planning.
Which Airport Is Best for Traveling to Venice?
For starters, it’s good to know that there are two main airport options when traveling to Venice: Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and Treviso Antonio Canova Airport (TSF). Venice Marco Polo Airport is on the mainland, just over 8.5 miles from Piazzale Roma. On the other hand, Treviso Airport is around 25.5 miles out.
Venice Marco Polo Airport is the better choice for traveling to Venice, especially when coming from outside of Europe. It’s one of the top Italian airports in Venice and the city’s largest international airport. Plus, it has many more transfer options, so we recommend it first and foremost.
Treviso Airport is another option. It is well-connected to Venice and good for budget-friendly airlines like Ryanair, but it has a downside. Besides being further away, it mainly caters to domestic flights and those to and from major European cities. So, it isn’t a great option for anyone wanting to travel to Venice directly from the United States or outside of Europe.
LISTEN: To our podcast on Treviso – Home of Tiramisu and Prosecco.
So, with that in mind, the rest of the guide will cover airport transfers from the Marco Polo Airport.
Marco Polo Airport Transfers Summary
| DURATION | APPROXIMATE COST PER PERSON (ONE WAY) | WHERE TO BOOK ONLINE | OPERATING HOURS | |
| Private Water Taxi | 30 minutes | €220 - €250 (up to six people) | Book a private water taxi transfer | 07:00 - 21:30 |
| Shared Water Taxi | 50 - 100 minutes | €37 - €43 | Book a shared water taxi transfer | 08:00 - 23:30 |
| Water Bus (Vaporetto) | 60 – 90 minutes +wait time | €8 - €15 (+ €3 for extra luggage) | Book waterbus tickets | All-day |
| Bus Transfer | 20 - 25 minutes + wait time | €10 | Book bus transfer | 06:00 - 01:10 (Marco Polo to Venice) 04:20 - 00:40 (Venice to Marco Polo) |
| Taxi | 15 - 30 minutes + wait time | €40 – €180 | Radio Taxi Venezia Venice Airport Transfers | All-day |
| Bus and Train | 20 - 25 minutes (bus to Mestre) + 10 minutes (train) | €8 - €10 (bus transfer to Mestre) + €1.45 (train ticket) | Book bus transfer Book train tickets | 06:10 - 01:10 (bus from Marco Polo to Mestre) 05:16 - 23:48 (train from Mestre to Santa Lucia) |
How to Get From Venice Marco Polo Airport to Venice City (and Vice Versa)
There are a few different transport options for your Marco Polo Airport transfer, whether that be private water taxis or a regular bus. So, here’s a quick look at all the details to make your life a little easier, including their pros, cons and booking information.
Private Water Taxi
One of the better ways to get to the city is via private transfers by a Venice water taxi. While it can be quite pricey, it’s much more convenient since you can take them directly to a private dock at your accommodation (if it has one). If it doesn’t have a dock, the boat can take you to the nearest drop-off point.
This option has plenty of perks. Firstly, it has one of the quickest travel times, especially if you’ve booked the transfer beforehand. There’s also less waiting time since you can go directly to your destination, and it can carry up to eight people (with luggage) comfortably. Plus, you can’t go wrong with taking in the sights on a private boat.
You can take a boat directly from the La Darsena water taxi pier, just a 15-minute walk from the airport. Then, for a return trip, you’ll get picked up from your hotel dock (where available) or the nearest public one.
Purchase your tickets from the water taxi desk inside the airport, but priority is given to pre-booked tickets.
- Where to book: At the water taxi desk in the arrival hall or book online (arrival and return transfer).
- Journey duration: 30 minutes (time varies based on tide conditions).
- Operating hours: 07:00 – 21:30
- Approximate cost (one way): €120 – €250 for up to six people.
Shared Water Taxi
Water taxis also come in a shared option, where you’ll have to ride with other travelers outside of your group. While it may not be as ideal as a private transfer from Venice Airport to your hotel, they do come at a fraction of the cost. They provide the same views of the lagoon and are just as reliable as a private option.
Like the private water taxi service, you can book directly from the desk in the airport’s arrival hall. Again, passengers get priority if they reserve their tickets beforehand.
The main downside to a shared ride is that you may have to wait an extra few minutes for the other travelers to arrive, so the journey will be slightly longer. These shared transfers will take you to a public dock or your hotel, if available, and the same goes for pick-ups.
- Where to book: At the water taxi desk in the arrival hall or book online (arrival and return transfer).
- Journey duration: 50 – 100 minutes
- Operating hours: 08:00 – 23:30
- Approximate cost (one way): €37 (day transfer) – €43 (night transfer).
Water Bus (Vaporetto)
If you’re really traveling on a budget, consider a water bus called a Vaporetto, though we wouldn’t suggest it as your first choice. They can be quite uncomfortable and crowded with so many people on board. And more often than not, you’ll be undercover, so you won’t enjoy those canal views like you may want.
The company Alilaguna runs water buses in Venice and has several stops across the three main lines. Linea Blu and Linea Rossa (seasonal line – April to October) both link Marco Polo to Murano, Venice’s center, and Lido Island. Linea Arancio connects to Rialto and Santa Maria del Giglio.
Once you reach your chosen stop, you can either walk to your accommodation or arrange a connecting transfer. For a return transfer to the airport, you can pay for a ticket online or at the nearest Alilaguna ticket office.
- Where to book: At the Alilaguna ticket office (in the arrival hall or near the pier) or book online.
- Journey duration: 60 – 90 minutes + airport wait time.
- Operating hours: All-day, but line dependent – view timetables.
- Approximate cost (one way): €8 – €15 (+ €3 for extra baggage).
Bus Transfer to Piazzale Roma
On-land transport is another option, especially if you’re staying close to the city’s central transportation hub. You can catch an ACTV or ATVO bus to the Piazzale right outside the arrivals hall at the airport.
Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes, meaning you won’t have a hefty waiting time in most cases, though mornings and evenings you might wait a little longer. Either way, it’s still a reliable way to get to Venice, and the fares are budget-friendly. Get a ticket in the arrivals hall or at ticket machines around the airport.
Once your bus stops at the Piazzale, you will have to take a connecting transfer to your hotel (but more on that later).
- Where to book: Public Transport ticket office at the arrivals hall, at automatic ticket machines, or book online.
- Journey duration: 20 – 25 minutes + airport wait time
- Operating hours: 06:00 – 01:10 (Marco Polo to Venice) and 04:20 – 00:40 (Venice to the Marco Polo).
- Approximate cost (one way): €10
Taxi to Piazzale Roma
While it may not be as glamorous as a boat sailing across the lagoon, a regular car taxi can be just as effective for making your way into Venice. If anything, the taxi is one of the fastest methods, as taxi drivers are waiting right outside Venice airport arrivals and are ready to take you anywhere you need to go.
They can be a bit pricey, though, ranging anywhere between €40 and €180, depending on the vehicle used and how much luggage you have.
- Where to book: Immediate access outside of the arrivals hall or book online at Radio Taxi Venezia or Venice Airport Transfers.
- Journey duration: 15 – 30 minutes + wait time
- Operating hours: All-day
- Approximate cost (one way): €40 – €180
Bus and Train to Santa Lucia
Trains are generally quick and easy, but in this case, they aren’t the best option. There is no direct train line between the airport and Venice, so you’ll have to jump through a few hoops.
For starters, you’ll need an airport transfer using an ATVO express bus line to Mestre Station, which sets you back only around €8 to €10. Then, you’ll take a train to the central Santa Lucia Station for only €1.45 and arrange further transport to your hotel from there.
But if you don’t mind hopping between transport options, then trains still work. For your return trip, you simply reverse it, starting from Santa Lucia to Mestre and then Marco Polo.
- Where to book: Bus transfer online or from the Public Transport ticket office or ticket machines. Train ticket online.
- Journey duration: 20 – 25 minutes (bus to Mestre) + 10 minutes (train)
- Operating hours: 06:10 – 01:10 (bus from Venice airport to Mestre – view timetables) 05:16 – 23:48 (train from Mestre to Santa Lucia)
- Approximate cost (one way): €8 – €10 (bus transfer to Mestre) + €1.45 (train ticket)
LEARN: More about How to travel by train in Italy here.
How to Get From Piazzale Roma to Your Hotel
Piazzale Roma is the city’s main transport hub, and if you’ve opted for a bus, taxi, or train transfer near here, you have to take extra steps to reach your accommodation in the city. Some hotels will have special instructions to help you figure out how to get there, but generally speaking, there are three primary ways to get to your hotel:
- Water Bus (Vaporetto) – Vaporetti are spread throughout the city, so you won’t have difficulty finding them in the Piazzale. You can take a quick look at the different Vaporetti routes on the ACTV website.
- Water Taxi – You can also use a private or shared boat at any Piazzale Roma dock, such as the Venezia Taxi or Venezia Turismo Motoscafi stations.
- On Foot – If your accommodation is nearby, walking the remaining distance is the easiest and most affordable way to get there.
FIND: More accommodation in the Best Hotels in Venice – The Top 5-Star, Boutique and Luxury Hotels.
Venice Airport Hotels
After arriving at the Venice airport, you have two options – you can arrange your transfer immediately or opt to stay at a nearby hotel. The latter option is helpful if your flight lands at an odd hour, particularly late at night. Transfers are typically more expensive in the evening, and you may be too tired to continue traveling for the day.
So, it may be a good idea to book a night at a nearby hotel before you get transferred to the city center the next day. Here’s a quick look at some hotels close to Marco Polo Airport that you can use.
Annia Park Hotel
Annia Park Hotel is only half a mile from Marco Polo and offers a paid private shuttle service (€5 per person) to and from the airport. If you’re taking the train, the hotel has ACTV and ATVO Autobus links and taxi links to Mestre Railway Station. More conveniently, though, the hotel has direct Alilaguna Vaporetto, ACTV Autobus, and taxi lines to Venice >> Check Rates and Availability.
Courtyard by Marriott
Alternatively, you can try the Courtyard by Marriott. This locale is just over half a mile from the airport. Similarly, it has some pretty convenient transfer options to and from the airport, including a shuttle bus (€5 per person) and an ACTV public bus line, all of which are easy to arrange with assistance from the front desk >> Check Rates and Availability.
Venice Airport Transfers Wrapped Up
Ultimately, as long as you keep these resources and tips in mind, you’ll have a much easier time navigating your Venice airport transfers. Whether you’re taking a private boat directly to where you’re staying or prefer a simple bus ride, there will be an option that suits you.
And once you get there, you can explore all of Venice’s main attractions to your heart’s content. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to start planning your next adventure.
Before you go, take a peek at these helpful guides on Venice that might help on your trip:
Our team of writers and creatives at Untold Italy are experts in keeping you informed and inspired about travel in Italy. Our team collaboration involves writers, photographers and editorial staff dedicated to sharing accurate Italy travel information.
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