Venice has the most varied airport transport pricing in Italy. The costs below reflect a city accessible only by water, with options ranging from budget to premium.
ATVO express bus to Piazzale Roma: EUR 10
The cheapest way to reach Venice's road terminus. Journey time: about 20 minutes. ACTV city bus is EUR 8. From Piazzale Roma you then walk (possible for hotels very close) or take the vaporetto water bus (EUR 9.50 for 75 minutes). Practical for light travellers who know the city.
Alilaguna water bus: EUR 15 per person
Public boat service directly from the airport dock into Venice's canal network. Three lines:
- Arancio (orange): Airport → Murano → Fondamente Nove → Cannaregio → Rialto → Grand Canal stops. About 75-90 minutes to San Marco.
- Blu (blue): Airport → Lido → San Marco → Zattere. About 75 minutes to San Marco.
- Rossa (red): Airport → Murano → Fondamente Nove. Shorter route, good for Murano/Cannaregio.
Private water taxi: EUR 110-130 (per boat)
The fixed regulated price covers a standard water taxi (motoscafo) from the airport to anywhere accessible in Venice. Up to 4-6 passengers share this price. The boat goes directly to the closest accessible dock to your hotel, which can be very close indeed.
At EUR 55-65 per person for two people, this is comparable to a premium transfer in other European cities. For one person alone, EUR 110-130 is steep. For four people sharing, EUR 27-32 each is reasonable.
Night rates (after midnight): EUR 130-160.
Land taxi to Piazzale Roma: EUR 25-35
A regular road taxi from the airport to Piazzale Roma, where the road ends. From there you need a vaporetto or to walk. This is a peculiar middle option — you save on the water crossing but still need boat transport. Useful mainly for groups with heavy luggage who want to manage the two legs separately.
Land taxi to Mestre: EUR 20-30
For travellers staying in Mestre (mainland). A 15-minute drive.
Vaporetto (once in Venice): EUR 9.50
The ACTV vaporetto (public water bus) costs EUR 9.50 for a 75-minute ticket. A 24-hour pass is EUR 25. If you are connecting from Piazzale Roma or have multiple legs, a pass is worth it. Line 1 (slow, all stops) and Line 2 (faster, fewer stops) are the main Grand Canal routes.
Costs to specific destinations
| Destination | Alilaguna | Water taxi (per boat) | |------------|-----------|----------------------| | Piazzale Roma | EUR 15 | EUR 110-130 | | Rialto area | EUR 15 | EUR 110-130 | | San Marco | EUR 15 | EUR 110-130 | | Lido di Venezia | EUR 15 | EUR 120-140 | | Murano | EUR 15 | EUR 110-120 | | Tronchetto (parking) | EUR 15 | EUR 110-130 | | Mestre (mainland) | Bus EUR 3-4 | Land taxi EUR 20-30 |
The real calculation
For a solo traveller: Alilaguna at EUR 15 is far more sensible than a EUR 110 water taxi alone.
For a couple: Alilaguna at EUR 30 total vs water taxi at EUR 110-130. The water taxi is 3-4x more expensive but arrives closer to your hotel and takes half the time.
For four people: EUR 60 Alilaguna total vs EUR 110-130 water taxi split four ways (EUR 28-33 each). The water taxi suddenly makes economic sense and is significantly faster and more convenient.
Hidden cost: luggage in Venice
Carrying large suitcases around Venice is physically demanding. Bridges, cobblestones, steps. If you take the bus to Piazzale Roma or the Alilaguna to a busy stop, you still have a walking stretch to your hotel. This physical effort has a value — a water taxi that deposits you at the closest dock to your hotel saves that effort. Factor this into the cost calculation if you are travelling heavy.