Marco Polo Airport: Unlocking Venice's Gateway To The World

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Venice Marco Polo Airport is an international airport located on the Italian mainland, 8 kilometres north of Venice. It is the third-largest airport in Italy and the fourth busiest, serving 11,184,608 passengers in 2018. The airport features flights to many European metropolitan areas, as well as long-haul routes to the United States, Canada, South Korea, and the Middle East. The airport offers various facilities, including observation decks, lounges, food concessions, showers, free WiFi, and a prayer room. Ground transportation options include taxis, water taxis, buses, and a planned rail link to Venice Mestre.

Characteristics Values
Airport type International airport for national and international flights
Location Venice, Italy
Distance from Venice 4.1 nautical miles (7.6 kilometres; 4.7 miles)
Airlines Volotea, Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet
Number of floors 3
Facilities Restaurants, bars, cafes, lounges, observation decks, pharmacy, postal services, prayer room, tourist information, currency exchange, ATMs, shops, showers
Transport to/from airport Taxi, water taxi, bus, train, shuttle bus, car

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Getting to Venice from Marco Polo Airport

Located 8 kilometres (4.3 or 4.7 miles) north of Venice, Venice Marco Polo Airport is the city's main international airport. Serving as a base for Volotea, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet, it is the fourth-busiest airport in Italy. The airport is named after Marco Polo, the merchant traveller, and is located near the village of Tessera, a frazione of the comune of Venice.

There are several ways to get to Venice from the Marco Polo Airport. One option is to take a water taxi, which can be found near the exit of baggage claim and major hotels and attractions. The cost of a water taxi is around 100 euros, and they can take you directly to your hotel. Another option is to take a taxi, which is faster but more expensive than a water taxi. A taxi ride from the airport to Venice will cost approximately 150 euros.

If you prefer a more cost-effective option, you can take the train to a shuttle bus. Make sure to ask the attendant if the shuttle is going to Marco Polo Airport before boarding. The local train will take you to the Venice Mestre train station. Additionally, there is a scheduled bus connection from the airport to Venice Mestre and Piazzale Roma, a major tourist terminal in Venice. The ATVO bus, for example, offers a 20-minute ride from the airport to Piazzale Roma for US$9.07 each way. From there, you can take a waterbus to the historic centre of Venice.

For those who want a more comfortable option, a chauffeur service is available. A chauffeur will pick you up from the airport terminal and take you by car to the port, and then by water taxi to your hotel. This option is more expensive but may be worth it for the added convenience.

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Facilities at Marco Polo Airport

Venice Marco Polo Airport (IATA: VCE, ICAO: LIPZ) is an important international airport in Venice, Italy, serving as a base for several major airlines. The airport is named after the famous Italian explorer Marco Polo, who was born in the city, and is located on the mainland near the village of Tessera, about 7.6 kilometres (4.7 miles) from Venice.

Marco Polo Airport features excellent shopping, eating and disabled facilities. The airport terminal has three floors: the ground floor for arrivals and the second floor for departures. The third floor houses offices for the operating company and airlines. The departure area has 70 check-in desks and two airside lounges: the "'Tintoretto Lounge' for SkyTeam passengers and the 'Marco Polo Room' for all other passengers. There are separate departure gates for EU and non-EU flights.

The airport features a range of dining options, including traditional Italian espresso bars, restaurants, coffee shops, fast-food outlets, and vending machines. There are also several lounges, including the Marco Polo Club VIP lounge, which offers snacks, drinks, WiFi, newspapers, magazines, smartphone charging sockets, and a terrace.

For shopping, the airport has newsagents, food shops, gift shops selling Venice souvenirs, and duty-free outlets offering a range of tax-free goods such as alcohol, tobacco, cosmetics, fragrances, and electrical goods.

The airport is fully physically accessible for travellers with disabilities, offering facilities like ramps, wide lifts/elevators, and dedicated parking spaces. A dedicated information desk provides further details about all the airport's disabled facilities.

Other facilities include a first aid service, a nursery, a prayer room, a post office, currency exchange, ATMs, and a business centre with meeting rooms, conference capabilities, and secretarial support.

Transport and Accommodation:

The airport provides various transport options to and from Venice, including scheduled bus services, water shuttle services, water taxis, and shared taxis. A free shuttle runs between the terminal, docks, and car parks. The airport also offers parking lots for both short-term and long-term stays, located within a short walking distance from the terminal.

Nearby accommodation options include the Best Western Titian Inn Hotel Venice Airport, which offers an airport shuttle service for a fee.

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Transport options at Marco Polo Airport

Located 12 km over land and 10 km over water from Venice, Marco Polo Airport is well-connected to the city by various transport options. The airport is about 8 kilometres (4.3 miles) north of Venice and is the city's busiest international airport. Here are the different ways you can travel to and from the airport:

Water Taxi

A water taxi is a motorboat that will take you to downtown Venice and the larger islands. It is the quickest way to reach Venice but also the most expensive. The basic cost of the service is €120 for the Venice historic centre, excluding additional charges based on the number of passengers, luggage, and travel time. It is advisable to reserve your service in advance.

Shuttle Bus

The Alilaguna shuttle is a popular vaporetto (water bus) that leaves directly from the airport dock to Venice. It costs €15 and takes about an hour and a half. However, it only stops at some limited piers, so you may have to change boats or walk between bridges and narrow streets with heavy suitcases to reach your accommodation. During the high season, there are also long queues for these boats.

Public Transport Bus

You can take an ACTV public transport bus from the airport in Tessera to Venice Piazzale Roma, the ACTV bus and waterbus terminal, and to Venice Mestre on the mainland. To reach the historic centre of Venice from Piazzale Roma, you can take the ACTV public transport waterbuses. The bus route No. 5-AeroBus takes about 20 minutes to reach Piazzale Roma from the airport.

Regular Taxi

A regular taxi service can take you to Mestre or other destinations on the mainland. The basic price of a taxi service to Mestre is €35, which may increase depending on luggage, the number of passengers, or the time of travel.

Private Taxi Transfer

You can also opt for a private taxi transfer to various destinations, including the Venice historic centre, the cruise port, the city of Ravenna, the city of Trieste, Padua city, and the city of Treviso.

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Food and drink at Marco Polo Airport

Food and drink options are available both inside and outside the security area at Marco Polo Airport. Before security, there is a food court with plenty of choices, including a place that sells pizza. Inside the security area, there is a snack bar downstairs and a restaurant serving light meals upstairs. Near the gate, you can find a toasted panini, and there is also a coffee bar serving coffee-based alcoholic drinks. Fresh juices are available at Culto Café Cultino, and there is also a VIP lounge offering snacks and drinks, as well as other amenities like Wi-Fi and smartphone charging sockets.

If you are looking for a sit-down meal, deCanto Wine Bar and Restaurant, just around the corner from passport control, is recommended by one source. The restaurant serves Italian dishes such as Parmigiano reggiano tortelli with pumpkin and white truffle sauce.

For those seeking gluten-free options, there is a health food restaurant at the airport, although it does not have a dedicated gluten-free menu.

There are also several restaurants located near the airport. Within a 4-mile radius, you can find restaurants serving Italian, American, and cafe-style cuisine.

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History of Marco Polo Airport

The Venice Marco Polo Airport, located on the Italian mainland near the village of Tessera, is named after the city's famous explorer, Marco Polo (1254-1325). The airport is about 4.1 nautical miles (7.6 kilometres; 4.7 miles) east of Mestre and around the same distance north of Venice. It is one of Italy's most famous airports and is Venice's busiest international airport.

The airport was constructed in 1960 following a major landfill project that reclaimed 25% of the land from the lagoon. The terminal is split into four main areas, with arrivals located on the lowest floor, check-in and departures on the next level, and a mixture of offices and VIP lounges on the top floor. The departure area has 70 check-in desks and two airside lounges: the "Tintoretto Lounge" for SkyTeam passengers and the "Marco Polo Room" for all other passengers.

The airport handled 11,184,608 passengers in 2018, making it the fourth-busiest airport in Italy. It features flights to many European metropolitan areas and some partly seasonal long-haul routes to the United States, Canada, South Korea, and the Middle East. The airport serves as a base for airlines such as Volotea, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.

The Venice Marco Polo Airport has experienced several incidents over the years. On 6 March 1967, a Short Brothers SC.7 Skyvan 2–102 operated by Soc. Aeralpi crashed while attempting to land in bad weather, crashing into the lagoon. Fortunately, all three people on board survived. On 14 September 1993, an Italian Air Force Piaggio PD.808 crashed while attempting to land in poor weather conditions, resulting in the deaths of all three people on board.

Frequently asked questions

You can get to Venice from Marco Polo Airport by road or water. The most common and easiest way is by water taxi, which you can find near major hotels and attractions. The fare starts from €120 for a 30-minute journey. You can also take a taxi, but it will be more expensive. The most cost-effective option is to take the train to a shuttle bus.

Marco Polo Airport has excellent facilities, including shops, pharmacies, tourist information, currency exchange, ATMs, restaurants, bars, and cafes. There are also observation decks, lounges, and shower facilities. Food concessions operate on varying schedules, with many opening as early as 5:00 AM and closing as late as 11:00 PM. Free WiFi is available for up to six hours.

Marco Polo Airport serves as a base for Volotea, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.

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