Venice is one of the most enchanting cities in the world, famous for its canals, historic architecture, and romantic ambiance. However, traveling to Venice, especially by air, can sometimes be expensive if you don’t know the right strategies. I’ve visited Venice multiple times and have mastered the art of finding cheap flights while ensuring a comfortable experience.
I will walk you through my personal experience flying from Rome to Venice, along with tips on booking the best deals, recommended airlines, and important information about Venice’s airports.
1. Venice’s Airports: Which One Should You Choose?
When booking a flight to Venice, it’s essential to understand the available airport options. Venice has two airports, and your choice can impact both cost and convenience.
1.1. Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) – The Main International Airport
📍 Location: 13 km from Venice city center
✈️ Best for: Travelers looking for direct and international flights, comfort, and convenience
🛬 Airlines operating here: ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the primary airport serving the city, handling both international and domestic flights. It’s the best option if you want a shorter transfer to Venice, as there are direct transport options via bus, taxi, and boat.
How to get from Venice Marco Polo Airport to the city?
- Alilaguna Water Bus: A scenic way to arrive in Venice, costing €15, taking 60 minutes
- ATVO Express Bus: The fastest public transport, taking 20 minutes to Piazzale Roma for €8
- Private Water Taxi: A luxury option costing €100-150, taking about 30 minutes
- Regular Taxi: A more affordable choice than a water taxi, priced between €40-50
Why choose Venice Marco Polo Airport?
✔️ Shorter travel time to Venice
✔️ More flight options, including premium airlines
✔️ Convenient transport options
1.2. Treviso Airport (TSF) – A Budget Traveler’s Alternative
📍 Location: 31 km from Venice
✈️ Best for: Budget travelers, Ryanair and Wizz Air passengers
🛬 Airlines operating here: Ryanair, Wizz Air
Treviso Airport (TSF) is a smaller airport mainly serving low-cost airlines. Flights to Treviso are often cheaper than those to Marco Polo Airport. However, it requires an extra 30-40 minutes of travel time to Venice.
How to get from Treviso Airport to Venice?
- Treviso Airport Shuttle: Operated by ATVO, takes 40 minutes to Piazzale Roma for €12
- Train from Treviso Train Station: Costs €3.60, but requires a bus/taxi from the airport to the station
- Taxi: A direct but expensive option, costing around €80-100
Why choose Treviso Airport?
✔️ Cheapest flights to Venice
✔️ Good for budget travelers
✔️ Frequent shuttle services to Venice
2. My Personal Flight Experience: Rome to Venice
For my recent trip, I flew from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) in Rome to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) with ITA Airways.
2.1. Flight Details
- ✈️ Airline: ITA Airways
- 🏷 Flight number: AZ1461
- 💺 Class: Economy
- 💰 Price: €65 (one-way)
- ⏰ Departure: 10:30 AM from FCO
- 🛬 Arrival: 11:45 AM at VCE
I booked my ticket through Skyscanner, which helped me compare different airlines and prices. Booking in advance allowed me to secure a reasonable fare of €65, which included one cabin bag (8kg) but no checked luggage.
2.2. Ticket Options Comparison
When booking flights, it’s essential to compare different ticket options.
One-Way Economy Ticket (€65)
✔️ Includes one cabin bag (8kg)
✔️ No checked luggage
✔️ Non-refundable
✔️ Random seat assignment
Round-Trip Economy Ticket (€120)
✔️ Includes one cabin bag (8kg)
✔️ Partial refund available for cancellations
✔️ Seat selection available for €10 extra
Business Class Ticket (€250)
✔️ Includes two cabin bags + one checked bag (23kg)
✔️ Priority boarding
✔️ Lounge access
✔️ Fully refundable
2.3. My In-Flight Experience
As I boarded the ITA Airways flight, I noticed the modern interior and clean layout. The economy class seat was comfortable, though the legroom was slightly tight for someone over 1.80m tall.
During the flight, I was pleasantly surprised by the complimentary snacks and drinks, which included a small sandwich, coffee, and water. The flight was smooth, and as we approached Venice, I was rewarded with a breathtaking aerial view of the Venetian Lagoon.
My tip: If possible, grab a window seat! The view when flying into Venice is one of the most beautiful in the world.
3. Recommended Airlines for Flights to Venice
If you’re planning a trip to Venice, here are the best airlines to consider:
3.1. Ryanair – Cheapest Option
- ✈️ Route: Rome (CIA) → Treviso (TSF)
- 💰 Price: From €20 one-way
- 🔍 Best for: Budget travelers
- ⚠️ Downside: No free baggage, no complimentary snacks
3.2. ITA Airways – Best for Comfort
- ✈️ Route: Rome (FCO) → Venice (VCE)
- 💰 Price: From €60 one-way
- 🔍 Best for: Comfortable short flights with free snacks
- ⚠️ Downside: Slightly more expensive than budget airlines
3.3. EasyJet – Good Mid-Range Option
- ✈️ Route: Rome (FCO) → Venice (VCE)
- 💰 Price: From €45 one-way
- 🔍 Best for: Reasonable price with more comfort than Ryanair
- ⚠️ Downside: Additional fees for baggage
3.4. Wizz Air – Best for Flash Deals
- ✈️ Route: Rome (CIA) → Treviso (TSF)
- 💰 Price: From €25 one-way
- 🔍 Best for: Super low prices when booking during promotions
- ⚠️ Downside: Limited flight availability
4. Essential Tips for Booking Cheap Flights to Venice
Finding cheap flights to Venice requires a combination of strategic planning, flexible travel dates, and a keen eye for deals. Based on my own experience and research, here are the most effective money-saving strategies to help you book the best flights at the lowest price.
4.1. Book in Advance – Timing is Everything
One of the most important factors when booking a cheap flight to Venice is timing. The best time to book a flight depends on several factors:
- Best Booking Window: 6 to 8 weeks in advance for domestic flights and 2-3 months for international routes.
- Last-Minute Deals? Sometimes, airlines release last-minute discounts, but this is risky, and prices can increase instead.
- Seasonal Variations:
- High Season (June-August): Prices are highest due to tourist demand.
- Shoulder Season (March-May, September-November): The best time to book cheap flights with fewer crowds.
- Low Season (December-February): Winter flights can be 50% cheaper, but Venice can be cold and foggy.
My experience: I booked my ITA Airways flight seven weeks in advance and paid €65, while my friend booked three weeks later and paid €110 for the same route!
4.2. Use Flight Comparison Websites – Find the Best Deals
Instead of checking individual airline websites, I always use flight comparison platforms that scan hundreds of airlines and booking websites. My favorites are:
- Skyscanner: Best for comparing different airlines and flexible date options.
- Google Flights: Great for tracking price changes and setting alerts.
- Momondo: Sometimes finds lower prices than other platforms.
- Kayak: Offers price predictions and alternative routes.
💡 Pro Tip: Always clear your browser cookies or use incognito mode when searching for flights multiple times. Prices can increase if airlines detect repeated searches!
4.3. Consider Nearby Airports – Save Up to 40%
Most travelers automatically search for flights to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). However, if you’re flexible, you can save up to 40% by flying into Treviso Airport (TSF).
- Marco Polo Airport (VCE): More convenient, shorter travel time to Venice.
- Treviso Airport (TSF): Cheaper flights, mainly budget airlines, but requires extra travel to Venice.
💡 Example: A Rome-Venice flight with ITA Airways to VCE costs €80, while Ryanair flies from Rome to TSF for €35. The extra €12 bus fare from Treviso still results in a significant saving!
4.4. Fly Off-Peak – Save Big on Airfare
Your travel date and time can significantly affect your flight price.
- Cheapest Days to Fly: Tuesdays and Wednesdays usually offer the lowest fares.
- Most Expensive Days: Fridays and Sundays, when weekend travelers increase demand.
- Best Time of Day: Early morning or late-night flights are often cheaper.
💡 Example: My Rome to Venice flight at 10:30 AM cost €65, but a 6:00 AM flight was available for €49. If you’re willing to wake up early, you can save extra money!
4.5. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
If you have flexibility in your travel dates, you can take advantage of huge savings by flying on cheaper days or during off-peak months.
- Use Google Flights’ Price Calendar: This tool lets you see the cheapest dates for your destination.
- Book Flights on Weekdays: Avoid flying on Fridays and Sundays.
- Consider Layovers: Sometimes, a flight with a short layover in Milan or Bologna can be significantly cheaper.
💡 Example: My direct flight from Rome to Venice cost €65, but a Rome → Milan → Venice flight was available for €42. The extra travel time might not be worth it, but for those on a tight budget, it’s a great way to save!
4.6. Sign Up for Airline Newsletters and Alerts
Many airlines offer exclusive discounts to subscribers. If you’re planning a trip to Venice in advance, sign up for newsletters from:
- ITA Airways (for domestic Italian flights)
- Ryanair & Wizz Air (for budget flights to Treviso)
- Lufthansa & British Airways (for international connections)
💡 Pro Tip: Follow airlines on Twitter and Facebook, as they sometimes announce flash sales that last only a few hours!
4.7. Consider Alternative Routes to Venice
Sometimes, flying directly to Venice can be expensive, but booking a flight to a nearby city and taking a train can be a cost-effective alternative.
- Fly to Milan (MXP) or Bologna (BLQ), then take a train to Venice.
- Train tickets from Milan or Bologna to Venice start at just €15-€25.
- It can be cheaper than direct Venice flights, especially for international travelers.
💡 Example: A direct flight from London to Venice was €140, but a London → Milan flight was €60, and the train from Milan to Venice was €20, saving €60!
4.8. Use Frequent Flyer Miles and Travel Points
If you frequently fly, redeeming miles or travel points can make your Venice flight free or heavily discounted.
- ITA Airways partners with SkyTeam, so you can use Delta SkyMiles.
- British Airways Avios points can be used for flights to Venice.
- Chase Sapphire and American Express offer travel rewards that cover flights.
💡 My Experience: I had 5,000 ITA Airways miles, which gave me a €25 discount on my Rome to Venice flight!
4.9. Avoid Hidden Fees with Budget Airlines
If you’re flying with Ryanair or Wizz Air, be careful about hidden costs.
- Cabin bags are NOT free – check baggage policies before booking.
- Airport check-in fees apply if you don’t check in online.
- Seat selection fees can add €10-€30 to your ticket price.
💡 Example: My Ryanair ticket from Rome to Treviso was €30, but after adding a cabin bag (€20) and seat selection (€10), the final price was €60. Always check the final price before booking!
5. Is It Worth It?
Flying from Rome to Venice was an easy, comfortable, and budget-friendly experience. While economy class worked well for the short flight, business class would be ideal for extra comfort.
Venice is one of the most magical cities in the world, and saving money on flights means you can enjoy gondola rides, delicious Italian food, and cultural experiences.
If you’re planning your trip, I hope this guide helps you find the best flights to Venice at the lowest price. Buon viaggio! 🇮🇹 ✈️
