Which Venice Airport Is Best? Marco Polo vs Treviso — Your Complete Arrival Guide
For first-timers, cruise passengers, planners, and slightly nervous adventurers — this one’s for you. Because before you sip your first spritz on a canal, there’s one surprisingly big decision waiting on your booking screen.
1️⃣ The Great Venetian Airport Dilemma
You’ve finally clicked “Book.” Your Venice dream is real. You’re picturing gondolas under moonlight, marble palaces, the soft splash of oars — when suddenly the airline site asks:
Venice Marco Polo (VCE) or Treviso (TSF)?
Two airports, two completely different vibes — and two totally different arrival stories. Choose Marco Polo and you can literally float into Venice. Choose Treviso and you’ll roll across the mainland first. Neither is wrong, but they set two very different tones for your trip.
Let’s decode it together — not as a dry airport manual, but like chatting with your Venetian friend (that’s us 😎) over a Spritz Select. We’ll even follow a few imaginary travelers — Mary & John from Ohio, Julia the careful solo traveler, and backpackers Emily & Sam — to see what each arrival really feels like.
2️⃣ Marco Polo Airport (VCE): Venice’s Front Door 🏆
If Venice had a red carpet, it would start here. Just 13 km (8 miles) north of the city, Marco Polo Airport is the main international hub. This is where the big names land: Delta, American, Emirates, Air France, Lufthansa — all the long-haul heavyweights.
The terminal is modern, bright, and easy to navigate. And the magic begins the moment you leave baggage claim: the airport sits directly on the lagoon. Within minutes, you can be on a boat. 🌊
Mary & John’s Story — First-Timers from Ohio
They’ve just stepped off a red-eye from New York, celebrating their 30th anniversary. They follow the “Water Transport” signs through a glass walkway scented with sea air until it opens onto a wooden pier. Sleek mahogany water taxis bob in the sun. A porter loads their luggage, engines purr, spray sparkles — and Venice appears on the horizon like a dream. John films. Mary cries. Fifteen minutes after landing, they’re cruising past San Michele’s cypress trees toward the domes of San Marco. No traffic, no stress, just pure cinema. 🎬✨
3️⃣ Transfers from Marco Polo: Your Lagoon Options
Here’s what makes Marco Polo unbeatable — you can arrive on water, by bus, or by car, depending on your style.
- 🚤 Private Water Taxi (The James Bond Entrance)
Time 20–30 min | Cost €120–€150 per boat
Perfect for first-timers, couples, cruise passengers, or anyone chasing that “wow” moment. A covered walkway leads straight to the docks. Your driver meets you, helps with bags, and glides you directly to your hotel pier. 👉 Book your private airport-to-hotel transfer with Tour Leader Venice — driver waiting, luggage handled, zero stress. - 🛥️ Alilaguna Public Water Bus
Time 45–60 min | Cost ≈ €15 per person
Budget-friendly and scenic, with routes to San Marco, Rialto, and Zattere. Expect crowds, but also postcard views. - 🚕 Land Taxi or Bus to Piazzale Roma
Time 25 min | Cost €10–€50 depending on bus or taxi
Best if you’re staying near the train station or catching a mainland connection.
Julia’s Story — The Nervous Solo Traveler
Julia plans everything in color-coded folders. For her, a pre-booked private water taxi is the ultimate peace of mind. She exits customs, spots her name on a sign, follows her driver, and ten minutes later messages her sister: “I’m literally arriving by boat 😍 why didn’t I do this sooner?”
Why Cruise Passengers Love Marco Polo
If you’re joining a cruise, Marco Polo is the clear winner. Private transfers can take you straight from arrivals to Marittima terminal or to a nearby pier where your ship’s tender awaits. Arrive, unpack, have your first Spritz by noon — perfection.
4️⃣ Treviso Airport (TSF): The Budget Challenger 💸
If Marco Polo is the lagoon’s front door, Treviso is the side gate — humbler, inland, but often cheaper. About 40 km (25 miles) from Venice, it serves mainly low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air. Don’t be fooled by “Venice–Treviso” on your ticket — it’s technically a different city.
Emily & Sam’s Story — The Backpackers
They booked their flights at 2 a.m. after a bottle of Prosecco — €29 each, irresistible. They land mid-morning in a tiny, calm terminal. Within ten minutes, they’re on the ATVO bus to Venice (€12, 45–60 min). When the bus crosses the lagoon causeway, Emily presses her forehead to the glass: “There it is.” They saved €200 each and bought themselves two extra nights in the city. Smart move. 🤑
5️⃣ Getting from Treviso to Venice
- 🚌 Shuttle Bus (ATVO / Barzi)
45–60 min | €12 one-way | Direct to Piazzale Roma. Easy, cheap, and reliable — but pre-book in summer, buses fill fast. - 🚗 Private Transfer
≈ 50 min | From €100 per car | Best for families or cruise guests with luggage. A driver meets you in arrivals and drops you at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto for your boat connection. 👉 Pre-arranged private transfer to Venice ensures a smooth hand-off to your hotel or ship. - 🚉 Train Option
Taxi to Treviso station (10 min) + regional train to Venice Santa Lucia (30 min). Scenic if you’re traveling light; not ideal with suitcases.
6️⃣ Marco Polo vs Treviso — Quick Comparison
| Feature | Marco Polo (VCE) | Treviso (TSF) |
|---|---|---|
| 📍 Distance to Venice | 13 km / 8 mi | 40 km / 25 mi |
| ✈️ Flights | Major international | Low-cost airlines |
| 🚤 Water Arrival | Yes (private or public) | No (limited to bus/car) |
| 🧳 Ease with Luggage | Direct to hotel pier | Multi-step (bus + boat) |
| 💸 Cost | Higher fares & taxis | Cheaper flights & buses |
| 🧭 Best For | First-timers, cruise, romantics, nervous flyers | Backpackers, budget travelers, regional explorers |
Summary: Marco Polo = Ease & Elegance. Treviso = Savings & Simplicity.
7️⃣ Which Airport Fits Your Travel Style?
- 🛳 Cruise Passengers: Choose Marco Polo — waterfront access and direct pier transfers.
- 😰 Nervous Travelers: Marco Polo — fewer moving parts and 24-hour services.
- 💼 Planners on Tight Schedules: Marco Polo — you’ll be checked-in within an hour of landing.
- 💑 Romantic Couples / First-Timers: Marco Polo — nothing beats that first boat glide toward San Marco.
- 🎒 Budget Travelers / Students: Treviso — low-cost flights and direct buses.
- 🍇 Regional Explorers: Treviso — closer to the Prosecco Hills and Treviso’s markets.
- 🌙 Late-Night Arrivals / Early Departures: Marco Polo — better transport availability.
- 👨👩👧 Families with Luggage: Marco Polo — private water taxis mean no bridge-dragging drama.
8️⃣ FAQ — Because Planners Gonna Plan 📝
- Can I take a water taxi from Treviso Airport? No. It’s inland. You must reach Piazzale Roma by bus or car first.
- Which airport is closer to Venice? Marco Polo — 13 km vs Treviso’s 40 km.
- Are there night transfers from Treviso? Limited. Buses stop late evening. Pre-book a private car if landing after 10 p.m.
- Best for cruise departures? Marco Polo — door-to-ship simplicity.
- Is Marco Polo worth the extra cost? If you value comfort, time, and a cinematic arrival — absolutely.
9️⃣ Your Arrival Sets the Tone 🎬 ✨
Marco Polo is the elegant front door — lagoon breeze, wooden boats, postcard skyline. Treviso is the budget gate — perfectly fine if you’re counting euros or exploring the Veneto. The right choice depends on what matters more to you: convenience or cost.
For honeymooners, cruise guests, and anyone visiting Venice for the first (or best) time — Marco Polo turns arrival into an experience you’ll talk about for years.
🔟 Make Your Landing Effortless 🚤 🇮🇹
Wherever you land, your first hour in Venice can be magical or chaotic — depending on planning. That’s why Tour Leader Venice arranges seamless transfers, from airport pick-up to hotel pier, with licensed captains, luggage porters, and zero guesswork.
🛶 Private Water Taxi • Airport Meet & Greet • Porter Assistance • Cruise Connections • 24 h Support
👉 Book your Venice airport transfer now and start your trip the Venetian way — smooth, stylish, and stress-free.
🌊 Final Thought — The Journey Is the Magic
Venice doesn’t have cars or curbs. Your “taxi” floats, your streets shimmer, and your first glimpse of the skyline feels like a movie scene. Whether you arrive via Marco Polo’s lagoon elegance or Treviso’s budget charm, plan your landing carefully — because in Venice, arrival isn’t just logistics. It’s your first story.
Pack well, plan smart, and we’ll see you on the water.
✍️ By Igor Scomparin & Tour Leader Venice — Local insight, real stories, and authentic Venetian magic delivered to your travels.
