Venice Getting Around

Getting to Venice Airport

Most flights to Venice airport arrive at Marco Polo International Airport, and getting to the city is easy. The airport boat goes from Marco Polo to Piazza San Marco, and there is also a faster, more expensive shuttle boat service available. The airport bus goes to Piazzale Roma, as well as a cheaper public bus (No. 5), without luggage space, that goes into the centre, and the journey to the city takes about 20 minutes by road. A few airlines (Ryanair) fly to Treviso Airport, 19 miles from Venice. The bus is the best way of getting from Treviso airport, which takes 70 minutes to Piazzale Roma.

Getting around Venice

Venice is made for walking, and there is very little reason to take public transport other than to experience travelling on the canals. The cheapest way to travel along the water is the water bus (vaporetto), and the short hop across the Grand Canal on a bobbing Traghetto is also a must.

Walking

Most visitors will happily see most of the city on foot. Walking the maze of narrow lanes and squares, and crossing endless bridges is what being in Venice is all about, and it's also usually the quickest way to see the key attractions. Venice has a lot of steps. Getting lost in Venice is both inevitable and desirable, and losing your way is often the means to discovering less touristy backwaters of the city.

Vaporetto

Venice water buses must rank among the world’s most memorable public transport. The No. 1 runs along the Grand Canal between the Piazzale Roma and the Piazza San Marco, and tickets for the Grand Canal water buses are more expensive than the other canals. Tickets are not cheap, but the trip is well worth it. Vaporetto tickets are valid for a period of time and can be bought from the landing stages, with good-value 1 day and 3 day passes available.

Traghetto

This is the cheapest way to experience a Venice gondola. These are wooden boats that quickly ferry locals across the Grand Canal for a tiny fixed fare. Passengers normally stand, and the journey can be great fun.

Gondolas

The quintessential Venice romantic experience. There is no doubt gondolas are touristy and expensive, but the experience is clearly unique whilst in the city. Gondolas can be shared with other tourists (up to six people), and music and singing obviously cost a lot more. Be clear and make sure you understand all costs before starting, so you can relax and enjoy the trip. St Mark’s Square, Piazzale Roma and the Rialto are good places to find Venice gondolas.

Taxis

Regular Venice taxis connect Piazzale Roma with the mainland.