Arriving by plane in Venice

Venice Marco Polo International Airport (VCE)

Marco Polo Airport "reflects the uniqueness of Venice. The airport's architectural features highlight the lagoon environment and are suggestive of the city's civil and industrial architecture (such as the historic Arsenal). The visual impact is strong. With the city outlined on the horizon, the great windows overlooking the lagoon are an immediate and intense link with the inimitable scenery." - Nadia Petronio

Location: The airport is located 16 km(10 miles) northeast of Venice by road, but only about 6 km by sea.

Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).

General information: +39 (0)41 2609240 or 2609250.

Flight information: +39 (0)41 2609260.

Transfer between terminals: A free shuttle service connects the two terminals.

Facilities: Facilities include lounges/travel clubs, baggage/left luggage, business services, disabled and First Aid facilities, banks/bureau de change, bars, duty-free shops, a chemist, restaurants, a spa and tourist information.

Car rental: Car hire companies include Avis, Europcar Italia, Hertz and Thrifty.

Website:http://www.veniceairport.it

Transfer / transportation to the city:

• Road taxis: it takes 15 minutes to get to Piazzale Roma (photo 195 KB), the price is around 23.5 euro (radiotaxi tel.+39-041-936222). The taxi rank is outside the arrivals area;
• Water taxis: The rate for a ride from the airport to San Marco (around 30 minutes) is about €85.00 for four people and four pieces of luggage (water-taxis have meters). There are some surcharges (night surcharge between 10pm and 7am and surcharge for each piece of luggage and person over the fourth);
• Bus ATVO: a direct connection from the airport to Piazzale Roma that takes about 20 minutes; buses leave every half hour. Buses run from 8.50 (8.30 on Sundays and public holidays) to 23.40. The ticket costs 2.60 euro and includes luggage. The buses leave outside the arrivals area on the right. The airport shuttle is faster but more expensive, leaving every hour. There is also an airport shuttle direct to Mestre, it takes about 17 minutes.
  Note: ATVO buses are blue.
• Bus ACTV:
  To Venice: the No. 5 makes numerous stops before reaching Santa Lucia Railway Station (it takes approximately half an hour). The ticket costs 0.77 euro but does not include luggage. Each suitcase needs a ticket (the same price as for passengers).
  To Mestre: the No. 15 goes to Mestre Railway Station.
  Both buses leave at 5 and 35 minutes past the hour outside the arrivals area immediately to the right.
  Note: ACTV buses are orange.
• Boats ACTV/ALILAGUNA : The best way to get to Venice from the airport is by water. Buy your ticket at the Alilaguna ticket desk in the arrivals hall or get one on the boat itself for a bit extra. There's a free shuttle bus (blue and white) from the airport to the Alilaguna boat pier.

Two lines (the Blue Line and the Red Line) run 50 services during the day to the principal points in the city: (Airport, Murano, Fondamente Nuove, Lido, Arsenale, San Marco, Zattere, Maritime Station). The routes covered by Alilaguna extend for approximately 17 km along the canals within the Venice municipal area. The two lines connect 10 different landing areas. Every landing stage has a covered waiting area, seating and is illuminated to ensure safe boarding in all weather conditions. The landing stages are 'floating,' connected to land by ramps, and they all have the timetable and a map showing the network and routes covered.

Here is a map of the network

The Red Line runs from 06.15 to 00.10 and stops at Murano Museo (30'), Lido (52'), Arsenale (1hr 05'), S.Marco (1hr 10') and Zattere (1hr 20').

The Blue Line starts at 09.40 and the last boat is at 00.40. It stops at Murano Colonna (30'), Fondamente Nuove (38'), Lido (1hr 10') and S.Marco (1hr 14').

Both lines leave each hour, Red Line at ten past the hour and Blue Line half an hour later.

Here's a link to the Alilaguna Timetable page (you select the time period)

And here are the fares (2005):

Save money with a VENICEcard (Carta Venezia):

VENICEcard is a ticket that allows you to use the main tourist services the City offers to the visitor. Both Senior (over 30 years old) or Junior (under 30 years old) VENICEcards are available in different versions to satisfy different needs: VENICEcard BLU includes unlimited public transport and toilets; VENICEcard ORANGE includes museums (including the Doge's Palace and Ca'Rezzonico), public transport and toilets. There are also various discounts available around town. You can buy a card for one, three or seven days duration, and the "Alilaguna" boat service from/to the Airport Marco Polo or S. Giuliano Car Park (seasonal) reservation with boat transfer to the city can be included.

For full details see our VENICEcard page

Going to Jesolo

If you have to go to the beaches of Jesolo coast (Jesolo - Cavallino - Ca' Vio - Ca' Ballarin - Punta Sabbioni) can use ATVO buses departing every hour to Jesolo-Lido. Then you can get another bus to your final destination. The fare ticket is about 3-4 Euro.

A longer, more expensive but much more picturesque alternative is the following:

1. Linea Alilaguna to Lido di Venezia (9.81 Euro) via Venice lagoon - 58'
2. At Lido change to Punta Sabbioni with ACTV boat (3.10 Euro): you can buy the ticket at Lido. - 27'
3. At Punta Sabbioni change to an ATVO bus (they wait for the boat) (2-3 Euro): you can buy the ticket at Punta Sabbioni before getting into the bus - 5' to 25' depending on your destination.

Note: Bear in mind that during summer weekends the road from the airport to Jesolo is full of cars coming from Mestre and Treviso going to the beach so that it can take the bus 2 hours to get to Jesolo.

For more on public transport and general transportation in Venice, see our "Getting Around Venice" pages.

Next page: Arriving by in Venice by car.