Trieste is a popular 'Venice' substitute. The cruise terminal is right in the city center, by Piazza Unità d'Italia. But it is about 150 km (94 mi) and 2 hours by road from Venice airport. Trieste has its own small airport 33 km away. Monfalcone, used by MSC, is a separate port nearby.
Every way from the airport to the ship
Tap any way for step-by-step directions.
| The way | From | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise line transfer | VCE | About 2 hours | Set by your cruise line |
| Private car | VCE | About 2 hours, check traffic | Not verified; get a fixed quote |
| Taxi | TRS | About 45 minutes | Not verified |
| Train | TRS | About 30 minutes, plus about 15-minute walk | Not verified |
| Bus G51 | TRS | About 60 minutes | Not verified |
Where Trieste lies
From Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
About 150 km (94 mi), about 2 hours by road (Holland America)
Cruise line transfer
- Book with your line (Holland America offers transfers from Marco Polo only, not Treviso).
- Meet the rep in arrivals.
- Ride the coach to the Trieste terminal.
The simplest option for a long transfer.
Private car
- Pre-book a car with a fixed price.
- Driver meets you in arrivals.
- Ask to go to Stazione Marittima, Molo dei Bersaglieri 3.
From Trieste Airport (Ronchi dei Legionari) (TRS)
About 33 km to Trieste (MSC)
Taxi
- Take a taxi from outside arrivals.
- Ask for Stazione Marittima, Trieste.
Train
- Take the train from the airport station to Trieste Centrale.
- Walk about 15 minutes or take a 4-minute taxi to the terminal.
Bus G51
- Take bus G51 to Trieste Centrale station.
- Then walk, take a taxi, or catch the local bus that stops at the Stazione Marittima entrance.
From the city or your hotel
Walk from Trieste Centrale station
Flat waterfront walk.
Taxi from the station
No step-by-step details yet.
Where to stay
Arrive a day or two early. A delayed flight on sailing day is the most common way travelers miss the ship.
Trieste city center (near Piazza Unità)
Walk to the ship. The terminal is in the heart of town.
Venice, if you want to see it first
Then take the cruise transfer or a train to Trieste on sailing day (leave plenty of time).
Sailing day
Terminals & docks
Trieste: Stazione Marittima (Trieste Terminal Passeggeri), Molo dei Bersaglieri 3, two cruise berths, next to Piazza Unità d'Italia. Holland America, MSC and others use it. Royal Caribbean moved its Aug 10, 2026 Brilliance of the Seas sailing from Ravenna to Trieste. NCL's Norwegian Gem makes 11 port calls in 2026. Monfalcone: MSC check-in is at the access gate on Via Vittorio Veneto, Monfalcone.
Check-in
- There is no luggage storage at the pier (Holland America).
- MSC parking (Molo 4) is by reservation; drop-off 08:00-13:00; about €105 for 8 days for a car.
What trips people up
- Booking says 'Trieste (Venice)', but the ship is 2 hours from Venice.
- Trieste and Monfalcone are two different ports. Check which one.
- Treviso airport is not served by Holland America transfers.
Do this
- If you want Venice, spend nights there before, then transfer.
- Trieste itself is worth a day: coffee houses and a seafront square.
Leaving the ship: back to the airport
The same routes run in reverse. On the last morning everyone leaves at once, so lines for taxis and buses are at their longest. Book flights home for the afternoon or later, and arrange your ride in advance if you can.
| The way | To | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise line transfer | VCE | About 2 hours | Set by your cruise line |
| Private car | VCE | About 2 hours, check traffic | Not verified; get a fixed quote |
| Taxi | TRS | About 45 minutes | Not verified |
| Train | TRS | About 30 minutes, plus about 15-minute walk | Not verified |
| Bus G51 | TRS | About 60 minutes | Not verified |
Before you leave
- Treviso airport is not served by Holland America transfers.
Before or after your cruise
- Piazza Unità d'Italia.
- Miramare Castle.
- Day trip to Venice (about 2 hours each way).
- Slovenia's Lake Bled or Ljubljana (not verified travel times).
Sources & what we could not confirm · 6 sources · checked 2026-11
- Holland America: Trieste port page
- MSC Cruises: Trieste
- MSC Cruises: Monfalcone
- Trieste Terminal Passeggeri
- Cruise Industry News: Royal Caribbean moves Brilliance sailing to Trieste
- Shipping Italy: NCL returns to Trieste 2026
- Taxi, train and bus prices from Trieste Airport.
- Monfalcone distance from airports and transport options.
- Full list of lines homeporting in Trieste and Monfalcone in 2026.