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| Travel Guide | Transportation |
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Driving to Venice is like going to a shopping mall: When you get there, you'll need to park your car until it's time to leave.
During high season, you may want to consider parking on the mainland--either at a hotel near the railroad station in Mestre (where trains depart frequently for Venice) or at San Giuliano next to the Venetian Lagoon (where you can catch a boat into the city). This way, you'll avoid the traffic jams that clog the several kilometers of roadway between the mainland and the Piazzale Roma in Venice.
ABOVE: Venice's massive parking garage on the artificial island of Tronchetto.
If you'd rather not
stay or park on the mainland, the
Tronchetto
parking garage offers the best balance between convenience and economy.
The vast garage is built on an artificial island, and it's more likely to have empty parking spaces than the more centrally located (and considerably more expensive) public and private garages at the Piazzale Roma. Tronchetto is also the only place to park in Venice if you're driving a large camper or motorhome.
From
the mainland, take the causeway toward Venice. Stay in the right lane. Just
before you reach the city, you'll see an exit labeled "Tronchetto." Take this
exit road to Tronchetto, then follow the signs for the garage and parking lots.
Expect
to pay a daily rate of at least €21 for parking in the main garage, or even more if you
want secure "VIP parking." Buses, campers, and vans park in open
lots, with considerably higher rates.
These rates may sound outrageous if you aren't used to big-city parking costs, but Tronchetto is considerably cheaper than the garages in the Piazzale Roma.
Note:
You
pay for parking before going to your car, using the automated cashier
machines (which accept banknotes, coins, and credit cards). Keep your receipt, which
you'll need to exit the garage.
If you're arriving on a weekend or in high season, we suggest reserving a parking space in advance. Use the "bookings" e-form at Tronchetto's official Web site (see the Interparking link below).
Important:
Ignore the touts who may try to flag you down as you enter the parking island. (They're just trying to drum up business for expensive--and unofficial--water taxis.)
Tronchetto has
modern WCs and diaper-changing facilities in
the huge new garage, directly across from the office. You'll need a 50-cent coin
to enter the toilets.
The
garage office provides a deposito bagagli or baggage-check service,
which may be convenient if you're worried about items being stolen from your
car.
On
your way to the vaporetto stop, you'll see a plethora of junky souvenir stalls
that cater to the tour-bus crowds. Unless you have an urgent need for a plastic
Carnival mask made in China, we suggest ignoring the souvenir stands and
continuing to the vaporetto or the People Mover.
ABOVE: You can't miss the ACTV ticket booth and vaporetto platforms: They're on the water, facing the Venice Cruise Terminal.
The No. 2 vaporetto, or public water bus, connects the island of Tronchetto with other parts of Venice. It runs year-round in two directions:
To
buy vaporetto tickets, follow the "ACTV" signs to the brick building on the
waterfront; go through the opening to the pier, where you'll find a ticket
office. (If the ticket office is closed, try the Tabacchi or newsstand/cigarette
shop next to the toilets and bar.)
For more information about public transportation in Venice, see our articles on vaporetto routes and vaporetto fares.
People Mover
An
automated airport-style "People Mover" between Tronchetto and the Piazzale Roma
opened in 2010. It's quick and much cheaper than the water buses. See
our Venice People Mover article for how-to
information, photos, and videos.
If
you prefer a water taxi, use only the licensed water taxis at the piers along
the waterfront, and be prepared to pay handsomely for the convenience. (See our
Venice water taxis article for more information.)
ABOVE: A woman relaxes between the ACTV office building and the Tronchetto-Lido car ferry terminal. (You can see two cruise ships peeking over the Venice Cruise Terminal buildings across the water from Tronchetto.)
Interparking
Type "Venezia" into the search box to find information on Tronchetto parking
for cars, buses, and campers.
Parking in Venice
veniceforvisitors.com
Before deciding where to park, get an overview of your parking options in Venice
and on the mainland. Our article includes links to garages and other parking
resources
| More about parking: |
| Parking in Venice - General Advice |
| San Giuliano Parking - Mestre |
| Also see: |
| Arriving in Venice |
| Venice Transportation Index |
| Tronchetto-Lido car ferry |
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No. 1 Hotel Warning |
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Top 11 Tourist
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Top 11 Free Sights |
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