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How to Get to Venice — Train, Bus, Flight & Airport Transfer
Travelling to Venice? Compare trains, buses, flights, and airport transfers in one search.
Once you arrive in Venice (Venezia), vaporetto (water buses) and water taxis take you to your accommodation—there are no cars on the island! Whether you are flying into Marco Polo (VCE) or Treviso (TSF) airports, or taking a high-speed train from Rome, Omio lets you compare all transport options to seamlessly reach the historic center.
New! You can now book Alilaguna ferry tickets with Omio for direct travel from Marco Polo airport to the center of Venice.
Venice Access Fee 2026
Dear passengers, please note that on certain days between 03 April and 26 July 2026, all visitors to Venezia are required to pay an entry fee to the Municipality of Venezia. To access any applicable exclusions or exemptions to the entry fee and for more information on how to pay, visit cda.ve.it. Any infringement will result in a fine of between euro 25 - euro 150 issued by the Municipality of Venezia. (See our FAQs below for more details).
Transport Options to Venice: Which is Best?
When planning your trip to Venice, you have four distinct modes of transportation to choose from:
- Trains to Venice: The fastest and most efficient way to travel domestically. High-speed trains connect major hubs (Milan, Florence, Rome) directly to Venezia Santa Lucia, which is located right on the island.
- Buses to Venice: The most budget-friendly option. Companies like FlixBus offer extensive European and domestic routes, usually terminating at Tronchetto or Piazzale Roma.
- Flights to Venice: Ideal for international travelers. Venice is served by two airports: Marco Polo (VCE) for major international flights, and Treviso (TSF) for low-cost carriers.
- Airport Transfers: Venice is the only city in Italy offering a direct water bus airport transfer (the Alilaguna) from the airport terminal directly to the city center.
Santa Lucia vs. Mestre: Know the Difference!
Venice has two train stations, and travelers frequently confuse them:
- Venezia Santa Lucia is located ON the historic island. When you exit, you are immediately on the Grand Canal, within walking distance of St. Mark's Square.
- Venezia Mestre is located on the mainland. It is popular for cheaper hotels, but you must take a 10-minute local train or bus across the lagoon to reach historic Venice.
How to Book Tickets to Venice
Securing your travel to Venice is fast and simple. Follow these steps to compare modes and book your tickets:
- Search: Enter your departure point and choose Venice as your destination in the Omio search bar. Select your dates.
- Compare Modes: Our results display trains, buses, flights, and airport transfers side-by-side.
- Select & Book: Choose the ticket that best fits your budget. Pay securely in your preferred currency.
- Travel: Receive your mobile e-ticket instantly in the Omio app. Most operators accept mobile tickets—just scan your phone when boarding!
Venice Airports & Transfers
Wondering how to get from Venice airport to Venice? Your options depend on where you land.
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
Marco Polo is the main international airport, located on the edge of the lagoon.
- Alilaguna Water Bus: A unique Venetian experience! Catch the Alilaguna water bus directly from the airport docks to St. Mark's Square and other central stops. The scenic ride takes about 75 minutes.
- Bus: Express buses (like ATVO) run from the terminal to Piazzale Roma in about 20 minutes, where you can then board a local Vaporetto.
Treviso Airport (TSF)
Treviso is located about 30 km from Venice and primarily serves low-cost airlines like Ryanair.
- Bus & Train: The easiest way to reach Venice is to take an airport shuttle bus to the Venezia Mestre train station on the mainland, and then catch a quick 10-minute regional train across the bridge to Santa Lucia.
Day Trips from Venice
Venice is a fantastic base for exploring Northern Italy. Here is how to navigate the most popular transport routes:
- Venice to the Dolomites: Take a regional train from Venice to Calalzo di Cadore, then transfer to a local bus taking you deep into the mountains (like Cortina d'Ampezzo).
- Venice to Verona: Extremely easy! Direct high-speed or regional trains run frequently from Venezia Santa Lucia to Verona Porta Nuova. The journey takes just 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Venice to Lake Como: Take a high-speed train from Venice to Milano Centrale (about 2.5 hours), then transfer to a regional train directly to Como or Varenna (about 40-60 minutes).
Travelling to Venice & Access Fee FAQs
The absolute best way to travel from major Italian cities to Venice is by high-speed train (Trenitalia's Frecciarossa or Italo). Direct trains arrive right on the island at Venezia Santa Lucia station.
By high-speed train, Venice is roughly 4 hours from Rome, 2.5 hours from Milan, and just over 2 hours from Florence.
Booking budget flights into Treviso (TSF) or taking a long-distance coach (like FlixBus) are generally the cheapest ways to arrive. For domestic travel, booking regional train tickets or securing high-speed tickets 1 to 3 months in advance offers great savings.
Venezia Santa Lucia is located directly on the main island in the historic city center. Venezia Mestre is located on the mainland. If your hotel is in historic Venice, you must travel to Santa Lucia; otherwise, you will need to take a quick connecting train or bus across the lagoon from Mestre.
You can take the ATVO express bus to Piazzale Roma (20 minutes), or for a unique experience, take the Alilaguna water bus directly from the airport terminal docks to various stops in the historic center (75 minutes).
No, there are absolutely no cars allowed in the historic center of Venice. If you drive, you must park your car in large, expensive parking garages at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto, or park on the mainland in Mestre and take the train across the lagoon.
If you are not a resident and enter Venice on the applicable days between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, you must pay the Access Fee.
To visit the historical center of Venice, you’ll have to pay the Access Fee on the following days in 2026: April 18-30; May 1-4, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31; June 1-2, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29; and July 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27. You’ll only have to pay the fee if you visit between 8.30 am and 4.00 pm.
The fee is €5 per day per person. Under-14s do not need to pay.
To pay the fee you’ll need to visit the Venezia Unica website (cda.ve.it). Once paid, you’ll receive a QR code that will be scanned upon entry to Venice.
If you don’t pay the Access Fee on the required days, you might have to pay a fine of between €25 and €300.
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