How to get to Venice: complete transport guide

How to get to Venice by plane

The main airport is **Marco Polo (VCE)**, located at Tessera, about 13 km from the historic centre. Connections include:

**Alilaguna** (water bus): Orange, Blue and Red lines reach Piazza San Marco, Rialto, Murano and the Lido in 60-90 minutes (15 euros)
**ACTV bus 5**: airport to Piazzale Roma in 20 minutes (10 euros)
**ATVO Fly Bus**: airport to Piazzale Roma in 20 minutes (10 euros)
**Water taxi**: private transfer directly to your hotel in the lagoon (about 110-130 euros)
**Road taxi**: to Piazzale Roma (about 40 euros)

**Treviso-Canova Airport (TSF)**, 40 km away, is used by Ryanair. The ATVO Eurobus connects Treviso airport to Piazzale Roma/Mestre in about 70 minutes (14 euros).

How to get to Venice by train

**Venezia Santa Lucia** is the railway terminus, located directly on the island, overlooking the Grand Canal. From here you are already in the heart of the city. Connections:

**Frecce Trenitalia**: Milan (2h15), Rome (3h30), Florence (2h), Bologna (1h20), Trieste (2h)
**Italo**: Milan, Rome, Florence, Naples
**Regional trains**: Padua (25 min), Verona (1h10), Treviso (30 min), Trieste (2h)
**International**: Vienna (via OBB Nightjet), Munich, Zurich

**Venezia Mestre** is the mainland station, useful if you are staying in Mestre. From Mestre to Santa Lucia takes just 10 minutes by regional train (every 5-10 minutes).

How to get to Venice by car

Venice is reachable via:

**A4**: from Milan (270 km, 2h45) and Trieste (150 km, 1h30)
**A13**: from Bologna (150 km, 1h45) via Padua
**A27**: from Belluno and the Dolomites

Cars stop at **Piazzale Roma** or in mainland car parks. No cars are allowed in Venice. Main parking options:

**Autorimessa Comunale** (Piazzale Roma): closest to the centre, from 26 euros/day
**Garage San Marco** (Piazzale Roma): from 30 euros/day
**Tronchetto**: largest car park, from 22 euros/day, connected by People Mover to Piazzale Roma (1.50 euros, 3 minutes)
**Parcheggio Venezia** (Via della Liberta): cheaper, free shuttle
**Mestre car parks**: much cheaper (from 5 euros/day), then train to Santa Lucia

How to get to Venice by bus

The bus terminal is at **Piazzale Roma**, the gateway to the city on water. Operators include:

**FlixBus**: connections across Italy and major European cities
**ATVO**: regional lines for eastern Veneto, beaches (Jesolo, Caorle, Bibione), Cortina
**Busitalia**: urban and suburban network

From Piazzale Roma you can reach any point in the city by ACTV water bus.

Getting from the arrival point to the centre

In Venice you get around on foot and by boat. **ACTV vaporetti** are the lagoon's public transport:

**Line 1**: Grand Canal (all stops), Piazzale Roma to San Marco in 45 minutes
**Line 2**: Grand Canal (main stops), faster, 30 minutes
**Line 5.1/5.2**: circular (Murano, Lido)

Single ticket: 9.50 euros (75 minutes). Tourist passes are much better value:

24 hours: 25 euros
48 hours: 35 euros
72 hours: 45 euros
7 days: 65 euros

From Santa Lucia station, San Marco is a 40-minute walk (a beautiful experience crossing the Rialto Bridge) or 30-45 minutes by water bus.

Practical tips

Travelling light is essential in Venice: luggage must be dragged over countless bridges with steps. If you arrive by plane, the ACTV/ATVO bus to Piazzale Roma offers the best value. Buy a vaporetto pass for the length of your stay: it saves a lot compared to single tickets. For Murano, Burano and Torcello, use lines 12 and 14 from Fondamente Nove.

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