Marco Polo Airport: A Sprawling Hub For Travelers

Venice Marco Polo Airport is a large airport in Veneto, Italy, located about 4.1 nautical miles (7.6 kilometres; 4.7 miles) east of Mestre and around the same distance north of Venice proper. The airport consists of a single terminal on three levels, with the arrivals area on the ground floor and departure gates on the first floor. The airport is named after the Venetian traveller Marco Polo and features a stunning contemporary design with a dramatic grid shell roof. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art security system and has a range of amenities, including restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Terminal and runway information

Venice Marco Polo Airport consists of a single terminal on three levels, making it a relatively easy airport to navigate. The ground floor is dedicated to arrivals, with the first floor (or what Americans would consider the second floor) hosting the departure gates. The third floor of the terminal has offices for the operating company and airlines. The departure floor has separate areas for Schengen and non-Schengen flights. The airport terminal has 70 check-in desks and two airside lounges: the ""Tintoretto Lounge" for SkyTeam passengers and the "Marco Polo Room" for other passengers.

The airport has a range of parking lots, both short-term covered and long-term uncovered, that are within a five-minute walk of the terminal. As cars are not permitted in Venice, the closest parking lot to the city is at Piazzale Roma, or alternatively, Tronchetto, a man-made island in the Venetian Lagoon.

The airport is located about 8 miles (10 kilometres) from Venice and is well-connected to the city. Travellers can reach Venice by bus, train, or motorboat. Buses and trains stop on the outskirts of Venice, as motorised vehicles are not allowed on the island. The ATVO bus to Piazzale Roma is the most affordable option, while the ACTV public bus No. 5 is another budget-friendly alternative. The Alilaguna water shuttle service is a fun way to travel, with boats departing regularly from around 6 am until midnight, seven days a week.

Venice Marco Polo Airport has two runways: 4R/22L and 4L/22R. The airport's substantial runway, measuring 3,711 meters (12,173 feet), can accommodate a broad spectrum of aircraft, from light jets to long-range variants.

Transport to Venice

Venice Marco Polo Airport is located 8 kilometres (4.3-5 miles) north of Venice, in the city of Tessera. It is the main international airport of Venice, Italy, and the fourth-busiest airport in the country. The airport is named after Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant traveller who was one of the first Europeans to travel to Asia and China.

There are several ways to get to Venice from the airport:

By Bus

ATVO and ACTV buses connect the airport to Venice Piazzale Roma, the endpoint for land vehicles. ATVO buses are faster, taking only 20 minutes, while ACTV buses make several stops and take 30-45 minutes. Tickets cost $8.73 each way, and you can buy them at the ATVO ticket offices or from the automatic ticket machines in the baggage claim area.

By Water Bus

The Vaporetto is the public water transportation system in Venice, with a ferry terminal at St. Mark's Square. From Piazzale Roma, you can take the Vaporetto to any of the stops around the San Marco area. There is also a Night Line that operates all night and stops at the Rialto Terminal. A water bus ticket costs $19.46 for a return service.

By Water Taxi

Water taxis are available at the airport and can take you directly to your hotel. This option is more expensive, but it is also more comfortable and quicker. The cost of a water taxi depends on the number of passengers and luggage, ranging from $45 to $50.

By Train

A train ride from the airport to Venice is also possible, but it requires taking a bus or taxi to Piazzale Roma first, as trains do not operate directly from the airport. From Piazzale Roma, you can take a train to Venice Mestre Railway Station, providing connections to other parts of Italy.

By Car

You can also take a car from the airport to the port and then a water taxi to your hotel. This option provides a more comfortable journey but is more expensive.

Amenities and facilities

Venice Marco Polo Airport is located in the city of Tessera, about 5 miles from Venice, Italy. It is a large airport with two runways and a substantial runway measuring 3,711 meters (12,173 feet). The airport consists of a single terminal with three levels, making it fairly easy to navigate. The ground floor is for arrivals, the second floor for departures, and the third floor has offices for the operating company and airlines.

The airport terminal offers a variety of amenities and facilities for travellers. Here are the key amenities and facilities available:

Eat and Drink: There is a wide range of restaurants, cafes, and wine bars to choose from. Whether you're looking for a quick snack, a cocktail, or a leisurely sit-down meal, you'll be able to find something to suit your taste and preferences.

Shopping: With more than 30 retail stores, the airport provides a diverse shopping experience. From luxury international brands like Max Mara and Bulgari to trendy chain stores such as Diesel and Pandora, you can indulge in some last-minute shopping or pick up a souvenir from Venice. There is also a large duty-free store located within the terminal.

Airport Lounges: For those seeking a more exclusive experience, the Marco Polo Club VIP lounge is located on the second level, airside, and is open daily from 5 pm to 11 pm. Alitalia's Tintoretto Lounge, located at the Boarding Area for Schengen flights, is another option. It is open from 4:30 pm to 8 pm, and entrance is free for priority club members.

Wi-Fi and Charging Stations: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the passenger terminal, and charging stations are strategically placed so you can stay connected and charged during your time at the airport.

Parking: The airport offers a range of parking options, including short-term covered parking and long-term uncovered parking, conveniently located within close proximity to the terminal, just a few minutes' walk away.

Ground Transportation: Located outside the baggage claim area on the ground floor, you can easily access various ground transportation options. Venice Marco Polo Airport is well-connected to the city and surrounding areas by bus, train, motorboat, and water taxi. ATVO and ACTV buses provide affordable options to reach Venice Piazzale Roma, while ACTV and ATVO buses also connect to Mestre, the mainland, and Venice Mestre railway station, offering connections to other Italian cities. For a more unique experience, you can opt for the Alilaguna water shuttle services (Blue, Red, and Orange lines) or the water taxi to reach various destinations in the lagoon, including Venice, Lido, and Murano.

Passenger numbers

Venice Marco Polo Airport is located in the city of Tessera, about 5 miles from the centre of Venice. It is the third busiest airport in Italy, handling 11,184,608 passengers in 2018, and is named after the Venetian traveller Marco Polo. The airport connects more than 13 million travellers a year to Venice, with flights to and from major European capitals such as Frankfurt, Paris, Istanbul, and Amsterdam. It also welcomes arrivals from the United Kingdom, North America, the Middle East, Canada, South Korea and more.

The airport consists of a single terminal on three levels, with the arrivals area on the ground floor and the departures on the first floor. The departure area has 70 check-in desks and two airside lounges, with separate departure gates for EU and non-EU flights. The third floor of the terminal has offices for the operating company and airlines. The airport has a range of parking options, from short-term covered to long-term uncovered, all within a five-minute walk of the terminal.

The airport is well-equipped with a variety of restaurants, cafes, and wine bars, as well as over 30 retail stores, including luxury brands, chain stores, a large duty-free store, and a souvenir shop. There are also VIP lounges and a business centre on the second floor. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, along with strategically placed charging stations.

To get to Venice from the airport, travellers can take the ATVO or ACTV bus to Piazzale Roma, or the Alilaguna water shuttle service, which offers a fun and unique way to travel to Venice, Murano, and the Lido.

Location

Venice Marco Polo Airport is located on the Italian mainland, in the Veneto region, near the village of Tessera, a frazione of Venice. It is about 4.1 nautical miles (7.6 kilometres; 4.7 miles) east of Mestre and around the same distance north of Venice proper. The airport is about 8 miles (10 kilometres) from Venice, and it takes around 30 minutes to travel between the two by bus.

The airport is also connected to several destinations in the lagoon by public transit Alilaguna water shuttle services (Blue, Red and Orange lines), by the express Gold Line to Piazza San Marco, or by water taxi. From the airport, it is possible to reach Venice Piazzale Roma by ATVO (provincial company) buses and by ACTV (city company) buses (route 5 aerobus). Travellers can also reach Venice, Lido, and Murano by Alilaguna (private company) motorboats.

Mestre, the mainland, and Venice Mestre railway station, providing connections to Milan, Padua, Trieste, Verona, and the rest of Italy, can be reached by ACTV buses (route 15 and 45) and ATVO buses. Regional destinations such as Treviso, Padua, and the beaches can be reached by ATVO buses and Busitalia Sita Nord buses.

A rail link connecting the airport to Venice Mestre via the Venice–Trieste railway is currently under construction and is expected to be operational by 2025.

Frequently asked questions