Venice Airport Boat Transfers Explained: Ferry and Water Taxi Options
You have a few options to get from Venice’s Marco Polo International Airport (VCE) into the city center. Depending on your arrival time, you can choose:
- A private water taxi
- A public water bus (operated by Alilaguna)
- A car service
I’ll explain the costs, benefits, and drawbacks to each option below, to help you add an airport transfer to your Venice itinerary.
Car Service from the Venice Airport
From the Arrivals Hall at VCE Airport, it’s about a 20-minute drive to Piazzale Roma in Venice.
A car service in Venice is convenient, but more expensive and less scenic than a water taxi ride across the lagoon.
Book a Water Taxi Airport Transfer in Venice
A private water taxi will be much more expensive, but it’s also much more convenient. Plus, if you have a late arrival or early departure, a private taxi is your best bet.
➡️ Click to Book: Venice Airport Water Taxi
Water Taxi Time
This depends on where you’re staying in Venice. The private water taxi will speed from the airport’s water terminal/docks across the lagoon, and then go slowly as it winds through the canals to your drop-off point.
The last time I took a water taxi, the ride was about 20 minutes.
The Cost of a Private Water Taxi to Venice
Prices range, but you can expect to pay $40 to $50 per person.
Video: Venice Airport Transfer
Take Venice’s Water Bus from the Airport
A more cost-effective way to transfer from Marco Polo International Airport is to take the public water bus, operated by Alilaguna.
The water bus connects the airport dock with stops in Venice. There are a couple of different lines.
The Alilaguna Ferry BLUE Line Stops:
- Murano Colonna
- Fondamente Nova (F.te Nove)
- Ospedale
- Bacini
- Certosa
- Lido S.M.E.
- Arsenale
- San Zaccaria (near St. Mark’s Square)
- San Marco (Giardinetti)
- Zattere / Giudecca Stucky
- Cruise Terminal
The Alilaguna Ferry ORANGE Line Stops
- Fondamente Nove (F.te Nove)
- Madonna dell’Orto
- Guglie
- San Stae
- Rialto
- Sant’Angelo
- Ca’ Rezzonico
- Santa Maria del Giglio
Alilaguna Ferry Hours & Schedule
Alilaguna runs daily, from early morning to around midnight, depending on the line and season. Service usually starts from the airport around 5:00am. The last ferry leaves the airport after midnight.
The ferries run roughly every 30 minutes from the airport across the Venice lagoon.
Ride times depend on the stop you choose. For instance, a water bus from VCE Airport to Ospedale in Northern Venice is about 50 minutes.
Water Bus Cost
For public transportation, the price is somewhat steep. It’ll be 18 Euros per person, each way.
You can buy your tickets from the staff in the office or from one of the kiosks.
Once you’re in Venice, the water bus service (Vaporetto) around the islands in the lagoon (Murano, Burano, etc.) is only 1 Euro!
Arriving at Marco Polo International in Venice
From the gates and baggage claim area, it’s about a 20-minute walk to the ferry terminal or water taxi dock. You’ll follow a lengthy moving walkway, and head down to the water level.
From there, there are easy-to-follow signs that’ll take you to whichever mode of transportation you’ve chosen (water taxi or water bus).
Late Night & Early Morning Airport Arrivals/Departures
If you have a late-night airport arrival or departure, don’t rely on the Alilaguna water bus.
Instead, I would either:
- hire a water taxi, or
- hire a car service.
If you’re heading back to VCE for a 6:00am flight (like I was last time) we paid 160 Euros for a private water taxi to pick us up at 4:00am in the canal near our hotel to shuttle us to the airport.
Weather Impacts on Your Venice Airport Transfer
The one great unknown is the weather on your arrival (or departure).
Thick fog could cancel the Alilaguna water buses and the private water taxis. Winter is a great time to visit Venice, but the fog tends to be heavier.
In those situations, you’ll have to take a car or bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma in Venice.
Once you figure out your VCE airport transfer, you’ll be ready to explore Murano & Burano, Treviso, Verona, and everything else Veneto has to offer!
