If you land atVenice Marco Polo Airport and want to get to the city center using local public transportation, theACTV Line 5 Aerobus is the most “city” option you can choose.
It is a city bus that connects the airport to Venice Piazzale Roma in about 25-35 minutes, making several stops along the way.
It is the right choice if you need to get off at intermediate stops, such as Mestre, or if you want an inexpensive alternative that integrates you into the Venetian public transportation system right away.
The ticket costs 10€ one-way, the same price as the express shuttle, and includes carrying your carry-on or small luggage.
ACTV is also ideal for those who intend to continue with a ticket or pass valid for multiple modes: you can buy combined tickets that include city buses, streetcars, and waterbuses, so you get everything in one go right away.
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- 1 How the ACTV bus works and why to choose it
- 2 Timetables and frequency ACTV Line 5
- 3 ACTV Line 5 Prices and Tickets
- 4 Where to buy tickets for ACTV Line 5
- 5 How to find the stop at the airport
- 6 Travel time and frequency of rides
- 7 On-board services
- 8 Connections to other destinations
- 9 Useful travel tips
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – ACTV Line 5 Aerobus
How the ACTV bus works and why to choose it
TheACTV Line 5 Aerobus departs directly fromMarco Polo Airport and arrives at Venice Piazzale Roma, making strategic intermediate stops along the way.
Unlike the ATVO express shuttle, this is an urban service that serves residents, commuters and tourists, allowing passengers to hop on and off at different points along the route.
Operation is simple: once you pick up your luggage, follow the signs to Exit D of the airport and get to the bus area. ACTV to Venice usually departs from the same sector as the shuttle, but with dedicated spaces. You show your ticket to the driver or validate it in the ticket machine and take your seat.
The reasons for choosing it are clear:
- Useful intermediate stops for those who do not have to get directly to Piazzale Roma.
- Integration with the ACTV system: with a single ticket or pass you can use buses, streetcars and waterbuses.
- High frequency: departures about every 20 minutes throughout the day.
This service is especially good for those staying in areas such as Mestre or along the Ponte della Libertà, or for those who want to start using Venetian public transportation right away.
Timetables and frequency ACTV Line 5
TheACTV Line 5 Aerobus operates 7 days a week, with extensive hourly coverage designed to accommodate both morning and evening flights. The first runs leave around 4:00-5:00 am and the last shuttle leaves the airport shortly after 1:00 am.
Frequency is one of the strengths of this service: during peak hours, departures occur every 20 minutes, providing good continuity and reducing waiting times.
Due to the nature of a city bus, travel times vary between 25 and 35 minutes, depending on traffic and the number of stops made.
Rides are evenly distributed throughout the day, so that there is always an alternative in case of delay or change of schedule.
It is a service designed not only for tourists, but also for residents and commuters, which helps to keep its frequency high and constant.
ACTV: Venice Public Transportation Ticket
The easiest way to get around Venice by public transportation, including vaporettos and buses
Secure payment
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
ACTV Line 5 Prices and Tickets
The standard ticket for Line 5 Aerobus (city bus) from Marco Polo Airport to Venice costs €10 one-way, the same fare as the express service.
It includes carriage of one small piece of luggage (in the cabin), but does not offer services such as Wi-Fi or dedicated luggage compartment.
If you are also planning to use public transportation within Venice (vaporettos, city buses, etc.), you might consider the ACTV Vaporetto Pass available online.
This is a card that allows you unlimited travel on ACTV vaporettos and buses for periods ranging from 75 minutes up to 7 days.
The passes, useful for unrestricted sightseeing, must be activated upon first validation and give you access to the entire urban network, including Lido, lagoon islands, Mestre and Marghera
Where to buy tickets for ACTV Line 5
You can buy yourACTV Linea 5 Aerobus ticket in several ways, either before departure or directly at the airport.
If you prefer to arrive prepared, you can buy it online, where you can also find combined options with the Vaporetto Pass to move freely on vaporettos, buses and streetcars for several consecutive days.
At the airport you have automatic ticket machines located near belts 3 and 5 in the baggage claim hall and outside in the bus departure area.
You can also buy it at the “Public Transport” ticket counter in the arrivals hall, where you will find staff ready to give information.
In the city, ACTV tickets are sold at official ticket offices, newsstands, tobacconists and vending machines at major bus and waterbus stops.
It is also possible to buy the ticket on board the bus, but only if it is provided and with a small surcharge, so it pays to get it in advance.
ACTV: Venice Public Transportation Ticket
The easiest way to get around Venice by public transportation, including vaporettos and buses
Secure payment
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
How to find the stop at the airport
After collecting your luggage atVenice Marco Polo Airport, follow the signs with the bus icon to Exit D.
Once outside, you will find yourself in the area dedicated to bus departures, with numbered lanes and bus shelters. Aerobus Line 5 leaves from the same area used by the main connections to Venice and Mestre, so it is easy to spot.
For Venice Piazzale Roma, the stop is in the second lane on the left, clearly indicated by information panels. The bus can be recognized by the ACTV livery and the clearly visible line number on the front display.
Near the stop are ticket vending machines and, at peak times, ground staff ready to give information.
If you have already purchased your ticket, remember to validate it in the on-board machines immediately after boarding.
Travel time and frequency of rides
Line 5 Aerobus takes an average of 25-35 minutes to connectMarco Polo Airport to Venice Piazzale Roma.
The difference in time from the express shuttle is due to the intermediate stops along the route, which serve residents, commuters, and tourists heading to Mestre and other areas along the Ponte della Libertà.
The service runs 7 days a week, with first departures around 4:30-5:00 a.m. and rides until shortly after 1 a.m. During peak hours, buses depart about every 20 minutes, providing a steady flow of connections and good flexibility for those traveling without reservations.
The regular frequency and ample service hours also make Line 5 a good choice for flights at particular times, evening arrivals, or very early morning departures.
On-board services
Line 5 Aerobus is a city bus service, so the equipment is designed for city public transportation rather than long airport routes.
On board you find standard seats and air conditioning, but there is no Wi-Fi. Luggage travels with you in the passenger area: there is no dedicated luggage compartment, so large suitcases can take up space and make the ride less comfortable at busy times.
The advantage of being an urban ride is that Line 5 is accessible to everyone, with wheelchair platforms and reserved spaces. It can also accommodate strollers and carry-on luggage with no problem, as long as they do not get in the way.
Travel is generally simple and functional: no frills, but a seamless connection that gets you downtown by spending the same amount as the express shuttle, with the option of taking advantage of the ACTV network to continue by vaporetto or streetcar.
Connections to other destinations
In addition to the direct connection to Venice Piazzale Roma, Line 5 Aerobus also serves several useful stops for those who do not have to go directly to the center.
One of the main ones is Mestre, a rail and road junction that makes it easy to continue to other cities in Veneto and Italy.
Thanks to integration with the ACTV network, the same ticket (or a daily/multi-day pass) can be used to continue travel on city buses , streetcars and waterbuses.
This is especially convenient if you are staying in Mestre, Marghera, or other parts of the mainland, or if your hotel is located at a vaporetto stop accessible from Piazzale Roma.
Although Line 5 does not offer direct connections to tourist resorts such as Jesolo or Cortina, it can be the first leg of a longer route: for example, you can use it to reach Mestre station and from there take a train or other bus to your final destination.
Useful travel tips
If you choose the Line 5 Aerobus, the first tip is to buy your ticket in advance from ticket machines at the airport or online, so you avoid having to do it on board and don’t pay the surcharge.
Remember that because it is an urban ride, the ticket must be validated immediately upon boarding at the ticket machines provided.
Take only essential luggage with you to the passenger area: large suitcases are allowed, but there is no dedicated compartment and at busy times they can make the trip less comfortable.
Consider that the journey takes 25-35 minutes and can get longer during rush hours, especially in the morning and late afternoon. If you have connections with trains or waterbuses, always leave extra time.
One advantage of the service is its integration with the entire ACTV network: if you plan to move by vaporetto or streetcar, consider buying a Vaporetto Pass to get unlimited travel in the city and islands, saving on individual tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – ACTV Line 5 Aerobus
No, reservations are not required. Line 5 is an urban service with frequent rides and plenty of seats available throughout the day. However, if you want to avoid waiting at the airport or make sure you already have a combined ticket with vaporettos and other means of transportation, buying it in advance is a convenient choice. You can do this online, at ticket machines or at ACTV ticket offices. During peak tourist season, having your ticket ready allows you to board right away.
Yes. The ACTV ticket is not tied to a specific time, but to a single ride. Once purchased, you can use it at any time during the day it is valid, as long as you validate it as soon as you board the bus. This means that if your flight is delayed or you decide to stay at the airport longer, you can take the next ride without having to change anything.
Yes, but it is less restrictive than dedicated services such as the express shuttle. You can carry hand luggage or medium-sized suitcases, which travel in the passenger area. There is no outside luggage compartment, so comfort also depends on how crowded the vehicle is. During the busiest times, you’ll want to place your luggage in areas that don’t get in the way of passage or the up/down doors.
Yes, children up to 4 years old travel free of charge as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. It is not necessary to purchase a ticket for them. If you travel with a stroller, you can only keep it open if it does not obstruct the passage of other passengers, otherwise the driver may ask you to close it during the ride.
No, Wi-Fi is not available on the Line 5 city buses. This is a service designed for city travel, so it has simpler equipment. However, the bus is air-conditioned and has standard seating, still offering a comfortable ride for the short length of the route.
Line 5 is a city bus: it makes several stops along the way, has no dedicated trunk or Wi-Fi, and takes 25-35 minutes to get to Piazzale Roma. It is ideal for those who have to get off at intermediate stops or want to use an integrated ticket with the ACTV network. The express shuttle (operated by ATVO), on the other hand, is a direct service: modern vehicles, free Wi-Fi, dedicated trunk, and travel time of about 20 minutes without intermediate stops.
ACTV: Venice Public Transportation Ticket
The easiest way to get around Venice by public transportation, including vaporettos and buses
Secure payment
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
