Venice Marco Polo Airport transfer
This page covers private road transfers from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) to Venice itself, the cities of the Veneto, Lake Garda and the Croatian coast of Istria. Drives range from under half an hour to Piazzale Roma to almost four hours to Pula.
- Airport code
- VCE
- City
- Venice
- Route guides
- 2
HotelTaxi books each ride with a local transfer company that works at VCE. You reserve online or on WhatsApp, see the total price before you confirm, and a driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign.
Transfers from this airport
Where is Venice Airport, and what does a car transfer reach?
Marco Polo Airport lies on the mainland at Tessera, on the northern edge of the Venetian Lagoon. The historic centre of Venice is on islands across the water, and the only road into it is the Ponte della Libertà, the long causeway that ends at Piazzale Roma.
This is the most important fact to know before you land: no car, taxi or minivan can go further than Piazzale Roma. Hotels in San Marco, Cannaregio, Dorsoduro or Castello are reached from there by vaporetto (the public water bus), by water taxi or on foot. A road transfer is still the simplest option if you have a lot of luggage, need a fixed meeting point, or are staying on the mainland or travelling onward to another region.
From VCE the motorways lead west towards Padua, Vicenza, Verona and Lake Garda, and east towards Trieste, Slovenia and the Istrian peninsula of Croatia.
Typical drive times from VCE
- Venice (Piazzale Roma)
- 15 km, around 22–28 minutes over the lagoon causeway. End of the road for cars; continue by boat or on foot.
- Padua
- 51 km, around 42–53 minutes. University city with the Scrovegni Chapel and the Basilica of Saint Anthony.
- Lake Garda (Garda town)
- 157 km, around 1 hour 40 minutes to just over 2 hours, past Padua, Vicenza and Verona to the eastern shore.
- Poreč, Croatia
- 235 km, around 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 20 minutes via Trieste and a short Slovenian section.
- Pula, Croatia
- 272 km, around 3 to almost 4 hours, to the southern tip of Istria.
Meeting your driver at arrivals
Add your flight number to the booking. The local company follows the arrival time, so an early landing or a delay does not leave you without a car, and the agreed price stays the same.
Your driver waits in the arrivals area with a sign showing your name. The exact meeting spot and a contact number are shared with you by phone or WhatsApp before you land. Passengers arriving from outside the Schengen area, for example from the UK or the USA, pass passport control first, which can take longer at busy times.
Choosing a vehicle
- Private car
- Up to three passengers with normal suitcases. Suits couples heading to Piazzale Roma or Padua.
- Minivan
- Up to about seven people, or fewer with bulky luggage. The usual choice for families going to Lake Garda or Istria.
- Larger vehicles
- Groups, wedding parties and tour groups can request a larger vehicle when booking.
- Child seats and equipment
- Request child seats when you book. Declare bicycles, golf bags or diving gear so that a vehicle with enough room is sent.
Seasons and busy periods
The main travel season runs from April to October. Carnival in February brings large crowds to Venice, and the area around Piazzale Roma can be very busy on those days.
In autumn and winter, Venice can see acqua alta, the high tides that flood low-lying parts of the city for a few hours. It rarely affects the drive, but it can slow the walk or boat ride from Piazzale Roma to your hotel. In July and August, motorway traffic towards Lake Garda and Croatia is heavier, especially on Saturdays.
Frequently asked questions
Can a car take me to my hotel in Venice?
Only if your hotel is on the mainland, for example in Mestre, or at Piazzale Roma itself. The historic centre has no roads, so every car stops at Piazzale Roma. From there you continue by vaporetto, water taxi or on foot.
How long is the transfer from Venice Airport to Padua?
The 51 km drive usually takes 42–53 minutes on the motorway. Allow more time at weekday rush hour around Mestre.
Can I travel from Venice Airport to Croatia by private transfer?
Yes. Routes to Poreč and Pula run via Trieste and a short stretch of Slovenia into Istria. Italy, Slovenia and Croatia are all in the Schengen area, but you still need to carry a passport or ID card.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Share your flight number when booking. The local company follows your arrival, and the price agreed before booking does not change because of a delay.
Is Venice Airport a good choice for Lake Garda?
It works well if you fly into Venice anyway or want to combine the trip with a stay in Venice. The drive to Garda town is 157 km and takes around 1 hour 40 minutes to just over 2 hours.