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Venice Airport, officially known as Venice Marco Polo Airport, is the main international airport serving Venice, the Venetian Lagoon and a large part of northeastern Italy. The airport is located at Tessera, on the mainland of the Municipality of Venice.

The airport is named after Marco Polo, the famous Venetian merchant, traveler and writer whose journeys connected Venice with Asia in the medieval period. Its official Italian name is Aeroporto di Venezia Marco Polo, while it is also commonly called Aeroporto di Venezia-Tessera, because of its location near Tessera.

Venice Airport lies about 7.5 kilometers northeast of Venice city center in a straight line, while the road distance to Piazzale Roma, the main road terminal of Venice, is around 13 kilometers.

The airport is managed by SAVE S.p.A., the company that also controls Treviso Airport. Venice Marco Polo Airport is the main airport of the Venice area, while Treviso Airport mainly serves low-cost traffic and is sometimes commercially associated with Venice by airlines and tour operators.

The airport is important for tourism because Venice is one of the world’s most visited cities. It also serves business travel, cruise passengers, regional traffic from Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and international visitors heading to destinations such as Padua, Treviso, Vicenza, Verona and the Dolomites.

Venice Airport Infrastructure

Venice Airport has two asphalt runways. The main runway measures 3,300 meters in length and about 45 meters in width. The second runway measures 2,780 meters in length and about 45 meters in width, allowing the airport to handle significant European and international traffic.

The airport terminal has three floors. The ground floor is used mainly for Arrivals, the second floor is used for Departures, and the upper level includes offices and airport-related facilities. The departure area includes 70 check-in desks, with separate zones for Schengen and non-Schengen flights.

In recent years, Venice Airport has handled more than 11 million passengers per year, confirming its role as one of the most important airports in northern Italy. In 2025, the airport recorded about 11.85 million passengers, together with more than 87,000 aircraft movements and significant cargo traffic.

Short History of Venice Airport

The development of modern Venice Airport began after the Second World War, when air traffic became increasingly important for the Venetian region. Venice needed a larger and more efficient airport than the older air facilities used before, especially because tourism and business links were expanding rapidly.

The foundation stone for the new airport was laid on March 29, 1958. The project was designed to give Venice a modern airport on the mainland, close enough to the lagoon city but accessible by road, allowing passengers and cargo to move more efficiently than through smaller previous facilities.

The official inauguration of Venice Marco Polo Airport took place on July 31, 1961. After opening, the airport quickly became the main reference airport in the Veneto region, gradually taking over the role that had previously been more closely associated with Treviso Airport for regional air traffic.

A major step in the airport’s modernization came in 2002, when a new passenger terminal was opened. The new terminal was built to adapt the airport to the continuous increase in air traffic and to improve passenger flows, check-in operations, security procedures and boarding areas.

Venice Airport is now part of a long-term development strategy known as Masterplan 2037. The plan includes major infrastructure improvements, larger passenger areas, new gates, new commercial spaces, and measures connected to sustainability, mobility and the relationship between the airport and its surrounding territory.

The development plan includes a projected 116,300 square meters of extension, 45 new boarding gates, and about 9,200 square meters of new commercial areas. A planned Terminal 2A section includes about 14,300 square meters, 10 new gates, and 900 square meters of commercial space.

Venice Airport

Venice Airport Services

Venice Airport offers the main services expected from a large international airport, including flight information, check-in areas, security controls, gates, baggage claim, lost property services, parking, food and beverage outlets, shops, lounges, car rental, assistance desks and transport ticket points.

Venice Airport has dedicated parking areas close to the terminal. These include parking options for short stops, longer stays and travelers who want secure parking within walking distance of the airport building. Parking can be reserved online through the official airport system.

The terminal includes lounges for passengers who want a quieter waiting area before departure. The airport is known for the Tintoretto Lounge, traditionally associated with SkyTeam passengers, and the Marco Polo Lounge, available to other eligible passengers or through specific access options.

Shopping and food services are available inside the airport, with stores, cafés, restaurants, travel retail areas and other passenger services.

How to Get to Venice Airport

Venice Airport is connected to Venice by both land and water transport. This is one of its most distinctive features, because passengers can reach the airport by bus, taxi, chauffeur-driven car, Alilaguna water bus or private water taxi, depending on destination, luggage and budget.

From Venice, the most common land connection is between Piazzale Roma and the airport. Piazzale Roma is the main road terminal of Venice, located at the edge of the historic center, and it is the point where buses, taxis and cars can reach the island city.

The ACTV urban line 5 connects Venice Airport with Piazzale Roma. This is the public bus option operated within the Venice transport system. It is useful for passengers staying near Piazzale Roma or those who can reach the bus terminal by vaporetto, on foot or by People Mover from Tronchetto.

The ATVO express bus also connects Venice Airport with Piazzale Roma. This service is designed as an airport express connection and usually offers a direct land route between the terminal and Venice’s road entrance.

From Mestre, travelers can reach Venice Airport by land transport. The ACTV urban line 15 and the ATVO express service connect the airport with Venezia Mestre railway station, one of the most important railway hubs in northeastern Italy.

Mestre station offers rail connections to cities such as Padua, Verona, Milan, Trieste and Bologna, as well as regional destinations in Veneto. For many travelers, reaching Mestre first and then taking the bus to the airport is simpler than entering the historic center of Venice.

Taxi services are available between Venice Airport, Venice mainland areas and Piazzale Roma. Official road taxis serve the airport terminal, while chauffeur-driven car services operate through reserved airport lanes.

Water transport is a major advantage of Venice Airport. From the airport dock, passengers can use Alilaguna public water services or private water taxis. This allows direct access to parts of Venice and the lagoon without first traveling by road to Piazzale Roma.

The Alilaguna Blue Line connects Marco Polo Airport with Murano, Lido, Fondamente Nove, San Marco, Zattere, Giudecca, Tronchetto and the Santa Lucia railway station area. This route is useful for travelers staying near lagoon stops rather than near Piazzale Roma.

Private water taxis are the most direct water option from Venice Airport to hotels with accessible docks. They are more expensive than Alilaguna but can be practical for groups, travelers with heavy luggage, late arrivals or accommodations located far from bus and vaporetto stops.

Frequently Asked Questions about Venice Airport

Where is Venice Airport located?

Venice Airport is located in Tessera, on the mainland of Venice. It is about 13 kilometers by road from Piazzale Roma, the road entrance to Venice.

Is Venice Airport the same as Treviso Airport?

No. Venice Airport is the main airport of Venice, while Treviso Airport is a separate airport, located near Treviso and mainly used by low-cost airlines.

What is the official name of Venice Airport?

The official name is Venice Marco Polo Airport. In Italian, it is called Aeroporto di Venezia Marco Polo, and it is also known as Venice-Tessera Airport.

How do I get from Venice Airport to Venice city center?

You can reach Venice from the airport by bus to Piazzale Roma, Alilaguna water bus, road taxi, private transfer or private water taxi, depending on destination and budget.

Is there a water bus from Venice Airport?

Yes, Alilaguna operates water bus services from Venice Airport to Venice and lagoon stops such as Murano, Lido, San Marco, Rialto and other central areas.

How long does it take from Venice Airport to Venice?

The bus to Piazzale Roma usually takes about 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Water transport takes longer, but can be more convenient for hotels near lagoon stops.

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