Is the water cab from Venice airport worth it?

A private water cab (110-130 €) is particularly worthwhile for groups of 3-4 people or more. For couples and solo travelers, the bus + vaporetto is significantly cheaper.

Venice Airport: All transfer options to Venice

Q: What is the difference between Aerobus and Alilaguna?

The Aerobus (ACTV line 5) is a regular bus service to Piazzale Roma (25 min., €10). Alilaguna is a private water bus directly to various districts of Venice (60-90 min., 18 €). Both have separate tickets.

Q: What is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Venice?

The cheapest option is the ACTV Aerobus for €10 to Piazzale Roma, from there continue with the vaporetto pass. If you buy the airport bus supplement (€7) together with the multi-day ticket, you save another €3.

Q: Can I buy the Aerobus supplement retrospectively?

No, the airport surcharge must be purchased at the same time as the multi-day ticket. It is not possible to add it later.

From Marco Polo Airport to the city center - by bus, water bus, water cab or with the vaporetto pass. All options, prices and travel times in comparison.

Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is located on the mainland, around 12 kilometers north of Venice. As there are no roads into the old town, every land transfer ends at Piazzale Roma - the gateway to the car-free island. From there, take the vaporetto to your hotel or accommodation.

There are several ways to get to Venice from the airport. The cheapest combination for most travelers: Airport bus to Piazzale Roma, then continue with the vaporetto pass.

Important: The regular Vaporetto day and multi-day ticket is not valid for Marco Polo Airport. Neither the ACTV airport bus (Aerobus) nor the Alilaguna water buses are included. There is an optional supplement for the Aerobus, which must be purchased together with the multi-day ticket.

All transfer options in comparison

Option	Price	Travel time	Goal	Note
ACTV Aerobus (Line 5) Tip	10 € / 18 € H+R	approx. 25 min.	Piazzale Roma	Cheapest option, lasts several times
ATVO Express Bus Tip	12 € / 20 € H+R	approx. 20 min.	Piazzale Roma	Nonstop, luggage compartments
Alilaguna water bus (Blue Line)	18 € / 32 € H+R	60-90 min.	Murano, F.te Nove, S. Zaccaria, Zattere	Picturesque, but slow
Alilaguna water bus (Orange Line)	18 € / 32 € H+R	60-75 min.	Guglie, Rialto, S. Marco	Directly to the center by boat
Road cab	approx. 40 €	approx. 20 min.	Piazzale Roma	Ends at Piazzale Roma (car)
Shared water cab	approx. 30 € p.p.	30-40 min.	Various stops	Book online in advance
Private water cab	110-130 €	approx. 30 min.	Directly to the hotel	Luxury version, up to 6 people

Our recommendation: Airport bus + vaporetto pass

Cheapest combination for most travelers

Take the ACTV Aerobus (€10) or the ATVO Express bus (€12) to Piazzale Roma. From there, change to line 1 or 2 with the vaporetto pass and travel directly to the Grand Canal, San Marco or the Lido.

At the airport: buy a bus ticket at the counter or from a vending machine (Aerobus 10 € or ATVO 12 €)
Bus to Piazzale Roma (20-25 minutes)
At Piazzale Roma: exchange your vaporetto voucher for a ticket at the ACTV machine
Take vaporetto line 1 or 2 - Grand Canal, Rialto, San Marco and beyond

Total cost: 10-12 € (bus) + from 25 € (Vaporetto 24h-Pass) = from 35 € with unlimited rides for the rest of the day.

ACTV Aerobus (Line 5) in detail

The Aerobus is the ACTV bus line 5 between Marco Polo Airport and Piazzale Roma. It runs every 15-20 minutes during the day, less frequently at night. The journey takes about 25 minutes with a few stops in between.

There are two ways to combine the Aerobus with the Vaporetto:

Option A: Separate bus ticket

Buy Aerobus one-way ticket (€10) separately + book Vaporetto Pass separately. More flexible, as both tickets are independent of each other.

10 € + from 25 € = from 35 €

Option B: Supplement to the Vaporetto Pass

Buy the airport surcharge (€7 one-way / €13 return) together with the multi-day ticket. Must be booked at the same time - it is not possible to add it later.

7 € + from 25 € = from 32 €

Alilaguna: By water bus from the airport

Alilaguna is a private operator - not to be confused with ACTV. Alilaguna water buses travel directly from the airport to Venice by water. The journey takes 60-90 minutes and costs €18 each way. ACTV tickets and passes are not valid on Alilaguna.

Blue line

Airport → Murano → Fondamente Nove → San Zaccaria → Zattere → Giudecca

All year round - approx. 75-90 min. - Good for accommodation near San Marco or Dorsoduro

Orange line

Airport → Madonna dell'Orto → Guglie → Rialto → San Marco → S. Maria del Giglio

All year round - approx. 60-75 min. - Directly to Rialto and St. Mark's Square

Red line

Airport → Murano → San Marco (Express)

Seasonal (April-October) - approx. 60 min. - Fastest water connection

Alilaguna tickets are available at the Alilaguna counter at the airport, online at veneziaunica.it or via the Alilaguna app. They cannot be purchased at the yellow ACTV ticket machines.

Alilaguna ticket	Price
Single trip	18 €
Outward and return journey	32 €
24-hour pass	from 40 €
48-hour pass	from 50 €
72-hour pass	from 60 €

Water cab: Directly from the airport to the hotel

A private water cab will take you from the airport directly to the door of your hotel in around 30 minutes - provided it has a water connection. This is the most convenient, but also the most expensive option.

Private water cab

Exclusive trip for you and your group (up to 6 people). Directly from the airport jetty to your accommodation in Venice. Fixed price, no sharing with other passengers.

110-130 € per trip

Shared water cab

You share the boat with other travelers. Several stops at different hotels. Must be booked online in advance. Cheaper than a private cab, but slower.

approx. 30 € per person

The water cab is particularly worthwhile for groups of 3-4 or more people who can share the costs. For solo travelers or couples, the bus + vaporetto is significantly cheaper.

Related pages:

Book your Vaporetto pass online in advance

Arrived at Piazzale Roma? Then all you have to do is redeem your pre-booked voucher at the ACTV machine - and off you go on the Grand Canal.

Buy a vaporetto ticket

★★★★½ 4.5 23.451 reviews - Instant voucher by e-mail

Frequently asked questions about airport transfers

Is the vaporetto ticket valid for Marco Polo Airport?

No, the regular Vaporetto day and multi-day ticket is not valid for the airport. Neither the ACTV Aerobus nor the Alilaguna water buses are included. For the Aerobus there is an optional supplement of €7 (one-way) or €13 (return), which must be purchased together with the multi-day ticket.

What is the difference between Aerobus and Alilaguna?

The Aerobus (ACTV line 5) is a regular bus service that runs overland to Piazzale Roma (approx. 25 min., €10). Alilaguna is a private water bus service that travels by water directly to various districts of Venice (60-90 mins, €18). Both are different operators with separate tickets.

What is the cheapest way to get from the airport to Venice?

The cheapest option is the ACTV Aerobus (line 5) for €10 to Piazzale Roma, from there continue with the vaporetto pass. Alternatively, the ATVO Express bus for €12. If you buy the airport bus supplement (€7) together with the Vaporetto multi-day ticket, you save a further €3 compared to the separate Aerobus ticket.

Is the water cab from the airport worth it?

A private water cab (€110-130) will take you directly to the hotel in 30 minutes. It is particularly worthwhile for groups of 3-4 or more people who share the costs. For couples and solo travelers, the bus + vaporetto is significantly cheaper. A shared water cab (approx. €30 per person) is a middle way.

Can I buy the Aerobus supplement retrospectively?

No, the airport surcharge for the multi-day ticket must be purchased at the same time as the pass. It is not possible to add it later. If you have missed the supplement, it is best to buy a separate Aerobus ticket (€10) at the counter or ticket machine at the airport.