How to Get to the Venice Biennale?
An airport on the edge of the lagoon, a station at the end of the Grand Canal, a city without cars: in Venice, logistics play out on the water.
Last updated 5 October 2026 · 3 min read
To reach the Venice Biennale, the direct route is a flight to Venice Marco Polo airport, about thirteen kilometres from the centre, then a water taxi across the lagoon, in about twenty-five to forty minutes depending on the address. By private jet, the airport welcomes business aviation, with a dedicated terminal. By train, Venezia Santa Lucia station, at the end of the Grand Canal, is linked to Milan in about two and a half to three hours. Once there, there are no cars: vaporetto, water taxi and private boat with a pilot link the Giardini and the Arsenale, in Castello, to the rest of the city.
Arriving in Venice: plane, private jet, train
By air, Venice Marco Polo airport, at Tessera on the edge of the lagoon, receives direct flights from many European cities, including Paris. From the terminal, a covered walkway leads to the landing stages, where water taxis and lagoon shuttles wait: you reach the city by water, right to your hotel's landing stage.
By train, Venezia Santa Lucia station sits at the entrance to the Grand Canal. It is linked to Milan by high-speed trains, in about two and a half to three hours, and to the rest of Italy. From Paris, the train goes via Milan: a fine journey, but a long one, which we reserve for those who have a taste for it.
| Arrival | For whom | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Venice Marco Polo airport (VCE) | Commercial flights and private jet | About 13 km from the centre; water taxi across the lagoon to your landing stage |
| Venezia Santa Lucia station | Travellers from Milan and Italy | About 2 h 30 to 3 h from Milan; arrival on the Grand Canal |
| Piazzale Roma | Arrivals by car | Last point accessible by car; the rest is by water |
By private jet
Marco Polo airport has a business aviation terminal, with lounges and welcome services, and several ground handlers. Venice's great advantage is what follows: from the terminal, a water taxi takes you directly across the lagoon to your hotel or palazzo.
During the opening weeks of the Biennale, slots and aircraft parking are in higher demand: booking is done early, and we compare aircraft and schedules according to your party.
Getting around Venice: vaporetto, water taxi, boat with a pilot
Venice is explored on foot and by water. The vaporetto, the city's public transport, serves the Giardini and Arsenale stops; it is practical, but very crowded at busy times and during the opening weeks. The water taxi takes you from one landing stage to another without waiting.
For a stay during the Biennale, a dedicated boat with a pilot changes the day: it drops you as close as possible to the entrances, waits for you between two visits, takes you to a foundation on the Grand Canal or to a dinner on the Giudecca, and handles the evening returns. Its schedule is reviewed every morning.
A typical day, on the water
An indicative example: departure by boat from your landing stage as the Giardini open, lunch away from the bustle, a crossing to the Arsenale or towards a foundation in Dorsoduro in the afternoon, back to the hotel before dinner, then the evening boat. Not a minute on a crowded quay, no connection to look for.
We build your stay on this principle, according to your days, the foundations and your dinners. Our guide Where to Stay During the Venice Biennale? helps you choose the address; our guide What to See at the Venice Biennale? helps you choose what matters.
Luggage, steps and bridges
Venice has hundreds of stepped bridges, and a suitcase is carried more than it is rolled. We arrange for luggage to be handled from arrival to the room, and the reverse on departure, so that no one has to carry it.
For guests with reduced mobility, the water is a precious ally: a boat that docks at the hotel's landing stage avoids the greater part of the steps. Let us know of any particular constraint, and we take it into account from the choice of address onwards.
Frequently asked questions
Venice Marco Polo airport, about thirteen kilometres from the centre, on the edge of the lagoon: you reach the city by water taxi, directly to your hotel's landing stage. By private jet, it welcomes business aviation.
About twenty-five to forty minutes by water taxi, depending on the address; allow a little more door to door, with the walk to the airport's landing stages.
Yes: Venezia Santa Lucia station is linked to Milan in about two and a half to three hours by high-speed train. From Paris, the journey goes via Milan and takes a good part of the day.
On foot from Castello, by vaporetto (Giardini and Arsenale stops) or by boat. A dedicated boat with a pilot drops you as close as possible to the entrances and avoids the busy hours.
It is not essential, but nothing changes a Biennale day as much: no more vaporetto queues, direct journeys between venues and evening returns without waiting.
As soon as possible for the opening weeks, in May. We compare aircraft and schedules according to your party, on bespoke quote.
Take it further
Let us organise your arrivals and journeys
Tell us where you are leaving from, with whom, and where you will stay: flight or private jet, crossing the lagoon, a boat with a pilot, evening returns planned — we build the logistics of your stay, on bespoke quote and subject to availability.