Venice Marco Polo airport (VCE) sits on the mainland approximately 12km from Venice island, separated by a lagoon. Unlike any other Italian airport, the final stretch to your accommodation will almost certainly involve water transport. No roads connect to the historic city — only boats and the rail bridge to Venezia Santa Lucia station.
Alilaguna water bus: scenic and direct
The Alilaguna is a scheduled water bus service running from the airport dock directly to several stops around Venice island. Multiple lines serve different parts of the city:
Line Orange (Linea Arancio): Airport → Murano → Fondamente Nove → Rialto → San Marco. Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to San Marco.
Line Blue (Linea Blu): Airport → Lido → San Zaccaria (San Marco area). Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Line Red (Linea Rossa): Airport → Murano → Tronchetto → Santa Marta (seasonal service). Approximately 40 minutes to Tronchetto.
- Fare: approximately €15 per person as of 2026
- Frequency: roughly every 30–60 minutes depending on line
- Buy tickets at the dock booth or online at alilaguna.it
The Alilaguna is the most atmospheric arrival in Venice and lands you close to the main tourist areas without transferring at Piazzale Roma.
ATVO bus to Piazzale Roma: fastest land option
The ATVO airport express bus runs between Marco Polo and Piazzale Roma, the road terminus at the edge of the Venice island.
- Fare: approximately €10 per person as of 2026 (€18 return)
- Journey time: approximately 20–25 minutes
- Frequency: roughly every 30 minutes
From Piazzale Roma, take vaporetto line 1 (slow, stops everywhere along Grand Canal, approximately €7.50 for 75 minutes) or line 2 (faster, fewer stops) to reach your accommodation. Total journey including the vaporetto: approximately 40–70 minutes.
Private water taxi: door-to-door
A private water taxi collects you from the airport dock and delivers you directly to the water entrance closest to your hotel. Prices for up to 6 passengers start at approximately €110–130 as of 2026.
- Journey time: approximately 25–35 minutes
- No need for a further vaporetto connection
- The romantic choice for honeymoons and special occasions
Book a private transfer from Venice airport
People mover + vaporetto: budget two-step from Tronchetto
If you take the ACTV bus to Tronchetto (the large car park island), the People Mover elevated monorail connects Tronchetto to Piazzale Roma in approximately 5 minutes (approximately €1.50). From Piazzale Roma, continue by vaporetto. This is a marginally longer route and mainly useful if you are coming from the cruise terminal area.
Which option is right for you?
| Option | Fare (approx.) | Total time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATVO bus + vaporetto | €17.50/person | 45–70 min | Budget travellers |
| Alilaguna water bus | €15/person | 60–90 min | Scenic, direct to island |
| Private water taxi | €110–130 (up to 6) | 30–40 min | Luxury, honeymoons, heavy luggage |
| Land taxi to Piazzale Roma | €40–50 (vehicle) | 15 min + vaporetto | Quick land leg |
The Alilaguna is the most popular choice among first-time visitors because it feels like the true Venetian arrival — gliding across the lagoon past Murano. For speed and value, the ATVO bus followed by a vaporetto is the practical favourite.
Practical notes
- Validate vaporetto tickets before boarding — inspectors are common, fines are around €50
- The multi-day vaporetto pass (approximately €45 for 72 hours as of 2026) is worth buying on arrival if you plan more than 4–5 vaporetto journeys
- Large suitcases take up significant space on vaporetti during peak hours — private water taxis are far easier with bulky luggage
- Marco Polo airport is served by a ground floor arrivals area where all transport options are signposted clearly
Private Road Transfer to Piazzale Roma
You can pre-book a private road transfer from the airport to Piazzale Roma with a driver meeting you at arrivals. This is a middle ground — more comfortable than the bus, cheaper than the water taxi, but you still navigate Venice on foot or by boat from Piazzale Roma.
Cost: approximately €30–50 as of 2026. Book via Welcome Pickups, Kiwitaxi, or GetTransfer.
Good for groups with luggage staying near Piazzale Roma or the train station.
Late-Night and Early-Morning Arrivals
Alilaguna: The last boats depart the airport around midnight. Check current timetables at alilaguna.it before relying on this.
Private water taxi: Available 24/7 but at premium rates after midnight — a night fare from the airport to San Marco can reach €180–200. Pre-booking is strongly recommended for late-night arrivals.
Bus: ATVO runs reduced services after midnight; check timetables. For late-night arrivals, book a private water taxi or road transfer in advance via Welcome Pickups or Kiwitaxi. Venice at midnight with luggage and no boat booked is a situation worth avoiding.
Getting to Key Areas of Venice
San Marco / Rialto: Alilaguna Arancio line or vaporetto 1 from Piazzale Roma. Private water taxi is direct.
Cannaregio (near Fondamente Nove): Alilaguna Blu line is the most direct option from the airport.
Dorsoduro / Zattere: Alilaguna Rossa line or bus to Piazzale Roma then walk. A water taxi is direct if your hotel has a canal entrance.
Giudecca: Alilaguna Rossa line stops at Giudecca before Piazzale Roma (check the direction).
Murano: Alilaguna Blu or Arancio lines both stop at Murano — useful if you are staying on the island or visiting glassworks on arrival.
Luggage Storage
Piazzale Roma has staffed luggage storage facilities — convenient if you arrive before check-in. Venice Santa Lucia train station (5 minutes by vaporetto from Piazzale Roma) also has Kipoint left-luggage lockers. Given Venice’s heavy bridges and narrow calli, depositing bags before exploring is highly recommended if you have time before check-in.
Plan Your Trip
Our Venice city guide covers the best neighbourhoods, which palaces and museums are worth the queues, and where to eat away from the tourist trail. For help structuring your time, the 3-days Venice itinerary and 2-days Venice itinerary give practical day-by-day plans at different trip lengths.
- Flights - Find the best fares to Italy
- Travel Insurance - Get covered before you go
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See also: Venice city guide · 2 days in Venice itinerary · 3 days in Venice itinerary · Getting around Italy