Looking for the best way to get from Marco Polo airport to Venice? This guide has you covered.
Bus, train, water taxi, water bus, regular taxi.
There are a surprisingly large number of ways to reach the islands of Venice from Marco Polo Airport on the Italian mainland, and for those of us not used to using boats as a standard made of transport, working out just which is best for our needs or budget can be a little difficult.
That's whay we've put together this article with all the information you need to get you from point A to point B in a way that suits your timescales, budget and luggage. From the quickest, the cheapest, to the most romantic and the one to absolutely avoid, here’s everything you need to know about how to get from Marco Polo Airport to Venice.
And no, there are no gondolas from the airport.
How to Get From Marco Polo Airport to Venice
The Cheapest option | The Bus
There are two bus companies running from Marco Polo airport to Venice, both departing from outside the arrivals hall and dropping off in Piazzale Roma (from where you'll likely need to take the vaporetto public water boat to your accommodation). Both buses cost €8 one way or €15 return, but the slight confusion that certainly arose with us, is that they have very similar names; ATVO and ACTV.
ATVO
The ATVO service is an express service that departs Marco Polo Airport every 30 minutes and takes approx 20 - 25 minutes to reach Piazzale Roma. The service runs between 5.20 a.m. and 12.20 a.m.
Tickets can be bought on arrival, either at the easy-to-spot ticket machines in the baggage area, the ticket office in the arrivals hall, at the ticket machines outside the terminal at the designated ATVO bus stop, or from the ATVO attendant at the same stop. The machines accept card or cash. Alternatively, you can purchase your tickets online in advance here for exactly the same price and head straight to the bus stop upon your arrival.
Whichever way you purchase, it’s essential to validate your ticket prior to boarding the bus at the yellow machines at the bus shelter or inside the bus - failure to do so can incur a fine of €52.00 plus the original ticket price.
To locate the bus stop, exit 'Door D' from the airport and proceed to 'Bus Stop 2' - it is signposted too.
Due to the fact that luggage is stored beneath the bus on this service, this bus service is the best choice if you have multiple or large bags.
ACTV
This is the public bus company, with bus #5 running the route between Marco Polo Airport and Piazzale Roma every 15 minutes between 4.00 a.m. and 1.00 a.m. Note that this is not a direct bus so expect it to take a little longer than the ATVO bus above (about 25-30 minutes).
Tickets are available in the arrival area of the airport and the buses depart from directly infront of the airport terminal.
Tickets must be validated on board the bus at the ticket reader.
Note that one benefit of utilising this bus line is that you can purchase an 'Aerobus + Nave' ticket (€14 per person, each way) which will allow you to jump on a vaporetto from Piazzale Roma without having to buy a separate ticket.
Onwards from Piazzale Roma
As we mentioned above, irrespective of which bus company you opt for, once you're deposited at Piazzale Roma you'll need to hop on a vaporetto to Venice's historical centre. In the city of canals where there are no cars in its streets, metro, or Uber, the vaporetto is the main mode of transport.
There are multiple pontili (pontoons) along the waterfront of the plaza, signposted A to G and which one you head to depends upon your final destination, so you'll need to confirm in advance the best stop with your accommodation provider; we highly recommend doing this before you arrive in Venice, especially if your flights gets in at night. For further information on the specific lines that run from, and to, Piazzale Roma see here.
The majority of you will take the #2, which has more room for cases and people, but others will also go to your stop on the Grand Canal. The important thing is to not panic and rush for the first boat you see - take your time, check the screens, and make certain which one is the right one from which stop! The services run pretty much through the night too.
If you haven't bought a combined ACTV Aerobus + Nave ticket, you'll need to buy your vaporetto ticket from one of several machines near the pontoons. The price per person for a single, 75-minute ticket is €7.50. You can pay by card, and instructions are available in multiple languages; there’s also the ticket kiosks if you’re really confused.
Remember to validate your ticket in the yellow machines before hopping on the vaporetto!
Then it’s time to find a spot for you and your luggage (this route always gets crowded), savour your first sights of Venice from the water, and make sure you get off at the right stop for your accommodation (the attendants are really helpful, and will shout out each stop as they arrive)!
It’s important to note that, due to Venice’s idiosyncratic topography, whichever option you take from this article will include a short or long walk from your stop in the Grand Canal (essentially Venice’s main thoroughfare) along narrow streets, lugging your suitcase up and over various bridges, and getting lost, to find your hotel/apartment. It’ll always be longer than Google Maps tells you too!
For further information on negotiating public transport in Venice - particularly with regards to the vaporetti, see our thorough guide (published soon).
The easiest option | The Alilaguna Water Bus
Besides a water taxi (see below), the Alilaguna Water Bus is probably the most convenient means of getting to your final destination in Venice from Marco Polo Airport.
Although it’s a slightly slower service - taking around an hour to reach San Marco - not having to change / transfer at Piazzale Roma means it’s a more direct route to the right docking point in the Grand Canal and your accommodation.
There are three separate services operating: Linea Blu, Linea Arancia and Linea Rossa (note that Linea Rossa only runs April - September), all of which leave from a well-signposted dock approximately a ten minute walk from airport arrivals. You can find it on Google Maps here.
Tickets are available from the public transportation desk in arrivals, the manned ticket booths by the dock, or from the adjacent ticket machines and cost €15 one way, or €27 for a return. This price includes one suitcase and one small bag, with additional baggage costing €3 per item.
The service operates between 6 a.m. and around 8 p.m., with boats tending to leave every hour or so. Note that during high season the queues can get painfully long so consider an alternative if needs be.
A full Alilaguna Timetable can be found here.
The fanciest option | Water Taxi
Private Water Taxi
Whilst the possibility of hopping into a private speed boat at the airport and being whisked immediately to your fancy hotel does sound rather fabulous - and guaranteed to impress the love of your life - it doesn't come cheap, with standard fares costing around €150 (more if travelling late at night or have lots of luggage).
If there's a group or you fancy a splurge, enquire at the taxi desk in airport arrivals - just be sure to negotiate a price before stepping aboard.
Pick-up point can be found at the same spot as the Alilaguna dock mentioned above.
Alternatively, should you be visiting Venice for an extra special occasion, consider booking this executive service which includes private transport from the airport to the dock (not included as standard with private water taxis).
Shared Water Taxi
The definite benefit to the water taxi is that the driver will be able to drop you off at the pier closest to your hotel - ideal if you've got lots of luggage, are at all physically limited. In this situation, you may want to consider a shared water taxi.
The cost is around €35 per person, and tickets can be arranged either at the taxi desk in arrivals or at the pier. Alternatively, you can book in advance here for €32, for a guaranteed place.
The late night option | The Taxi
Given you'd still need to change onto a vaporetto at Piazzale Roma, this is really only an option to consider should you be arriving late at night when none of the bus services are running.
Expect to pay around €50 for the 15 minute journey, and as always, confirm the price before you get in the taxi.
Taxi ranks can be found outside arrivals.
The option that makes no sense | The train
This route makes absolutely no sense for those trying to get from Marco Polo Airport to Venice, but given that we ourselves looked into it as a possibility, we did want to quickly cover it here.
Essentially you would need to hop on a bus to Mestre Train Station (yep, the same one you'd get to Piazzale Roma - and it still costs €8), then a train from Mestre to Santa Lucia Train Station. From here, you'd still likely need to take a vaporetto to your accommodation.
See, crazy talk.
YOUR NEXT STOP
Now you know how to get from Marco Polo Airport to Venice, it’s time to plan your visit to the Floating City - we’ve got you covered with out in-depth guides!
13 Wonderful Things to Do in Venice
23 Things to Know Before You Visit Venice
A Complete Guide to Taking a Gondola Ride in Venice
Where to Find the Best Views of Venice
How to Plan Your Venice Travel Budget
Burano | The Perfect Day Trip From Venice
Where to Stay in Venice (published soon)
23 Things to Know Before You Visit Italy (published soon)
