When we arrived in Venice last Sunday we decided to go in style, with a private water taxi from the airport. It was lovely.

Our return to the airport was early in the morning, so it seemed a waste to pay for a taxi in the dark. Instead, we took the vaporetto to Piazzale Roma and from there the ATVO Blue Bus to Marco Polo airport. It could not have been easier.

We got on the night line vaporetto at Rialto and it was the only time all week someone asked to see our tickets. This would not have been a good time to try and scam the system.

Once at Piazzale Roma, we asked someone where the ATVO Bus stop was. He pointed to the opposite side of the large bus depot area. We walked over and, even in the dark, easily found the sign for the bus to Marco Polo.

The bus pulled in about five minutes before its scheduled departure at 5:00 AM and we loaded our luggage into the undercarriage storage area. Once everyone was on the bus, the driver walked down the aisle collecting 3 Euro per person (cash). We were at the airport within 15 minutes and dropped off right in front of the departures area.

90 Euro for the water taxi upon arrival (4 people). 36 Euro for departure (6 Euro each for the vaporetto, 3 Euro each for the bus).

The time difference was significant. From the airport to Rialto via water taxi, including the walk to the pier, was about 40 minutes. From Rialto to the airport via vaporetto and bus was an hour and twenty minutes, or about twice as long.

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

Ellen that's good information - can't wait to hear more about the trip. Welcome home!

That, and you were taken directly to the terminal...no additional schlepping at 5a. Good move.

One word of warning: any other time of day you may not be able to buy your ticket on the bus. In that case, just arrive a bit earlier and pick up a ticket at the ATVO office, under the parking garage halfway between the ACTV offices and the bus stop itself.

Thanks, ellen.

We have some notes about the reverse journey - Venice arrival options on the SlowTrav site, with Piazzale Roma photos from yours truly.

(Prices are outdated, but I think the rest of the info is accurate.)

Nan you are so right....the driver of our bus ran outta tickets and left a few people in a panic as they ran back across the lot to the ATVO office.

We often do exactly as you describe - arrive in style via water taxi and then leave via the bus. I think its a wonderful and very reliable service too. We've never had a problem buying tickets onboard, so thanks for the warning Linda.

Thanks, ellen.

We will be departing on a 7:30am flight so (we have to go to Rome before JFK) we'll be in a similar situation.

Great information!

jan

For those early flights I take a private water taxi, not for the scenery but for convenience and the extra hour or so of sleep! RR

I hear you Robert, but with two mobility-impaired people it's not convenient to arrive at the airport pier and have to pull/push luggage to the terminal, at any hour. It's not that long of a walk if you're able-bodied and unencumbered, but it's a challenge if you're not.

Not to mention how well you can eat and drink for €90 (my priority, obviously. )