Arriving in Venice soon? Tips on How to Get There 🇮🇹
Ciao Venezia!
With its enchanting canals, captivating architecture, and iconic bridges, Venice stands as one of Italy's most picturesque cities. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the entire city is a masterpiece.
Adding to its allure, the annual Venice Carnival, renowned globally for its elaborate costumes and masks, was from Sat, Jan 27, 2024, to Tue, Feb 13, 2024. 🎭 This year, themed "Ad Oriente. Il viaggio mirabolante di Marco Polo," the carnival celebrated the adventurous spirit of Marco Polo, one of its greatest travelers, marking the 700th anniversary of his death.
If you're considering a visit to the Floating City soon, stay tuned for helpful tips on how to get there and insights on cool places, ensuring a worry-free experience.
How to get there
If you're arriving by air, your destination is Venice Marco Polo Airport (Aeroporto di Venezia Marco Polo). Keep in mind that many low-cost flights touch down at Treviso Airport (Aeroporto di Treviso - Antonio Canova).
Treviso Airport
If you've landed in Treviso, there are a couple of ways to reach Venezia:
Option 1
- Take the bus to Mestre (purchase tickets at the airport, known as Treviso Airport Bus Express by ATVO).
- Then, catch the train from Mestre to Venice (the train station is Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia).
I'll leave at the end the timetables for the Treviso Airport Bus Express so you can have an idea on schedules and costs.
Option 2
- Board a bus (e.g., 101, 103, or others depending on the arrival time) to the central train station in Treviso (Treviso - Piazzale Duca D’Aosta) (or take a taxi available just outside the station).
- Take the train from Treviso to Venice.
You can check options in the website of TrenItalia (for example, being able to check "Treviso Aeroporto" to "Venezia S. Lucia", and it will give you the ticket that includes the autobus and the train (a Regionale!))
All of these options also apply for your return journey :)
About the Treviso Airport
It's smaller than the Marco Polo Airport, so you should consider to arrive with time due to limited customs capacity; queues may form! (nope, don't arrive 20 minutes before the gate is closing because you ain't gonna catch the flight back haha), and limited dining options are available, so plan accordingly.
PS: On the days April 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 2024, May 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 2024, June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 2024 and July 6, 7, 13 and 14 2024, the entry to the city of Venice was subject to payment of an access fee (contributo di accesso).
Marco Polo Airport
If you arrive here and you want to reach the city, you can take the bus from the Tessera Aeroporto (you just gotta walk inside of the airport). You can take the buses 25 or 35, and they will take you Venezia Piazalle Roma (which is the bus stop). After that you can walk around, and even go to the main train station (Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia) which is a good reference point.
Wandering around
Welcome to Venezia! As you step out of the main train station, you'll find yourself at the main stop for the water bus, the quintessential way to explore this floating city. Tickets are available both online and at these stops.
Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo stands proudly in front of the station, offering an impressive first glimpse of Venezia’s architectural grandeur. A short walk will lead you to Ponte degli Scalzi, where you can soak in the enchanting views and capture some magical photos. Another must-visit is Ponte delle Guglie, renowned for its beauty and charm.
Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) awaits after a scenic water bus ride. Here, you can marvel at the splendor of Basilica di San Marco (Saint Mark’s Basilica) and ascend the St Mark’s Campanile, the bell tower that once served as a lighthouse for ships. This towering structure, standing about 99 meters tall, offers panoramic views of the city.
For an alternative route, take the ferry to Rialto fermata and enjoy a leisurely walk back to Ponte di Rialto. This iconic bridge provides a different yet equally stunning perspective of Venezia. From here, continue your stroll to Piazza San Marco.
Nearby, the Palazzo Ducale is a museum rich in history and art. After visiting the basilica, walk along the shore for picturesque spots perfect for photography. This path leads you to the Giardini Reali, a beautiful garden ideal for a peaceful retreat amidst nature and flowers, even in winter.
For a beach day, head to Lido. Enjoy the sands at Spiaggia di San Nicoletto or Spiaggia Blue Moon.
Finally, no trip to Venezia is complete without visiting Murano. Take the ferry to explore the island, see the Faro di Murano, and delve into the glassmaking history at the Museo del Vetro (Murano Glass Museum).
Enjoy every moment in this city of canals, where every turn reveals a new wonder. Buon viaggio!
Useful links
Now that you've arrived in Venezia, it's time to savor the experience! I leave below some useful links to assist with your travel preparation. Enjoy!!
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