The new Venezia Marco Polo Airport is on the mainland, north of the city. It’s only a few years old, relatively small and quite navigable. The city of Venice rests in the middle of a vast lagoon, however, so arrival there from the airport involves a bit more understanding than another city that’s planted squarely on terra ferma.
Grab some Euro Cash.
The airport is convenient time to pick up euro from the ATM, or bancomat, inside the terminal. Exiting baggage claim, you’ll find one all the way to your right at the end of the hall; there are several other cash machines upstairs (at each side of the elevator or escalator) in the ticketing area.
FROM THE AIRPORT TO VENICE .
There are two departure points from the airport for arrival into Venice proper: by land (taxi, ACTV public bus, or ATVO motorcoach) to Piazzale Roma, where you’ll likely pick up the vaporetto from there to the stop nearest your lodging; and by water from the harbor, or Dàrsena, to a nearby vaporetto stop or directly to your lodging, depending on whether you choose the Alilaguna waterbus or a private water taxi.
By Water:
The small harbor, or Dàrsena, is the departure point for all water transport from the airport to Venice. It’s a 5-10 minute walk from the terminal (flat, well-marked, two-thirds covered). Once you reach the water, you”ll see the Alilaguna water bus docks, and the water taxi docks.
A private water taxi is the most direct, most luxurious entrance into the city. The cost is about â‚€110 euro for a 20-minute ride to Venice across the lagoon, and 10 more minutes down the Grand Canal. This is the certainly the most glamorous and spectacular transit to your lodging, with minimal schlepping required…but for the ecologically minded, is also the most damaging to the lagoon. Reserve your taxi ahead of time through the Consorzio Motoscafi, or inside the terminal to your left as you exit baggage claim. Exit the terminal at ground transportation, and head left, following the clearly marked walk to the dàrsena; you’ll easily spot the taxi stands once you reach the water.
Alilagunais a private water bus that departs the Dàrsena every thirty minutes, transporting you to one of nine stops on Murano, Lido, and Venice proper. Transit time is 40 mins to over 1:20, depending on the line and the stop. The Alilaguna ticket costs vary by destinations and number of stops, and you can buy your ticketat the kiosk just in front the the departure docks. Check their site for schedule (it’s in English. too). There is also a Alilaguna boat direct to San Marco (1 hour transit time) for 25 euro per person. Check timetables for specific info. (For €50 euro or more though, opt for the water taxi. Just ask them not to speed, please.)
From your Alilaguna arrival stop, it may still be necessary to take a public waterbus to get closer to your hotel, otherwise you’ll walk from there (you’re packing light, right?). Check with your hotel for best information.
Worth noting: San Zaccaria is the name of the boat stop on the Doge’s Palace side of Piazza San Marco, San Marco Vallaresso is the stop on the opposite side.
By Land, Bus + Vaporetto:
You can pick up the blue express ATVO airport shuttle motorcoach to Venice Piazzale Roma (the end of the line for all motor traffic). It departs outside Ground Transportation (cross the street to the median) every 30 minutes with a 20-minute transit time, and costs €6. Pick the tickets up at the ATVO in ground transportation, or look for the automatic ticket machines near the departure point. At Piazzale Roma, you’ll pick up the vaporetto that will take you closest to your hotel, and walk from there.
There are also land taxis that will take you to Piazzale Roma for about €30, but you’ll still board a vaporetto from there for the stop closest to your lodging.