General
Overview
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) sits 13km north of Venice on the mainland. Reach the city by land (bus/taxi to Piazzale Roma) or by water (Alilaguna/Water Taxi directly to the lagoon).
Transfer Options
The following options are available for transport to your accommodation:
Luggage Storage
Located on the ground floor, outside the terminal near Entrance 1. Operated by the airport's Left Luggage office (Cooperativa Trasbagagli).
Venezia Unica Cards
To simplify navigation and reduce costs, visitors should purchase ACTV time-limited passes (Venezia Unica) for unlimited travel on Vaporettos (water buses), land buses in Mestre, and the tram.
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 24h | €25 |
| 48h | €35 |
| 72h | €45 |
| 7 day | €65 |
Purchase these at Venezia Unica ticket points in the arrivals halls (Airport/Station) or at automated machines. Note that standard versions do not include the ACTV Aerobus (Line 5) to the airport — a separate €10 ticket is required. They also do not include Alilaguna water shuttles or ATVO express buses.
How-to: Purchase tickets under the “Buy” section, and you must “Activate” the ticket in the app before boarding to generate the QR code for the gates.
Public Transit
Water Bus (Alilaguna)
Price and Time
To reach Venice from Marco Polo (VCE) by water, use the Alilaguna blue, orange, or red lines. Tickets cost €18 one-way. The journey takes 60–90 minutes depending on your stop (e.g., San Marco or Rialto).
Tickets
Purchase tickets at the Alilaguna booths in the arrivals hall or at the automated machines near the boat dock.
At the airport, the boat dock is a 7–10 minute walk from the terminal. Follow the blue signs for “Water Transport” to the Moving Walkway (Tapis Roulant) on the first floor. It is fully accessible and saves you from hauling luggage across the asphalt.
Water Bus (Vaporetto)
Price and Time
The “Metro” of Venice is the Vaporetto (ACTV water bus). A single 75-minute ticket costs €9.50.
Tickets and Validation
- Use the yellow/white ACTV booths outside the station or stops.
- Contactless Payments: You can “Tap & Go” with your credit card or smartphone at the white circular readers on the docks.
- If using a physical ticket, you must tap it against the electronic reader before boarding every single time.
Vaporetto docks are floating platforms. Wait until the boat is fully moored and the ramp is steady before stepping across, as the wake from other boats can cause sudden movements.
Bus
The ATVO Venice Express (Line 35) is a non-stop coach with dedicated luggage holds (€12, 20 mins to Piazzale Roma). The ACTV Line 5 is a local public bus (€10); it is slower (35 minutes) and often crowded.
Whether at the airport or in the city, you must validate your paper ticket at the small machines at the stop before stepping onto the bus. Failure to do so results in a heavy on-the-spot fine.
Accessibility & Safety
Accessibility
Venice Marco Polo Airport provides free PRM assistance through a Special Assistance Lounge in the Departures area near the check-in zone. Request the service via your airline at booking or at least 48 hours before departure. PRM call columns are located at Terminal Ground Floor Entrance 1, Terminal First Floor Entrance 7, and Marina Docks 2 and 13.
VCE PRM AssistanceSafety
Use only official Alilaguna vaporettos or licensed water taxis from the marina dock, signposted from inside Arrivals. Do not accept transfer offers from individuals approaching you inside the terminal building.
If you hear sirens in Venice, high tide is rising — move to the elevated wooden walkways (passerelle) set up in flooded streets and squares. Pickpockets are active on crowded Vaporettos (Lines 1 and 2) and around the Rialto Bridge; keep bags zipped and worn in front.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
Two handlers operate from the Arrivals Hall, in front of the baggage belts: GH Venezia (+39 041 0980098) and Aviation Services (+39 041 9691201) — both open from airport opening until closing. For personal items lost in the terminal (not on the aircraft), file a report online and collect from the Lost Property Office in the Arrivals area.
VCE Lost & FoundFirst Aid
The airport First Aid centre is reachable at +39 041 2605385.
VCE ContactsArrival
Official Taxi
Official taxis in Venice are white vehicles with an illuminated “TAXI” sign on the roof. Only board at the designated rank — do not accept offers from drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
The taxi rank is directly outside the Arrivals exit on the ground floor. Fixed fares apply:
- Piazzale Roma: €40
- Mestre city centre: €35
Journey time to Piazzale Roma is approximately 20–25 minutes. The service is operated by Cooperativa Artigiana Radiotaxi (Tel: +39 041 59 64, 24 hours a day).
Official Taxi Fares – Venice MunicipalityA water taxi (private motorboat) takes you directly to your hotel dock — but it is a premium service. Expect to pay €105–€150 from Marco Polo Airport. Book through one of the official operators at the dock, not from anyone who approaches you inside the terminal.
Rideshare
appTaxi: Highly recommended for Venice. It is the most “local” choice and, uniquely, allows you to book both land taxis and water taxis within the same app.
Freenow: Reliable for hailing official white taxis. It often has the most user-friendly interface for international travelers.
Uber: You can still use the Uber app, but only for Uber Black, Van, or Lux. These are licensed NCC drivers (Noleggio Con Conducente) and are generally more expensive than standard taxis.
NOTE: Vehicles cannot enter the historic center; they terminate at Piazzale Roma.
Uber Black and NCC drivers use the 'NCC' (Rental with Driver) area. Exit the Arrivals hall and follow signs for 'NCC' or 'Chauffeur' located just past the official taxi rank.
ATMs and Currency
Italy uses the Euro (€). Use bank-affiliated ATMs (look for the Bancomat network label) and avoid unmarked “Euronet” kiosks, which impose high conversion fees. Always decline dynamic currency conversion offers — choose to be charged in euros.
Several ATMs are available throughout Marco Polo Airport, operating 24 hours a day. Bank-branded machines are located in the arrivals area and other key areas of the terminal.
ATM Bancomat – Venice AirportDeparture
Arrival & Check-In
Arrive at least 2 hours before departure for Schengen flights, and 3 hours for routes requiring passport control (US, Asia, non-Schengen destinations). Check-in counters are on the Ground and First Floors — check overhead monitors or the Departures page for your assigned desk number.
Online check-in is available with most airlines. If you have only hand luggage and have checked in online, you can proceed directly to security. Self-service kiosks are available near the desks for eligible airlines.
If taking the Alilaguna water bus to the airport, add at least 30 minutes of buffer time. Fog or lagoon traffic can cause delays that land-based connections do not face.
Security Controls
Security & Screening
Security for Schengen and non-Schengen flights is on the First Floor, near Entrance 5.
Marco Polo Airport uses advanced screening technology — you do not need to remove liquids, aerosols, or electronics from your carry-on bag during scanning. Standard liquid rules still apply: each container must be 100 ml or less, with a 1 L total allowance per passenger.
Exception — direct US flights: Security for US-bound passengers is located on the Ground Floor, near Entrance 8. Check departure monitors immediately on arrival for your assigned screening area.
VCE Security ChecksPassport Control
Passport control applies only to non-Schengen routes. EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals departing on Schengen routes are not subject to passport control.
Venice Marco Polo Airport operates e-Gates for automated border control. Eligible passengers aged 12+ with a biometric passport from the EU, UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, UAE, and several other countries may use e-Gates to bypass manual queues.
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational across all Schengen countries since April 10, 2026. Non-EU nationals on non-Schengen routes must complete biometric registration (photo + fingerprints) at a self-service kiosk before proceeding to border control.
Since EES went live on April 10, 2026, passport control queues at Italian airports have increased significantly. If flying non-Schengen, the 3-hour lead time is strongly recommended.
VAT Refunds
VAT refunds are available at Marco Polo Airport for non-EU residents departing Italy. Each invoice must exceed €154.94 (VAT included). Items must be new, unused, and available for customs inspection — do not pack them in checked luggage.
Tax Refund desks (Global Blue, Planet, Tax Refund) are on the First Floor, before security. Global Blue and YexChange are also present in the post-security Departures area. Check the logo on your invoice to identify which operator to visit.
Customs stamps are available from 4 hours before departure. If the desk is closed, use the drop box at the Customs desk next to the Global Blue counter.
VCE Tax Refund