Since 2021, big cruise ships cannot sail past St. Mark's. Only small ships (up to 25,000 gross tons) still use Venice Marittima. Bigger ships dock at industrial Marghera or at Fusina, or the line uses another port such as Trieste, Monfalcone or Ravenna. Check the exact port name on your booking.
Every way from the airport to the ship
Tap any way for step-by-step directions.
| The way | From | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi (road) | VCE | About 20 minutes | Not verified; ask for the fare before you go |
| Bus to Piazzale Roma + People Mover | VCE | About 20 minutes by bus, then about 3 minutes on the People Mover | Bus and People Mover fares not verified (low cost) |
| Water taxi or Alilaguna water bus | VCE | Water taxi about 60 minutes; water shuttle about 80 minutes | Not verified; water taxis are expensive |
| Cruise line transfer (e.g. MSC) | VCE | About 20-30 minutes | Set by your cruise line |
Where Venice lies
From Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
About a 20-minute drive to Marittima (VTP)
Taxi (road)
- Follow taxi signs in arrivals.
- Ask for 'Stazione Marittima' (or Fusina, if that is your terminal).
- For Marghera sailings, go to Marittima for check-in.
Radiotaxi is the airport's taxi provider.
Bus to Piazzale Roma + People Mover
- Take ACTV line 5 or the ATVO express bus to Piazzale Roma.
- At Piazzale Roma, take the People Mover one stop to Marittima.
- Walk to your terminal's check-in.
People Mover runs 07:00 to 23:00, every 8 minutes.
Water taxi or Alilaguna water bus
- Follow signs to the water transport dock.
- Book a water taxi directly to the cruise terminal, or ride Alilaguna.
Scenic, but slower and pricey.
Cruise line transfer (e.g. MSC)
- Book through your line.
- MSC's shuttle desk is just outside the arrivals hall, on the right.
Best for Marghera and Fusina sailings.
From the city or your hotel
People Mover from Piazzale Roma
For Marittima and for Marghera check-in.
Vaporetto from Santa Lucia station
Or a water taxi directly to the terminals.
Taxi from Mestre station
Mestre is on the mainland and has cheaper hotels.
Where to stay
Arrive a day or two early. A delayed flight on sailing day is the most common way travelers miss the ship.
Near Piazzale Roma or Santa Croce
Next to the People Mover to Marittima. No canals to cross with bags.
Mestre (mainland)
Cheaper hotels and a 10-minute taxi to the port.
Sailing day
Terminals & docks
Venezia Terminal Passeggeri (VTP) runs: Marittima (5 terminals, ships up to 25,000 gross tons since the 2021 law), San Basilio (small ships), Marghera (Liguria and Lombardia quays, ships up to 300 m), Fusina (new terminal; Silversea's Silver Ray was first to homeport there; Viking Star opened the 2026 season there), and Chioggia. For Marghera sailings (e.g. MSC), you check in at Marittima and ride a free shuttle bus to the ship. In 2026, more than 90% of lines calling are premium or luxury lines with ships under 250 m. Big-ship lines (e.g. Royal Caribbean, NCL, Holland America) often use Trieste, Monfalcone or Ravenna instead.
Check-in
- Luggage deposit is on the ground floor of Terminals 103, 110 and San Basilio on sailing days (VTP).
- MSC says a porter service at Santa Lucia station (Platform 1) can take tagged bags to the ship.
- Arrive at your assigned time; Marghera passengers need extra time for the shuttle.
What trips people up
- 'Venice' on a booking may mean Marittima, Marghera, Fusina, or even Trieste (2 hours away) or Ravenna. Check the exact port.
- Fusina and Marghera are industrial areas on the mainland, not in historic Venice.
- Rolling suitcases over Venice's bridges and steps is very hard.
Do this
- Stay near Piazzale Roma so you never need to drag bags over bridges.
- Day-trippers to Venice may have to pay an access fee on some days; check the city's rules (not verified for 2026).
- If your ship is in Trieste or Ravenna, still fly into Venice, but plan the drive.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi (road) | VCE | About 20 minutes | Not verified; ask for the fare before you go |
| Bus to Piazzale Roma + People Mover | VCE | About 20 minutes by bus, then about 3 minutes on the People Mover | Bus and People Mover fares not verified (low cost) |
| Water taxi or Alilaguna water bus | VCE | Water taxi about 60 minutes; water shuttle about 80 minutes | Not verified; water taxis are expensive |
| Cruise line transfer (e.g. MSC) | VCE | About 20-30 minutes | Set by your cruise line |
Before or after your cruise
- St. Mark's Square and Basilica.
- Doge's Palace.
- Grand Canal by vaporetto.
- Murano and Burano islands.
Sources & what we could not confirm · 7 sources · checked 2026-11
- VTP: Venezia Terminal Passeggeri
- VTP: How to reach us
- Shipping Italy: Venice 2026 cruise season
- Seatrade Cruise: Silver Ray first to homeport at Fusina
- Seatrade Cruise: Large ships return via Marghera
- MSC Cruises: Venice (Marghera)
- Venice Airport: Transport to Venice
- Bus, taxi, water taxi and People Mover prices.
- Full list of which lines use Fusina vs Marghera in 2026.
- US nonstops to VCE in 2026 (press reports mention Delta and United from New York/Newark, not confirmed on airline sites).
- 2026 Venice access fee rules.