How to Get from Rialto Bridge to Venice Airport (and Vice Versa)

Leaving from the Rialto Bridge to reach Venice Marco Polo Airport requires a minimum of planning.

Rialto is located in the heart of the historic center, where no cars circulate and all connections necessarily go by vaporetto, water cab, or Piazzale Roma, the city’s main street terminal.

You can choose from a variety of solutions depending on your time, budget, and level of comfort you desire.

There are those who prefer the Alilaguna vaporetto, which connects the center directly to the airport via water, and those who opt for a road transfer reaching Piazzale Roma on foot or by vaporetto and then continuing by bus, cab or NCC.

If you are looking for convenience and speed, the private water cab takes you directly from the pier near Rialto to the airport terminal in less than an hour. If, on the other hand, you want to save money, you can take an ACTV vaporetto to Piazzale Roma and then theATVO direct bus or ACTV line 5, with frequent departures every day.

Whichever you choose, it is important to check up-to-date schedules and costs and book in advance, especially in high season.

How to reach Venice airport from the Rialto Bridge

If you want to spend as little as possible, the combination ACTV vaporetto to Piazzale Roma and ATVO bus is the cheapest option. If you prefer to travel without changing vehicles, the Alilaguna vaporetto will take you directly to the airport pier, although with longer travel time.

Bus from Rialto to Marco Polo Airport

If you want to get toVenice Airport quickly and cheaply, the bus is one of the most practical solutions.

No direct buses leave from Rialto, so the first step is to get to Piazzale Roma, Venice’s road terminal.

You can do this on foot (about 20 minutes) or by ACTV vaporetto line 1 or line 2, in 10 to 15 minutes.

Two main services depart from Piazzale Roma:

• ATVO AeroBus: direct express bus to the airport, with no stops in between. The trip takes about 20 minutes and buses leave every 20-30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at ticket machines, ATVO kiosks or online.
• ACTV line 5 “Aerobus”: local public transport service with some stops along the way. The average duration is 25-30 minutes. Again, rides are frequent and tickets can be bought at ACTV ticket offices or online.

Both include baggage transportation and operate daily, including holidays. Buses arrive directly in front of the airport departure terminal, so you won’t have to walk any further.

Alilaguna steamer from Rialto to Venice airport

The Alilaguna waterbus is the ideal solution if you want to reachMarco Polo Airport directly by water, without passing through Piazzale Roma.

From Rialto you can board the orange line or blue line (depending on the season and schedule) that connects the historic center to the airport terminal.

The ride takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes on average and offers a scenic journey through the canals and lagoon. The boat takes you directly to the airport pier, from where you can walk to the terminal in a few minutes.

• Frequency: departures about every 30 minutes during the day.
• Tickets: available at Alilaguna ticket offices, vending machines, participating newsstands or online.
• Approximate cost: from about €15 per person.
• Luggage: included in the price (with possible surcharges for extra or bulky packages).

This connection is popular with those who want to avoid changes of vehicle and travel more scenically. The only limitation is the duration, which can be longer than by bus or cab, especially if you have an early morning or late evening flight.

Private water cab from Rialto to Marco Polo

The private water cab is the fastest and most comfortable way to get from Rialto toVenice Marco Polo Airport. It is a boat reserved only for you and your traveling companions, which leaves directly from a pier near the Rialto Bridge and takes you to the airport pier.

The average journey time is about 45-60 minutes, depending on weather conditions and traffic in the lagoon. The big advantage is that you don’t have to change vehicles and you can travel door to door with all your luggage, without dragging it through calli and bridges.

• Reservation: required, preferably online
• Approximate price: from €110-140 per ride, varying depending on time of day and number of passengers.
• 24/7 service: also available at night, with possible surcharges.

This is an ideal choice if you have a lot of luggage, are traveling in a group, or simply want to enjoy a private, scenic transfer in the Venice lagoon.

Venice Airport NCC Service

The NCC (Noleggio con Conducente) service is a great alternative to cabs, especially if you are looking for comfort, flexibility, and a tailor-made transfer. From Rialto it is not possible to depart directly by car, so the route involves walking to Piazzale Roma or taking a vaporetto and from there boarding the booked vehicle.

NCC guarantees you aprivate car or minivan, with a driver waiting for you at the agreed time and helping you with your luggage. The trip from Piazzale Roma toMarco Polo Airport takes about 20-25 minutes, traffic permitting.

• Reservation: always recommended in advance to ensure availability and best rates.
• Approximate price: from €75 per service for 1-2 people, from €89 for groups up to 7 people.
• Luggage: included, with the possibility of transporting even bulky packages.
• Availability: operating year-round, 24 hours a day, with night surcharge (about 20 €).

This solution is perfect if you want to travel without waiting, with the convenience of a dedicated driver and the ability to arrange stops along the way.

Road cab to Marco Polo airport

The traditional road cab is a quick way to get toVenice Airport, but as with the NCC you will first have to get to Piazzale Roma, the only car access point in the historic center. From Rialto you can get there on foot (about 20 minutes) or by ACTV vaporetto.

Once at Piazzale Roma, the cab will take you directly to the airport departure terminal in about 15-20 minutes, traffic permitting.

• Approximate fare: between €45 and €50 per ride during the day, plus any baggage, night or holiday surcharges.
• 24/7 service: you can find cabs available at all times, but during peak hours and high season there may be a wait.
• Luggage: generally included, with surcharge for very bulky packages.

Cabs are a good choice if you are on a tight schedule and want to leave right away without having to meet public transportation schedules.

However, if you are traveling with several people or have already decided on a time and day, it may be more convenient to book a fixed-rate NCC.

Practical tips for transfers from Rialto to the airport

Choosing the best means of getting from Rialto to Marco Polo Airport depends primarily on how much time you have, your budget, and the level of convenience you desire.

If you want to spend as little as possible, the combination vaporetto ACTV to Piazzale Roma and bus ATVO or ACTV line 5 is the cheapest option. If you prefer to travel without a change of vehicle, the Alilaguna vaporetto will take you directly to the airport pier, albeit with longer travel times.

Those traveling with a lot of luggage or in groups will find private water cab or NCC service the most convenient, though more expensive, options.

In these cases you gain time and convenience, especially if you have an early morning or late evening flight.

It is always important to check schedules before departure, because in the off-season or at night some lines may reduce frequency.

Booking water cabs, NCCs and Alilaguna tickets inadvance is recommended during busy periods to avoid waiting or unavailability.

Don’t forget to calculate the time needed to travel from Rialto to the departure point of your chosen vehicle and also consider weather conditions, which in case of fog or rough seas can cause delays or cancellations in water connections.

Frequently asked questions about the Rialto-Venice Airport connection