Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is one of the busiest airports in Italy and the busiest in the northeastern region of the country. Since Venice is connected to the mainland by bridge, many people arrive to the city by car or train, but air arrivals to the city have been growing by leaps and bounds as the airport continues to expand and make room for more aircraft while respecting the fragility of the surrounding ecosystem. Venice, as a whole, has made this a priority to limit large cruise ships and tour groups while also supporting the important tourism sector. Here’s what you need to know when flying in and out of VCE.
How to get to and from Venice Marco Polo Airport
The airport is around 8 miles from the heart of the city, but getting there (especially with large luggage) requires a bit of planning given the unique layout of Venice. There are numerous options, but take into account the weight and number of bags when deciding what is right for you.
Taxis and buses
Taxis and buses can take you throughout the surrounding area, but The Venice canal network means they only go as far as Piazzale Roma. From there, you’ll navigate countless bridges and cobblestoned walkways with your luggage, or pick up a water taxi to get closer to your hotel.
There is also a bus that goes from the airport to Venice Mestre train station for regional rail connections.
Water taxis
Water taxis are the easiest way to get from VCE to your destination if visiting the city itself. Whether scheduled in advance or hailed at the airport, they pick up from a dock by the terminal. Follow signs for the water taxi dock where numerous motor boat taxis park.
Bargaining with the driver before boarding is an option, and expect them to request a big number (sometimes based on the caliber of your hotel). Drivers have meters but don’t always turn them on, so request they’re used. There’s a supplement for travel during night hours (10 p.m.–7 a.m.) and extra charges for baggage beyond the included allowance.
Vaporetto
Look for signs that say Alilaguna within the terminal. This ferry boat shuttle is a cheap water transport option into town, making numerous stops like San Zaccaria (San Marco area) and Lido. The Linea Blu (Blue Line) connects Marco Polo Airport with Murano, Venice, and Lido, with San Zaccaria/San Marco being a popular stop within walking distance to Piazza San Marco.
This is my favorite way to travel into Venice with just a carry-on bag. While the journey takes an hour to reach the main tourist areas, you pass many interesting places. The vaporetto system works like a water subway with various lines around town, and you can check the company website for downloadable route maps and timetables.
Rental cars
The rental car counters are inside the car parking deck with most major brands operating at VCE. Keep in mind cars aren’t allowed within central Venice so you would need to park it in a lot outside the city.
The airport is also accessible to major highways. If you want to have a car, hotels in the nearby city of Mestre have parking areas. From there, you can take the train into Venice.
Terminals
The main terminal at the airport is divided into two sections: one for flights within the Europe visa-free zone (the Schengen Area) and another for all other international flights. A recent expansion added more gates with jet bridges, but many flights still use bus gates, which means you’ll be shuttled from the terminal to your plane on the tarmac.
Because of this, it’s a good idea to allow extra time for boarding, as bus gates often close earlier than jet bridge gates. The terminal can get quite busy, especially around midday when most transatlantic flights depart. Pro tip: traveling in winter usually means a calmer, less crowded airport experience.
If you’re flying to a destination outside the Schengen Zone, you’ll need to go through passport control. Be aware that amenities are limited once you pass through, so plan accordingly. The lines can get long when several long-haul flights are boarding at once.
Lounges
There are two lounges at the airport: the Marco Polo Club and the Aspire Executive Lounge. The Marco Polo Club serves First and Business Class travelers of partner airlines and Il Milione Club Card holders, and it’s located in the Schengen Zone of the terminal. Priority Pass members can access it, though access is not guaranteed and is subject to space availability.
You can buy lounge access online in advance, which is a great option for economy travelers without a Priority Pass card. If you reserve and pay ahead, the lounge staff will accept your entry no matter how busy it is. The lounge has a terrace overlooking the lagoon and airfield where you can watch arriving and departing planes, my favorite feature at the airport.
The food and drink options include snacks and beverages. Service can take awhile since many alcoholic drinks have to be poured by a staff member. As the airport continues its ongoing Development Plan, infrastructure enhancements are planned.
Dining and shopping
High-end stores continue to open within the terminal, and along with duty-free options, they provide plenty to do while waiting for departure. Keep in mind that once you pass immigration to the non-Schengen Zone, shopping and dining are limited.
Travelers can pre-purchase duty-free items in advance online so that they can save time for one last plate of piping-hot pasta or pizza before the flight. You can then pick up your duty-free items and be on your way.
Airport hotels
Venice airport is generally not a connecting hub for most passengers. But for those with an early-morning departure, a hotel close to the terminal can be convenient (especially since water taxis are expensive and other transport options can be hard with luggage).
My preferred hotel is the Courtyard by Marriott, which is easily reachable from the terminal on foot. Not having to wait for a shuttle bus before sunrise is a major plus.
By crossing the short-term parking area from the terminal, you can get to a pedestrian crossing path that goes in the direction of the hotel. But, and this is important for families with small children or big bags to know, the last part of the walk is on the shoulder of Via Triestina.
I do not recommend making this walk after dark since there is no sidewalk on that final section. The hotel does have a free shuttle, but as a regular, I always walk with my carry-on bag. Another option is Annia Park Hotel Venice airport, which is closer, but harder to reach on foot.
Plane spotting at VCE
While the Marco Polo Lounge has an outdoor terrace for plane spotting, that does not help travelers without access to the lounge. Luckily, there is another spot where people can watch planes taking off and landing.
Emporio del Grano restaurant on the airport’s first floor (before security) has views of passing aircraft, but it is only open to those dining there and has no outdoor area.
Most of the time, aircraft make their final approach with most of central Venice off to the right. I always choose to sit on the right side of the aircraft so that I can see an aerial view of the city from the window. It is a great way to understand the layout of the city with the Grand Canal passing through it.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
