Welcome / Venice / Venice Airport to City Centre

How to get from Venice Airport to City Centre

Fern Coll

Travel Writer/World Explorer

September 11, 2023

Venice is built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. The lagoon area has no roads, just canals and it is connected to the mainland via a 4-km bridge, the “Ponte della Liberta”. At the end point of this bridge within the Lagoon area is Piazzale Roma, the final point accessible with a road vehicle.

For transfers from Venice Airport, the city centre is only accessible via sea transportation directly from the airport, or a combination of road transport up to Piazzale Roma and then a water taxi or ferry within the Lagoon area. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to factor in the price of your transfer from Piazzale Roma to your final destination; water taxis start at €70 and ferries cost around €10.

For a combination deal (taxi and water taxi included) at a competitive price, you can pre-book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups. We’ll take care of you from the airport gate until you arrive at your final destination, so there’s no need to worry about planning multiple transfers.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Venice at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€182.50	30min	24/7	Book
Book
Water Taxi	€120	35min	24/7
Taxi	€40	20min	24/7
Bus	€20	20min	04:56–01:01
Public Ferry	€30	40min	05:20–00:20
Shuttle Bus	€20	20min	24/7

How to get from Marco Polo Airport to Venice by water taxi

Using a water taxi for your transfer from Venice Airport to the city is definitely a memorable way to travel, as it offers a unique perspective of the city and wonderful views along the way.

There are both private and shared water taxis operating direct transfers from Venice Marco Polo Airport to the Lagoon. If you choose to travel by water taxi, bear in mind that you may encounter delays due to changes in the airport’s surrounding sea levels.

How much is a water taxi from Venice Airport to Venice?

Private water taxi fares from Venice Airport to the city centre and the rest of the Lagoon start at €120 but can be as expensive as €220, depending on the provider, the number of passengers, the amount of luggage and the location of your final destination.

If you prefer to get a shared water taxi service, the fare per person will be around €35 per passenger.

*You can hire a water taxi at the airport counters or pay for the water taxi in cash before you get on board.

Cost

€120

Trip Duration

35 Min

*Different water taxi companies have different fares and the final trip duration depends on weather conditions as well.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Water taxis are available at all hours from Venice Airport. Water taxi companies monitor plane arrivals and prepare their fleet accordingly.

Where do I get it from?

To get a water taxi at Venice Airport, you need to follow the signs to the Moving Walkway, the airport’s automatic escalator pathway. Once at the Moving Walkway, you will be at the docks in no time, as the escalator stops right by the airport’s water terminal.

Convenience

Choosing to take a private water taxi from Marco Polo Airport to Venice is not the most budget-friendly option, but it is the most convenient. Space is not a problem for private water taxis, but the fare is significantly higher.

Likewise, crowded shared rides are cheaper, but you’ll most likely be met with long waiting times and not much space for luggage, especially during high season.

*It’s important to note that there are frequent delays at the airport docks, as the water levels fluctuate a lot and it is very common for water taxis to be unable to anchor.

Editor’s Note

There are luggage restrictions in effect with the majority of water taxi companies. If you travel with heavy or bulky luggage you may be unable to board.

Useful Tips

If you want to experience the world-famous Venice water taxis, it is better to travel via a conventional transport option to Venice (Piazzale Roma) and then hire a water taxi to the rest of the Lagoon.

Travelling with children from the airport of Venice to the Lagoon using a water taxi is not the safest option. Consider alternative ways of transport.

How to get from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Venice city by taxi

Taxis are readily available at Venice Marco Polo Airport 24 hours a day, and can be found waiting in a line outside the terminal. Official Venice taxis are white in colour with a “TAXI” sign on top and company stickers on the side.

Most taxi at Venice Airport offer a fixed fare of €40 to Piazzale Roma, where the Cruise Terminal stop is located. In normal to light traffic conditions the journey will take around 20 minutes. From there, you can choose between a water taxi, the ferry, or continuing on foot.

Taxi fare from Venice Marco Polo Airport to city centre

Taxis at Venice Marco Polo Airport charge a fixed fare of €40 for trips to Piazzale Roma. Depending on the provider, taxis are either metered or operated using fixed fares. It is recommended to always try and negotiate a final price before entering the vehicle.

To continue to the rest of the Lagoon by private taxi the fare is approximately €70 on top of the trip to Piazzale Roma, whereas the ferry is approximately €8-€10 per person, depending on your destination.

You can pre-book a Venice Airport taxi online through Welcome Pickups or hop into one at the airport.

Cost

€40

Trip Duration

20 Min

*Traffic conditions can affect journey duration. During high tourist season, the large number of visitors can cause delays.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE).

Where do I get it from?

As soon as you exit the Arrivals Hall at Venice Marco Polo Airport, you’ll see a line of white taxis waiting to pick you up.

Convenience

Taking a taxi from Venice Marco Polo Airport is the most convenient option as they are available 24/7. No matter what time of day you land, you can hop in a taxi and make your way directly to Venice. There’s also ample room for your luggage and personal items to be stored securely.

Once you’ve arrived at Piazzale Roma, there are plenty of options available to you; you can jump in a water taxi, ferry (Alilaguna), or take a scenic walk.

Editor’s Note

If you are carrying a lot of luggage you may want to opt for a larger, mini-van sized car as luggage isn't usually allowed in the seating area of standard-sized taxis.

Useful Tips

Make sure you carry cash in Euros as some taxis at Venice Marco Polo Airport don't accept cards.

Make sure your taxi has an up-to-date licence and a functional meter on display.

Remember to account for the cost of getting to the rest of the Lagoon via vaporetto or private water taxi after arriving at Piazzale Roma.

How to get the bus from Marco Polo Airport to Venice

There are limited public transportation options when it comes to travelling from Venice Airport to the city. However, ACTV Bus 5 travels directly from the airport to Piazzale Roma in the city centre of Venice.

The service departs from the airport every 15 minutes or so and tickets cost just €10. The bus trip takes around 20 minutes. However, you’ll need to continue your trip to the rest of the Lagoon, either by ferry (vaporetto), by water taxi or on foot.

How much is the bus from Marco Polo Airport to Venice?

Travelling by bus from Marco Polo Airport to Venice costs just €10 one-way and €18 return. If you choose to take the ferry or a water taxi from Piazzale Roma, the final price will be higher.

*You can buy tickets for the bus online, at the automatic machines located at the airport or the Alilaguna water transport office located at Venice Airport Arrivals.

Cost

€10

Trip Duration

25 Min

*Traffic conditions and busy services can cause delays.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The ACTV Aerobus bus runs every 15 minutes between 04:56 and 01:01.

Where do I get it from?

Bus 5 from the airport to Venice leaves from the bus terminal located just outside the Arrivals hall, between Exits 1 and 2. You will see the bus as you exit the airport terminal.

Convenience

As Bus 5 doesn’t operate 24/7, if you arrive late at night, you may have to wait a few hours until the bus starts running again. Also, if you’re carrying lots of luggage, it can be a little challenging to find storage space on the bus as the service tends to be crowded.

Timetables

Bus 5 Route

Airport to Venice

Bus 5 Timetable

Airport to Venice

Public Ferry Routes and Lines

Editor’s Note

Consider booking a combined bus+water transport ticket for a discounted price. This way you can get to Piazzale Roma by bus and then continue your journey by ferry to the rest of Venice.

Useful Tips

You must validate your bus ticket at the machines before you ride the bus.

If you are carrying lots of luggage, it may be a better idea to take a large taxi as there is limited space for luggage on the bus.

Children up to 6 years old travel for free on board Bus 5 to Venice.

How to get from Venice Airport to city by ferry

For a more affordable water transport option, you can take the public ferry (vaporetto) from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. Alilaguna is the public ferry operator at the airport of Venice, operating Monday to Sunday all year long.

For the centre of Venice, you can take the blue, red or orange line. Both the blue and red lines take you straight to San Marco Square in the heart of Venice and the orange line takes you to Santa Maria Giglio, which is a few minutes walk from San Marco.

*Keep in the mind that the red line is seasonal, and not operational all year long.

How much is the ferry from Venice Airport to city?

A single journey from Venice Airport to the city on the public ferry costs €15 per person. When booking online, a single ticket costs €14, while a return ticket costs €27 and €25 respectively. There is a €3 fee for every additional piece of luggage.

Tickets to Murano are cheaper. They cost €8 for a single journey and €15 for a return journey from the airport of Venice.

*You can buy tickets online through the Alilaguna website, at the Venice Airport terminals, at the ticket machines located at the dock, or on board using cash.

Cost

€15

Trip Duration

40 Min

Ferries leave the airport dock every 30 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes after 22:00.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Alilaguna ferries from Venice Marco Polo Airport are available Monday to Sunday as follows: Blue Line 05:20-00:20, Red Line 08:50-15:35, and Orange Line 08:05-23:45.

Where do I get it from?

Public ferries are available Monday to Sunday from Venice Airport. Follow the blue signs to “Water Transport”, leading you to the first floor of the airport, where you will find the Moving Walkway, an elevated escalator pathway that will take you straight to the docks.

Convenience

Public ferries offer a frequent and affordable public service from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. Although it is a unique way of travelling, weather and sea conditions may affect your trip or even make it impossible. Due to water level fluctuations, delays are very common. Also, if you carry lots of luggage, you may want to search for alternative transport options to the city centre of Venice.

Timetables

Public Ferry Lines and Routes

Airport to Venice

Blue Line Timetable

Airport to Venice

Red Line Timetable

Airport to Venice

Orange Line Timetable

Airport to Venice

Editor’s Note

Timetables for the Alilaguna ferries are published seasonally and are available online.

Useful Tips

Children up to 5 years old travel for free when a valid ID is presented and at least one adult accompanies them.

Baby strollers and prams can be carried on board without extra charge. It is recommended to confirm with the ferry officials before embarking.

If you plan on using the public ferry system often, you can consider purchasing a 24h, 48h or 72h ticket.

How to get from Venice Airport to city centre by shuttle bus

There is a shuttle bus service from Venice Marco Polo Airport to the city centre. The ATVO Venezia Express (Line 35) operates between 06:00-01:10, departing every 30 minutes or so and has a trip duration of around 20 minutes to Piazzale Roma. From there, you can then continue your journey to your destination either on foot, by water taxi, or by ferry.

How much is the shuttle bus from Marco Polo Airport to Venice?

A great budget-friendly option, you’ll pay just €10 for a ticket from Venice Airport to the city centre and €18 for a return journey.

You can get your shuttle bus tickets to Venice from Marco Polo Airport either online or at the airport. There are automatic machines and counters located at the baggage claim areas and the departure bays. Some airlines also sell shuttle bus tickets in-flight.

Cost

€10

Trip Duration

20 Min

The average waiting time for the shuttle bus is 30 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Shuttle bus line 35 operates daily between 06:00-01:10.

Where do I get it from?

You can take the ATVO Venezia Express bus straight from the airport of Venice. Shuttle buses leave every 30 minutes from the shuttle bus bay area located between the two airport exits. You will see the signs and buses to Venice as soon as you exit the airport terminal.

Convenience

Choosing the shuttle bus for your Venice transport is a rather convenient transport option. Buses leave frequently from the airport and the ticket is very affordable. There is ample space for luggage and journey duration is just 20 minutes under normal traffic. WiFi on board is also helpful to organise the rest of your journey after arriving at Piazzale Roma downtown. There can be small delays due to frequency and traffic.

Timetables

Shuttle Bus 35 Timetable and Prices

Airport to Venice

Ferry Route and Lines

Venice to Lagoon

Editor’s Note

For more information on the timetable and ticket options, consult the shuttle bus staff at Marco Polo Airport. They will be able to help you with your Venice transport.

Useful Tips

Pets are welcome on board the shuttle bus to Venice. Before bringing your little friend to Venice, confirm with ATVO about regulations.

Shuttle bus timetables are seasonal and frequency changes between high and low season depending on demand.

Remember to validate your tickets at the stamping machines before boarding the shuttle bus.

You need to walk to the Cruise Terminal close to Piazzale Roma to continue your trip in the Lagoon via water transport.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Venice. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

How much is a taxi from Marco Polo Airport to Venice?

Taxis from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Venice Piazzale Roma are €40 for up to 4 passengers. Alternatively, a Venice Airport water taxi costs between €120-€220. Remember that surcharges will be applied to your final fare for factors such as extra luggage, number of passengers and travel time. For a guaranteed fixed fare with no hidden fees and a combination deal, you can book a private transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups.

How to get from Venice Airport to Venice?

You have five options to reach the city centre of Venice from Marco Polo Airport: water taxi, ferry, taxi, bus and shuttle bus. To continue to the rest of the Lagoon after arriving at Piazzale Roma you only have two options: water taxi and ferry.

Can you drive in Venice?

Driving is not possible in Venice, nor in the rest of the Lagoon islands. Cars can only reach Piazzale Roma and then you need to board a water taxi or ferry to continue your trip in the Lagoon.

How do you get around in Venice Italy?

Getting around Venice and the Venice Lagoon is only possible via water taxi, ferry or on foot. Due to the extensive canal network and the geomorphological peculiarity of the Lagoon isles, road or rail transport is not possible.

How much does the vaporetto cost in Venice?

The ticket to get to Venice from the airport using the vaporetto public ferry is €15. To get to Murano from the airport it’s €8, while in-Lagoon routes cost €9 on average.

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