venice airport to city
to Venice city
venice airport to city
to Venice city
how to get from marco polo airport to venice
venice airport to city
There are several ways to get to Venice.
You can drive yourself, by car or motorhome, though you will need to find a place to leave your vehicle before reaching the island or in the north corner of itself (could be expensive).
Alternatively, you could travel by FlixBus or train.
Or, of course, you might arrive by plane.
This guide, however, focuses on the best way to get from Marco Polo Airport to the island of Venice itself.
There are three main options: by bus, by Alilaguna water bus, or by a shared water taxi.
In our view, travelling over the water is an absolute must! That’s why we’ve tested both the Alilaguna ferries and a shared water taxi for you.
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Venice Airport Transfer
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contents
By shared taxi
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With Alilaguna
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By regular bus
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Private water taxi
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For my journey from Venice Airport into the city I opted for the shared water taxi. It is slightly more expensive than the Alilaguna ferries, but it offers a touch of VIP feeling without breaking the bank (a private water taxi can cost anywhere from €140 to €180, depending on your destination).
At EUR 39, the shared taxi was quite reasonable by comparison, and there were only four of us on board!
So, how does it all work?
These shared taxis must be booked online at least 48 hours in advance. You can, of course, do this very conveniently with us – which is exactly what I did.
Before finalising your payment, you provide your flight number, arrival time, and hotel address.
On the day of arrival, after collecting your luggage, head up to the first floor (the departure hall). Look out for Counter 71, which is located right next to the flashing SIXT desk. (This can always change, take a look at your ticket).
Here, you check in, and the staff will give you a ticket, a berth number, and a printout showing your final stop, including directions to your hotel. In my case, the attendant said: “If you hurry, the boat will still wait for you.” Otherwise, I would have had to wait up to 40 minutes for the next taxi. She phoned the driver, and I hurried off – a 10-minute walk to the jetty, including a lightning-fast toilet stop.
By the time I reached the pier, two other passengers were already waiting. The driver had briefly stepped away to pick up another passenger (not me), who arrived five minutes later, and then we were off!
A quick note: each passenger is allowed one suitcase and one piece of hand luggage on board. Extra bags incur an additional charge. But most visitors probably travel light, bringing just hand luggage for a long weekend. 🙂
Option 1
By shared water taxi
Interestingly, Venice has a water “highway”. Between marked posts, the faster boats – like our taxi and the Alilaguna ferries – speed back and forth!
On this waterway, it was quite a bumpy ride! The small boat bounced over the waves created by other vessels, a little spray splashed in, and it was definitely advisable to remain seated – though I was itching to stand up, of course, one doesn’t want to fall into the canal!
But soon we reached calmer waters: the city’s narrow canals. Passing the first houses was truly special. Now I felt brave enough to stand, cautiously, of course.
I’m not sure how long it was between the start of the journey and the announcement of “Baraco”, but unfortunately my stop was the very first. UNFORTUNATELY – because it was so wonderful to experience those first few moments in the city. We briefly sailed along the Grand Canal, past Ca’ Pesaro and Ca’ d’Oro, and then I had to disembark. In the distance, I could even make out a glimpse of the Rialto Bridge – and, naturally, the Rialto Market.
The driver was, of course, helpful, and in no time he was off. With suitcase and directions in hand, I made my way to the hotel.
Conclusion
For me, this was an extraordinary way to enter a city. It was far more enjoyable than arriving by train, as I did on my first visit to Venice.
I highly recommend this experience on arrival. For departure, you can always choose the more economical Alilaguna boats – which is exactly what I did. 😀
Yours,
Céline
On the return journey to the airport, I decided to try Alilaguna. Alilaguna is the second most economical option, and it’s still something special, as you once again travel over the water!
Prices: EUR 18 for a single journey, EUR 32 for a return trip.
There are several lines – Orange, Red, and Blue – so make sure you check exactly which line goes where.
I took the Blue Line.
But let’s start with the outbound journey, as that is the more logical place to begin.
How does the outbound journey work?
If you’ve chosen Alilaguna as your transport from Venice Airport into the city, head to the first floor after baggage claim, to Counter 71 (like the Taxi). Here, your online voucher is exchanged for a ticket. If there’s no queue, this is done quickly. Then, you walk about ten minutes to the piers.
Alilaguna departs from the rear piers (number 12). You’ll see signs indicating the various routes – make sure you queue in the correct line. Boats on each line run approximately every 30 minutes.
Option 2
With Alilaguna
How about the return journey?
Some ticket providers, like GetYourGuide, only sell tickets from the train station. That didn’t suit me in September, and I wasn’t sure whether I could use the ticket elsewhere. If you’re near the station, that’s perfect, though!
I bought my ticket on the spot instead (also EUR 18 now in 2025). To be safe, you could even purchase it a day in advance, so if you’re running late, you can just hop on the next boat. 😉
Advise:
In summer there can be long waiting lines! Be sure to be on time to get on the right boat! They are running only every 30 Minutes!
The three Alilaguna lines
Orange Line: ideal if your hotel is on the Grand Canal (Rialto, Ca’ Rezzonico).
Red Line: serves Murano, Lido, or the north-eastern side of Venice (Murano, Fondamente Nove, Lido).
Blue Line: makes a full loop around Venice.
Departure times are available on the official website.
Conclusion
The return trip with Alilaguna went smoothly. Arrive around 10 minutes before your desired departure to ensure a spot – it can get busy in high season. In September, on a Tuesday, I was the only passenger boarding at Fondamente Nove.
The journey was pleasant and engaging – for me, the boat only stopped once more at Murano before heading straight to the airport.
Tip: If you board at a different stop, it will naturally take longer. Check departure and arrival times carefully to ensure you reach the airport on time.
Option 3
By Bus
If a boat ride feels a bit too bumpy, you can, of course, also take the bus from the airport into the city.
We haven’t tested this option ourselves yet.
The bus runs from the airport to Piazzale Roma on the main island, departing every 30 minutes (daily from 6.00 to 1.10 h).
Where to catch the bus
According to GetYourGuide: From the main arrivals hall at the airport, take the exit on the right and head towards the bus station. On your left, you’ll see ATVO signs for Venice Piazzale Roma (Sector C, Line 35). Keep an eye out for the ATVO sign on the bus itself.
For the return journey to the airport: At Piazzale Roma, look for the ATVO bus lanes near the newsstand, opposite the tram tracks. ATVO Sector 1 is for Marco Polo Airport. Most ATVO buses are white with a black company logo.
You do not reserve a specific departure time: single and return tickets are open-dated, which is convenient if your flight schedule changes. A seat is guaranteed.
4. Option
Private Water Taxi
The shared water taxi I mentioned earlier can, of course, also be booked privately. In that case, you travel alone (or just with your party) directly to your hotel – no detours.
You can book a private taxi through official websites. The easiest way is to Google “motoscafi Venezia” and you’ll find a range of providers. Choose the one that offers the best price or suits you best.
Here are a few example prices I came across:
Airport to Burano: EUR 180
Airport to Lido: EUR 140
Airport to hotels such as Marriott, Hilton, or Kempinski: EUR 150–160
Airport to Piazzale Roma: EUR 140
These are just a few examples to give you an idea.
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2024 – 2026
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