From Venice Airport to Santa Lucia Station: How to Get There

If you land at Marco Polo in Venice, one of the first needs is to figure out how to get to Santa Lucia Station, the city’s main train station.

This connection is essential for those who need to take a train to other Italian destinations or for those who want to reach the heart of Venice immediately without wasting time.

From the Tessera terminal, located about 14 kilometers from the lagoon, you have several options at your disposal.

You can choose the bus, the cheapest and most frequent means of transportation, or the Alilaguna vaporetto, which takes you to your destination by navigating the canals.

If you’re looking for comfort and speed, there are private water cabs and roadside NCC services connecting the airport to Piazzale Roma, from which you can walk to the station or take a few minutes by vaporetto.

Discover all the available solutions now and buy your ticket for the airport – Santa Lucia transfer.

How to get from Venice train station to the airport (and vice versa)

Venice Airport Bus – Santa Lucia Station

Cheapest and fastest solution

The easiest and most convenient way to get fromMarco Polo Airport to Venice Santa Lucia Station is to take thebus. The main lines are operated by ATVO and ACTV, both with frequent departures directly from the Arrivals area of the terminal.

• TheATVO Express connects the airport to Piazzale Roma in about 20 minutes, with no stops in between. It is a fast option, with rides available every 20-30 minutes throughout the day. The ticket costs around €10 per person and can be purchased online, at ticket machines at the airport, or directly at ATVO outlets.
• The alternative is theACTV line 5 AeroBus, which makes multiple stops along the route and takes about 25-30 minutes to Piazzale Roma. The price is similar, around €10, with tickets also available for purchase through Venezia Unica and official apps.

From Piazzale Roma to Santa Lucia Station is a very short journey: you can walk there in less than 10 minutes, crossing the Ponte della Costituzione, or take an ACTV vaporetto if you prefer to travel by water.

Buses operate daily, with a very high frequency during peak hours. For night travel there are some dedicated runs, but with longer intervals.

Alilaguna steamer

Most striking solution

If you want to turn moving around into an experience, the Alilaguna waterbus is the ideal choice.

In fact, several lines depart fromMarco Polo Airport, allowing you to reach the center of Venice directly, sailing through the lagoon to stops near Santa Lucia Station.

The Alilaguna lines (Blue, Orange and Red depending on the route and season) connect the airport with strategic points in the city such as Ferrovia, right next to the station. Travel time varies from 50 to 70 minutes, depending on intermediate stops. The cost of the ticket is about 15 €, with reductions for those who buy round trip together.

The great advantage of the Alilaguna service is that it allows you to arrive directly at the Railway Station area, avoiding changes and walking with your luggage.

It is a bit slower and more expensive than the bus, but definitely more scenic: on the way you can admire the lagoon, islands, and buildings overlooking the water.

Private water cab

Practical and attractive solution

The water cab is the most exclusive and convenient way to move from Marco Polo Airport to Santa Lucia Station.

These are real private speedboats that wait for you directly at the airport pier and take you in about 20-25 minutes in front of the train station, with no changes or waiting.

This is the perfect service if you are arriving with a lot of luggage, traveling in a group, or landing at night when public connections are less frequent. The speedboats can take up to 10-12 people, so if you split the cost among several passengers the price becomes much cheaper.

The cost of a private transfer usually ranges between €150 and €180 per ride, but can go up in the case of overnight or special requests. Reservation is always recommended, so you will find the boat ready when you arrive without loss of time.

The biggest advantage of the water cab is the door-to-door convenience: you’ll get on directly at the airport pier and get off a short walk from the entrance to Venice Santa Lucia Station, avoiding bridges and walking.

Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the lagoon and canals from a unique perspective.

NCC and private transfers

Fastest solution to reach Santa Lucia station from the airport (and vice versa)

If you prefer to travel in total comfort without having to think about intermediate stops or connections, NCC (Noleggio con Conducente) service is a practical and flexible solution.

FromMarco Polo Airport you can book a private car or minivan that will take you directly to Piazzale Roma, the last point accessible to wheeled vehicles. From there, you can easily walk to Santa Lucia Station in less than 10 minutes.

The great advantage of the private transfer is the flexibility of the schedule: the driver will wait for you at the airport at the agreed time, also helping you with your luggage, and take you directly to your destination without detours.

The travel time is quick, about 20-25 minutes, barring traffic.

As for costs, an NCC service starts at about €75 for a car (1-2 people) and €89 for a minivan (3-7 people). At night, a surcharge may apply, generally around €20.

If you are traveling in a group or with a family, the price becomes especially affordable compared to multiple single tickets on public transportation.

The NCC is a perfect alternative to the water cab: less scenic, to be sure, but faster for those who do not want to travel by water and want worry-free door-to-door service.

Train and bus from Mestre

A good alternative for getting to Santa Lucia from Mestre

Another option to reach Venezia Santa Lucia Station from Marco Polo Airport is to combine bus and train, passing through the nearby Mestre station.

This solution can be interesting especially if you continue to other Italian cities or if you find more convenient connections with regional and high-speed trains.

ATVO Mestre Express buses (line 35B) and ACTV urban line 15 run regularly from the airport, taking you to Mestre station in about 20-25 minutes.

From there you can take a direct train to Venezia Santa Lucia, with travel times of only 10 minutes and very high frequency, even every 5-10 minutes at peak hours.

The total cost of bus + train is similar to that of a direct bus connection to Piazzale Roma(about €10-12), but it can be convenient if you already have a train ticket from Mestre or if you prefer to travel by train.

A practical aspect to consider is that arriving at Santa Lucia by train puts you directly inside the station, without having to walk or move your luggage from the terminal at Piazzale Roma.

Price and time comparison: which option to choose

Means	Duration	Cost	Point of arrival	Ideal for
ACTV/ATVO bus	20-30 min + 5 min on foot	≈ 10 €	Piazzale Roma	Those looking for the cheapest means
Alilaguna (vaporetto)	50-70 min	≈ 15 €	Near Santa Lucia	Who wants a scenic arrival
Private water cab	20-25 min	100-120 €	Directly to the station	Groups or those with lots of luggage
NCC (private car)	20-25 min	from 75 €	Piazzale Roma	Those looking for comfort and punctuality
Bus + train from Mestre	30-35 min	10-12 €	Inside Santa Lucia	Those continuing on to other cities

Choosing how to get fromMarco Polo Airport to Venice Santa Lucia Station depends a lot on how much time you have, your budget, and the type of experience you are looking for.

The cheapest way remains theACTV or ATVO bus, costing about €10 and with an average travel time of 20-30 minutes to Piazzale Roma, plus a few minutes on foot to get to the station.

If you want a scenic trip, theAlilaguna is perfect: you sail through the canals and arrive near Santa Lucia in 50-70 minutes, spending about 15 €. It’s not the fastest choice, but it’s the one that gives you the real Venetian atmosphere.

The private water cab is the fastest and most direct way via water: you arrive in about 20-25 minutes right in front of the station, but the cost is high, between 100 € and 120 €. It is especially convenient if you are traveling in a group or have a lot of luggage.

NCC by road takes you from the airport to Piazzale Roma in about 20-25 minutes, with prices from €75 for a private car. It is the right choice if you are looking for comfort, punctuality and door-to-door service.

Finally, the bus + train option from Mestre takes about 30-35 minutes in total and costs 10-12 €. It can be useful if you need to continue to other cities or prefer to arrive directly inside the station without going through Piazzale Roma.

Practical tips for traveling from the airport to Santa Lucia

Getting fromMarco Polo Airport to Venice Santa Lucia Station is easy, but a few tricks can make your trip much more comfortable.

First of all, you’ll want to buy your tickets in advance, especially during peak season. This way you avoid queues at ticket offices and secure seats on the most popular means of transportation, such as buses or the Alilaguna.

If you are arriving in Venice for the first time, remember that cars are not allowed to circulate beyond Piazzale Roma. From there to the station you will have to walk less than 10 minutes crossing the Ponte della Costituzione, or you can take an ACTV vaporetto if you prefer to move on the water.

Also consider the connection times: ATVO and ACTV buses run frequently throughout the day, while Alilaguna and water cab services operate until late in the evening, with some solutions even at night. If your flight lands very late, best to check schedules before you leave.

Another useful tip concerns luggage: if you are traveling light you can easily walk from Piazzale Roma, but with heavy suitcases it may be more convenient to consider a water cab or NCC.

Finally, always keep in mind the busiest time of day: in the early morning and late afternoon, public transportation can be crowded, so plan to arrive early if you have an important connecting flight.

Frequently asked questions about Venice Airport – Santa Lucia Station