Venice is an island located in the lagoon of the northern Adriatic Sea. If you're traveling by private car, take the highway exit at Mestre (on the mainland) and cross the 4-kilometer-long, one-meter-high bridge: Ponte della Libertà.
Ponte della Libertà
The Ponte della Libertà It is a 4-lane highway. There are two lanes available in each direction. And as you can see on the left side of the picture, the train to Venice’s Santa Lucia Station also crosses this bridge.
Three parking garages at the end of the bridge
By the time you reach the end of this bridge, at the latest, you'll have to decide which of Venice's three parking garages to use to park your car. The large parking garage on the parking island Tronchetto, the parking garage Municipal Parking Garage at Piazzale Roma or the San Marco Garage also at Piazzale Roma.
If you're heading to the Tronchetto park island, stay in the right lane at the end of the bridge and turn off in time. If you're heading to the two parking garages at Piazzale Roma, stay in the left lane.
Visitors to Venice who want to take the ferry to the Lido should also turn right at the end of the bridge and continue on to the ferry. This is clearly marked with signs for „Ferry.“.
For your peace of mind
If you get lost or decide on the spur of the moment to use a different parking garage: Stay relaxed.
Venice is very well organized in this regard. The routes between the Tronchetto Park Island and the Piazzale Roma are very well signposted in both directions. You can easily move between these two main parking areas without getting lost.
Overview of Parking Garage Rates
Find out all the prices, our recommendation, and something very special here Money-Saving Tip.
Brief Price Overview:
- Daily rate: 29.00 euros: Tronchetto, the "Park Island"
- Daily rate: 35.00 euros: The Comunale Autorimessa parking garage
- Daily rate: 45.00 euros: The San Marco Parking Garage
- Expert Tip: Daily rate between 6.00 (winter) and 8.00 (summer): Parking in Punta Sabbioni
Tronchetto Park Island
At the end of the bridge—Ponte della Libertà—turn right and follow the signs for Tronchetto. Buses, RVs, and visitors heading to the Lido drive under the parking garage, as shown in the center of the picture, and then turn left. You can access the Tronchetto parking garage by taking the entrance shown on the right in this picture. Unlike the other two parking garages at Piazzale Roma, this one also offers hourly rates for short-term parking.
Right behind the Tronchetto parking garage, you'll find the Vaporetto Line 2, which will take you quickly and comfortably into the city.
The Comunale Autorimessa Parking Garage
As soon as you reach the end of the bridge Bridge of Freedom To do so, please line up on the left lane to drive straight ahead toward Piazzale Roma.
Watch out for the driveway
After you've crossed the highest point of the bridge and the path begins to slope slightly downward again, you'll need to pay close attention:
- Classify in a timely manner: Now stay on the right lane.
- Location of the entrance: The entrance to the parking garage Municipal Car Park is located just before Piazzale Roma itself.
- Stay patient: At this point, expect a short line of about 5 to 10 vehicles in front of the barrier.
Please drive very carefully here, as this area is very busy with buses and taxis.
A personal tip: Choosing a parking spot
In the parking garage Municipal Car Park You may be instructed over the loudspeaker to drive up to the top decks (Levels 10 or 11). These parking spaces are outdoors. Your vehicle will be parked there in direct sunlight all day long—especially during the summer months.
Alternative Tronchetto: If you prefer a shaded parking spot or want to avoid driving up the many ramps to the roof, the Tronchetto Park Island as a convenient alternative. The walkways there are often wider, and the parking areas are covered.
The San Marco Parking Garage
The San Marco parking garage is located on the northern edge of Piazzale Roma. At the end of the Ponte della Libertà, stay in the left lane heading toward Piazzale Roma. Drive past the Autorimessa Comunale parking garage. Then turn right at Piazzale Roma. The entrance to the San Marco parking garage is at the far end of the street.
Parking in Punta Sabbioni
If you park directly in Venice’s parking garages, you’ll often pay between €35 and €45 per day. But there’s an alternative that not only saves you money but also turns your vacation into an adventure right from the moment you arrive. Especially for vacationers from the Adriatic (Jesolo, Cavallino, Bibione, Lignano) and Venice: For travelers coming from the east (Tarvisio), this route is a real hidden gem.
Safety: Proven for 40 years
Many tourists worry about their cars. But my own personal experience shows that the parking lots in Punta Sabbioni are absolutely safe. We’ve been parking our car there regularly for over 40 years—and nothing has ever happened. The lots are maintained and operated by local owners who know full well that safety is their most important asset.
By the way: A boat (vaporetto) leaves from Punta Sabbioni for Venice every 30 minutes.
Park & Ride
From each of the four parking lots described, you’ll definitely need a vaporetto ticket for the trip from the parking lot to your accommodations. To make sure a vaporetto doesn’t leave right in front of you and so you DON’T have to wait in line at the ticket counter, here’s a tip: Buy your vaporetto ticket online in advance. It costs the same as it does at the ticket counter on site.