Venice Marco Polo Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

From Marco Polo, the centre of Venice is reached by bus in under twenty minutes to Piazzale Roma, or by Alilaguna boat towards the islands of the lagoon. Those with a dawn or late-night flight are better off sleeping in Mestre, a few minutes from the airport and served by frequent trains. Those who want to wake up among the canals can choose Dorsoduro, a sestiere of the old town quieter than San Marco, or Giudecca, an island with a view over the lagoon. Those looking for a beach and calmer evenings find their base on the Lido.

Mestre

Near the airport link · ACTV or ATVO Express bus: 13-15 minutes from the airport; Mestre station with frequent trains to Venezia Santa Lucia.

Best for: For those arriving or leaving on a dawn flight who want to stay near the airport without being in the lagoon.

Pros

Airport 13-15 minutes away by bus
Station with frequent trains to Venezia Santa Lucia

Cons

No canals or lagoon atmosphere
Still need transport to reach the old town

Recommended hotels in this area

LH Sirio Venice House: At 500 m from the centre of Mestre and close to the station, handy for those who want to stay a few minutes from the airport.

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Dorsoduro

City centre · Bus to Piazzale Roma (17 minutes) plus vaporetto to Zattere or Accademia (another 15-20 minutes); no direct connection from the airport.

Best for: For those who want the old town but in a quieter sestiere, away from the San Marco crowds.

Pros

A residential sestiere with galleries and cafes, less touristy than San Marco
A few steps from the Accademia Bridge and from San Marco

Cons

From the airport you need a bus plus a vaporetto, no direct connection
No cars or taxis right up to the door, only on foot or by boat

Recommended hotels in this area

Casanas by Interhome: Interhome apartment in the Dorsoduro sestiere, near the Accademia Bridge, handy for the old town on foot.

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Giudecca

Neighbourhood · Bus to Piazzale Roma (17 minutes) plus vaporetto line 2 or 4.1/4.2 to Giudecca (another 20-25 minutes); alternatively direct Alilaguna, which is slower.

Best for: For those who want to stay close to Venice but sleep on a quiet island, with a view over the lagoon.

Pros

A view over the lagoon and Venice from the other side of the canal
Less crowded than the streets of San Marco even in high season

Cons

The vaporetto is needed for every trip, even in the evening
Fewer restaurants than the old town

Recommended hotels in this area

STUCKY house: Apartment in the historic Molino Stucky complex, with a view over the lagoon and the Lido.
Apartment Iris by Interhome: Interhome apartment 400 m from the Palanca landing stage, handy for reaching San Marco by vaporetto in a few minutes.

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Venice Lido

Neighbourhood · Alilaguna Blue or Red line from the airport, stopping at the Lido (Santa Maria Elisabetta) in about 45-50 minutes.

Best for: For those seeking a beach and calmer evenings, with Venice just a few minutes away by boat.

Pros

Beaches and bathing establishments a few minutes' walk away
An island that can even be lived by bike, with fewer calli and bridges to tackle

Cons

San Marco still requires a boat journey
Calmer evening life than the old town

Recommended hotels in this area

Hotel Belvedere: Right next to the Lido landing stage, San Marco is reached by boat in about ten minutes.
Hotel Cristallo: 5 minutes' walk from the beach and the landing stage, reception open 24 hours, handy for early or late flights.
Hotel Rigel: On a quiet side street a few steps from the landing stage, reviews praise the generous breakfast.

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