ABOVE: A platform sign in the Venice Mestre Railroad Station. INSET BELOW: The Galleria G. Matteotti in downtown Mestre, and passengers on a commuter train from Mestre to Venice.

Galleria G Matteotti - Mestre Mestre is often regarded as a mainland suburb of Venice, although it's part of the Comune di Venezia. The town is located at the foot of the causeway and railroad bridge that lead from the Italian mainland to Venice's historic center.

Mestre to Venice train passengers Travelers to Venice often choose Mestre as a place to stay for three reasons: Hotel rooms are less expensive than in the centro storico, parking is cheaper and easier, and through trains often stop only at the Venezia Mestre railroad station (which makes Mestre more convenient than Venice's Santa Lucia train station for long-distance rail travelers who have early-morning departures).

From Mestre, it's easy to reach Venice's city center: Regional trains run often and take only 10 to 12 minutes to reach Venice, and Mestre's inexpensive San Giuliano parking lot has a direct water bus to the city.

Tip: If you plan to sleep in Mestre and travel into Venice, we strongly recommend staying near the Mestre railroad station. See "Mestre Hotels" for specific advice, because Mestre is a sprawling town and you could easily find yourself stuck on the outskirts if you don't know the local geography.

Read "Introducing Mestre-Marghera" and click the other links below for detailed travel information about Mestre and how to use the Venetian mainland as a base for exploring Venice:

General tourist information:

Introducing Mestre-Marghera (Virtual Walking Tour)

Mestre hotels:

Mestre Hotels - Where to Stay

Best Western Hotel Bologna Review

Mestre transportation and parking:

Mestre to Venice by Train

Venezia Mestre Railroad Station

Mestre Airport Buses (ATVO and ACTV)

San Giuliano Parking in Mestre

Cruising:

Mestre for Venice Cruise Passengers (Venice Travel Blog)

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Hotel Advice:

Location can be important in a car-free city with 400+ bridges, especially when you're walking with luggage. Before you book, see:

Hotel Recomendations by Area
Find hotels that are handy to the airport, railroad station, cruise port, or Piazza San Marco, and in Mestre.

Aerial Venice Hotels
Read our tips on choosing the right sestiere or district. Then view individual hotels and their surroundings in large satellite photos and aerial close-ups.

MSC cruise ship in Venice

Venice for Cruisers:

Venice canal reflections

From our Venice Travel Blog:

A water taxi ride to Venice Airport
A warning about water taxis
Venice Railroad Station: a vaporetto view
Long lines at Venice Airport
Free boat trips to Murano
Need to pee? Prepare to pay
Crime in Venice
The perils of overpacking
Venetian daily life

Maggie in Venice

From Maggie in Venice:

A dog's life in Venice
A Beagle boards a water bus
Maggie in Venice video clips