Car Hire Venice Airport

Venice Airport is just a short drive from Mestre, the mainland centre of Venice, and is connected to the city by a major state road, the SS14. You can drive as far as Piazzale Roma at the edge of the city, where you can leave your hire car at one of the garages to continue by boat or on foot.

You can also leave your car at Tronchetto, a huge parking terminal built on its own artificial island. This is also where the Number 17 ferry collects passengers and cars to transport them to the Lido di Venezia, an island and popular beach resort that separates the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea.

Although you can’t drive into Venice itself, car hire from Venice Airport opens up the possibility for some great day trips in and around the Veneto region. The family-friendly beaches of Lido di Jesolo are around a 30-minute drive from the airport via the SS14, while Verona, home of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is around an hour and a half away along the Autostrada 4.

The A4 is an important motorway that runs right across the north of Italy, connecting major cities including Milan and Turin. It also connects Venice Airport with the quirky destination of Trieste near the Slovenian border, as well as the historic university city of Padua and the beautiful resorts of Lake Garda, just over two hours inland.

The rules for driving in Italy are similar to many other European cities, with drivers using the right-hand side of the road and overtaking on the left.

Italy’s autostrade are toll roads, so you will usually need to collect a ticket as you enter and pay at the booths when you exit. Be aware of speed limits, sticking to a maximum of 130km/h on the autostrade (which also has lower limits in wet weather) and 50km/h inside the towns and cities, unless otherwise signed.

Hiring a car at Venice Airport allows you to explore the Veneto region and beyond.

But before you hit the road, make sure you don’t miss out on the highlights and hidden wonders of this unique city.

Spectacular squares

An unmissable highlight of any visit to Venice is the Piazza San Marco. This is the city’s main public square and home to some of its most famous buildings, including the magnificent Basilica di San Marco.

Sometimes known as the Church of Gold due to its lavish interior adorned with glittering mosaics, make sure you allow plenty of time and prepare for queues, as it is a hugely popular attraction.

Elsewhere on the square you will find the Doges’ Palace, once home to the rulers of Venice. Book tickets for the Secret Itineraries tour to explore the courtyard, state rooms and chancellery, as well as the torture chamber and gloomy prison cells where unlucky prisoners were held hundreds of years ago.

Iconic bridges

Once you’ve explored La Piazza, it’s just a short distance to another of Venice’s best-known sights. The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal – and probably the most photographed sight in the city.

Luckily, there are plenty of places nearby where you can take a break from the crowds. Head to one of the city’s traditional wine bars, known as bacari, to sample a plate of ‘cicchetti’ – tasty Venetian tapas.

Try the polpette – crispy pork meatballs – or one of the mini sandwich-style dishes topped with calamari, langoustines or prawns. For a sweet treat, pay a visit to the popular Suso Gelatoteca, where you can sample one of the city’s famously delicious fresh ice creams.

Beauty and beaches

As well as taking in Venice’s splendid sights, including its narrow backstreets and churches packed with historic and beautiful artworks, with a hire car you are also free to venture out of town to explore the wider region.

If you’re keen to soak up more history and culture, take the 40km drive along the A4 Autostrada to reach Padua, one of the oldest cities in Italy and a renowned centre for learning and the arts.

Must-see highlights include the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, which dates back to the 13^th century and is adorned with stunning frescoes and Renaissance artworks. Padua is also home to the Scrovegni Chapel, where you can see Giotto’s biblical masterpieces adorning the walls and ceilings.

Alternatively, if you just want to soak up some sun, you’ll find plenty of beaches within touching distance. Take the short drive to the traditional fishing town of Chioggia, connected by a bridge to Sottomarina beach, where you can enjoy long stretches of golden sand, natural reefs and calm, shallow waters.

Or head slightly further away to Bibione, a charming resort town with a lovely shoreline surrounded by pine forests. With car hire at Venice Airport, all this and more is within easy reach during your stay.