Piazzale Roma

The basics

If you arrive in Venice by land, you’ll pass through Piazzale Roma. This large car and bus terminus is the closest vehicles can get to central Venice, so most visitors transfer to a vaporetto or private water taxi here to cover the final leg of the trip down the Grand Canal by boat. The Santa Lucia train station is connected by the Ponte della Costituzione pedestrian bridge for those connecting between rail and road and borders the historic Santa Croce sestiere, one of Venice’s six central neighborhoods.

Things to know before you go

• As Venice’s main transport terminal, Piazzale Roma can be chaotic, so plot out your transportation before arriving so you can navigate the land, water, and rail connections stress-free.

• The only way to proceed from Piazzale Roma into Venice is by foot or boat. Boat options include the public vaporetto (water bus)—less expensive but often crowded—or private water taxis, which are costly but can usually drop you closer to your hotel than a water bus.

• Porter services are not always available, so assume you must carry your bags and pack accordingly.

• The square and water buses are accessible to wheelchairs. However, the Ponte della Costituzione connecting the square to the train station and the two pedestrian bridges across Rio Novo to the Santa Croce neighborhood all have steps.

How to get there

Piazzale Roma is the easiest point to reach in Venice since it is the only location accessible to land transportation. It sits at the far end of Ponte della Libertà, the bridge that connects Venice with the Italian mainland, and across the Ponte della Costituzione pedestrian bridge from the Santa Lucia train station. Two pedestrian bridges connect the square to the Santa Croce district, and there is a vaporetto stop and water taxi stand along the Grand Canal side of the square.

When to get there

This transport hub is busy virtually around the clock, with cars and buses arriving and departing and passengers connecting to trains, water buses, and water taxis into and out of the city. Be sure to allow yourself ample time to make connections, as crowds and the constant churn of land and water transit can be challenging to navigate.

Taking the vaporetto in Venice

Most visitors arriving in Venice by bus, rental car, or land taxi catch a vaporetto at the Piazzale Roma stop to cover the final leg of the trip into the city along the Grand Canal by boat. Taking these public water buses is straightforward and much less expensive than a private water taxi. You must purchase your ticket before boarding from the automatic machines you’ll find on the dock and validate your ticket at the nearby machines. You can also opt for a multi-ride pass if you plan on taking the water bus numerous times during your stay. Remember that the water buses in Venice can be very crowded during high season, and you may be unable to board the first one departing. Always invest extra time when getting around the city by vaporetto and watch for pickpockets while riding.