Driving from Austria to Venice

It is a bit of drive. Via michelin shows 4 hours and 42 minutes to drive from Innsbruck to Venice. We drove this last September, and that is probably pretty accurate. Also, they list the cost (one way) as 61 euros- 18 for toll, 8 for road tax and the rest for gas. You do pay a toll to cross Brenner Pass, and Italy does have tolls on their autostradas. In my opinion, it would only be worth it if you can spend at least 2 nights in Venice-and three would probably be better. (That would give you 2 full days in Venice). The road themselves are good- mostly autostrada the whole way between Innsbruck and Venice. If you do drive, exit the autostrada at Mestre and park your car there. There is a large parking garage across the street from the train station, and it is a lot more economical than the parking garages in Venice. From there, you just catch a train (1 euro each way) for a 15 minutes train ride into Venice. (We figured we parked here for less than 1/2 of what the cheapest car park in Venice would have been) Just exit at one of the first 2 exits for Mestre and follow the signs to the train station.

Also, if time allows you may enjoy stoppping in Bolzano to see the "Ice Man" at the museum there.

Thanks, Connie, that helps me decide. We are staying in an apartment for three nights in Venice, so I think the four or five hour drive will be fine.

Staying in Mestre is the solution. Rooms are cheaper and parking is easier and cheaper too. It is only 10 minutes on the train and fare is reasonable.

Many visitors stay in Mestre; so be wise and consider it. Getting there is easy because the roads are fast and safe. Only downer is the tolls one must pay in Italy for the faster travel.

Traffic between Verona and Venice can be a little stressful. Think I-5 at rush hour but at 70-80 mph. If you decide to park in venice rather than mestre, there is a garage. Take a right at the first light when you reach the island. Follow that road and you'll hit the garage. It is 17 or 18 euro a day. the one in piazzia roma is 24 euro a day.

You might also want to think about leaving the car in Austria and taking the train to Venice. I believe the trip is about 5-6 hours on the train. You won't have to worry about the weather or parking at Venice.

Traffic around Mestre can at times be a nightmare just from a volume stand point and slows to a crawl from time to time.

We parked in the multi story parking garage across the street from the train station in Mestre. We paid $6.00 for a week day- $10.00 for Saturday. (This was October of 2008-checked my journal notes) Our total was $28.00. Just be aware you are charged a full day the day you check in and a full day the day you check out. We arrived Wednesday at 8 PM and left Saturday at 8 pm and were charged for 4 days. (all the garages in the area use this charge system)

It's not difficult driving but it's hardly a side-trip. From Bavaria we went to Salzburg, down through Hall in Tirol and Innsbruck then crossed the Brenner Pass into Italy. You can either go through the Dolomites or down to Verona and over. We did Verona because my kids generally voted against scenic drives.

Also, don't park in Venice. We did and it was time-consuming getting parked and retrieving our car and expensive. If you park in the main parking, there are security issues with your car.

Park on the mainland and take the train in.

We parked in the parking lot in Mestre (not the multi level one)across the street from the train station for 4,50 euro per day. Very convenient.

This is all good information. Thanks everyone.