How to Get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport (2024 Guide + Route Maps)
A quick and simple guide to the 4 best methods of transportation from Marco Polo Airport to Venice (by boat and by land).
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Venice, the enchanting city of canals, is a dream destination for many travelers. Arriving at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the first step of your adventure, but in a car-free city, how do you even get from the airport to the heart of Venice?
There are actually 4 great options for how to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport!
Before we dive in, I will say that the 2 boat options are by far my favorite and top recommended methods. Land transportation options may not bring you as far as you need to go, which could mean additional walking time or a vaporetto boat ride upon arrival to the island of Venice to reach your hotel.
Whether you prefer by boat or by land, here’s your guide to the 4 best ways to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport (and vice versa, from Venice back to Marco Polo Airport).
Table of Contents
Introduction
How to Get to Venice From the Airport
By Water
Alilaguna Water Bus
Water Taxi
By Land
ATVO Express Bus
Taxi
Tips for a Smooth Journey to Venice from Marco Polo Airport
FAQ: Traveling from Marco Polo Airport to Venice
Final Thoughts
Book Your Water Transport in Advance
Traditional gondolas are not used for airport transportation. These small boats only navigate the canals within the island of Venice!
How to Get to Venice From the Airport
By Boat
1. Alilaguna Water Bus - A Scenic and Affordable Option
The Alilaguna water bus is a very convenient and picturesque way to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport, because it stops at various points in Venice. You can think of this as the public bus system for getting from Venice airport to Venice - but on the water!
*This is my top pick for how to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport. Here’s how to do it…
Steps:
Buy a Ticket:
Tickets can be purchased online, inside the airport, or at the Alilaguna ticket booths located at the airport dock. The ticket booths are all very well marked within the airport. This list shows all of the locations that tickets can be purchased. I typically purchase in advance, or from the “Airport Marco Polo - Dockyard.”
A round-trip ticket costs around €27 per person, or one-way for €15 per person.
Round-trip tickets have an open-ended return date, meaning you can use the return ticket any day within the next 30 days.
Travel Tip: Purchase your tickets in advance for the Alilaguna water bus (for one-way or roundtrip journeys)
Two round-trip Alilaguna tickets
Follow this to the docks at the airport (image via Yelp)
Reach the Dock:
After collecting your luggage, follow the large blue signs for water transport or “Transporti via acqua.” They’re impossible to miss!
It’s about a 7-10 minute walk from the airport terminal to the dock.
Choose the Line:
Linea Arancio (Orange Line): Goes to Rialto, Sant'Angelo, and other central stops.
Linea Blu (Blue Line): Heads to Ospedale, San Marco, Zattere, and additional stops.
Linea Rossa (Red Line): Operates seasonally, serving Murano, Lido, and other locations.
*Tip: When in doubt, ask your hotel / accommodations beforehand for advice on the best Alilaguna route to take. This will eliminate any confusion, like getting off at a stop that’s further away from your hotel than necessary.
Map of the 3 Alilaguna routes that you will choose between. Linea Arancio and Linea Blu are most common.
Board the Boat:
Show your ticket to the attendant, at which time they will validate the ticket for you.
Board the boat, and seek out a spot at the very back of the boat, when possible! Some of the Alilaguna boats have “outdoor seating” through a door in the very back.
Then, enjoy the scenic ride to your chosen stop in Venice. The ride takes roughly an hour, depending on your final destination.
One of the Alilaguna boats pulling into Venice Airport
One of many Alilaguna stops on Venice (This is the “Ospedale” stop). You get dropped off here & can board the boat here to return to the airport.
2. Water Taxi - Fast, Direct and Enjoyable
For those looking for a faster, and more direct route to their destination, a water taxi is a perfect (albeit pricier) option.
This tends to be a favorite option for many travelers on their trip to Venice, since it is the simplest and most efficient way to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport.
Biggest pros: the water taxi will take you to the closest possible canal location to your accommodation, and goes much faster than the Alilaguna water bus. It’s also a very enjoyable and unique-to-Venice experience to kick off your trip.
Cons: If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, the water taxi is more than double the price of the Alilaguna when privately booked. However, you can cut down on cost significantly by booking a shared water taxi. More on that below!
Steps:
Book a Taxi:
You can book a private water taxi online, or upon arrival at the airport at the taxi desk.
Alternatively, you can book a shared water taxi online in advance.
Prices range between €100-€250 for a trip to central Venice, when booked privately.
For the best price, book your water taxi in advance. If you book upon boarding the boat, the price will often be inflated.
Travel Tip: Cut down on cost by booking a shared water taxi in advance. This pre-bookable shared water taxi is only $40 per person.
Reach the Dock:
Follow the signs for water transport or "Water Taxi" from the airport terminal to the dock.
Water taxis leave from the same general area as the Alilaguna. Be careful not to mix them up! The Alilaguna boats have a yellow bottom, and are very large so that they can hold many people. The water taxis are much smaller, often white or brown boats that hold only a small handful of people.
Board the Taxi:
Present your booking confirmation to the driver and enjoy a direct, comfortable ride from the airport to Venice - often right to the front steps of your accommodation in the city.
Private water taxi in Venice
Docks at Venice Marco Polo Airport - board your water taxi here (image via Get Your Guide)
By Land
3. Bus - The Cheapest Option
Taking a bus is the cheapest way to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport, and vice versa.
Bonus: the ATVO Express Bus travels exclusively between the airport and Venice, which means no unnecessary stops that waste time in-between. The buses are also fitted with luggage storage compartments, free wifi, and air conditioning.
Important note: all land transportation methods (like the bus) will end at Piazzale Roma, which is the only bus station on the island of Venice. From Piazzale Roma, you can either walk to your accommodation or take a vaporetto boat.
Steps:
Buy a Ticket:
Tickets can be purchased at the airport (ticket office is in the arrivals area) or online in advance
Tickets are €10 for a one-way trip, or €18 for a round-trip ticket (open return)
Travel Tip: Save time at the airport by booking your bus tickets in advance.
Daily schedule for the ATVO Express Bus
Route of the ATVO Express Bus
Find the Bus:
Follow the signs for the bus terminal, located just outside the arrivals area.
You’ll be looking for the ATVO Express Bus, which shows “Airport Bus Express” on the side.
The bus runs every 30 minutes, and directly connects the airport to Piazzale Roma (Venice’s main bus terminal) in about a 20 minute drive. Read the full bus schedule here.
Board the Bus:
Validate your ticket before boarding and enjoy the ride to Piazzale Roma. It’s very simple: to validate your ATVO bus ticket at Venice Marco Polo Airport, you can use the stamping machines located at the bus stop before boarding the bus.
Note that Venice is a car-free island, so Piazzale Roma is the furthest stop that any land transport can bring you to.
From your final destination (Piazzale Roma), you can walk (the entire city is very walkable) or take a vaporetto (public water transport) to your final destination. Keep in mind that a vaporetto ticket would need to be purchased separately.
Images via Get Your Guide
4. Taxi - Fast and Comfortable
For a more comfortable and private journey by land, a taxi is a great option to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport.
It’s a fairly quick taxi ride from the airport to reach the final drivable location in Venice at Piazzale Roma, and a private land taxi is less than half the cost of a private water taxi.
Steps:
Book a Taxi:
You can book at the ticket office in the arrivals hall (pictured below), find taxis outside the arrivals area, or book online in advance.
A taxi ride to Piazzale Roma costs around €40-€50 and takes approximately 20 minutes.
Customer service and ticket office for taxi services - image via Radio Taxi Venezia
Travel to Piazzale Roma:
Enjoy a direct ride to Piazzale Roma, where you can catch a vaporetto (water bus) or walk to your final destination in Venice.
Just like the bus, since Venice is a car-free island, Piazzale Roma is the furthest destination in Venice that any land transport can bring you.
Image source: Radio Taxi Venezia
Tips for a Smooth Journey to Venice from Marco Polo Airport
Check Schedules: Review the Alilaguna timetables and bus schedules to ensure you select the most convenient time and route for your trip.
Consider Your Luggage: If you have a lot of luggage, a water taxi or land taxi might be more convenient despite the higher cost.
Venice Card: If you plan to use public transport extensively during your stay, consider purchasing a Venice Card for savings and convenience. More information on what’s included can be found on the Venezia Unica City Pass website. Buy your pass online for water transport only, or water transport + access to top attractions!
FAQ: Traveling from Marco Polo Airport to Venice
Q: Is there a train from Marco Polo Airport to Venice?
A: There is no direct train from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. However, you can take a bus or taxi to Venice Mestre Station, on the mainland part of Venice, and then take a train from there to Venice Santa Lucia Station (train station right on the island).
Q: How long does it take to get from Marco Polo Airport to Venice?
A: The travel time will vary greatly depending on the mode of transport! A water taxi takes about 20-30 minutes, a bus takes approximately 20 minutes, and a water bus can take around 40-70 minutes.
Q: What is the best way to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport?
A: The best way to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport really depends on your budget and preferences! If you prefer convenience and speed, a water taxi is ideal. For the most economical choice, opt for the bus service.
Q: What is the cheapest way to reach Venice from Marco Polo Airport?
A: Taking a bus (the ATVO Airport Bus Express) is the most budget-friendly option.
Q: How do I book the Venice Marco Polo Airport Shuttle?
A: You can book the Venice Marco Polo Airport Shuttle (the ATVO Airport Bus Express) online or directly at the airport upon arrival. Click here to book online in advance.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose the budget-friendly Alilaguna water bus, the luxury of a water taxi, or one of the land transportation offerings, getting to Venice from Marco Polo Airport is an adventure in itself.
Again, my top recommendations for both ease and a great experience are the 2 water transportation options.
Choose the Alilaguna (essentially a passenger ferry) to save some money, while still getting that classic Venice experience of arriving by boat.
Choose the water taxi for a quick, easy and more efficient ride, but with a higher price tag.
Book your water transport in advance:
Buon viaggio!
Have a good trip!
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How to Get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport (Ultimate Guide + Route Maps)
