Mestre, Italy

Travel and Tourist Information

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.

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.

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:

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Hotel tip: Location can be important when choosing a hotel in Venice or on the mainland. Before booking, read our No. 1 Warning and Venice Hotel Recommendations by Area.

Venice for Cruisers:

All Venice Cruising Articles
Roundtrip Cruises from Venice
MSC Eastern Mediterranean Cruise Review

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
The perils of overpacking
Flood warning: the sound of sirens
Stupid tourist tricks
Venetian daily life

From Maggie in Venice:

A dog's life in Venice
A Beagle boards a water bus
Venice Carnival for dogs

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