Venice’s Marco Polo Airport is the main international airport for major airlines flying into the city. Venice Marco Polo is not to be confused with Venice Treviso Airport, some 40km north of the city which is popular with many short-haul and budget airlines – so please check your destination carefully before you confirm your Avis car rental in Venice.

The Avis office at Venice Marco Polo Airport is located on level 3 of Car Park 1 (signposted P1). As you leave the Airport arrivals area, follow the covered walkway on the left and follow signs for P1 and P1 Parking 3rd floor.

Members of our free loyalty team Avis Preferred will find our Avis Preferred desk open 09.00 to 17.00. The Avis Preferred desk at Venice Marco Polo Airport is inside the airport terminal building on level 1 just before the walkway to the car park. Our friendly Avis team will be ready to welcome you and help get you on your way.

Venice Marco Polo Airport is just outside the coastal village of Tessera which is just a short drive from the centre of mainland Venice (Venezia Mestre). The 6-mile (9.7 km) trip takes around 20min depending on the time of day. You will leave the airport parking via Viale Galileo Galilei and head west to join the Via Orlanda Strade Statale (SS) 14 which runs parallel to the Adriatic coast. At the Ponte San Giuliano roundabout you will either head west into the centre of mainland Venice or turn left onto the Via San Giuliano for Venice island itself crossing the Ponte della Libertà bridge and parking at either of the two car park terminals (Tronchetto or Piazzale Roma) where you leave your rental car behind and hop on a boat or take a stroll around the city.

Top of your list for your trip to Venice will be to jump on a boat or sit back and enjoy the sights as a gondola takes you along the stunning Grand Canale.

You’ll want to head for San Marco district to soak up the wonders of St Mark’s Square and the magnificent gothic Doge’s Palace dating from 1340, before sauntering over the ancient Rialto Bridge to take in some shopping, sit and people watch over a coffee or dine in one of a multitude of fine restaurants that fill the bustling streets. In summer, kick back like a Venetian and take a boat ride to Venice Lido to soak up the sun on one of the islands many golden sandy beaches.

Beautiful though it is, after a few days on the water, you may be itching to get back on drier land and take to the open road and you are spoilt for choice when planning a road trip from Venice. Whether you want to head to the lakes, explore magical Renaissance cities, have a driving tour of the Prosecco vineyards, or go hiking in the Dolomite mountains, the region has so much to offer.

A favourite destination just 40min drive from Venice is the medieval university city of Padua famous for its Scrovegni Chapel decorated by the artist Giotto and where it is lovely to spend time in the city squares or markets.

No trip to the region would be complete without a road trip to Verona, around 1hr20min away along the A4 Turin to Trieste road also known as the intercontinental E70 motorway which crosses 10 countries on its route between Spain and Poland. Famous as the setting for William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, this honey-coloured terracotta-rooved medieval city on the banks of the River Adige justifies its romantic connections and you can even visit a balcony in what is said to have been Juliet’s home.

Finally, if the great outdoors calls you, head north from Venice on the Autostrada 27 and in just a couple of hours you’ll be in the green hills and mountains of the Dolomites National Park.

While Venice island is car-free and you’ll be taking to the water on buses and taxis as well as walking around the city, the Veneto region, of which Venice is the capital, has many unmissable treasures within easy reach by car. The road network in this part of northeastern Italy is good and as well as taking the chance to explore the coastal areas immediately around Venice, renting a car gives you the opportunity for independent travel in one of Italy’s most beguiling regions.

If you are driving in Italy for the first time, it’s worth familiarising yourself with the road rules before you go. Be aware that the Veneto region has a number of low emissions zones and there are lower speed limits in some urban areas.

If you are using the motorways, the left hand (fast lane) should be used for overtaking only.

Car parks are plentiful around Venice Mestre and there is also free on-street parking a short 10min walk from the centre of mainland Venice. When you head to Venice Island itself, you will be able to park in one of the two car terminal car parks which cost around Euros 30 per day. At busy times of the year, it is recommended that you book your parking space online in advance of your trip.