How to Get to Venice: Flights, Airport Transfers and Driving from the US

Venice Marco Polo Airport (code VCE) sits about 8 miles (13 km) north of the city center, and the ATVO Express bus runs from it to Piazzale Roma in 20 minutes. Venice has no roads in its dense old core, only canals and pedestrian alleys, so the last stretch is always on foot or by boat.

At a glance

• Main airport: Venice Marco Polo (VCE), about 8 miles (13 km) north of the center
• Fastest bus: ATVO Express to Piazzale Roma, 20 minutes, no intermediate stops
• Slower bus: ACTV Line 5, at least 30 minutes, all stops
• To Mestre station: ATVO Mestre Express, 20 to 25 minutes
• Aerobus ticket: €10.00 one way, €18.00 return, valid 75 minutes
• Second airport: Treviso Antonio Canova, bus to Venice from €19.50 one way

How do you fly to Venice from the US?

Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the main gateway, about 8 miles (13 km) north of the city center. Treviso Antonio Canova Airport is the other option, with a bus link to Venice and the islands. Check which of the two your ticket lands at before you plan the transfer.

Marco Polo has no railway station inside the terminal. Buses connect it to the railway stations, so plan on a bus leg whichever way you go on from there.

How do you get from the airport to Venice?

The ATVO Express Bus is the quickest way in. It runs direct from the airport to Piazzale Roma in 20 minutes with no stops. ACTV Line 5 goes to the same area but stops all along the route, so allow at least 30 minutes. The Aerobus ticket costs €10.00 for 75 minutes, or €18.00 return. Standard urban tickets don’t cover the airport bus lines unless you pay an Aerobus supplement. Day tickets can be extended for €7.00 one way or €13.00 return.

If your hotel is near Mestre, the ATVO Mestre Express takes 20 to 25 minutes from the airport to Venezia Mestre station. Venezia Airlink also links the airport and Mestre station, at €10.00 for a single journey. From Venezia Santa Lucia station you can walk to Piazzale Roma and take Line 5, which takes about 30 minutes.

From Treviso Airport, the bus to Venice and the islands costs from €19.50 to €23.50 one way and from €37.00 to €43.00 return.

Can you get to Venice by train, bus or car?

Mestre is on the mainland, with direct airport buses, and Santa Lucia is a walk from Piazzale Roma. Cars can’t enter the dense old core, since it has no roads, and the ZTL covers access and circulation limits for vehicles in the municipal territory. Piazzale Roma is where the bus ride ends.

For the Dolomites, ATVO and Cortina Express bus lines and FlySki Shuttle transfers run in winter and can be booked in advance. ATVO Line 29 requires a reservation made when you buy the ticket. It runs all year, with winter reinforcements from December to March and summer services from June to September. By train, reach Mestre with ACTV bus line 15 or the ATVO express shuttle, then take a train to Calalzo-Pieve di Cadore or Feltre.

How do you get around Venice once you arrive?

Venice can only be visited on foot or by boat. The vaporetto (waterbus) is run by ACTV, the local public transport company. A standard 75-minute Rete Unica ticket costs €9.50. Longer stays are cheaper per day: the 2-day ticket is €35.00, the 3-day €45.00 and the 7-day €65.00. A gondola ferry (traghetto) across the canal costs €2.00 for visitors.

Validate your ticket at the start of each journey and at every change of vehicle. App tickets for buses and trams are activated 3 minutes before boarding instead. Tickets can’t be bought on board trams and People Movers, and on waterborne services only digital payments are accepted. Children up to age six travel free on the urban services.

On the mainland side, the 75-minute road network ticket costs €1.50, or €3.00 if bought on board. A carnet of 10 costs €14.00 and the Mestre Daily Pass €5.00. These tickets also cover the tram, the Lido and Pellestrina buses and the People Mover.

What documents do you need to board a flight to Italy?

U.S. citizens can stay in Italy for 90 days without a tourist or business visa, according to the U.S. State Department. Passports must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area. A 6-month validity is recommended. Passports must have 2 blank pages for entry stamp.

U.S. citizens must arrive at Italian ports of entry with a valid passport. If your passport has ever been reported as lost or stolen, or is expired, Italian authorities could deny you entry. You will need proof of sufficient funds and a return plane ticket. There are no vaccination requirements.