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Best and cheapest transportation to Venice from Marco Polo Airport

My family and I are driving from Florence to Venice, dropping car off at Marco Polo Airport. What is the best, cheapest and most convenient way for my family to do this? Do I drop them off at a port and go to airport for car drop off and meet them later or should we all go to airport and take shuttles to Venice, which is very expensive for 4. It shows on a map you can take A1/A13 to Venice, but not sure exactly how close we will be to Venice port? This is our first trip to Italy and want to make it a great trip for them.

Thank you for any help or suggestions....

Posted by
4873 posts

Is it possible to drop off the car at an agency in Venice around Piazzale Rome or in Mestre on the mainland before going over the causeway to Venice? If so, that would be much better logistically than turning it in at the airport. You used the word "port" a couple of times. Are you getting on a cruise ship? That info will influence the answer / advice about your question.

Posted by
11294 posts

I agree with TC - your post is unclear. It seems you want to get to the Venice cruise port, but are talking about dropping the car at Marco Polo Airport. If you want to get to the cruise port, it will much easier to drop your car at Piazzale Roma in Venice itself, which is close to the cruise terminal. Just watch your speed carefully on the causeway into Venice - several posters got speeding tickets (months later) for being just a small amount over the posted speed limit.

Posted by
16893 posts

I think you should all four stick together. If your plan was to take a private water taxi or Aliguna airport shuttle boat (both somewhat expensive options), then they leave right from the airport (view on Google Maps, etc.).

If you drop the car near Mestre train station, you can take a short train ride to Venezia S. Lucia station (buy tickets there and validate them before boarding) and then catch the vaporetto (public boat) right outside to take you down the Grand Canal, same as if you arrived on a fast train direct from Florence (2 hours).

If you can drop the car at Piazzale Roma, end of the road into Venice, then you are already at a vaporetto stop, with no additional transfer.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you all for your suggestions and help. I apologize for not getting the terminology (port) correct, but at the time didn't know what to call the place to drop them off. With that mistake in mind, we are not going on a cruise, just to Venice. Since then, I've contacted the car rental but they do not have a drop off point or terminal to drop the car at Piazzale Roma, so we have to drop it at the airport.

Thank you again for your help and great suggestions. They are very much appreciated.

Posted by
5225 posts

Brenda,

Here is something to think about...

Why not drop off the car in Florence & take the high speed train (travel time 2 Hrs, 5 min.) to Venice?

Once you arrive to Venice ( Venezia S. Lucia station), you'll walk out of the station to a magnificent view of the
Grand Canal & the church of San Simeon Piccolo.

EDIT: You don't mention when your trip will be taking place but you can purchase discounted train tickets up to 120 days in advance.

If you will be traveling with children (under 15 years), you may also take advantage of the 'Bimbi Gratis' (children travel free) or if you travel on Saturday, you can get the 2 for 1 offer ( 2 travel for the price of 1)

Happy planning!