Venice Marco Polo Airport

Leaving Venice started very well at Marco Polo Airport. Check in was efficient security equally so and then we got to the gate. There were hundreds of hot passengers battling to get through one gate which seemed to be serving about 6 flights. We all had our passports and boarding passes at the ready however it was amazing how long it took them to pass us through although they must have known they were holding flights up unnecessarily. No proper queuing no crowd control security guards standing idly by as if this chaos was normal.

That's my airport. I take a flight from here at least 3 times per month. If you have the "Marco Polo" card then there is the fast lane for security and access to Marco Polo lounge. Clean elegant excellent view of the planes and Venice (especially from the Lounge). Check in can be long even if I usually fly with hand luggage and checkin online.

Tickets for public transport can be bought in arrivals but machines seemed complicated and many fellow travellers gave up. Best way to get to the city centre is via the 'water bus' which is pretty cheap and there is a manned counter selling tickets in the main entry of arrivals. Staff there speak good English. Water bus is scenic but journey takes around 1 hour to St Marks ferry terminal. First ferry of the day is around 3 am. Free maps and tourist guides available in arrivals. Airport security was quick and easy to get through and nice cafes and shops security side. Couldn't see a wifi sign anywhere but wasn't really looking for one to be honest. Staff seem helpful. Screens didn't announce flight info until last minute.

The check in area was over packed. There were cues to the exit doors and everyone had to push their way through. My flight was at 12:50. Check in opened at 11:00 and I didn't get to the front until 12:20. Apparently there was too much luggage below so they stopped all the conveyor belts at check in. This happened twice for about 20 minutes on each occasion. They must know they are going to be busy and need to move suitcases around fast. Apart from that the food was nice in the restaurant before check in and was plenty of seating. There was a coach which was only 3 Euros from the Mestre train station about 10 minutes away. I paid 40 Euros to get a taxi to the hotel when I got there and only 4.20 Euros to get train/coach back to the airport. If only I had known there was a Coach before I got there. In departures was quite empty and was only in there 10 minutes so can't really say much but was clean and big.

The check-in facilities are good with plenty of desks. In the departure area it is very quiet. Plus it's bright and clean with an open aspect in most areas. Large windows allow natural light to shine in. Shops and restaurants cater to most pockets.

I just returned from Venice. My airport experience was quite pleasant. For its size I think the airport is quite well organized and easy to navigate. The security checks were thorough but not intrusive. They have special machines to scan shoes so no need to take them off and then hop around on one foot trying to get your shoes on while gathering your possessions from the x-ray belt. The restaurant after security offers a nice view of the tarmac and runway.

I've used this airport 5 times to go in and out of Italy and just wanted to say that I have never bought a ticket for any of the buses because you never have to give it to anyone and no one ever asks to see it! So if you are in a rush don't even bother! Of course it's not the right thing to do but no one cares and when using the public buses in the cities and towns you have to find a tobacco shop to buy a ticket which is very inconvenient and also very difficult and stressful if you don't know where you are and where to go! Also to get the buses to stop for you you pretty much have to jump out in the street and flag them down way before they reach you! Back to the airport... it's nice clean efficient but the your food options are slim... stopping by the gelato stand is a must while you are waiting for your plane you won't find anything else like it so enjoy it just one last time!

Very elegant clean fast check-in operations staff organized and very polite. Very confortable seating area and a lot of services for the passenger.

It's a nice and very clean airport. Check-in and security screening were quick and well-organized. The departure gates are spacious with much daylight and generous seating areas. Non-Schengen arrival was slow unfortunately as only two passport control booths were manned. Transfer to Venice is easy although the blue ATVO buses run only every half hour at weekends. Another option is to take the Alilaguna boats from the airport jetty: they are time-consuming (1h15min) and expensive (12 euros one-way) but take you directly to Piazza San Marco which is a huge advantage. Just don't be fooled by the so-called Alilaguna "Gold" Line: it is only ten minutes quicker than the regular "Blue" Line but is twice as expensive!

Great airport! Very clean with beautiful hardwood floors. Smaller airport so everything is convenient. Check-in took less than 10 minutes and security was adjacent to the check-in desks. Security was a breeze and took less than 10 minutes - nice agents. Lots of duty-free stores just passed the security area and several places to get a snack. I highly recommend this airport.