From the airport to the city centre Venice

Marco Polo airport is 12 km on the mainland to the northeast of Venice. There are several ways to reach the center:

ATVO express line. Departures every 30 minutes from 4.20 a.m. to 0.40 a.m. Fare €10 (Marco Polo - Piazzale Roma) one way, €18 return. Wifi on board. Online purchase possible (www.atvo.it). To reach Mestre station from Venice Marco Paolo airport and vice versa, take bus routes 15 or 45.

ACTV busno. 5 Aerobus. Departures every 30 minutes from 4.10 a.m. to 1.10 a.m. Fare €8, €15 return (www.veneziaunica.it).

Vaporetto Alilaguna. Go to the pier at the dock, 10 min walk from the airport. Fares for Lido/Venezia €15, €27 return, €8 and €15 for Murano. Departures approximately every hour from 6.15 a.m. to 0.40 a.m. (www.alilaguna.it).

Water cab to San Marco (private transfer for 1 to 6 people), approx. €200 to €250.

Arrival by train Venice

Venice is linked to the mainland by a kilometer-long railway line. If you arrive at the Venice Mestre (mainland) station, you'll have to change trains to go to Venice itself, and get off 10 minutes later at the Santa Lucia station. SNCF (www.sncf-connect.com) and Thello (www.italiarail.com) offer day and night train services between Paris and Venice. There is no direct connection from Belgium, as trains pass through Paris. From Switzerland, on the other hand, direct trains connect Geneva, Zurich and Lausanne with Venice for a 7-hour journey (www.sbb.ch).

Arrival by boat Venice

Arriving in Venice by boat is less convenient, but absolutely unforgettable, especially in summer. From the airport, the Alilaguna company's vaporetti provide the direct connection, with disembarkation at the Fondamenta Nuove. Cruise ships, on the other hand, disembark at San Basilio, at the end of the Zattere Pier, at the Stazione Marittima and on the Riva dei Sette Martiri in the sestiere of Castello.

Public transport Venice

The bus is certainly not the best way to get to Venice; however, it remains a valid means of transport (albeit longer and not always as economical as the train) for getting around within the region (www.atvo.it). Either way, for everyone, the terminus is Piazzale Roma.

To get around Venice, or simply for pleasure, the most practical means of transport is the vaporetto. Tickets can be purchased at Actv kiosks (actv.avmspa.it) near most landing stages. You can't buy them on board, except in extreme cases, when you'll have to pay a surcharge. Beware: checks are frequent and the fines(le multe) very steep!

City Pass Venezia Unica. Given that a one-way ticket valid for 75 minutes for all ACTV transport costs €9.50, we recommend that you buy a pass for the duration of your stay in Venice (1, 2, 3 or 7 days - €25, €35, €45 or €65) with unlimited ACTV transport (except the link with Marco Polo airport). Preferential rates for online purchases, at least 30 days before use.

Bike, scooters & co Venice

Gondolas: If you want to rest your feet and take a gondola ride, expect prohibitive prices: €80 for 30 minutes for up to 6 people. After 35 minutes, it will cost €40 for each additional 20 minutes. For the same transport time, you'll have to pay €100 for night journeys (from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.). At night, the supplement for every 25 minutes increases to €50. From the number of gondolas criss-crossing the canals, it's easy to see that gondoliers are among the city's wealthiest residents.

Bicycles and scooters: Bicycles and scooters are forbidden in Venice's historic center, except for children, who can use them in the campi and calli. On the other hand, some of the lagoon's islands, such as Sant'Erasmo, Lido and Pellestrina, are ideal for bike rides. You'll find it easy to rent a bike to enjoy these enchanting landscapes, far from the hustle and bustle of the city center. If you own a bike, you'll need to park it at Mestre's BiciPark, next to the railway station, before heading into Venice's historic center.

By car Venice

As driving is forbidden (and impossible) in Venice, you'll need to park your car in the pay parking lots located before the Liberty Bridge (from €7/day) or in Piazzale Roma (from €25 to €35/day).