Getting Here by Air

Getting Here by Air

Venice's Aeroporto Marco Polo (041/2609260. www.veniceairport.it) is 10 km (6 mi) north of the city on the mainland. It's served by domestic and international flights, including connections from 21 European cities, plus direct flights from New York's JFK.

From Marco Polo terminal it's a EUR 10 taxi ride or a 10-minute walk to the dock where public and private boats depart for Venice's historic center. Alilaguna (041/2401701. www.alilaguna.it) has regular ferry service from predawn until nearly midnight. The charge is EUR 12 per person, including bags, and it takes about an hour to reach the landing near Piazza San Marco, with a stop at the Lido on the way. A motoscafo (water taxi) carries up to four people and four bags to the city center in a sleek, modern powerboat. The base cost is EUR 90, and the trip takes about 25 minutes. Each additional person, bag, and stop costs extra, so it's essential to agree on a fare before boarding.

Blue buses run by ATVO (0421/383672. www.atvo.it) make a less scenic but quicker (20-minute) and cheaper (EUR 3) nonstop trip from the airport to Piazzale Roma, from where you can get a vaporetto to the landing nearest your hotel. Tickets are sold at the airport ticket booth (open daily 9 to 7:30), and on the bus when the booth is closed. A land taxi to Piazzale Roma costs about EUR 40.