Rental Car in Venice

The location of the rental cars at VCE airport depends on the agency you’re renting from. You can get a better idea at www.AutoEurope.com
I would recommend that everyone take the train 15-30 minutes to Padua and rent the car there at the train station. It will be much simpler with less traffic congestion getting out of Padua than VCE. Auto Europe brokers car rentals from Padua’s train station.

Going to the airport sounds complicated.
If the options at Piazzale Roma are too expensive, have you looked at car rental options in Mestre?

Thank you!
Can you walk easily from where the train drops off in Mestre to the car rental?

Yes, there are a couple of car rental offices at Mestre station. Depending on what your plan is, you could also save a bit of time and money but taking the train closer to where you are going and renting the car there.

I’m surprised the rental is more away from the airport
It is usually more expensive AT an airport

Which agency are you looking at?
Check AutoEurope.com

Going to the airport is a hassle
Sometimes you just have to throw a bit of money at a problem to make things work well
Transportation is one of those times

I would pick up at P Roma in Venice-it can’t be that much more

Don't rent from the airport. You'll pay a surcharge. Just go to Mestre, Padua, Treviso or any nearby city by train and rent from there.

Thank you for everyone for your help here!
One more question, what are your thoughts on renting a electric car?
Will be driving around the lakes and dolomites and then to milan.
Thank you!

Using www.AutoEurope.com suggested above, in the search engine enter VENICE ALL LOCATIONS. It should give you the best pricing between Marco Polo airport and the City (Piazzale Roma).

The charging stations up in the mountains are limited in number. The largest operator of charging stations is, by far, Enel X, and nearly all stations are 15 to 22kw, which would allow to fully charge a car in 2 to 4 hours, however that is still too long in my book, when you want to roam around. Super Charging stations which allow to recharge in 30 min are rare outside of larger cities. See the exact locations where you want to spend your time in the Dolomites or the Lakes, then using Google Maps, enter ENEL X in the search box. That will give you an idea of how many there are in the specific town(s) of your choice.

A Hybrid car can be great because the car alternates from gas to electric power and you don’t absolutely have to recharge the battery when it’s not convenient.

hey hey talyastrauss
i would pick up cxarat piazzale roma on venice, don't drop off teens to wait for you, could take couple hours. as ChristineH says, "throwing away a bit of money" is so worth it. you've spent much on this trip, make vacation less stressful, also not an electric car to worry where to charge them and the time it will take. where will you drive to after picking up car or staying on island for few days?
have you got your IDP from aaa.com/idp before leaving for trip. it's mandatory in italy. rental car desk may or may not ask but if stopped they will and if none big fine ($400-$450), read rules, laws, road signage, ZTL zones, crossing border if allowed and sticker for window. be careful with luggage left in car for safety reasons at stops.
enjoy your time with the kids, have fun. been to lake garda and totally had a great time for a wine festival with the gorgeous views of lake & mountains
aloha