Cars can't drive into Venice itself. A car with driver gets you to Piazzale Roma in 20 minutes for €65, and from there you continue on foot, by vaporetto or by boat.
Comparing the options
Why it all comes down to Piazzale Roma
Historic Venice stands on water, and the road ends at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto. The square is 13 km from the airport, and this is where you decide how to reach your hotel.
- On foot: Santa Lucia station is 10 minutes away over the Constitution Bridge, then it's streets and little bridges.
- By vaporetto: the waterbus, with a ticket at €9.50.
- By water taxi: a boat from Piazzale Roma to your hotel's landing stage, about €105.
The People Mover, a small automated train costing €1.50, links Tronchetto, the Marittima cruise area and Piazzale Roma.
The bus: quick and inexpensive
Two buses run from the terminal to Piazzale Roma: the ATVO express and the ACTV city line 5. A ticket costs €8–10 and the ride takes 20–25 minutes. You can buy it from a machine or online.
It's the cheapest way to go. But the bus leaves you on the square, and from then on the suitcases are your problem. Nearly every bridge in Venice has steps, so count them on the map to your hotel before you choose.
Alilaguna: no change, but slow
Alilaguna is a waterbus straight from the airport. It has several lines and calls at the main waterfronts, San Marco and Rialto among them. A ticket is €15.
The catch is time: with stops, the trip takes 60–90 minutes. The reward is arriving by water, with no change on the square. The airport's boat dock is called the Darsena; follow the signs to the upper level and a covered moving walkway.
The water taxi: canal to doorstep
A private boat picks you up at the same dock and heads straight for your hotel's landing stage in about 30 minutes, luggage on board. It costs from €105 per boat and takes 4–6 people with their bags.
For one person that's expensive. For a family with big suitcases and a hotel on a canal, it's the calmest option, with no bridges or stairs.
Car with driver and boat in one booking
The driver meets you just outside the doors from baggage reclaim, holding a sign with your name, and has you at Piazzale Roma in 20 minutes. A saloon costs €65, a minivan €80.
On the square the driver helps with the bags and walks you to the water taxi pontoon or the vaporetto stop. You can book both parts of the journey together.
The car fare covers luggage and an hour's wait after landing. We track your flight, and if it's late the pick-up moves at no charge. Child seats are free and the return trip is 10% cheaper. You pay the driver on the spot, by card or cash.
If you're not staying in historic Venice
Here the car takes you right to the entrance, with no boats or bridges.
- Mestre: 8 km and about 15 minutes, €65 in a saloon.
- Cruise terminal: 14 km and about 22 minutes, €65. Large ships currently berth at Marghera, Fusina or Chioggia, smaller ones at Marittima. Send us the name of your ship and we'll confirm the quay.
- Other addresses, such as Cavallino: enter the place in the booking form and the price appears at once.
The entry fee
Right now, at the end of 2026, day-trippers don't pay to enter Venice. In 2027 the fee returns on 72 days between 26 March and 15 August, from 8:30 to 16:30, at up to €10. It generally doesn't apply to people staying overnight in the city.
What to choose
- Light luggage, no rush: the bus at €8–10, then on foot or by vaporetto.
- A hotel near San Marco or Rialto, with time to spare: Alilaguna at €15.
- Suitcases, children, a hotel on a canal: the water taxi from the airport, or the car to Piazzale Roma followed by a boat.
- A hotel in Mestre or a cruise: the car at €65, straight to the door or the gangway.
Questions
How long does it take from Marco Polo airport to Venice?
Piazzale Roma is 13 km away: around 20 minutes by car, 20–25 minutes by bus. The Alilaguna boat takes 60–90 minutes and a water taxi about 30.
Can I drive to my hotel in Venice?
Only as far as Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto. Beyond that the city is for walking and boats.
How much is a water taxi from Marco Polo airport?
From €105 per boat for 4–6 people with luggage, about 30 minutes to your hotel's landing stage.
Which bus goes from the airport to Venice?
The ATVO express and the ACTV city line 5. Both reach Piazzale Roma in 20–25 minutes, with tickets at €8–10.
What's the best way with a lot of luggage?
A car to Piazzale Roma for €65, then a water taxi or vaporetto. Or a water taxi straight from the airport dock.