By car ferry between Lido and Tronchetto
The plan by https://www.OpenStreetMap.org – © OpenStreetMap contributors.
The Line 17 car ferry runs continuously back and forth between Lido S. Nicolo and the Tronchetto park island. One boat departs from the Lido and another from Tronchetto at the same time. They meet right in front of St. Mark’s Square. The cost of transporting a car depends heavily on its size and weight. Expect to pay about 50 euros. Pedestrians are also allowed to ride along to take photos of Venice’s magnificent skyline.
Tourists heading to the Lido come from the mainland via the town of Mestre, crossing the 4-kilometer-long, one-meter-high bridge called the Ponte della Libertà. Since it is the only bridge leading to Venice, you must take this route to get there.
The car ferry runs back and forth continuously between the northern part of the city, the island of Tronchetto, and the Lido (San Nicolo stop), as you can see from the blue line in the picture.
The official name on the ferry's website is:
TRONCHETTO – LIDO S. NICOLO‘ VEHICLE TRANSPORT SERVICE‘
The Tronchetto Stop
The plan is from http://www.OpenStreetMap.org – © OpenStreetMap contributors
At the end of the Ponte della Libertà bridge, it curves slightly to the right and also slopes upward a bit. At the top, there is a traffic light and a yellow gas station on the left side of the street. Turn right at the traffic light, toward the Tronchetto parking garage. The harbor shown here in the picture has NOTHING to do with you, except that during peak season you’ll see several giant cruise ships anchored here.
Directions to the Ferry
Keep to the right at the traffic light. After the traffic light, turn right and follow the road toward the Tronchetto parking garage – Ferry – Lido, as shown in the picture. The ferry is located behind the Tronchetto parking garage. Therefore, please follow the signs to Tronchetto first. There’s usually very little traffic here. The only vehicles here are tourists heading to the parking garage, those going to the cruise ship terminal, and cars taking the ferry.
Directions via the Tronchetto parking garage
Drive straight through the underpass of the parking garage. Immediately after the parking garage, the road curves to the left. So just follow the curve of the road. The parking garage is now on your left, and the open-air parking lot for buses and RVs is on your right.
The payment office at Tronchetto
After passing the Tronchetto parking garage, continue toward Ferry. After a few meters, you'll reach the payment booth. Right behind the payment office is a parking lot and the access road to the ferry.
The ferry at the Lido stop
Cars (buses and trucks—not shown here), mopeds, cyclists, and pedestrians on the ferry at the Lido. Drive carefully off the ferry and follow your GPS to your accommodations.
If you're interested, be sure to check out our detailed page about the Lido: The Lido of Venice
The S. Nicolo stop on the Lido
The plan is from http://www.OpenStreetMap.org – © OpenStreetMap contributors
When you leave the Lido, drive all the way to the northernmost end of the Lido. That’s where the S. Nicolo ferry stop is located. Then turn right onto the street with the short line of people waiting. At the end of the street, turn around and drive back through the toll booth, where you’ll need to check in first.
Important Note You must pass the toll booth to board the ferry. You CANNOT drive onto the ferry directly from the public road.
There's always a short line at the Lido
In the very background of the picture is the toll booth with a barrier. You must check in here first before boarding the ferry.. By the way, at the beginning of the street where the line starts, there's a small kiosk that keeps people in line entertained in exchange for money.
General Note:
In Italy, DON'T let the exterior of a restaurant, store, or kiosk put you off. Here in Italy, NOT everything is always adorned with a perfect golden border, and not everything is always meticulously and spotlessly clean the way you're used to or expect back home. Nevertheless, it’s often at the kiosks—the ones that don’t look perfect on the outside—that you’ll find the very best espresso, Aperol, or sandwiches. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Prices
- 13.00 euros Cars up to 4.00 meters, motorcycles over 50 cc, sidecars, microcars, trailers*, minivans.
- 21.00 euros Cars ranging from 4.01 to 4.50 meters, bus and coach trailers, and vehicles for mixed transport up to 3.5 metric tons.
- 26.00 euros Vehicles longer than 4.50 meters, minibuses with up to 9 seats, and trucks weighing up to 3.5 metric tons.
- 30.00 euros Trucks up to 3.5 metric tons with trailers, road and agricultural machinery, and trucks over 35 quintals.
- 57.00 euros Trucks with trailers weighing more than 3.5 metric tons, trucks, and tractor-trailers.
- 65.00 euros Buses
- 1.50 euros Bicycles
We have NOT listed the prices for annual passes here. This is certainly not of interest to tourists visiting Venice.
Online
You can find the complete price list at this link: https://avm.avmspa.it/en/content/ferry-boat-4
The Schedule
Travel time: The ferry ride takes 35 minutes.
The first ferry departs at 5:00 a.m. from the Tronchetto stop. Ferries generally run every 50 minutes. During peak season, when traffic is heavy, a second ferry is added.
Lido S. Nicolo The first ferry also begins service at 5:00 a.m. at the Lido stop.
You can find details at this link. The ferry schedule is listed there in detail.
The link to the schedule is:
https://avm.avmspa.it/sites/default/files/avm/navigazione/Actv_nav_linea_17.pdf
Stunning Views: The Panorama Deck
During the summer season, be sure to head to the Panorama Deck with your camera or cell phone. During the 35-minute ride, you’ll experience the exceptionally beautiful skyline as you travel through the heart of the city. You’ll NEVER have a more beautiful view than this.
The ferry route offers an extraordinary skyline tour that takes you past the entire Venice skyline. Have your camera ready. After you park your car, walk up the stairs to the ferry’s observation deck and enjoy the ride. You’ll be thrilled.
The ferry has both an air-conditioned lounge and a small kiosk where you can buy soft drinks or enjoy your first or last espresso.
A video of the ferry ride from Venice to the Lido
Pictures from the Road
Key facts about this trip
Travel time: 35 minutes each way
Price: 9.50 euros per person per trip. A car costs about 50 euros, depending on its size.
Interval: A ferry departs every 30 minutes from both the Lido and Tronchetto.
Schedule: https://avm.avmspa.it/sites/default/files/avm/navigazione/Actv_nav_linea_17.pdf
If you're interested, be sure to check out our detailed page about the Lido: The Lido of Venice
The exact schedules with departure times for all lines:
Line 1 – Line 2 – Line 3 – Line 4 – Line 5 – Line 6 – Line 7 – Line 8 – Line 9 – Line 10 – Line 11 – Line 12 – Line 13 – Line 14 – Line 15 – Line 16 – Line 17 – Line 18 – Line 20 – Line 22 – Night Line N – Night Line NLN – NMU Night Line
Overview of All Vaporetto Lines
Vaporetto Lines 1 through 5 – Vaporetto Lines 6 through 10 – Vaporetto Lines 11 through 15 – Vaporetto Lines 16 through 22 – The Vaporetto Night Lines
Major Vaporetto Destinations in Venice – The following Vaporetto lines stop here:
St. Mark's Square – Piazzale Roma – Train Station (Ferrovia) – Tronchetto Park Island – Rialto Bridge – Lido – Murano – Burano – Punta Sabbioni