Planning a trip to Venice and wondering where to park your car? It’s a common question for first-time visitors and even seasoned travelers. Venice is a city built on water and famous for its winding canals and romantic bridges, but this historic charm means there are no roads for cars in the city center. Before you even start your journey into the heart of Venice, it’s good to get a clear idea of how parking in Venice works, what your options are, and how much you can expect to pay. In this guide, you’ll learn about everything from the most convenient garages on the lagoon shore to budget-friendly choices on the mainland, plus tips for campers, electric vehicles, motorbikes, and travelers with disabilities. If you’re looking for more travel tips about walking, sightseeing, and transportation, visit our Venice travel page at italyonfoot.com/venice for a complete visitor’s guide.
Can You Drive Into Venice?
You cannot drive your car into Venice’s historic city center. The labyrinth of canals, tiny alleyways, and bridges make Venice a place for boats and walkers, not vehicles. The furthest you can go by car is Piazzale Roma (the gateway to old Venice) or Tronchetto Island, both at the edge of the lagoon. Beyond these points, there are camera-controlled zones called ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato). If your vehicle passes these barriers without the proper permit, you will face automatic fines. That is why all parking options for Venice are located either on the lagoon edge (Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto) or on the mainland (Mestre and Marghera).
| Parking Option | Typical 24h Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piazzale Roma Garages | ~35–45 € | Closest to Venice, easy access, good for short visits and lots of luggage | Expensive, limited spaces, height limits |
| Tronchetto Island | ~21–30 € | Lots of space, accepts large vehicles, direct to public transport | Still pricey, shuttle needed to reach Venice center |
| Mainland Mestre Garages | ~10–18 € | Much cheaper, good for multi-day parking | Need to take train/bus to Venice, watch for ZTL |
| Free/Street Parking (Mestre/Marghera) | Free | Cheapest, possible for day-trips | Not guaranteed, less safe, not recommended for full luggage |
| Marco Polo Airport | ~33–35 € (official lots); private from ~3.5–10 € | Perfect if flying, car-free Venice trip | Transfer by bus/boat needed, less convenient for daily entry |
Piazzale Roma Parking: The Closest Option to Venice
Autorimessa Comunale AVM (City Parking Garage)
If you want the absolute shortest walk to the sights and don’t want to carry luggage far, parking at Autorimessa Comunale AVM at Piazzale Roma is your best bet. This is a large municipal garage located at Piazzale Roma 496. With over 2,000 spaces and a height limit up to 2.2 meters, it’s ideal for city breaks and families or if you’re arriving late and want to head straight into Venice.
The daily rate is around 35 € per 24 hours (flat rate, non-fractionable), and even if you stay for only a few hours, you will pay for the entire day. If you use a wheelchair or have reduced mobility, there are 14 free spaces for disabled badge holders (up to 12 hours). After 12 hours and up to 14 hours, you pay 50% of the regular fare.
Reservations are strongly recommended for weekends and holiday periods because this garage fills up quickly. You can reserve your spot directly on the Venezia Unica portal. It’s central, guarded, and right next to the bus station and Santa Lucia train station, making it great if you have a lot of luggage. However, convenience comes at a cost, this is one of the priciest places to park.
Garage San Marco
Garage San Marco is another safe bet for parking right at the edge of Venice. Located across from the bus terminal at Piazzale Roma 467/F, the garage is open 24/7 with video surveillance. The daily rate when booking online hovers around 45 € per 24 hours for standard cars. There are short-stay tariffs, such as 20 € up to 5 hours or 32 € up to 10 hours. For those parking in the evening only, an 18 € rate may apply (check their official site).
With around 900 spaces and a height limit of 2.10 meters, Garage San Marco features EV charging, jump-start service, and more. It’s ideal for travelers who want top security or are driving higher-end vehicles. If you’re planning a luxury stay, or you simply want to walk straight into Venice with zero fuss, this is the one for you.
Other Piazzale Roma Parking Options
There are a couple of additional, smaller options at Piazzale Roma. Sant’Andrea AVM is a modest municipal lot with a few free disabled spaces, and Autopark Doge is a private lot nearby. For quick errands, there are “strisce blu” (blue line) curbside spots costing 4 € per hour (max 1 hour). These are not suitable for sightseeing, but handy for a fast drop-off or pick-up.
Tronchetto Parking Island: Balancing Price and Convenience
Venezia Tronchetto Parking (Interparking)
Tronchetto Island is a large parking complex on an artificial island just before Piazzale Roma. It’s a great solution for those looking for slightly lower rates and abundant parking spaces. The Venezia Tronchetto Parking is run by Interparking and has over 3,500 spaces, including spots for electric cars and motorcycles. For standard cars, you’ll pay about 21–30 € per day depending on the season and time, which is generally less expensive than Piazzale Roma.
Maximum clearance in the indoor sections is 2.1 meters. Campers and tall vehicles are accommodated in outdoor areas for 27–29 € per 12 hours. It’s a simple parking lot with camera security and not many extra services, although the main indoor area is guarded and feels safe according to most visitors.
The official website tronchettoparking.it lets you check prices, FAQ, and availability, and you can also book ahead for peace of mind.
Venezia Center Parking Garage
This is another modern covered garage on Tronchetto right by the People Mover monorail. It’s a bit smaller, open 7:00–00:00, with a max height of 2.10 meters, and lets you keep your car keys. Prices are in the 25–30 € range for 24 hours, and you can book online directly at their official site.
How to Get from Tronchetto to Venice Center
Whether you park at Venezia Tronchetto Parking or Venezia Center Parking Garage, you’ll need to switch to public transport for the last leg into Venice.
- People Mover: A quick, automated train takes you from Tronchetto to Piazzale Roma in about 4 minutes, running every 7–10 minutes from early morning to late evening. Ticket costs are around 1.50 €. If you have an ACTV tourist or day pass, this ride might be included.
- Vaporetto (water bus): ACTV line 2 operates from Tronchetto piers to Piazzale Roma and further to popular stops along the Grand Canal. A single ticket is about 9.50 €, valid for 75 minutes on all ACTV water buses and land services, making it a good deal if you’ll use boats elsewhere in the day.
Parking in Mestre and Marghera: Budget-Friendly Options
For travelers staying longer in Venice, or those who want to save money, the best choice is often to park on the mainland in Mestre or Marghera. Parking here is a lot cheaper, and the transfer into Venice is easy thanks to regular trains, buses, and trams.
Mestre offers several secure and affordable garages, notably:
- Park Mestre Centro (Interparking) – Right in the city center, capped at about 18 € per 24 hours.
- Park Mestre Stazione / SABA Venezia Mestre Stazione – By the station, with convenient access to trains into Venice (10–15 min ride).
There are also guarded garages along Corso del Popolo and other main roads, plus some budget lots like MarcoPolo Parking that offer shuttles.
A word of caution: Mestre, like many Italian cities, has its own ZTL traffic-restricted zones, especially around the historic center. Stick to signed routes to public garages and do not enter side streets or old town cores unless your hotel has arranged a permit for you.
Some travelers take a chance on free street parking in residential areas around Mestre and Marghera, such as Via Trieste or around Marghera’s bus stops. This is only recommended for day-trips, not for overnight or with luggage in the car, as these spots fill quickly and are not guarded.
Getting into Venice from Mestre is straightforward: frequent trains from Venezia Mestre station to Venice Santa Lucia take about 10–15 minutes. Buses and trams connect central Mestre to Piazzale Roma in 15–25 minutes. These are included in any ACTV tourist or day pass.
Airport & Cruise Parking for Venice
Parking at Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
If you’re flying into Venice and plan to spend time in the city without your car, you might want to park at the airport. The official airport parking offers various lots with rates around 33–35 € per day close to the terminal, and cheaper rates from 3.5–10 € per day in off-site long-stay parks with a free shuttle. After leaving your car, take the local bus or water shuttle (Alilaguna) directly into Venice. If you are visiting Venice as part of a trip that involves a flight or a longer trip elsewhere, this can be the perfect option.
Cruise Passengers
If you are coming to Venice by car as part of a cruise, it’s easy to park at Tronchetto or Garage San Marco for a few nights. The People Mover runs directly to the Marittima cruise terminal for easy boarding and debarking. Reserve ahead, as cruise periods can make parking harder to find.
Parking for Special Vehicles and Accessible Parking
Campervans and Large Vehicles
If you’re traveling in a camper or minibus, your main option close to Venice is Tronchetto. The outdoor areas accept taller vehicles, but prices are steep (27–29 € per 12 hours, so about 54–58 € per 24 hours). There are no camper-specific services like water or electricity. Cheaper and properly equipped camper areas can be found on the mainland (search online for “sosta camper Mestre”), but you’ll need to take the train or bus into the city.
Parking for Electric Cars
Tronchetto Interparking has about 40 EV charging points, and Garage San Marco offers charging too. You may need the Interparking app or a special RFID card to activate the charger, so check facilities with the garage before arrival. EV infrastructure grows each year, but always verify latest info with the car park itself.
Motorbikes and Scooters
Motorbike parking is possible at Autorimessa Comunale, Garage San Marco, and Tronchetto with daily rates in the 15–20 € range. Motorcycles and scooters are common in Italian cities, and these garages are set up for overnight stays if you arrive on two wheels.
Accessible Parking in Venice
Venice does its best for accessible travel. At Autorimessa Comunale, 14 free spaces are available to disabled badge holders for up to 12 hours, and a 50% discount applies up to 14 hours. Sant’Andrea Car Park, also at Piazzale Roma, has 2 free spots for disabled travelers. In general, blue-line street parking within the municipality is free and without time limits for badge holders, except in the immediate Piazzale Roma zone.
Tronchetto offers more than 30 disabled spots, and lifts make access easy. The People Mover and most waterbus stops are accessible via ramps and level boarding, making Venice surprisingly doable for visitors with reduced mobility.
Free Parking Near Venice: Is It Worth the Trouble?
While everyone loves the idea of free parking, it’s important to know the risks. Free street parking is possible in some Mestre and Marghera neighborhoods, especially near Via Trieste or around bus stops. However, these areas are rarely guarded, spaces fill up quickly, and you have to be careful with road signage, zones can switch from free to paid, overnight to day-only, depending on local regulations. There’s a bigger risk of theft, and it’s not recommended if you have luggage or valuable items in your car. For a secure stay, a guarded garage may save you heartache even if it costs a little extra.
Is It Better to Park in Venice or Mestre?
The best place to park depends on your budget and your itinerary. For a weekend or city break, or if you are arriving late at night or leaving early, Piazzale Roma is the most convenient, you can walk straight into Venice and not worry about public transport. For longer trips, budget travel, or day-trips, parking in Mestre or Tronchetto gives a good balance between cost and convenience. If you have a bulky car or camper, or need to keep costs as low as possible, Mestre parking garages and even some free lots around Marghera make sense, as long as you are willing to commute 20–30 minutes by train or bus.
Step-by-Step: How to Choose Where to Park for Venice
- For a 1–2 day city break: Park at Piazzale Roma if you want quick, easy access, worth the higher price for zero commuting.
- For 3+ days or if cost matters: Tronchetto or Mestre garages offer lower daily rates and are a smart choice for longer visits.
- On a super-tight budget: Try free street parking in Marghera or Mestre, but only if you’re okay with the risks and plan ahead for public transport.
- Driving a camper or tall van: Tronchetto or Mestre’s dedicated camper areas are your best bet.
- Arriving by plane or for a cruise: Use official Marco Polo Airport parking or Tronchetto and book ahead.
Parking in Venice: Tips for Peace of Mind
- Always follow signs to Venezia – Tronchetto or Piazzale Roma and avoid restricted ZTL zones (even in Mestre).
- Decide what matters most, saving money, saving time, or making travel with luggage easy.
- Book parking in advance during busy periods (Carnival, public holidays, summer) to avoid disappointment.
- Check hourly rates versus full-day rates; in most garages, anything over an hour or two costs a full day.
- Never leave valuables in your vehicle, even in “guarded” car parks.
- Check height and length limits if you drive anything bigger than a sedan.
- Consider buying an ACTV day or multi-day pass for buses, vaporettos, and the People Mover, this makes hopping between parking and the city much simpler and cheaper.
Where You Can Book or Learn More
| Parking Location | Official Booking/Info Site |
|---|---|
| Autorimessa Comunale AVM | Venezia Unica – City Parking Garage |
| Garage San Marco | Garage San Marco Official Site |
| Venezia Tronchetto Parking | TronchettoParking.it |
| Park Mestre Centro | Interparking |
| Park Mestre Stazione | SABA Venezia Mestre Stazione |
| Venice Marco Polo Airport | Official Airport Parking |
Parking in Venice doesn’t have to be a headache. By planning ahead and choosing the right lot for your budget and itinerary, you’ll start your Venice adventure without the stress. From super-convenient Piazzale Roma to cost-saving Mestre, there’s an option for every traveler. Be sure to take a look at italyonfoot.com/venice for more Venice tips and easy sightseeing plans. Your journey starts as soon as you park.