If you are considering staying in Mestre to visit Venice, the most important question is simple: how practical is it to move between Mestre and Venice’s historic centre every day?
This guide starts from the apartment address, Viale Garibaldi 52/C, Mestre, and explains the most useful ways to reach Venice, get to the apartment from train stations and airports, choose the right transport tickets and understand where to leave your car.
The short answer
From the apartment in Viale Garibaldi 52/C, the most straightforward way to reach Venice is usually to use the ACTV buses running along Viale Garibaldi, especially line 2 towards Venice / Piazzale Roma. In normal conditions, including the walk to the stop, waiting time and the bus ride, a realistic time to reach Piazzale Roma is around 25–35 minutes.
The train from Venezia Mestre to Venezia Santa Lucia is very fast, but from the apartment you first need to reach Mestre railway station. This makes it excellent if you are arriving or leaving by train, while for daily trips to Venice the direct bus can often be more convenient.
From Viale Garibaldi 52/C to Venice
The apartment is located in an urban area of Mestre served by ACTV stops along Viale Garibaldi. Depending on direction and the most convenient stop at the time, useful stops may include Garibaldi – Ognissanti, Garibaldi – Giardini or Garibaldi – Municipio.
| Option | When it works best | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Bus line 2 to Venice | The most direct option from the Viale Garibaldi area | About 25–35 minutes total to Piazzale Roma, including walking and waiting time |
| Tram T1 from Mestre Centro | A good alternative if you are already near Mestre Centro or prefer the tram | About 30–40 minutes total, including the walk to the stop |
| Bus 4L from Mestre Centro / Corso del Popolo | Useful if you are already in central Mestre | About 25–35 minutes total |
| Train from Venezia Mestre to Venezia Santa Lucia | Excellent if you are arriving at the railway station or want to enter Venice at Santa Lucia | About 10 minutes by train, plus the time needed to reach Mestre station |
All times are approximate: in Venice and Mestre they may change depending on traffic, weekday, schedules, events, works and tourist flows. Before travelling, always check the latest timetables on ACTV, AVM or Venezia Unica.
The simplest route for visiting Venice
For most travellers, the simplest option is this:
- walk to the closest ACTV stop on Viale Garibaldi;
- take line 2 towards Venice;
- get off at Piazzale Roma, the main road access point to Venice;
- from Piazzale Roma, continue on foot or take a vaporetto if you need to reach areas such as San Marco, Rialto, Zattere, Arsenale, Lido or the islands.
This route works well because it does not require passing through Mestre railway station. It is especially convenient if you want to start the day from Piazzale Roma and then walk towards Santa Croce, San Polo, Rialto, Dorsoduro or Cannaregio.
When the train makes sense
The train between Venezia Mestre and Venezia Santa Lucia is very fast: the journey usually takes around 10 minutes. However, from the apartment you first need to reach Mestre station, so the total travel time depends on waiting times, connections and luggage.
The train can be a good choice if:
- you are already arriving at Venezia Mestre by train;
- you want to enter Venice directly at Santa Lucia station;
- you have a ticket or pass that includes the relevant urban rail network;
- you are returning from Santa Lucia and have checked the last useful train.
For daily use from the apartment, however, the direct bus to Venice can often be more straightforward.
How to reach the apartment
The reference address is Viale Garibaldi 52/C, Mestre. When travelling, the most practical advice is to enter the address directly in your navigation app and check the best ACTV stop in real time according to where you are arriving from.
Arriving from Venezia Mestre railway station
From Venezia Mestre railway station, you can reach the apartment by taking ACTV line 2 towards Viale Garibaldi / Carpenedo and getting off in the Garibaldi area. The bus ride is short, but you should add waiting time and the walk from the stop. If you have heavy luggage, a taxi from the station may be more comfortable.
Arriving from Venice Marco Polo Airport
From Marco Polo Airport, you can reach Mestre using ACTV buses to Mestre city centre or Mestre railway station, or ATVO connections to Mestre. Once in Mestre, continue towards Viale Garibaldi by urban transport or taxi. If you arrive late, carry luggage or travel as a group, a taxi may be the simplest option.
Arriving from Treviso Canova Airport
From Treviso Canova Airport, ATVO connections run towards Mestre and Venice. For the apartment, it is usually better to get off in Mestre and then continue towards Viale Garibaldi by taxi or local transport. Travel times depend heavily on flight schedules and available bus departures, so check the transfer timetable before travelling.
Arriving by car
If you arrive by car, set your navigation app to Viale Garibaldi 52/C, Mestre. Before reaching the apartment, it is useful to decide where to leave the car: street parking in central Mestre may be paid, while structured car parks are usually more predictable for longer stays.
Where to park near the apartment
If you arrive by car, the most sensible choice is usually not to park in Venice, but to leave the car in Mestre and use public transport to reach the lagoon. In practice, there are three levels to consider: paid car parks near the centre, blue-line street parking and free park-and-ride areas further out.
| Parking option | Why consider it | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Park Costa Via Andrea Costa 15 | One of the most practical car parks for central Mestre. It is open 24/7, has video surveillance and is useful if you want to reach Venice by public transport. | Recommended for longer stops or for leaving the car while visiting Venice. Always check rates, maximum height and availability. |
| Park Candiani Piazzale Candiani | A central car park close to Piazza Ferretto and the heart of Mestre. Useful if you want to stop in the centre or then continue towards Venice by public transport. | It may not be open 24/7: check opening hours and availability before choosing it for overnight parking. |
| Blue-line parking in Mestre | Useful for loading/unloading, short stops or limited stays. | Rates and hours vary by zone. It is usually not the most convenient option for leaving the car for several days. |
| Free AVM park-and-ride car parks | They can be interesting if you want to leave the car for free in a peripheral area and continue by public transport. | They cannot be booked and are not always convenient with luggage. Best for travellers willing to add an extra bus or taxi connection. |
| Venezia Mestre railway station car park | Convenient if you arrive near the station or want to leave the car close to trains for Venezia Santa Lucia. | Farther from the apartment than central Mestre car parks, but useful if you want to use the station as your transport base. |
At this stage, it would not be correct to promise free parking directly outside the apartment or fixed parking agreements that are not confirmed. If dedicated parking agreements, vouchers or guest instructions become available, they will be communicated before booking.
Free parking: what to know
Mestre has free park-and-ride car parks managed by AVM, designed for leaving the car in peripheral areas and continuing by alternative transport. They can be useful in some cases, but they should not be confused with private parking close to the apartment.
For guests with luggage, the most comfortable choice is usually a central paid car park or arriving by train or plane. Free parking areas may be interesting if you travel light, already know the area or want to reduce parking costs while accepting an extra transfer.
Tickets: bus, tram, train and vaporetto
The right ticket depends on how you want to visit Venice. If you only use buses and trams on the mainland, the cost can be very different from tickets that also include vaporetti. If you plan to use the vaporetto several times, a daily or multi-day pass may be more practical.
- Bus and tram: useful for travelling between Mestre and Venice / Piazzale Roma.
- Vaporetto: useful inside Venice, towards the islands, the Lido and areas less convenient to reach on foot.
- Train: fast between Venezia Mestre and Venezia Santa Lucia, but it needs to be combined with the trip from the apartment to the station.
- ACTV / Venezia Unica passes: worth considering if you stay two or three days and plan to use several transport services, especially vaporetti.
Ticket prices may change. Before buying, always check the official Venezia Unica or ACTV website.
When to use the vaporetto
Once you arrive in Venice, you do not always need to take a vaporetto. From Piazzale Roma or Santa Lucia station, many important areas can be reached on foot: Santa Croce, San Polo, Rialto, Cannaregio and Dorsoduro are ideal for walking.
The vaporetto becomes more useful if you want to reach San Marco without walking too much, visit Murano, Burano or Torcello, go to the Lido, or return after a long day. On a first trip, taking it at least once along the Grand Canal can be a beautiful experience, but not every movement needs to become a vaporetto ride.
The most practical advice
If you stay in Mestre to visit Venice, do not plan every day down to the minute. Always leave a margin for waiting times, traffic, changes, walking and the evening return. Mestre is a practical base, not a way to remove transport completely: its advantage is offering a clearer, more urban starting point from which to reach Venice with a simple routine.
The best approach is to choose the route day by day: direct bus to enter from Piazzale Roma, train if you want to arrive at Santa Lucia, vaporetto only when it really adds value to your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions about transport between Mestre and Venice
What is the easiest way to get from the apartment to Venice?
For most guests, the easiest way is to walk to an ACTV stop on Viale Garibaldi and take line 2 towards Venice / Piazzale Roma. It is a direct option and does not require passing through Mestre railway station.
How long does it take to reach Venice?
As a realistic estimate, allow around 25–35 minutes from the apartment to Piazzale Roma, including the walk to the stop, possible waiting time and the bus ride. In traffic or during busy periods, it can take longer.
Is bus, tram or train better?
From the apartment’s point of view, the bus is often the most direct choice. The tram is a good alternative from Mestre Centro. The train is very fast between Mestre FS and Venezia Santa Lucia, but you first need to reach the station.
Is an ACTV pass worth it?
It depends on how many transport services you will use. If you only plan to travel between Mestre and Venice, a bus/tram urban ticket may be enough. If you also plan to use vaporetti, visit the islands and move around Venice by water, a daily or multi-day pass may be more convenient.
Can I drive to Venice?
You can drive as far as Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto, but for visiting Venice from Mestre it is usually not the most practical or economical choice. It generally makes more sense to leave the car in Mestre and reach Venice by bus, tram or train.
Is there free parking near the apartment?
It would not be correct to promise free parking near the apartment. In central Mestre, parking may be regulated by blue lines or paid car parks. Free park-and-ride areas exist in more peripheral locations, but they cannot be booked and are not always convenient with luggage.
Where should I leave the car for several days?
For several days, structured car parks such as Park Costa, Park Candiani or the Venezia Mestre station car park are usually more predictable. The best choice depends on opening hours, availability, budget, vehicle height and whether you need to use the car during your stay.
How do I get back from Venice to Mestre in the evening?
You can return from Piazzale Roma by bus or tram towards Mestre, or from Venezia Santa Lucia by train to Mestre FS and then continue towards Viale Garibaldi. Before going out in the evening, always check the last useful services for that specific day.
Plan your stay better
Understanding transport is one of the most important parts of choosing to stay in Mestre. If you want to learn more about the apartment project and whether this solution may be right for you, you can also read the dedicated pages.
