Venice Marco Polo Airport

Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the primary airport serving Venice and the Veneto region, located approximately 13 km north of Venice on the Italian mainland near the town of Tessera. The airport handles over 11 million passengers annually and serves as a base for low-cost carriers Volotea, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.

The airport has a single terminal building spread across three floors:

• Ground Floor: Arrivals hall with baggage claim belts, check-in desks 92-99 and 101-139
• First Floor: Departures area with check-in desks 1-56, security screening, and departure gates
• Second Floor: Business center, Marco Polo Club lounge, and Tintoretto Lounge (SkyTeam)

The terminal is divided into two airside zones:

• Schengen Area (Gates 22-29, 42-49): EU/Schengen flights
• Non-Schengen Area (Gates 1-8): International flights outside the Schengen zone

What makes Venice Marco Polo unique is its location on the Venetian lagoon. You can take a water taxi or Alilaguna water bus directly from the airport dock to Venice's canals, arriving at your hotel by boat. This is the only major European airport offering direct water transport to the city center.

Note: Budget travelers flying with Ryanair or Wizz Air should double-check their booking, as some flights operate from Treviso Airport (TSF), located 31 km from Venice.

Venice Marco Polo Airport is located 13 km from Venice's historic center. Unlike most airports, Venice requires a choice between land and water transport since the historic city has no roads.

Transport overview:

Method	Destination	Time	Cost
Water taxi	San Marco/hotels	25-35 min	EUR 115-200
Alilaguna (water bus)	San Marco	70 min	EUR 18
ATVO bus	Piazzale Roma	20 min	EUR 10
ACTV bus	Piazzale Roma	25-30 min	EUR 10
Taxi/Uber	Piazzale Roma	15-20 min	EUR 40-50
Taxi/Uber	Mestre	15 min	EUR 35-40

Key decision: If staying in Venice's historic center, you'll eventually need water transport. A water taxi is the most scenic and direct option but expensive. Most budget travelers take the bus to Piazzale Roma, then transfer to a vaporetto (water bus) to their hotel area.

Water Taxi

The most spectacular way to arrive in Venice is by private water taxi, gliding through the lagoon directly to your hotel's canal entrance.

Prices:

• San Marco area: EUR 115-150 (daytime)
• Night surcharge (after 22:00): Add EUR 10-15
• Extra luggage/passengers: Additional charges may apply
• Shared water taxi: Around EUR 39 per person

Journey time: 25-35 minutes to central Venice

Where to find it: Exit arrivals and follow signs for "Water Taxi / Motoscafo." The dock is a covered 10-minute walk from baggage claim.

Tip: Book in advance through your hotel or services like Venice Water Taxi for fixed pricing and a smooth arrival.

Land Taxi

Regular taxis wait outside the arrivals hall for transport to mainland destinations.

Destination	Fare	Time
Piazzale Roma	EUR 40 (fixed)	15-20 min
Mestre center	EUR 35-40	15 min
Mestre train station	EUR 35-40	15 min
Treviso	EUR 60-80	30-40 min

Note: Taxis cannot enter Venice's historic center. All taxis terminate at Piazzale Roma, where you must transfer to water transport.

Uber

Uber operates at Venice Marco Polo Airport, but only Uber Black (premium service) is available in the Venice area.

• Pickup: Follow signs to rideshare pickup outside arrivals
• Fare to Piazzale Roma: EUR 60-80
• Fare to Mestre: EUR 50-70

Tip: Regular taxis are often cheaper than Uber Black in Venice. Use taxis for straightforward airport transfers.

Alilaguna Water Bus

Alilaguna operates public water bus services from the airport dock directly into Venice's canals. This is the scenic, budget-friendly water option.

Lines:

• Blue Line (Blu): Airport - Murano - Fondamente Nuove - San Marco - Zattere - Cruise Terminal
• Orange Line (Arancio): Airport - Fondamente Nuove - Rialto - San Marco (Giardinetti)
• Red Line (Rossa): Airport - Murano - Lido

Fares:

• One-way: EUR 18
• Round-trip: EUR 32
• Extra luggage: EUR 3 per additional bag
• Children under 6: Free

Schedule: First boat departs at 06:15, last at 00:40. Boats run every 20-30 minutes.

Journey times:

• Airport to San Marco: 70 minutes (Blue or Orange line)
• Airport to Murano: 20-25 minutes

How to find the dock: Follow "Alilaguna" or "Water Bus" signs from arrivals. The dock is a covered 10-minute walk.

Tip: Buy tickets online, from machines, or at ticket desks. Tickets purchased on the boat carry a EUR 1 surcharge.

ATVO Express Bus (Line 35)

The ATVO Venezia Express is the fastest bus connection to Venice.

Route: Airport - Piazzale Roma (nonstop)

Fares:

• One-way: EUR 10
• Round-trip: EUR 18

Journey time: 20 minutes

Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes, aligned with flight schedules

Where to catch it: Exit arrivals at Door D, second lane on the left, platform 4.

Tickets: Purchase at ATVO ticket office/machines in baggage claim or arrivals hall, or from staff at bus stops.

ATVO Bus to Mestre (Lines 25, 35b)

For travelers staying on the mainland or connecting to trains at Mestre station:

Route: Airport - Mestre Train Station - Mestre Center

Fares:

• One-way: EUR 10
• Round-trip: EUR 18

Journey time: 19 minutes to Mestre station

ACTV Bus (Line 5)

The local ACTV city bus is slightly slower but offers the same fare.

Route: Airport - Mestre - Piazzale Roma

Journey time: 25-30 minutes to Piazzale Roma

Fare: EUR 10 one-way

Note: ACTV tickets/passes are NOT valid on Alilaguna water buses, which are operated by a separate company.

Arriving at Piazzale Roma

Piazzale Roma is Venice's bus terminal and the end of the road. From here, take:

• Vaporetto (ACTV water bus): Lines 1, 2, or other routes to your destination in Venice
• Water taxi: Available at the nearby dock for direct hotel delivery

ACTV vaporetto fare: EUR 9.50 single ride, or EUR 25 for a 24-hour pass

Future: Train Connection (2027)

A direct rail link connecting the airport to Venice Mestre via the Venice-Trieste railway is under construction, expected to open in early 2027.

Venice Marco Polo Airport offers approximately 6,000 parking spaces, with 2,000 covered.

Airport Parking

Car Park	Type	Rate
Short Stay / Accompanying	Hourly	EUR 6.50/first hour, EUR 3.00/additional hour
Speedy Park	Premium short-term	EUR 10 for 20 min, EUR 15 for 1 hour
P1 Long Stay	Covered	EUR 28/day, EUR 140/week

First 10 minutes free in short-stay areas (limited to 3 accesses per day).

Note: From the 4th access on the same day, a EUR 18 surcharge applies.

Off-Site Parking

Off-site parking lots offer significant savings with free shuttle service:

• Low-cost alternatives: From EUR 3.50-10/day
• Shuttle time: 5-10 minutes to terminal

Book online in advance for the best rates.

Venice Marco Polo has a modest selection of Italian-focused dining options. Most restaurants and cafes are located airside after security on the first and second floors.

Airside Dining

• Bricco Bar & Pizza: Italian classics, pizza, and pasta. The largest restaurant, on the 2nd floor.
• Decanto Wine Bar: Italian wines and light bites
• Culto Cafe: Coffee and quick snacks
• Rustichelli & Mangione: Italian deli-style food
• L'Orto: Fresh salads and healthy options
• Pilsner Urquell Beer Lounge: Czech beer and pub food
• Gelato Di Natura: Artisanal Italian gelato

Tips

• Best for a meal: Bricco on the 2nd floor offers the largest menu and seating area
• Quick coffee: Multiple espresso bars throughout the terminal
• Free water: Fountains with free cold drinking water near gates 8 and 43
• No 24-hour options: Restaurants typically open 05:00-23:00

Note: The non-Schengen area has very limited food options. Eat before proceeding through passport control for international flights.

Free WiFi is available throughout Venice Marco Polo Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	Venezia Airport Free WiFi
Registration	None required
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Suitable for browsing and light streaming

SIM cards are available at the airport, though prices are significantly higher than city shops.

Airport Options

• Vodafone kiosk: Located in arrivals hall (left side after exiting)
• Price: From EUR 47 for 18 GB data
• Tourist packages: Up to EUR 159 for 15 GB (overpriced)

Recommendations

Airport SIM prices in Venice are expensive compared to city stores. Consider:

• eSIM: Purchase before arrival (Airalo, Holafly, Jetpac). Around USD 15-20 for 10-20 GB.
• City stores: Visit TIM, Vodafone, Wind Tre, or Iliad shops in Venice or Mestre for better rates (EUR 10-30 for prepaid plans)
• EU roaming: Any EU SIM card includes free roaming across all EU countries

ATMs are located throughout the terminal in both arrivals and departures areas.

Currency

• Italy: Euro (EUR)
• Approximate rates: 1 USD = 0.92 EUR, 1 GBP = 1.17 EUR

ATM Locations

• Arrivals hall (ground floor)
• Departures area (first floor)
• Near check-in counters

Major Italian and international banks operate ATMs, including Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, and BNL.

Currency Exchange

Travelex and Forexchange counters are in arrivals and departures. Airport exchange rates include substantial markups (often 5-10% worse than market rates).

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw EUR from ATMs using a no-fee card (Wise, Revolut, Charles Schwab)
• Italy is increasingly card-friendly, though cash is still useful for smaller shops and water taxis
• Exchange currency before arrival or use your bank card abroad

Venice Marco Polo offers a selection of Italian and international shopping, with duty-free options for non-EU travelers.

Duty-Free

• Aelia Duty Free: Main duty-free store (1,200 sqm walkthrough), airside first floor
• Hours: 06:00-00:00
• Products: Alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, Italian foods, chocolates

Italian Specialties

• Murano glass: Authentic Venetian glassware (look for "Vetro Artistico Murano" certification)
• Italian foods: Parmigiano, prosciutto, olive oil, pasta, prosecco
• Fashion: Italian brands and accessories
• Souvenirs: Venetian masks, Carnival items

Luxury Brands

The airside transit area features luxury boutiques including Italian fashion and accessories.

Tips

• Non-EU residents can claim VAT refunds (22% Italian VAT) on purchases over EUR 154.94
• Best shopping selection is airside after security
• Limited options in the non-Schengen area

Venice Marco Polo has two main lounge options, both located on the second floor airside.

Marco Polo Club

Detail	Information
Location	2nd floor, Schengen zone (via escalator after security)
Hours	05:00-22:00
Access	Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Dragon Pass, business class (select airlines), day pass EUR 50
Amenities	Hot and cold food, alcoholic drinks, showers, WiFi, newspapers, TVs

The Marco Polo Club is a spacious, quiet lounge well-suited for work or relaxation. Food options are basic but adequate, with Italian wines and prosecco available.

Tintoretto Lounge

Detail	Information
Location	2nd floor
Access	SkyTeam business class, SkyTeam Elite Plus
Airlines	Air France, KLM, Delta, Alitalia (ITA Airways), etc.

Reserved for SkyTeam premium passengers.

Aspire Executive Lounge (Limited Time)

A new Aspire Executive Lounge opened in 2025 as a temporary concept (planned 9 months, may extend).

Detail	Information
Location	2nd floor, landside (above check-in counters 24-48)
Hours	08:00-20:00
Access	Priority Pass, pay at door
Capacity	73 guests
Amenities	Business center, quiet zone, charging stations

Note: This lounge is before security, useful for early arrivals but requires leaving to pass through security for your flight.

At/Near the Airport

Courtyard by Marriott Venice Airport

• Distance: 900 meters from terminal (10-15 minute walk, or free shuttle)
• Star rating: 4-star
• Amenities: Restaurant, 24/7 gym, free WiFi, airport shuttle
• Price: From EUR 100-150/night
• Best for: Early departures, late arrivals, Marriott loyalists

Hotel Gronda Lagunare

• Distance: 250 meters
• Price: From EUR 80/night

Best Western Titian Inn Hotel Venice Airport

• Distance: 400 meters
• Price: From EUR 90/night

In Mestre

Mestre (mainland Venice) offers more hotel options at lower prices, 15-20 minutes from the airport:

• NH Venezia Laguna Palace: 4-star, waterfront, from EUR 120/night
• Hotel Tritone: Budget-friendly, from EUR 60/night
• Various chains: Holiday Inn, Novotel, B&B Hotels available

In Venice

If arriving late, consider staying at the airport area and taking water transport into Venice the next morning. Hotels in Venice proper typically cost EUR 150-400+/night.

Venice is one of the world's most unique cities, built on 118 islands connected by 400 bridges with no cars. Arriving by water gives you an unforgettable first impression.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	From Piazzale Roma	Best Route
St. Mark's Square	40-50 min	Vaporetto Line 1 or 2
Rialto Bridge	25-30 min	Vaporetto Line 1
Murano Island	45 min	Vaporetto from F.te Nuove or direct from airport
Burano Island	1 hour	Vaporetto Line 12 from F.te Nuove
Lido Beach	30 min	Vaporetto Line 1 to Lido

Venice Essentials

• Vaporetto pass: Buy a 24/48/72-hour ACTV pass (EUR 25/35/45) for unlimited water bus rides
• Walking: Most of Venice's center is walkable; follow yellow signs to major landmarks
• Crowds: Visit St. Mark's early morning or late afternoon to avoid cruise ship crowds
• Flooding (Acqua Alta): October-January brings occasional high tides. Check forecasts and bring waterproof shoes.

Water Taxi vs. Bus to Venice

Method	Pros	Cons	Best For
Water taxi	Direct to hotel, scenic, fast	EUR 115-200, expensive	Special occasions, groups, heavy luggage
Alilaguna	Scenic, affordable (EUR 18)	70 min journey, limited stops	First-time visitors wanting the water experience
Bus + Vaporetto	Cheapest (EUR 10 + EUR 9.50)	No water views until Piazzale Roma, transfers	Budget travelers, those staying near Piazzale Roma

Must-See Venice

• St. Mark's Basilica: Stunning Byzantine cathedral (free entry, but book timed tickets to skip lines)
• Doge's Palace: Gothic masterpiece with Bridge of Sighs
• Rialto Market: Morning fish and produce market (closed Sunday/Monday)
• Gondola ride: EUR 80 for 30 minutes (up to 6 passengers)
• Getting lost: Venice's charm is in wandering the quiet alleys away from tourist crowds

Island Excursions

Murano (20 min from Venice):

• Famous for glassmaking since 1291
• Watch glass-blowing demonstrations (free at many workshops)
• Buy authentic Murano glass (look for "Vetro Artistico Murano" trademark)

Burano (45 min from Venice):

• Brilliantly colored fishermen's houses
• Traditional lace-making (visit Museo del Merletto)
• Less crowded, perfect for photography

Lido (15 min from Venice):

• Beach island with sandy shores
• Home to the Venice Film Festival (late August-September)
• Cars allowed, a different feel from historic Venice

Day Trip Tip

Combine Murano and Burano in a half-day trip using the ACTV vaporetto day pass. Visit Murano first for glass demonstrations, then continue to Burano for colorful photos and lunch at a local trattoria.

Alternative Airport: Treviso (TSF)

Treviso Airport (31 km from Venice) is used by Ryanair and Wizz Air for low-cost European flights.

Detail	Information
Distance from Venice	31 km
Bus to Venice	ATVO or Barzi bus, 60-70 min, EUR 12-16
Bus to Mestre	40-50 min
Airlines	Ryanair, Wizz Air

Tip: If booking budget flights to "Venice," check whether the airport is VCE (Marco Polo) or TSF (Treviso). Treviso adds significantly more travel time and complexity to reach Venice.