How to get to Venice: your transport options

Some people wonder how to get to Venice.

Due to its specific transport infrastructure, Venice cannot be explored by car.

However, the city remains very accessible and offers a variety of means of transport, including air, bus and boat.

Today, I'd like to talk to you in detail about these different means of transport to get to Venice.

How to get to Venice: by plane

There are two ways to get to Venice by plane. You can fly toMarco Polo airport or Treviso airport. Let's explore these two different choices together.

Marco Polo Airport

The airport serving the city is called Marco Polo, in memory of the great Venetian explorer. It is located on the Italian mainland and is distinguished as one of the largest and busiest airports in northern Italy.

More than 40 airlines operate from Marco Polo airport, which means you're sure to find a flight on any airline and from any destination. In fact, airlines such as Alitalia, British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa fly to dozens of international destinations, both European and non-European.

From the airport, you can then take a boat, train or river cab to visit Venice's old town. You can't get there by car.

Treviso airport

L'Treviso airport is another option within easy reach for tourists wishing to visit Venice. Located further inland than Marco Polo, Treviso airport is home to low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air and Transavia. It's an ideal opportunity for travelers on a budget.

How do I get to Venice by bus?

Although motorized road transport is forbidden in Venice, getting to La Serenissima by bus is actually possible. It's true that reaching Venice by bus isn't the most popular way to get to the city, but it's still a possible solution.

The main bus station for national and international bus services is located in Piazzale Roma.

From Piazzale RomaTo explore Venice's old town, visitors must use other means of transport (such as water cabs).

ATVO is the leading bus company offering routes throughout the province of Venice. The company provides connections to all the major cities and seaside resorts in this part of Italy, and is one of the leading providers of transfer services to and from the airport. With this company's services, you can be on your way to in Lignano, Jesolo, Caorle, Bibione, Treviso and, of course, Venice.

Travelling to Venice by train

All rail connections terminate at the Santa Lucia station (Ferrovia Venezia Santa Lucia). This station is located in the lagoon and is the terminal for most trains from the rest of Italy and various other European cities.

The construction of this railway station, completed during the Second World War, and the fact that it handles some 30 million passengers a year and some 450 trains a day, is as much proof of Venice's openness to tourism as it is of the contribution made by from the station to the city's tourist hub.

Choose Mestre station on the mainland

The other major station to consider if you want to get to the city by train is Mestre (Ferrovia Venezia Mestre). This is on the Italian mainland. Once you've arrived in Mestre, you'll need to take one of the buses operated by ATVO or ACTV.

Tens of millions of passengers pass through the station every year. Around 500 trains pass through every day, which speaks volumes for the station's importance as a tourist attraction.

How to get to Venice: by car

Travelling to Venice by car, however gratifying it may seem in view of the autonomy you can expect from a vacation in this floating city, is not the most practical solution. Motorized traffic is not permitted in Venice.

However, visitors who choose to travel to Venice by car should be aware before setting foot on the lagoon that they must leave their vehicle in one of the parking lots grouped together on Piazzale Roma. You should also bear in mind that parking space is not free. On the contrary, services are quite expensive, costing several dozen euros a day.

Before reaching Piazzale Roma, cross the Ponte della Liberta, an extension of via della Liberta, which in turn emerges from the Padova-Venezia Autostrada.

Venice parking lots

ASM Venezia manages three parking lots: the City Parking Garage, the Parking San Andrea and the Parking San Giuliano. Each of these garages is fully equipped for provide reliable parking services. However, as we've said, the rates are high enough to make tourists think twice about using this company's facilities.

How to get to Venice: by boat

The port of Venice is one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean, both in terms of shipping and passenger transport. As far as the old town is concerned, the port is served by ferry companiesThese include cruise lines and high-speed shipping companies, which operate maritime links between the Old Town and destinations such as Croatian and Slovenian cities, as well as Egypt, Syria and Greece.

Once you've decided how you'd like to get to Venice, you'll find it easy to get around, whether on foot or by boat or bus. So you can be sure of spend an excellent vacation in this old town in northern Italy.

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