Marco Polo Airport is the closest airport to Venice and is located on the Italian mainland in Tessera and is the fourth busiest airport in Italy. If you are flying from the
United Kingdom, there are many airlines you can use. BA goes from
Heathrow and
Gatwick, TUI goes from Gatwick and
Manchester, Jet2 goes from
Leeds Bradford and Edinburgh.
Once you have picked up your rental car at the airport, one part of Venice where having a car is a good idea is at the Lido, an outcrop of land only a short car ferry journey away from the mainland. Lido is a good place to stay as it is cheaper and less crowded than the centre of Venice. It also has some stunning beaches to which you can drive.
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the main international gateway to Venice, Italy. When driving to and from the airport, you'll primarily use the following main routes and encounter specific distances to nearby cities:
Main Routes:
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A4 Highway (Autostrada A4): The A4 highway, also known as the Serenissima, is the primary route connecting Venice Marco Polo Airport to Venice's city center. The airport is situated on the mainland, and the A4 provides a direct connection to Venice. The A4 is a well-maintained, major highway.
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State Road SS14 (Strada Statale SS14): The SS14, also known as the Via Terraglio, is an alternative road that connects the airport to the mainland and Venice. It's a scenic route that can take you from the airport to various parts of Venice, depending on your destination within the city.
Distance to Closest Cities:
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Venice: The distance from Venice Marco Polo Airport to the historic center of Venice is approximately 12 kilometers (about 7.5 miles). The drive typically takes 15-30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions and your exact destination within the city.
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Mestre: Mestre is a mainland suburb of Venice, located just across the lagoon. The distance from the airport to Mestre is approximately 10 kilometers (about 6.2 miles), and the drive takes about 15-20 minutes.
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Padua (Padova): The distance from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Padua is approximately 40 kilometers (about 25 miles), and the drive typically takes around 30-40 minutes. You can reach Padua by following the A4 highway.
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Treviso: Venice Marco Polo Airport is not far from Treviso. The distance to Treviso is about 30 kilometers (about 18.6 miles), and the drive usually takes 30-40 minutes. Treviso is accessible via the A27 highway.
Please note that Venice is a unique city with canals and limited vehicle access in the historic center. Once you arrive in Venice, you'll need to park your vehicle outside the historic area and explore the city on foot, by water taxi, or by using the vaporetto (water bus) system.
When driving to or from Venice Marco Polo Airport, it's important to be aware of traffic conditions, especially during the high tourist season. Additionally, if you're planning to explore Venice, parking facilities are available on the mainland near the Piazzale Roma, where you can leave your car and continue your journey using the city's water transport system.