If you land at Marco Polo in Venice and want to get to the city center, the bus is often the easiest and most convenient solution. Bus connections take you directly to Piazzale Roma, the access point to historic Venice, without stress and with a fixed price.
Compared to other options such as cabs, private cars, or water transportation, the bus offers low cost, frequent schedules, and predictable travel time.
The beauty of the bus? You leave right away, without having to wait for connections, and you leave behind the traffic of entering Venice comfortably seated, with your luggage secure.
FromVenice Marco Polo Airport to the city center you can choose mainly between two options: ATVO and ACTV. Both take you to Piazzale Roma, but with important differences on timing, comfort and services.
ATVO – Airport Bus Express
- This is a direct express service: it leaves from the airport and arrives at Piazzale Roma without intermediate stops.
- Average duration: about 20 minutes.
- Services included: free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, large dedicated luggage compartment.
- Ticket: €10 one way, €18 round trip (luggage included).
- Ideal if you want to arrive quickly and without stress.
ACTV – Line 5 Aerobus
- This is an urban service: it makes several stops along the way.
- Average duration: 25-35 minutes.
- Services included: luggage transport in the cabin, but no Wi-Fi and smaller spaces.
- Ticket: 10 € one way, same price as ATVO.
- Good choice if you’ re not in a hurry or need an intermediate stop before Piazzale Roma.
In summary: With ATVO you travel on a modern bus, with free and unlimited Wi-Fi, and you arrive much faster. ACTV, on the other hand, is a more flexible urban service, suitable if you are not in a hurry and prefer a solution that makes more stops along the way.
The cheapest
Marco Polo Airport: Shuttle Bus to Venice Center
The cheapest and fastest transfer from Marco Polo Airport to Venice.
Secure payment
Immediate confirmation
Mobile ticket
Quick comparison of buses at the Venice Aeoport
ATVO Express vs ACTV Line 5
| Feature | ATVO Express | ACTV Line 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type of service | Express airport shuttle | City bus |
| Average duration | 20 minutes | 25-35 minutes |
| Intermediate stops | No | Yes |
| Frequency | Every 30 min | Every 20 min |
| Wi-Fi on board | Yes, free and unlimited | No |
| Dedicated luggage compartment | Yes | No (luggage in cabin) |
| One-way price | 10 € | 10 € |
| Price one way | 18 € | Not available (2 single tickets) |
| Main destination | Piazzale Roma | Piazzale Roma + intermediate stops |
| When to choose | If you want to arrive quickly and with more comfort | If you need an intermediate stop or an ACTV integrated ticket |
Venice Airport – Piazzale Roma bus schedule
Buses fromMarco Polo Airport to Piazzale Roma leave from the early morning hours and guarantee rides until late at night.
ACTV Line 5 Timetable
ACTV Line 5 connects Venice with Marco Polo Airport, passing through S. Giuliano, Orlanda, Sabbadino, Passo Campalto and Tessera.
- Weekdays: first runs from Venice at 04:35, with frequency about every 15 minutes during peak hours, and last departures around 00:40; from the airport the first run is at 04:08 and the last around 01:10.
- Holidays: slightly reduced service, with first runs from Venice at 05:40 and from the airport at 04:08, and last runs similar to weekdays (until about 01:10).
Please note: Since schedules may change we recommend you check them when booking. Also you can download the full timetable here.
ATVO Express Timetable
The shuttle connects Marco Polo Airport to Venice Piazzale Roma starting in the early morning hours, continuing service until late in the evening.
Departures are frequent and well spread throughout the day, with an average frequency of 30 minutes during the busiest times.
The journey takes about 20 minutes and runs on a direct route with no intermediate stops, ensuring stable travel times even when there is traffic.
The service operates 7 days a week, with schedules designed to cover most incoming and outgoing flights.
Where to buy tickets
Buying a bus ticket fromMarco Polo Airport to Piazzale Roma is easy and you can do it in several ways.
If you prefer to arrive prepared, you can buy your ticket online-that way, once you land, you can go directly to the stop without going through the ticket office.
There are multiple outlets at the airport. Immediately after the baggage claim area you will find ATVO ticket offices and ticket machines near tapes 3 and 5. In the arrivals hall is the main ticket counter open until late in the evening, as well as other ATVO counters and outside vending machines in the bus departure area. You can also buy directly from the ATVO staff present in the lane.
In Venice, the reference point is the ATVO ticket office in Piazzale Roma, next to the Carabinieri. Here there are also vending machines and authorized retailers such as newsstands and tobacconists. In Mestre, on the other hand, you can buy tickets at the ticket office in Via Cappuccina, outside ticket machines or at authorized retailers near the train station.
For ACTV lines, tickets can be found at “Public Transport” ticket offices in the arrivals hall, at ticket machines at the airport and at many urban stops, or you can buy them directly on board (when provided).
How to find the bus stop at the airport
Once you have landed at Venice Marco Polo and collected your luggage, getting to the bus stop is very easy.
From the main exit of the arrivals hall, follow the signs with the bus icon to Exit D.
Just outside, you will find a dedicated bus departure area with numbered lanes.
For the ATVO Express service and the urban ACTV 5 Aerobus line, the location is always the same:
- Sidewalk 3 for buses heading to Venice Piazzale Roma.
- Sidewalk 4 for buses heading to Mestre.
The area is well signposted and has covered bus shelters.
There are ticket vending machines near the stops and ATVO staff ready to give assistance.
If you purchased your ticket online, you can go directly to the platform and show the QR code on your smartphone to the driver, without going through the ticket office.
Travel time and frequency of rides
The travel time from Venice Marco Polo to Piazzale Roma varies depending on the type of service you choose and traffic conditions.
With the ATVO express service, the journey takes an average of 20 minutes, due to the direct route without intermediate stops. The frequency is about one run every 30 minutes throughout the day, with first departures at dawn and last departures late at night.
The urban ACTV 5 Aerobus line, on the other hand, makes several stops along the way. The average journey time is 25-35 minutes and the frequency is higher, with a run every 20 minutes or so. This option is ideal if you need an intermediate stop or if you travel during high urban frequency times.
Both services provide regular connections 7 days a week, covering the arrival and departure times of most flights.
On-board services
Traveling by bus fromMarco Polo Airport to Venice is convenient, but onboard amenities vary greatly depending on the service you choose.
On ATVO Express buses you travel in modern, air-conditioned vehicles designed for airport routes. There is free and unlimited Wi-Fi, comfortable seats, ample legroom, and a dedicated under-floor luggage compartment where you can store even large suitcases. Luggage is included in the price and staff are available to help you during loading.
ACTV Line 5 Aerobuses are city buses. They offer standard seats, air conditioning, and smaller interior spaces. Luggage travels with you in the passenger area and there is no Wi-Fi on board. They are a practical choice if you need an intermediate stop or just want a direct city public transportation service downtown.
Both services are accessible to passengers with reduced mobility, with dedicated platforms and spaces for wheelchairs.
The cheapest
Marco Polo Airport: Shuttle Bus to Venice Center
The cheapest and fastest transfer from Marco Polo Airport to Venice.
Secure payment
Immediate confirmation
Mobile ticket
Connections to other destinations
Venice Marco Polo Airport is not only connected to the city center. With buses departing from the arrivals area you can easily reach other locations in the Veneto region, tourist destinations and even international destinations.
In addition to the express connection to Venice Piazzale Roma and Mestre, ATVO offers direct services to major seaside resorts such as Jesolo, Cavallino-Treporti, Eraclea Mare, Caorle, Bibione, and Lignano Sabbiadoro, which are ideal in summer for those seeking the sea.
If you love the mountains, you can take advantage of connections to Cortina d’Ampezzo, available year-round, and in winter the Fly Ski Shuttle service, which takes you to ski resorts in Val di Fassa, Val di Fiemme and San Martino di Castrozza.
The airport is also connected to cities such as Treviso, Padua, Abano Terme and Montegrotto Terme. For shopping, there is direct service to the Noventa di Piave Designer Outlet. There is no shortage of international options either: the Nomago airline runs up to five trips a day to Ljubljana in Slovenia.
Useful travel tips
Taking the bus fromMarco Polo Airport to Venice is easy, but with a few tricks you can make the trip even smoother.
If you want to save time, buy your ticket online-the price is the same as at the ticket office, but you can go directly to the stop without standing in lines. Bring the QR code on your smartphone ready to show the driver.
Consider that traffic can affect travel times, especially during the morning (7:00-9:00 am) and afternoon (5:00-7:00 pm) rush hours. If you have a train or vaporetto to catch, always leave a safety margin.
If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, the ATVO service is more convenient because of the dedicated luggage compartment. For those who have to make intermediate stops before Piazzale Roma, ACTV is the best choice.
In the summer months and during busy tourist periods, rides can fill up quickly: in these cases, advance booking is recommended, especially if you are traveling in a group.
Remember that from Piazzale Roma you can either walk to your destination or take an ACTV vaporetto, buying a single ticket or a day pass.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Reservations are not required because both ATVO and ACTV have frequent rides and good seat availability throughout the day. However, during peak season, during important events, or if you are traveling in a group, booking is a wise choice. Buying online allows you to avoid queues at the ticket office, board directly and, in the case of ATVO, use your ticket at any time of the day you choose. In addition, having the ticket already in hand reduces the risk of delays, especially if you have connections with trains or waterbuses.
With ATVO, yes: If you have a ticket for a particular date, you can use it for any ride on that same day, without penalty or change. This is an important advantage if your flight is delayed or changed. With ACTV, on the other hand, the ticket is valid for only one ride and must be validated at boarding: once stamped, it is valid only for that trip and cannot be reused. This difference makes ATVO more flexible for air travelers.
ATVO includes in the price a large luggage up to 85x45x25 cm and a hand luggage, with dedicated space in the underbody compartment. This means you travel comfortably, with no clutter inside the bus, and your luggage is safely guarded. ACTV has no external luggage compartment: all luggage, even large ones, travels with you in the cabin. At busy times this can reduce your space and make the ride less comfortable, especially if the bus is crowded.
No, children under the age of 4 travel free with both ATVO and ACTV. However, they must be accompanied by an adult holding a valid ticket. Strollers are allowed to travel on both services: on ATVO they must be folded up and stored in the trunk, while on ACTV they can remain open only if they do not get in the way. This makes both services also suitable for families with small children.
Only ATVO offers free, unlimited Wi-Fi throughout your trip, with no need for complex registration. It is a useful service for checking email, texting, or planning your itinerary as you travel to Venice. ACTV, on the other hand, being an urban service, does not have Wi-Fi on board and has more basic equipment, limiting itself to providing air conditioning and standard seating. The presence of Wi-Fi on ATVO is a plus that can make all the difference if you are traveling for business or want to stay connected.
With ATVO yes, and at no extra charge: you can pay directly to the driver in cash or, in many cases, by card. With ACTV it is possible only if provided for in the regulations, and often with a small surcharge; in addition, payment methods may be limited, so it pays to get your ticket in advance. In either case, buying in advance remains the most convenient choice, especially if you want to avoid unexpected snags at peak times or when the vehicles are very crowded.
Both ATVO and ACTV cover a very wide time frame, from early in the morning until late at night, to ensure rides coincide with most arriving and departing flights. If you travel with ATVO, the flexibility of the ticket allows you to catch a later ride without any problems. With ACTV, on the other hand, you will have to buy a new ticket if the previous one has already been validated. In either case, if you land very late or leave very early, it is advisable to check the official schedules in advance to avoid long waits.
The cheapest
Marco Polo Airport: Shuttle Bus to Venice Center
The cheapest and fastest transfer from Marco Polo Airport to Venice.
Secure payment
Immediate confirmation
Mobile ticket
