General
Overview
Venezia Mestre is the mainland train station. Trains to Venezia Santa Lucia run every few minutes (~10 min, ~€1.50). Best if your hotel is not on the island.
Transfer Options
The following options are available for transport to your accommodation:
Luggage Storage
Official Kibag storage along Platform 1. Follow blue signs for 'Luggage Storage'.
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 (Vaporetto)
Price and Time
The “Metro” of Venice is the Vaporetto (ACTV water bus). A single 75-minute ticket costs €9.50.
If you are arriving at Venezia Mestre, you must first take a shuttle train to Venezia Santa Lucia (~10 minutes, ~€1.50) to access the Vaporetto docks. Trains run every few minutes.
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
To reach the historic center from Mestre by bus, use Line 2 or the T1 Tram. The stops are located directly in front of the station exit. Tickets cost €1.50.
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
Venezia Mestre is covered by the same Sala Blu RFI network. Call 800 90 60 60 (toll-free from Italian landlines) or +39 02 32 32 32 (mobile/international), open daily including holidays, 06:45–21:30. Mestre has lift access to all platforms, making it the easier boarding point for passengers with mobility needs connecting onward to the island.
RFI Sala BluIf 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
The Trenitalia Kipoint depot at Mestre is open daily 8:00 AM–8:00 PM. Search and claim lost items online at trenitalia.findmylost.it. Items not claimed within 15 days are transferred to the local municipality.
Trenitalia Lost PropertyArrival
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 at the main entrance on Piazza Favretti. A trip to Piazzale Roma takes about 15 minutes and costs approximately €20–€25 by meter.
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.
Pickup is at the main entrance on Piazza Favretti. Drivers wait at the 'Kiss & Ride' or the designated NCC area near the 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.
ATMs are available at Venezia Mestre station, near the main entrance and within the concourse. Additional bank branches and ATMs are found on the main streets of Mestre city centre.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
For high-speed trains (Frecciarossa, Italo), arrive 30–45 minutes early. Venezia Mestre is a through station — trains stop briefly and will not wait. Be on the platform before the train arrives.
Scan your ticket QR code at the automated platform gates to enter the departure zone. Platforms are often announced only 10–15 minutes before departure.
Once your platform appears on the Partenze boards, move immediately. The walk to far tracks can take several minutes and the train will not hold.
Security Controls
Security & Screening
Italian train stations do not require X-ray security screening. Platform access is controlled only by ticket gates — scan the QR code on your ticket (digital or printed) to enter the departure zone.
Passport Control
There is no passport control at Italian train stations for domestic or EU/Schengen rail travel.
VAT Refunds
VAT refunds are not processed at train stations. If you are eligible, complete the refund procedure at your departure airport before flying out of Italy.