13903ITA
Taxis are not to be taken without specific instructions from the Area Office
· If you have a split arrival (Milan and Venice) or multiple arrivals in Venice which you are not able to cover for reasons of time, an assistant will be provided at the airport. Check your vouchers and call the assistant in advance to confirm the arrangements.
· If you need to return to the airport from the Lido to pick up a second sub group, use the Alilaguna service between the Lido and the airport, running approximately every hour. Trip time 50 mins. Note that this line requires a special ticket and is not covered by the Venice Pass.
· For groups staying in a Venice who have vaporetto passes included, your voucher will have a code number that you can use at an ACTV automatic ticket machine to print passes. A good tip is to print the passes at the airport before meeting the group (the ACTV automatic ticket machine is just outside the airport by the bus stops at exit B). Alternatively, you can print them at the Lido vaporetto terminal. Other ticket machine are at Tronchetto, Piazzale Roma, the central train station and San Marco. Simply scan the Qr code to print the passes. This takrs some time, especially if you have a large group (ie many passes to print)!
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
How to get to the airport – arrival
Most groups overnight on the Lido Island when in Venice. However, TM pre-tour accommodation is usually on the mainland, close to the airport. Be sure to check with the Area Office where you will be staying! You can take the public bus to the airport for group pickup.
Once your group has arrived, there are two possible ways to get to your hotel:
Arrival Option 1 (staying in Venice proper)
A private launch has been booked (see voucher) and will be waiting at the dock adjacent to the airport. You will have a voucher for this
service. Call to confirm the service or inform of any delays, and get the name of the boat and driver number.
Meet your group outside the baggage claim area sliding door, inside the Arrivals lobby. Walk them to the elevators and escalators and head to the upper floor (where the Departure hall is located).
Once up, walk to the Darsena (wet dock), following the signs to your right (as you face the check in counters). Follow the moving walkways to the end of the sky bridge, then take the escalators down to the water level, where all the motorboats are moored. The distance between the baggage claim area and the jetty is a good 8 to 10 minute walk.
At the waterfront the private launch by Venezia Turismo will usually be waiting for you at the far right jetty as you face the water. If unsure, either call your driver or ask one of the assistants on the dock to help you locate your launch.
Load the luggage and board the launch with your group. Be sure to check that only members of your group board the boat. Individual tourists frequently confuse yours with the regular public service!
You will be transferred to the closest landing spot to your hotel on the Lido. If the hotel is not within walking distance, a bus will have been booked to transfer you with the luggage to your hotel. If your hotel is within reasonable walking distance but too far to carry luggage a minibus will be booked (check your voucher) to transfer JUST the suitcases.
Your touring bus will join you only on the night before your departure from Venice Lido.
Arrival Option 2 (staying in Mestre or somewhere else)
If you are running an Explorer trip your group will usually be booked in Mestre. In this case, you will have a tour bus waiting at the airport to drive group to the booked hotel.
How to get to the airport – departure (Core trips)
On departure day a private launch will transfer your group and luggage directly to the airport. Call ahead to reconfirm this service the night before. Transfer time around one hour.
How to get to the airport – departure (Explorer trips)
Your tour bus will provide the straight transfer to airport. Allow about 30 minutes for the ride.
Reconfirmation of flights.
Reconfirmation of flights is taken care of by ACIS.
Most airlines require individual check-in, increasingly involving the use of automatic terminals. This procedure takes a lot of time, it is therefore important that you are at the airport 3 hours before departure of Intercontinental flights and 2 hours before European/