Venice Ferry Port

Why Choose Venice?

For travellers driving down from Germany, Austria or further north via the Brenner or Tauern passes, Venice is the closest Italian port with a direct ferry to Greece. Choosing Venice over Ancona typically saves around 250–300 km of driving – but you pay for that with a considerably longer sea crossing, since Venice sits well north of the Adriatic's narrowest crossing points.

This is a niche but genuinely useful route if the extra driving distance to Ancona or Bari would eat into your holiday, or if you simply want to start your Greek getaway by falling asleep on a ferry in Venice and waking up a day and a half later in Greece. It suits travellers with flexible schedules more than those who need a fixed daily departure – sailings run only 2–4 times a week within seasonal windows, so this is not a turn-up-and-go route.

Terminal & Location – Read This Carefully

This is the single most important thing to know about the Venice–Greece ferry: departures do not leave from the Stazione Marittima in Venice's historic centre, and they do not leave from the Tronchetto car-ferry and cruise area either. Greece-bound ferries use the separate Fusina Ferry Terminal (Via dell'Elettronica, 30176 Fusina), on the mainland at the southern edge of the Venetian Lagoon, well away from the islands most visitors associate with "Venice".

By car, the route is: take the A4 motorway, join the A57 / Tangenziale di Mestre ring road, then take the exit signposted Fusina / Malcontenta and follow the SP23 to the terminal. It is a straightforward drive once you know Fusina is your destination – the mistake most first-timers make is heading towards central Venice or Tronchetto instead.

Fusina is not connected to central Venice by the People Mover monorail that links Tronchetto, the car parks and Piazzale Roma. If you want to see Venice itself before or after your crossing, you will need a separate trip by bus or the seasonal vaporetto boat described below.

Operators from Venice

Venice–Greece ferries run as a joint service between Anek Lines and Superfast Ferries, sharing vessels and schedules on the same route. Unlike Ancona or Bari, there is no competing independent operator to compare against – the joint Anek-Superfast sailing is the only option.

Frequency is limited to roughly 2–4 departures per week, and the service operates within seasonal windows rather than running identically all year – some weeks or months may see reduced or paused sailings. Always check exact departure dates for your travel period rather than assuming a fixed weekly pattern. In summer, some sailings include an intermediate call at Corfu.

Check-In & Boarding Procedures

Given the long crossing, check-in at Fusina follows the standard pattern for major Italy–Greece departures, but plan extra time given the terminal's mainland location:

• Vehicle passengers: check-in typically opens 3–4 hours before departure and closes around 2 hours prior. Given Fusina's less central location, build in a buffer for the drive via the Tangenziale di Mestre, which can see heavy traffic at peak times.
• Foot passengers: check-in opens around 2 hours before departure. Since public transport to Fusina is limited, confirm your bus or seasonal vaporetto timetable well in advance.
• Documents: EU passport or national ID card for EU citizens. Vehicle registration and valid insurance required for drivers. Given the length of this crossing, double-check any visa requirements well ahead if you are a non-EU traveller.

Motorhomes & Vehicles

Fusina is primarily a drivers' and motorhome port – given that foot passengers face a more complicated approach than at most Italian terminals, the large majority of travellers arrive by car or camper. Vehicle lanes at Fusina are set up to handle motorhomes and larger vehicles without difficulty.

Conveniently, Camping Fusina sits directly next to the ferry terminal. This makes it easy to arrive the evening before an early departure, stay overnight at the campsite, and simply drive the short distance to check-in the next morning rather than arriving at the terminal itself very early. For full vehicle guidance, see our camper guide.

Onward Travel from Venice

The main argument for Venice over Ancona is the driving distance saved for travellers coming from Germany, Austria or Switzerland – typically around 250–300 km less than continuing on to Ancona, at the cost of a considerably longer sea crossing. If you are weighing the two, factor in fuel, tolls and an extra overnight stop against the additional hours on board.

If you have time before your ferry, central Venice is a worthwhile detour, though reaching it from Fusina requires the bus/vaporetto connection rather than a direct walk. Coming from the north on the A4, Venice also makes a natural staging point before continuing towards Trieste or into Slovenia if your trip extends beyond Greece.

FAQ

Where do ferries to Greece depart from in Venice?

From the Fusina Ferry Terminal on the mainland, not the Stazione Marittima in the historic centre and not Tronchetto. Address: Via dell'Elettronica, 30176 Fusina.

How long is the ferry from Venice to Patras?

Around 31–32.5 hours on the joint Anek-Superfast service, with 2–4 sailings a week within seasonal windows.

How long is the ferry from Venice to Igoumenitsa?

Around 24–25.5 hours, also on the Anek-Superfast service, sometimes with a summer stop in Corfu.

Which company operates Venice ferries to Greece?

Anek Lines and Superfast Ferries, running a joint service rather than competing separately. Always check current departure dates, as sailings are seasonal.

Can foot passengers reach the Venice ferry terminal?

Not directly by the People Mover. Use the local bus from Mestre or the seasonal Fusina–Zattere vaporetto. Fusina is mainly geared towards drivers and motorhome travellers.