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Find competitive rental car prices at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) with Road Genius. Find rates for SUVs, compact cars and minivans and reserve with no booking fees. Compare car hire at Venice Airport across on-airport, rental centre and off-airport providers, then pick up at the terminal for quick access to the A57, A4 and A27 towards Padua, Verona, Lake Garda and the Dolomites. Staying in Venice first? You can collect or return at Piazzale Roma to skip city parking.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Main Terminal | • All major rental companies • Largest vehicle selection • Immediate post-arrival pickup • Extended hours matching flights |
• 16% airport surcharge • Higher base rates • Potential queues during peak arrival times |
| Rental Centre | • Consolidated facilities • Streamlined processing • All vehicles in one area |
• Short walk from terminal • Occasional congestion at return during peak periods |
| Off-Airport Options | • Potentially lower rates • Some budget operators |
• Require shuttle transfer • Limited hours • Smaller selection |
| Piazzale Roma (Venice entrance) | • No airport surcharge • Convenient if staying in Venice first |
• Requires transfer from airport • Limited vehicle selection • More suitable for end-of-stay rental |
Most rental companies have desks on the ground floor in the arrivals hall. After collecting your luggage, exit into the hall and look for the car rental section.
Once you complete the paperwork, most companies direct you to the rental car park, which is a short walk and connected to the terminal. Some budget operators use shuttle buses to reach their off-airport locations.
On average, car rentals at Venice Airport cost around €91 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €8 per day.
Compare pickup spots: The airport adds a ~16% surcharge. Check prices at Piazzale Roma or off-airport/Mestre. If you’ll be in Venice first, delay pickup. Also compare one-way fees within Italy, which are often reasonable.
Time your booking by season: For Summer, Carnival and the Film Festival, book 2-3+ months ahead. In the off-season (Nov-Mar, excl. holidays), booking 1-2 weeks out can be cheaper. Try shifting pickup/return by a day or time.
Leverage weekly pricing: Weekly rentals are typically 15-25% better value than daily rates. Sometimes adding an extra day lowers the total.
Right-size the car: Choose the smallest car that fits your crew. Manuals are cheaper and more available, while automatics cost about 20-30% more.
Fuel smart near VCE: Avoid highway service stations. Refill at suburban stations, like the Eni on Via Triestina, and allow 10-15 extra minutes.
Cut parking costs: Venice parking runs ~€21-30/day at Tronchetto/Piazzale Roma. Keep the car only for your driving days, or stay in Mestre where hotel parking is often €10-15/day.
| Area | Parking Options | Local Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Return | • Clearly marked return lanes • Specific areas for each company • Short-term parking for assistance |
Follow "Rental Car Return" signs. Staff usually available during business hours to check vehicles on-site. |
| Venice Access Points | • Piazzale Roma garage • Tronchetto island lot |
The only parking options for Venice proper. Consider advance online booking during peak season. |
| Mestre (mainland Venice) | • Hotel parking • Public garages • Park & Ride facilities |
Many Mestre hotels offer free or reduced-cost parking. Consider staying here if planning extensive driving. |
| Day Trip Destinations | • Historic centre garages in most cities • Park & Ride facilities • Municipal lots |
Most Veneto cities have ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) restrictions. Research parking options before visits. |
Important Driving Rules:
Get a car so you can drive to:
Padua – Scrovegni Chapel, Prato della Valle
Treviso – Piazza dei Signori, Isola della Pescheria
Verona – Arena di Verona, Piazza delle Erbe
Lake Garda – Peschiera del Garda, Sirmione
Cortina d'Ampezzo – Dolomites, Passo Falzarego
Prosecco Hills – Valdobbiadene, Conegliano
How do I reach Venice after returning my rental car at the airport? After you return your car, you have a few ways to get to Venice: the ATVO or ACTV public buses (about €10, 20-30 minutes), the Alilaguna water bus (about €15-17, 75-90 minutes) or a private water taxi (about €120-150, 30 minutes). The land buses take you to Piazzale Roma, while the water options get you closer to where you're going in Venice.
Is there a fuel station near Venice Airport for refilling before return? Yes, you can find a few fuel stations 5-10 minutes from the airport. The easiest one to get to is often the Eni station on Via Triestina, about 2 km before you reach the airport when driving from Venice/Mestre. You should plan for an extra 10-15 minutes to refuel before your return time.
Can I pick up a car at Venice Airport and drop it off in another city? Yes, most rental companies offer one-way rentals. If you drop the car off in another city in Italy (like Rome, Florence or Milan), major companies usually charge a small fee or sometimes nothing extra. You can do an international one-way rental (for example, to Munich, Vienna or Zagreb), but you should expect to pay large extra fees.
What's the best strategy if I want to visit Venice but also explore the region? Here's a good plan: arrive at Venice Airport, take public transport straight to Venice and enjoy the car-free city first. After your Venice visit, you can pick up a rental car from Piazzale Roma or go back to the airport to get one. You can then use the car to explore the area before you fly out or continue your trip. This way, you avoid paying for parking while you're in Venice.
How early should I arrive to return my rental car before a flight? For flights inside Italy, you should get to the airport at least 2 hours before departure. Plan for about 20-30 minutes to complete the car return. For international flights, you should arrive 3 hours beforehand. During the busy season (summer months and holidays), leave some extra time as there might be queues. After you return the car, it's a short 5-10 minute walk to the terminal.
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