Side by side
A quick comparison of the three options.
| Private water taxi | Alilaguna | Vaporetto (ACTV) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who travels | Only your group | Shared with other passengers | Shared with other passengers |
| From the airport | Yes: by day minivan to Piazzale Roma, then boat; at night direct boat | Yes, direct boat | No |
| Departure time | When you choose | Timetable | Timetable |
| Drop-off | Closest landing to your hotel | Fixed stops | Fixed stops |
| Luggage | Included, see the rules | Limited | Limited, crowded boats |
| Price | Per boat, fixed | Per person | Per person |
When the private water taxi is worth it
With luggage, children or reduced mobility; in a group, because the price is per boat and up to 4 passengers are included; late in the evening; when your hotel is far from a public stop; on tight connections.
In a group, the cost per person goes down
Public boats are paid per person, the private water taxi per boat. With up to 4 passengers the price of the boat does not change, so for a family or a group of friends the cost per person goes down with every passenger, with a boat just for you and your luggage on board.
Enter the number of passengers and bags in the form: you see the total for the whole group before booking, and you can split it among yourselves.
With luggage
Each piece of luggage on the water taxi can measure up to 90 × 75 × 65 cm, with a maximum of 10 pieces per boat. The boat stops at the landing closest to your hotel, so you do not drag suitcases across bridges and steps from a public stop.
When public boats are better
Travelling alone or as a couple, with light luggage and time to spare. Check current fares and timetables on the official sites: alilaguna.it for the airport boats and actv.avmspa.it for the vaporetto.
Frequently asked questions
Is a water taxi worth it from Venice airport?
It is worth it with luggage, in a group or when time matters: the boat is private, leaves when you choose and stops at the landing closest to your hotel. Alone and travelling light, the public Alilaguna boat costs less.
Does the vaporetto go to the airport?
No. The ACTV vaporetto is the city's public water bus and does not serve Marco Polo Airport. From the airport by water there are Alilaguna (shared) and private water taxis.
Is the water taxi price per person?
No, it is per boat. Public boats are paid per person, which is why the private taxi gets more convenient as the group grows.
Where do I find official Alilaguna and vaporetto fares?
On the official sites: alilaguna.it for the airport boats and actv.avmspa.it for the vaporetto.