Car Hire in Venice - Getting to Venice

It is possible to fly directly to Venice from many European destinations, as well as a few transatlantic cities. Most visitors arrive at Marco Polo airport, 12km from Venice, while a few charter flights land at Treviso's tiny airport, about 35km north of Venice. Shuttles run regularly to Mestre, the small mainland town that services Venice.

Direct trains terminate at Venice's Stazione di Santa Lucia, and it’s possible to arrive directly from Padua, Verona, Milan, Bologna, Switzerland and France. From the east, most trains originate from Trieste, making access easy from Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary and beyond. The legendary Orient Express runs between Venice and London via Verona, Zurich and Paris twice weekly from March to November.

Buses are also numerous and arrive from all main centres within Italy, as well as European cities as far a field as London (though the 20 hour journey can be arduous!) Buses terminate at the Piazzale Roma. From here vaporetti (water buses) spirit everyone away.

Italy’s road network is extensive, safe and organized. The A4 is the quickest way to reach Venice via Milan or Trieste, terminating in Mestre. Once over the Ponte della Libertà from Mestre, cars must be left at one of the huge, hideously expensive car parks in Piazzale Roma or on the island of Tronchetto.