Venice airport to city: bus, boat or water taxi?
Updated October 12, 2026
From Marco Polo airport, the cheapest way into Venice is the bus to Piazzale Roma: €10 on ACTV line 5 or €12 on the ATVO express, about 20 minutes. The Alilaguna boat costs €18 one way and takes roughly 45 to 75 minutes, and a private water taxi costs around €120 to €170 per boat (indicative). Treviso airport is about 70 minutes away by bus.
Bus to Piazzale Roma (cheapest and fastest)
Two buses run from Marco Polo airport to Piazzale Roma, the bus terminal at the edge of the historic centre: the ACTV/AVM line 5 and the ATVO Airport Express. The ACTV Aerobus ticket costs €10 one way (€18 return, valid 75 minutes) and the ATVO ticket €12 one way (€20 return). ATVO quotes a 20-minute connection; line 5 timings vary, so check ACTV.
From Piazzale Roma you take a vaporetto, or walk, into the centre. Many hotels are a short vaporetto ride from here.
Alilaguna boat across the lagoon
Alilaguna runs three airport lines: Blue (Linea Blu, to Murano, Lido, San Marco and the train station), Orange (Linea Arancio, via Rialto to Santa Maria del Giglio) and, in summer, Red (Linea Rossa, to San Marco). A one-way ticket to Venice costs €18 and a return €32; airport to Murano is €10 one way. Each ticket includes one heavy bag and one hand luggage, and extra bags cost €4.
It is slower, roughly 45 to 75 minutes depending on the line (Alilaguna does not publish a figure), but you arrive on the water with views, and stops near the Grand Canal can be close to your hotel. ACTV tickets are not valid on Alilaguna.
Water taxi: shared or private
A private water taxi is the most comfortable and goes door to door in about 30 to 40 minutes. Expect around €120 to €170 for the whole boat (up to about 4 to 6 passengers). The Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia sells fixed-price tickets online per destination, with 5% off an airport return; otherwise agree the all-inclusive price before boarding.
A shared water taxi seat costs roughly €30 to €45 per person. Splitting a private taxi among four people brings it to around €35 to €45 each, close to a shared seat. On GondolaShare you can find others to split a water taxi with.
Treviso airport
Treviso airport (used by some low-cost airlines) is farther away. Shuttle buses go to Venice Mestre station and Piazzale Roma in about 40 to 70 minutes, and cost around €12 or more. No water link exists, so plan the last stretch by vaporetto.
Which one to choose?
Choose the bus if you are on a budget or arrive late. Choose Alilaguna if you want the lagoon views and your hotel is on a stop. Choose a water taxi with luggage, with a group, or to reach a hotel directly on a canal.
Rather book ahead?
Shared gondola tickets sell by the seat online, usually around €30–40 per person.
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Questions
How much does the bus from Venice airport cost?
€10 one way on the ACTV line 5 (Aerobus ticket) or €12 on the ATVO express, to Piazzale Roma.
How long does Alilaguna take?
Roughly 45 to 75 minutes depending on the line and the destination stop; Alilaguna publishes no official duration.
How much is a water taxi from Marco Polo to Venice?
Around €120 to €170 per boat for a private one, or roughly €30 to €45 per seat on a shared one (indicative, no official tariff page).
Can I get to Venice from Treviso airport?
Yes, by shuttle bus to Mestre or Piazzale Roma, about 40 to 70 minutes.
Is the water taxi worth it?
For groups of 3 or 4 with luggage, yes: the per-person cost is close to a shared seat.
Keep reading
Prices checked October 12, 2026. Rates are set by the City of Venice; confirm the total before you board.