Parking in Venice – A guide to the parking options

We have already traveled twice from Lake Garda to Venice, once by train and once by car. In addition to parking in Verona, parking in Venice can be a challenge. So before we drove to Venice by car, we checked out the parking options in the lagoon city.

The most important contents of this article

• The closest parking lots to the city center are at Piazzale Roma and the Tronchetto parking garage
• There are cheaper alternatives in Mestre on the mainland
• Free parking is possible, but requires additional effort

Parking in Venice – Our guide for visitors

Parking in Venice can be a challenge, as the city is largely car-free. The best parking options are in Piazzale Roma (e.g. Parcheggio S. Andrea, Garage San Marco) and Tronchetto. Although these parking garages are expensive, they offer a convenient connection to the water buses that take you to the old town of Venice. We opted for the Tronchetto parking garage out of “convenience”.

For those who want to save money, there are cheaper options on the mainland outside Venice. Mestre is a popular alternative, where you can park and then take the train or bus to Venice.

There are also free parking options if you are prepared to take a longer walk or a short bus ride, as the parking lots are a little further away from Venice. To avoid unpleasant surprises, you should find out about the parking rules and parking fees in advance.

Things to know about parking in Venice

In Venice itself, parking by car is not possible as the city is predominantly car-free and consists of a network of canals and narrow streets. Transportation within the city is mainly on foot or via waterways, such as the vaporetto (water buses).

The “border point” where road vehicles (not only private cars, but also buses and cabs) cannot continue is Piazzale Roma. This is a district of Venice just a few steps away from the train station and the cruise terminal. This is where the parking lots closest to the tourist attractions are located, which are the most convenient in terms of location, but also the most expensive and most in demand.

The largest parking lot at Piazzale Roma is the municipal garage, which has more than 2,000 parking spaces for cars and 300 for motorcycles spread over six floors. The prices are somewhat lower than for private parking spaces, which is why this garage is almost always the first to be fully occupied despite its large capacity.

Parking spaces in the center of Venice

There are different types of parking lots in Venice. There are parking garages, which are usually open 24 hours and are more secure.

• One example is the San Marco garage, which offers up to 900 parking spaces.
• Another is the Tronchetto parking garage, which also has a large number of parking spaces.

There are also free parking spaces, but these are rare and often far from the city center. There are special parking areas for motorcyclists in some parking garages.

Access restrictions

As in Verona, there are some access restrictions for cars in Venice. Restricted zones such as the ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato) are closed to normal traffic.

• Only vehicles with a special permit are allowed to drive in these zones.
• Parking in these areas without a permit can result in heavy fines.

You should also note that parking spaces can fill up more quickly in the high season and on public holidays.

How much does parking cost in Venice?

Parking fees in Venice vary depending on the location and type of parking space. Normally, the price for a parking space in a parking garage is between 23.00 and 30.00 euros per day. Many parking spaces can be booked online in advance, for example via Parclick. The advantage is that you are guaranteed a parking space, even in high season. There are additional charges for advance reservations.

Parking garages at Piazzale Roma

Piazzale Roma is the only area in Venice that can be reached by car. All buses and streetcars arrive here. There are several parking garages, including the Garage San Marco Srl, which has 900 parking spaces for cars, minivans, buses and motorcycles:

Garage San Marco Srl: Large parking garage with 900 guarded parking spaces.

• Address: Piazzale Roma, 467f, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
• Costs (as of 08/2024): Up to 5 hours €25, up to 10 hours €35, up to 24 hours €45, each additional hour after the first 24 hours costs €5 up to the 9th hour.
• Booking: Possibility to book in advance via Parclick.

City Parking Garage – Autorimessa Comunale: parking garage with over 2000 parking spaces for cars and 300 spaces for two-wheelers

• Address: Santa Croce, 496, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
• Cost: 35 euros for 24 hours
• Booking: Advance reservation possible via Parclick

The parking garages at Piazzale Roma are ideal for travelers looking for central parking in Venice. They also offer easy access to public transport and the city’s main attractions.

Tronchetto Island

Tronchetto Island is another recommended parking option. It offers a huge parking garage, which is particularly suitable for travelers who are staying for a longer period of time and are looking for a cheaper parking alternative.

Main features of the Tronchetto parking garage:

• Place: One of the largest parking facilities in Venice with approx. 4000 parking spaces
• Location: A little further from the city center, but easily accessible by public transport.
• Prices: The current daily rate is 25 euros

From Tronchetto, visitors can easily reach Venice as follows:

1st Vaporetto (water bus): Vaporetto line 2 runs from Tronchetto via Piazzale Roma and the Grand Canal to St. Mark’s Square. A one-way ticket for 75 minutes costs €9.50. Time-limited tickets are also available:

• 24-hour ticket: 25 €
• 48-hour ticket: 35 €
• 72-hour ticket: 45 €
• 7-day ticket: 65 €

2nd People Mover: Another option for getting into the city center is the People Mover. This is an automatic monorail that connects Tronchetto with Piazzale Roma. The journey takes around 3 minutes and costs €1.50. From Piazzale Roma, you can reach the city center on foot or with other vaporetto lines.

3. water cabs: Private water cabs are available at the Tronchetto and offer direct transportation to the city center. Prices vary depending on the destination and time of day. It is recommended that you agree the price before setting off.

Parking options for campers in Venice

There is a designated parking lot for campers on the island of Tronchetto. According to the parking lot operator, the Venezia Tronchetto Bus Parking has 500 parking spaces for buses and camper vans.

The cost is 27 euros / 12 hours (i.e. 54 euros per 24 hours). As with the Tronchetto parking garage, it is easy to get to Venice from there by public transport.

Alternative parking options in Mestre

In addition to the above-mentioned parking options on the island of Venice, you will find numerous other parking spaces on the mainland in Mestre.

Mestre is a district of Venice that is located on the mainland and is not geographically part of the actual historical center of Venice. Mestre is the largest and most important district on the mainland and plays a central role as a residential and commercial area.

Mestre is an important transport hub and connects the mainland with the center of Venice via the Ponte della Liberta. Mestre is home to the Venezia Mestre train station, where many trains stop, as well as highway connections that link the city with the rest of Italy and Europe.

Compared to Venice itself, there are more parking options in Mestre and parking fees are cheaper. Many visitors choose to stay overnight in Mestre and take day trips to Venice from there.

Parking garages in Mestre

PARK COSTA
Unguarded underground parking garage for cars with video surveillance in Via A. Costa no. 15 in Mestre-Venezia, close to train and bus stops. You can reach the city of Venice in approx. 15 minutes by bus.
Prices:
– Hourly: 2.00
– Daily: 12.00 € (from 6 hours)

GARAGE DOLPHIN SNC
Covered parking lot, equipped with security systems. The bus to Venice runs every 10 minutes and costs 1.50 euros. Journey time approx. 10 minutes. It is best to book online.
Prices:
from € 15.00 per day

GARAGE EUROPA MESTRE
The video-monitored Garage Europa is located in Mestre, in Corso del Popolo 55, about 10 minutes by bus from Venice.

The ACTV bus stop to Venice is located directly in front of Garage Europe: lines 4 and 4L run every 10 minutes until 1:00 a.m.
For the first hour € 3.00, for the second and third hour € 2.50 each, from the fourth hour € 1.00 / h up to the 12th hour. From the 13th hour and up to the 24th hour free of charge. After the 24th hour, counting starts again with the hourly rate as indicated above.
Maximum daily rate for cars €17 (24h) and €20 from July 1 to September 30.

Daily rate for campers and minivans (max height 270 cm): €19 on the first day and €17 from the second day (24-hour parking) and €20 from July 1 to September 30.

In addition to the parking garages, there are the following paid parking lots in Mestre:

• Parcheggio Terminal Service
• Venice City Park Srl
• Parcheggio Venezia

Free parking in Mestre

PARCHEGGIO SCAMBIATORI
Parking lots in suburban or outlying areas where you can leave your car and then get to the city center by alternative means of transport. Here is a list:

P1 – Marghera B
via Trieste – town of Marghera (VE)
P3 – Miranese B
via Oriago (angolo via Miranese) – village of Chirignago – (VE)
P4 – Favaro A
via Altinia – Village of Favaro Veneto (VE)
P6 – Terraglio A
via Borgo Pezzana (corner of Via Terraglio) – Mestre (VE)
P7 – Miranese A
via Miranese (under the ring road) – Mestre (VE)
P8 – Ceccherini A
via Bella (near Auchan) – Mestre (VE)
P9 – Favaro B
via Buozzi (crossroads SS 14 to via S. Donà)
P10 – Gazzera
via della Montagnola sn (laterale di via Miranese, a ridosso del cavalcavia della Giustizia) – locality Mestre (VE)
P11 – Trivignano D
via Ca’ Lin – village of Trivignano (VE)
P12 – Favaro C
via Triestina (near the streetcar stop) Favaro V.to (VE)
P13 – Trivignano B
via Castellana (near the corner of Via Lippi) – Trivignano (VE)
P14 – Trivignano C
via Castellana (near the corner of Via Vassillacchi) – Trivignano (VE)
P16 – Trivignano A:
via Castellana (near the traffic circle via Olmo) – Trivignano (VE)

Parking at Venice airport

The airport of Venice, officially called Aeroporto di Venezia-Tessera “Marco Polo” (VCE), is located about 13 kilometers north of the historic center of Venice, near the mainland district of Tessera.

Connection to the city center:

• Waterway: There are direct water cab connections from the airport to the lagoon city, which take travelers to various landing stages in Venice.
• By land: There are also bus connections, such as the ATVO express bus or the ACTV bus, which connect the airport with Piazzale Roma in Venice and Mestre train station. Alternatively, travelers can also use cabs or rental cars to get to Venice.

Other options include parking in Fusina or even on the mainland in places like Cavallino. These areas are often quieter and less crowded. From there, we can easily get to Venice with a short drive or a water bus.

Parking facilities for campers in Mestre

There are also inexpensive parking spaces for campers in Mestre. There is, for example, the “Parking Campers” motorhome parking area, or various campsites such as the San Giuliano Venice campsite.

Advance reservation of parking spaces

It is possible to reserve a parking space online in advance via Parclick. This may be useful during the high season or at events. This way you can secure a parking space and get into the city stress-free.

The following parking spaces in Venice can be booked in advance via Parclick:

• Venezia Center Parking Garage (ex Isolanova Parking)
• Parking garage Autorimessa Comunale Venezia AVM – Porto di Venezia
• Parking garage Garage San Marco – Venezia CentroParking garage
• MarcoPolo – Car Valet – Venezia Centro – Scoperto

Furthermore, some parking facilities in Mestre can be booked in advance:

• Parking garage Venice Utility Park – Shuttle – Piazzale Roma – Scoperto
• Marive – Parking+Ferry – Venezia Centro
• Parking garage Terminal Fusina

You can find more parking options on the Parclick website.

Summary Parking in Venice

Parking in Venice is a challenge due to the car-free old town. The central parking facilities are located in Piazzale Roma (e.g. Garage San Marco) and on Tronchetto Island. Both offer convenient access to the city, but are expensive (approx. 25-45 euros/day). Alternatively, there are cheaper parking spaces in Mestre on the mainland, with connections to Venice by train or bus.

Free parking is rare and usually involves long walks. Advance reservations via platforms such as Parclick are recommended, especially in the high season.

In addition, there are special options for campers, motorhomes and long-term parkers. Travelers should be aware of access restrictions (ZTL) to avoid fines and plan ahead if needed to secure the best parking options.

From Lake Garda to Venice by train

There is a convenient train connection to Venice from Lake Garda. The main train stations near the lake are Rovereto and Desenzano del Garda, both of which are on the main line between Milan and Venice.

From there, regional trains and Frecciarossa/Italo high-speed trains run regularly in the direction of Venice. The journey time is between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on the type of train.

The destination station is Venezia Santa Lucia, which is located directly on the Grand Canal and offers quick access to the sights.

Parking in Venice – FAQ