How to get Venice Cruise Port

Transferring to Venice Cruise Port is complicated. There is a massive traffic control in getting into central Venice. Venice is the preserved city of the Middle Age. Buses and taxies are not able to get into the city.

The easiest way for transfers is to pay for the shuttle at the airport. The problem, however, is that the cruise lines’ grand transfer service is too expensive. Your fellow thousands of cruisers are also thinking of the same. As we have experienced, there are always massive queues. The time is also not dependable.

You are planning to sail the Mediterranean from Venice.

If so, you are in the right place. It’s a great idea to stay in Venice for a few days before you sail for the Mediterranean cruise.

We got on our ship at Civitavecchia, Italy, for Mediterranian Cruises. Our ship docked at Venice. It is so easy to get around and come back to the ship in Venice.

We also saw many people who are carrying the heavy luggage on the stone-paved narrow paths, up and down the bridges, in the middle of the crowded Venice. Many cruisers are also making a massive queue in front of the shuttle. This is something you should not experience on a vacation.

How can you make the transfer to Venice Cruise Port better?

Here is the deal.

In this article, you will find ways to travel to Venice Cruise Port on your own by using public transportation.

Venice is one of the most visited cities in the world. Visiting Venice is extremely costly. It is important for you to do some research on transportation in advance. Cruise cheaply by using public transportation.

Plan ahead and organise your trip by reference to a port guide on Venice. Maximise your Mediterranean cruise vacation and set sail from Venice Cruise Port!

Venice Cruise Port (Venezia Terminal Passeggeri)

Venice is known as the Queen of the Adriatic. The Venetian Lagoon has been registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Venice is one of the most visited cities in the world.

Venice is also known as one of the major cruise port in Europe. The Port of Venice is one of the largest cruise departure port for the Mediterranean cruises.

Cruise itineraries from Venice Cruise Port are varied:

• Eastern Mediterranean cruise itineraries sail the Adriatic Sea. Cruise ships dock at Dubrovnik, Croatia, Kotor, Montenegro, and Greek Islands.
• Western Mediterranean sails to Barcelona through Naples, Rome and Marseilles.
• Italy only cruise is also one of the most popular itineraries in the Mediterranean cruises.

Find out more information on the best Mediterranean cruise.

Venice is the world’s only pedestrian city. Wheeled objects will not move forward of its own. If you have a suitcase, it will be very stressful to carry all the way up and down on the stoned pedestrian.

Venice has more than 400 bridges. It is hot and humid in Summer. Tourist crowds prevent you from going ahead at times.

Motor vehicles, taxies and buses are highly controlled. You cannot get into the Venetian Lagoon by them. All transportation involves either walking or boats.

That’s why this article is written to help you make a vacation easy and comfortable. It is very important for you to plan your transfers in Venice before you leave home.

Keep reading!

Hotels Near Venice Cruise Port

If you set sail from Venice, the very first thing you need to consider is the location of your hotel.

Why is that?

As I mentioned, motor vehicles are controlled in Venice. This is why there are two things to prepare in advance:

• Planning a transfer from the airport to your hotel
• Planning a transfer to the cruise departure port from your hotel

If you make a hotel booking without a thought, your trip will be stressful.

In this way, you will make travelling to the Port of Venice very easy and smooth.

Three things should be noted in a hotel booking:

• In Venice, it is very important for you to book a hotel in the right place. If you ignore it, you have to literary carry your heavy suitcases to the hotel. Wheels are not working because all the ways are stoned pedestrian. Find the best hotels in Venice near the cruise port.
• It is also important for you to book accommodation as soon as you decided on the date you have a holiday. The hotels in Venice is priced the highest in Italy.
• The most convenient place to stay in is the Piazzale Rome area.

Venice Cruise Terminals

Where do cruise ships dock in Venice, Italy? Find out where your departure terminal is located. Venice Cruise Port (Venezia Terminal Passeggeri) is located in the southwest of the Venetian Lagoon (source).

Venice Cruise Ship Port has 3 main quays:

1. Stazione Marittima

The largest terminal in Venice at the Port of Venice, most cruise ships dock at Stazione Marittima Port of Venice. Marittima has 6 cruise terminals. Megaships and large fleets of cruise lines dock at Marittima. Can you imagine how large Marittima quay is!? Costa, MSC, Princess, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Holland America use the main Marittima terminal.

2. San Basilio

San Basilio is located at the corner in the Giudecca Canal. Smaller ships dock.

3. Santa Marta

Santa Marta is located next to San Basilio and at the corner in the Giudecca Canal. Smaller ships dock.

Map of Venice Cruise Port

Venice Cruise Terminal Schedule

You can find out Venice Cruise Port Schedule at Venezia Terminal Passeggeri. The link will show you dates and times the cruise ships arrival at Venice Cruise Terminals.

Tips for Venice Cruise Port Transfers

ATVO Airport Bus

The cheapest way from Marco Polo Airport to Venice is by bus. Find out ATVO airport ‘Blue’ bus. It is an express shuttle from Marco Polo airport to Venice city centre.

Water Bus (vaporetto)

Alilaguna is a company, providing a public water bus (vaporetto) service from the airport. Alilaguna docks at Venice, Murano, Burano and Lido. Venice airport transfer with the water bus is easy and convenient.

Please do not forget to put your water bus tickets onto a machine to validate before you get into a water bus. There is an electric code implemented on the ticket. You need to scan it over a machine. When an officer find if you didn’t. It is not only embarrassing, but you have to pay a heavy fine.

Water Taxi

Water taxes are the fastest and a stress-free, most comfortable way to transfer from Venice airport. The problem is it is costly. There seems to be an unlicensed water taxi or water boat services. It is recommended to check your vehicle with the registered company list and so that you can avoid any possible problem. You can find the list from Venice Airport Official Website (source).

Land Taxi

Taxi in Venice can be the most expensive in Italy. An additional surcharge could be added dependent on the national holidays and at the weekend. The last place you can go with the land taxi is Piazzale Rome.

1. Venice Cruise Port to/from Venice Marco Polo Airport

Travelling from the airport to the Port of Venice can be by either land bus or taxi.

A water taxi is also available. It is fast and comfortable but very expensive (about 100 EUR plus for even short journeys). Avoid the water taxi unless it is urgent for missing your cruise ship. 

How to travel to Marittima from the airport

a) ATVO Airport Bus

The cheapest and fastest way to go to Marittima from the airport is by ATVO bus. It is an express shuttle from Marco Polo airport. You can put your suitcase on the bus.

ATVO bus

Single ticket: 8 EUR (Return 15 EUR)
Travel time: 20 minutes
Operation: every 30 minutes at day time and every 1 or 2 hours at night, from early morning to midnight
Route: Venice Airport to Piazzale Roma.
*ATVO Airport bus timetables & ticketing

There are Blue and Orange coloured buses. What you need to catch is the BLUE bus. The orange bus is going to Venice but is not an Airport shuttle bus and hence you cannot put your suitcase into the bus.

Get off at Piazzale Roma bus stop. Then find out a cable car called ‘PEOPLE MOVER‘. You can easily find the sign at the Piazzale Rome. Get off the cable car and walk along with the sign to the terminal. Cruise staffs will take care of you along the way.

PEOPLE MOVER

Travel Time: 3 minutes
Single Ticket: 1 EUR
Operation: every less than 10 minutes

Or you can get a taxi for a few minute rides at Piazzale Rome or 20 minutes walk to the Marittima terminal.

b) Land Taxi

Taxi fares in Venice are the most expensive in Italy. If you are travelling unusual times or need to carry extra luggage, a taxi is the best.

Make sure your hotel’s location. Motor vehicles are highly controlled in Venice and cannot get into the city. The last place the taxi can go to Venice is Piazzale Rome.

Travel time: to Marittima is a 15- or 20-minute
Fare: about 30-40 EUR

How to travel to San Basilio and Santa Marta from the airport

a) Venice Airport Water Bus

Alilaguna

Alilaguna is the Venice airport water bus. The cost is slightly expensive in comparison to ATVO bus service. But then it is stylish and exciting to arrive in Venice by water. It takes time to arrive but you do not need to make a transfer but can directly go to the terminals.

Alilaguna

Single ticket: 15 EUR included one large luggage, one extra luggage costs 3 EUR (Return 27 EUR)
You can make a small amount of discount at Alilaguna water bus.

Operation: every 30 minutes, from early morning to midnight, everyday operation is from April to October.

Travel time: 60-80 minutes, Alilaguna Timetable
Note: operation time changes depends on seasons. Please check out when you actually visit there.

Routes:
Take either Blue route and get off at Zattere. Then walk to either the terminal for 10 minutes.
Blue (Murano >> Lido >> San Marco>>Zattere)

Alilaguna has several water boat routes. Find out the map:
Alilaguna Water Bus (Vaporetto) Routes from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) (Route Map)

b) ATVO Airport Bus and ACTV Water Bus

You can get on the ATVO bus and arrive at Piazzale Rome. Take ACTV water bus No. 61 or 62 and get off at San Basilio. Find out the routes map.

ATVO bus

Single ticket: 8 EUR (Return 15 EUR)
Travel time: 20 minutes
Operation: every 30 minutes at day time and every 1 or 2 hours at night, from early morning to midnight
Route: Venice Airport to Piazzale Roma.
*ATVO Airport bus timetables & ticketing (here)

ACTV Water Bus

Travel Time: 20 minutes
Single Ticket: 7.5 EUR (find more details on the ticket price)

While Alilaguna connects between the airport and the Venetian Lagoon, ACTV Water Bus is running more inside Venice.

c) Water Taxi (Motoscafo)

Venice airport private water taxi can be costly, but you do not need to carry your luggage all the way from the airport.

The water taxi fare can be from 100 EUR to 160 EUR (4 people with luggage) from Marco Polo Airport to Venice City Centre or to the Cruise Port Terminal. Every additional passenger costs 10-20 EUR up to max 10 people.
Travel time: about 30 minutes

2. Venice Cruise Port to/from Piazzale Roma

The Piazzale Roma is the major transportation hub in Venice.

• Santa Lucia Station is located next to the Rome Piazzale.
• PEOPLE MOVER, a cable car, goes to the terminal.
• The Piazzale is the home of ATVO bus.
• ACTV water bus carries the passengers within the Venetian Lagoon.

Staying at a hotel near the Piazzale Rome is the best convenient for both the airport and cruise port transfers. It is the last place any motor vehicles can get in before the central city. You can also go to central Venice within 20 minutes by walk.

Map of Venice Cruise Port and Vaporetto stops

How to travel to Marittima from Piazzale Rome

a) PEOPLE MOVER

You can easily find ‘PEOPLE MOVER‘ sign at Piazzale Roma. Take the cable car for 3 minutes and get off at Marittima. Walk along with the sign to the terminal. Cruise staffs will take care of you along the way.

PEOPLE MOVER

Travel Time: 3 minutes
Single Ticket: 1 EUR
Operation: every less than 10 minutes

Or you can get a taxi for a few minute rides at Piazzale Rome or 20 minutes walk to the Marittima terminal.

How to travel to San Basilio or Santa Marta from Piazzale Rome

a) ACTV Water Bus

You can take vaporetto lines 61 or 62 from Piazzale Roma and get off at San Basilio. Find the routes map.

ACTV Water Bus

Travel Time: 20 minutes
Single Ticket: 7.5 EUR (find more details on the ticket price)

While Alilaguna connects between the airport and the Venetian Lagoon, ACTV is running more inside Venice canal.

3. Venice Cruise Port to/from San Marco

Venice is one of the most precious cities in the world. You may be interested in staying at the heart of Venice. San Marco is the most central and adored district in the Venetian Lagoon. The hi-end restaurants, shops and hotels are all lineup. It is the most vibrant and lively place in Venice.

How to travel to Marittima from San Marco

a) Alilaguna Water Bus

Alilaguna operates a boat service between the Piazza San Marco and Marittima.

Alilaguna

Single ticket: 7.5 EUR included one large luggage, one extra luggage costs 3 EUR
You can make a small amount of discount at Alilaguna water bus.

Operation: every 30 minutes, from early morning to midnight, everyday operation is from April to October.

Travel time: 20 minutes, Alilaguna timetable
Note: operation time changes depends on seasons. Please check out when you actually visit there.

Routes:
Take either Blue route and get off at Marittima. Then walk to the terminal.
Blue
Red

Alilaguna has several water boat routes. Find out the map:
Alilaguna Water Bus (Vaporetto) Routes from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) (Route Map)

In a case, if there is a massive queue for Alilaguna Blue route, you can take a vaporetto (No 1 or 2 line) to the Piazzale Roma. Then take PEOPLE MOVER from the Piazzale. Once you arrive, walk to the terminal for 5 minutes.

PEOPLE MOVER

Travel Time: 3 minutes
Single Ticket: 1 EUR
Operation: every less than 10 minutes

How to travel to San Basilio and Santa Marta from San Marco

You can travel to San Basilio and Santa Marta from From the Piazza San Marco by Alilaguna. It operates a boat service between the Piazza San Marco and Marittima.

Alilaguna

Single ticket: 7.5 EUR included one large luggage, one extra luggage costs 3 EUR
You can make a small amount of discount at Alilaguna water bus.

Operation: every 30 minutes, from early morning to midnight, everyday operation is from April to October.

Travel time: 20 minutes, Alilaguna timetable
Note: operation time changes depends on seasons. Please check out when you actually visit there.

Routes:
Take either Blue route and get off at Zattere. Then walk to the terminal.
Blue
Green

Alilaguna has several water boat routes. Find out the map:
Alilaguna Water Bus (Vaporetto) Routes from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) (Route Map)

Tips on visiting Venice

When is the best time to visit Venice

Venice is uncomfortably crowded. It is hot and humid in July and August. April, May and October are good for visiting.

State galleries and museums often close on Mondays. The restaurants are also closed. Many shops also shut on Sunday evenings.

Things to do in Venice

St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Square
Canale Grande
Ponte di Rialto
San Marco Campanile
San Giorgio Maggiore
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Gallerie dell’Accademia
Doges Palace
Bridge of Sighs
Ride a Vaporetto through the Grand Canal
… and many more!

References:
Venezia Terminal Passeggeri
Alilaguna

Find out relevant articles on Venice Cruise Port:

>> Find the Best Hotels in Venice near Cruise Port

Next Reading >> A Guide for Venice

Venice Cruise Port: Complete Guide for Location and Transfers