Where to park your car in Venice or on the mainland
In many European cities, driving a car into the city center is a hassle. In Venice, it's impossible: The road from the mainland stops at the edge of the centro storico.
Unless you're staying at a hotel in Mestre/Marghera that offers parking (or taking the No. 17 car ferry to the Lido di Venezia, where cars are allowed), convenient parking options are fairly limited.
In the city:
- Tronchetto
Venice's artificial parking island has a massive garage where you can park for less than at the more convenient Piazzale Roma (see below). To reach Tronchetto, cross the Ponte della Libertà to Venice and follow the signs as you approach the city.
Click for Tronchetto article at Venice for Visitors.
- Piazzale Roma
Several public and private garages offer parking at Piazzale Roma, Venice's gateway for buses, taxis, and cars. The location may seem convenient, but prices at the Garage San Marco and other facilities are much higher than Tronchetto's rates. Garages at Piazzale Roma also tend to fill up quickly on weekends, on holidays, or during peak season.
- Marittima cruise basin
Several open-air lots offer parking next to the ship terminals, at rates slightly higher than Tronchetto's. (The lots are intended mostly for roundtrip cruise passengers who are checking in at Marittima.)
In Mestre, on the mainland:
- Downtown Mestre
Several garages and lots offer parking near the Venezia Mestre railroad station, which is only 10 to 12 minutes from Venice by train.
- San Giuliano
The "Porta Gialla" or "Yellow Gate" lot next to the Parco San Giuliano is downright cheap, and you can catch a special water bus to Venice.
Click for San Giuliano Parking article at Venice for Visitors.
Important tip:
- Parking in Venice can be in short supply on weekends or from Easter through early fall, so it's a good idea to reserve a space in advance.
