Getting from Marco Polo Airport to Venice can be confusing, especially with the unique layout of a city that’s built entirely on a lagoon!
But fear not because this detailed guide will help you navigate the transfer options from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. Whether you’re a budget-conscious traveler, visiting Venice with family or friends, or you’re simply eager to optimize your time and convenience, there’s a right transfer option for you.
So keep reading to understand all the ways to get from Marco Polo Airport to Venice.
How to Get From Marco Polo Airport to Venice
Venice is one of the most fascinating places in Italy, visited by millions of tourists every year. If you’re traveling to Venice and it’s your first stop in Italy, you’ll likely arrive in this gorgeous Italian city by plane and need to transfer into the historic center of Venice.
Venice Marco Polo Airport is the main international gateway to the enchanting city of Venice, sitting just about 8 miles to the north of the city. You can also use this airport to explore Veneto, the region of northern Italy where you’ll find Venice, as well as other important cities and landmarks.
The majority of the airlines flying in and out of Venice use this airport. Marco Polo Airport is also Italy’s fourth busiest airport, seeing over 10 million passengers passing through every year.
Treviso Airport is a smaller airport in northern Italy mainly used by low-cost airlines just 25 miles north of Venice that also helps visitors reach Venice and other areas in the Veneto region.
Getting to Venice via public transportation could take a quick 20 minutes to a longer 45 minutes depending on the day, time, and your chosen mode of transportation.
And given Venice’s unique location, there are surprisingly many ways to get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport. Besides the regular bus and taxi options (and the limitations they come with in Venice), you can also reach the city center by water vehicles. But their prices vary.
As you plan your trip to northern Italy, it’s important to map out your choices to find the perfect transportation option to fit your travel needs. This is doubly true if you’ve just gotten off a long international flight and want to kick off your vacation on a high note.
In case you don’t have time to go through this entire guide, here’s a quick glance list of the options.
| Transportation Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Bus from Marco Polo Airport to Venice | Cheapest way to transfer from the airport and buses run often | Transfer at Piazzale Roma to get the vaporetto (water bus) to get closer to your hotel |
| Shared Water Taxi | Convenient and affordable option to go directly from the airport to or near your hotel, not as crowded as the vaporetto | Must share with a few other travelers who, potentially, have stops before yours |
| Private Water Taxi | Direct door-to-door transfer from Venice Airport to your Venice hotel on a private boat | Most expensive airport transfer option |
| Vaporetto | Departs close to the airport and makes stops throughout the Venice city center; Not as affordable as the bus but still budget-friendly; No transfer at Piazzale Roma | Limited baggage included in your ticket, can be crowded because it’s a public water bus, likely still need to walk from the bus stop to your hotel |
Marco Polo Airport to Venice by Land Taxi
When it comes to getting from Marco Polo Airport to the city, opting for a land taxi is just one of the several choices available.
In most cities, taxi rides are typically the quickest and most hassle-free way to make the journey from the airport to the heart of the city. Not only does it save you time, but it also provides a convenient and stress-free transportation option especially if you have lots of baggage or you’re arriving late at night.
In the case of Venice, though, there’s an obvious exception to the convenience of land taxis.
Venice is called the “Floating City” for a reason. It’s on water. Taxis, on the other hand, need terra firma. So while they’re available, taxis won’t be able to take you directly to your Venice hotel.
A regular land taxi will get you from the airport to Piazzale Roma, which is over the bridge that connects the mainland to the island where Venice sits. From here, you’ll need to get onto a vaporetto (the typical Venetian waterbus) to take you near your hotel.
A water taxi, though more expensive, will bring you as close as possible to your hotel. More on this below.
The taxi ride from Marco Polo Airport to Venice Piazzale Roma takes about 20 minutes and will cost you 40€ to 50€ for 4 passengers with 1 piece of luggage each. As always, confirm the price with your driver before you get in the taxi to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Taxi ranks can be found outside the arrivals area of the airport and are conveniently parked under the “taxi” sign. Cooperativa Artigiana Radiotaxi is the official taxi company providing rides from the airport. For the safest journey, always make it a point to choose authorized taxi services only.
If you have a bit of extra budget flexibility, another option worth considering is a private transfer. While it may be the most expensive option, it eliminates any concerns about navigating the transfer on your own. A chauffeur will wait for you at the arrivals terminal, take you to Venice Piazzale Roma, and escort you to a private motorboat that’ll go directly to your accommodation.
Marco Polo Airport to Venice via Bus Services
For the most affordable way to go from Marco Polo Airport to Venice Center, take the bus to Piazzale Roma. Then, again, from here, you’ll likely need to take the vaporetto to arrive at your accommodation.
This option is good if you have lightweight and easy-to-carry baggage, and don’t mind a short wait for the buses to arrive. While it may involve a bit of patience, opting for the airport bus is a practical way to reach the heart of Venice.
Two bus companies run the service, both departing from outside the arrivals hall at the airport and taking you to Piazzale Roma.
ACTV “Aerobus no. 5” to Piazzale Roma
Bus no.5 connects Venice’s Marco Polo Airport and the city center. You might also see the Aerobus referred to as the ACTV bus. This is what Venice’s public bus company is called.
Operating between the airport and the city (Piazzale Roma) from 4 AM to 1 AM, this service provides a cost-effective choice.
The bus departs every 15-20 minutes from the terminal, making multiple stops before reaching its final destination at Piazzale Roma in Venice. The duration of the bus ride typically ranges from 25-30 minutes.
Tickets for the ACTV Aerobus No. 5 can be conveniently purchased at the ticket machines located in the arrival area. Upon boarding the bus, the first thing to do is to validate the ticket at the ticket reader that you’ll find aboard.
Keep in mind, ACTV buses and the possible vaporetto you’ll need to take from Piazzale Roma have limited space for luggage. These are public modes of transportation that can be busy during commuting hours with people trying to get to and from work, home, and school.
ProTip: If your accommodation is not close to Piazzale Roma, you’ll need to take a vaporetto after bus no. 5 — a great idea would be to purchase the combo ticket ‘Aerobus + Nave’. It’ll allow you to jump on a vaporetto without having to wait in line to buy a separate ticket.
ATVO Blue Bus Service to Piazzale Roma
If you’re looking for a slightly faster option but still want to take the bus, the ATVO bus line also goes from Marco Polo Airport to Venice’s Piazzale Roma. The ATVO transfer is an express bus with no stops that’ll directly drop you off at Piazzale Roma.
The service is available between 6 AM to 12 AM, departing approximately every 30 minutes. The express bus ride only takes approximately 20 minutes since there are no stops.
One-way and roundtrip tickets can be bought on arrival at the airport or online.
Inside Marco Polo Airport, you can buy tickets at the ATVO ticket office, or the self-service machines located next to the arrivals’ exit and next to the bus stop at the airport. If you want to simplify your travel arrangements, book your ticket online in advance for a bus transfer to/from Venice City Center.
As it is for ACTV Aerobus no. 5, you need to validate your ticket before the bus leaves the airport. You can do it before boarding the bus, at the yellow machines at the bus stop, or inside the bus.
ATVO buses also have more luggage storage space so taking the blue bus would be the best choice if you have large suitcases or multiple bags. However, this doesn’t change the luggage you can carry onto a vaporetto after reaching Piazzale Roma.
Marco Polo Airport to Venice via Water Services
Since Venice is a city sitting on the water, it makes sense there would also be water transportation services. Personally, I think taking a water bus or water taxi from Venice Airport to Venice Center is a great way to start your time in this iconic city.
The serene waterways of Venice offer a scenic and memorable introduction to the city, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings while making your way to your hotel in the heart of Venice.
Water Bus (Vaporetto) from Marco Polo Airport
Alilaguna Water Buses is probably the most convenient means of getting to your final destination in Venice from Marco Polo Airport. Also known as the vaporetto, the transfer connects the airport with Piazza San Marco, Venice’s iconic main central square.
The earliest departing water bus service is at around 6 AM with the last water bus running until about midnight. Boats run once per hour.
A one-way ticket on the vaporetto includes 1 suitcase and 1 small bag. You can take additional baggage for an added fee. Tickets can be purchased in the airport’s baggage retrieval area or from the manned ticket booths in front of Piers 11 and 12. (More on the departure piers below.)
If you want to book your tickets in advance, you can purchase tickets from Alilaguna’s official website.
Important Info about Taking the Vaporetto to Venice
A trip on the vaporetto will run for about an hour longer than land bus options.
The upside, though, is you won’t have to transfer at Piazzale Roma. The vaporetto is a more direct route to the docking point you need to reach your Venice hotel. Keep in mind, the vaporetto is not a door-to-door service. If your hotel is tucked away off the Grand Canal, take the closest stop and then walk from there.
Despite the longer travel time, the scenic and direct water route adds a unique charm to your journey that really isn’t possible at any other destination in the world.
Three Alilaguna vaporetto lines connect Marco Polo Airport with Venice Center: Linea Blu, Linea Arancia, and Linea Rossa (which only runs from April to September). Each line makes different stops, so you need to check which one is the most convenient to take to arrive at your hotel.
The red line or Linea Rossa only makes stops at Murano and Lido Islands, while both Lines Blue and the Linea Arancia make multiple stops in Venice. You can check out the schedule and stops of the different lines on Alilaguna’s official website.
Vaporetto boats depart from the docks which are a 10-minute walk from the airport arrivals area. There are signs to point the way to the pier, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. (Otherwise, just follow what’s sure to be a large group of travelers heading in the same direction towards the departure pier!)
Note that during high season the line to get on the vaporetto is quite long, so if you don’t like the idea of a possible wait, consider another transfer option.
Private Water Taxi to from the Airport to Your Venice Hotel
For the fastest and most direct transfer from Venice Airport to the city center, you can book a water taxi. Water taxis will take you to the closest spot possible to your hotel, which is great if you’re traveling with multiple suitcases or if it’s your first time in Venice. (It’s very easy to “get lost” on foot in Venice!)
Private water taxis are, not surprisingly, the most expensive transfer option. The price from Marco Polo Airport to Venice starts from €100 up to €300, depending on your drop-off point, the amount of luggage you have, what time you’re traveling, and your haggling skills in Italian.
To avoid spending too much, the best option is to book a private water taxi in advance, so you’ll know the price upfront in case there are added fees for additional people or luggage or if you need to get to a different island.
Water taxis depart from the same dock where you’ll find the Alilaguna boat as explained above.
Shared Water Taxi To or Near Your Venice Hotel
If you would like to take a water taxi to arrive at or close to your accommodation as fast as possible but don’t want to splurge on a private water taxi, you can also take a shared water taxi. This is one of the most popular choices for travelers visiting Venice. It splits the difference and offers a great blend of convenience and affordability.
A shared water taxi is less crowded ride than the water bus and a much cheaper alternative than the private water taxi. The price of sharing a water taxi ride starts from €35 per person, and you can book it in advance so you have a plan from the moment you arrive.
Getting from Venice to Marco Polo Airport
If your time in gorgeous Venice has ended, you need to figure out how to make your way from the city center to the Marco Polo Airport.
All the information detailed in this article will be useful in arranging the best transfer option to the airport.
If you decide to take the ACTV Aerobus no. 5, the ATVO blue bus, or the Alilaguna water bus, you should consider buying a round-trip ticket at the very beginning of your trip before stepping out of the airport. This way, you will save money and time, and your journey to Marco Polo Airport will be less stressful.
To take the bus to the airport, you need to get to Piazzale Roma first, either by vaporetto or by foot. Instead, water buses depart from different places in the city, so you might be able to hop on somewhere closer to your accommodation.
As it is the other way around, the vaporetto journey will take longer than the land bus, but it’s a better option to avoid having to transfer at Piazzale Roma.
If you prefer to take a private vehicle, you can opt for a taxi.
Land taxis are less expensive than water taxis, but the ride is longer, and you will need to arrive in Piazzale Roma to catch one. On the other hand, water taxis are the quickest way to get from Venice to Marco Polo Airport. They’re the best option if you’re in a hurry and have the budget for a more expensive airport transfer.
Hotels Near Marco Polo Airport in Venice, Italy
Although there are no hotels directly at Marco Polo Airport, there are several nearby accommodations if you prefer to stay near the airport. These options provide convenience for early morning flights or late arrivals, ensuring a comfortable stay within a short distance.
Here are some of the best hotels near Marco Polo Airport in Venice:
- Annia Park Hotel Venice Airport – 0.7 miles from the airport
- Courtyard by Marriott Venice Airport – 0.9 miles from the airport
- Torre Antica Venice Airport – 1.4 miles from the airport
- Antony Hotel – 2.3 miles from the airport
Marco Polo Airport to Venice FAQs
What are the transportation options available from Marco Polo Airport to Venice?
There are land taxis, buses, water buses (vaporetto), and water taxis.
Where are the transport terminals at Marco Polo Airport?
Taxis can be found in designated lanes outside the terminal on the ground floor. The bus stops are situated in the same area as the taxis, a bit further from the taxi. For the vaporetto or a water taxi, you’ll need to walk to the departure piers.
What is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Venice?
The land bus to Piazzale Roma is the most affordable option, costing less than €20 for a return ticket.
How much does a water taxi cost from Marco Polo Airport to Venice?
The ride from Marco Polo Airport to Venice starts from €100 up to €300, depending on your drop-off point of choice, how many people and bags you have, and what time of day you need to transfer to the Venice city center.
How long does the water bus take from Marco Polo Airport to Venice?
The vaporetto journey takes about 1 hour depending on which stop you need.
So, What’s the Best Way to Go From Marco Polo Airport to Venice?
When deciding which is the best way to get from the airport to Venice, you should consider three factors: how much money you are ready to spend on the airport transfer, in which part of the city your hotel is located, and how fast you would like to reach Venice’s center.
Going from Marco Polo Airport to Venice by private water taxi has the huge advantage of arriving at your accommodation fast and without much trouble. The biggest downside is cost. The service is expensive.
If you are looking for a cheap way to get from Venice Airport to Venice Center, either the Aerobus no. 5 or the ATVO blue bus is the best choice you can make.
Lastly, taking a vaporetto from Venice Airport is a slightly more expensive option than the land bus, but with the big pro of leading you directly into Venice’s most central spots, such as Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square.
Personally, I always choose the shared water taxi to reach Venice’s center from the airport as it’s the right compromise between price and drop-off location. Besides, you will be able to begin exploring Venice’s lagoon and canals as soon as you step onto the boat.
So, what questions to do you have about getting from Marco Polo Airport to Venice?
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