How to Get to Padua
By Air
Venice Airport – Marco Polo (VCE)
The nearest airport to Padua is Venice Marco Polo International Airport, located about 49 km away. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
To reach Padua from Venice Airport, you can consider the following options:
- Bus: Busitalia Veneto offers a direct connection between Venice Marco Polo Airport and the Padua city center. For more details, visit the official page: Padova–Venezia Marco Polo.
- Train from Venezia Mestre Railway Station: The airport is connected to Venezia Mestre station via the ATVO Fly Bus or ACTV city bus no. 15.
- Train from Venezia Santa Lucia Railway Station: You can reach Piazzale Roma (near Venezia Santa Lucia station) from the airport using ACTV city bus no. 5.
- AirService: This shared shuttle service offers direct transfers from the airport to Padua. Book your shuttle here. Use the promo code SIGIR2025 to receive a discount.
For more information and additional travel options from Venice Airport to Padua, visit: Marco Polo Airport – Padua.
Other Veneto Cities
Treviso and Verona airports are also within easy reach of Padua:
- Treviso Airport – Antonio Canova (TSF) – 62 km from Padua
- Verona Airport – Valerio Catullo (VRN) – 86 km from Padua
If you land at Treviso or Verona airport, you can consider using a private shuttle or taking a bus or shuttle to the nearest railway station, from where you can reach Padua by train (see below on how to move around by train).
Other Cities
You can also reach Padua easily from other major northern Italian cities:
- Milan Airports – Linate (LIN) and Malpensa (MXP) – approximately 250 km from Padua. These airports are among the main international hubs in Italy and are well connected to Milan's central railway station, from where Padua can be reached by high-speed train (see below).
- Bologna Airport – Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ) – 120 km from Padua. Like Milan, Bologna Airport is well connected to the city’s railway station, from which a high-speed train can be taken to reach Padua.
- Bergamo Airport – Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY) – 194 km from Padua
By Train
Padua is easily accessible by train: it is approximately 2 hours from Milan, 1.5 hours from Bologna, and just 20 minutes from Vicenza or Venice.
For more information on how to reach Padua by train, visit the Trenitalia website.
Tickets can be purchased online, via the Trenitalia app, or at ticket offices in any train station. IMPORTANT: Tickets cannot be purchased on board the train.
When buying a ticket, consider the following types of trains:
- Frecciarossa: High-speed trains offering fast and modern service.
- Intercity: Generally slower than Frecciarossa but more affordable.
- Regional trains: The most economical option, though slower. Recommended for short trips (e.g., from Venice, Vicenza, or Verona).
Most routes connecting Padua to other major Italian cities are also operated by Italo Treno.
The Padua train station is about 500 meters from the Padova Congress Center — easily reachable on foot, by bus (lines 3, 10, or 25), or by taxi.
By Car
Padua can be accessed by two major highways, depending on your point of departure:
- Milano–Venezia Highway (A4/E70): Padova Est
- Bologna–Padova Highway (A13): Padova Sud
Moving Around the City
Padua is a compact and pedestrian-friendly city, making walking a pleasant and convenient option for getting around. Many of the main attractions, including historical landmarks, restaurants, and shops, are within walking distance of each other. Besides walking, we provide here some options to move around the town.
By Public Transportation
Tickets for local buses and trams are available through the following channels:
- Purchased directly from the bus driver
- At most tobacconist shops in town
- From the ticket machine outside the railway station
By Bus
From the railway station to the conference venue (Padova Congress Center), you can take bus line 3, 10, or 25.
By Tram
Padua has an efficient tram system that makes it easy to get around the city. The closest stops to the Padova Congress Center are "Stazione" (Railway Station) and "Trieste".
The tram also stops near many major landmarks, including the Scrovegni Chapel (Cappella degli Scrovegni), the city squares, Prato della Valle, and the Basilica of Saint Anthony (Sant'Antonio).
For more information on tram routes, visit the Tram Padova website.
By Taxi
Taxis are available in front of the railway station or can be booked by calling +39 049 651333. For more information, visit the Taxi Padova website.
You can also book a taxi using the appTaxi app.
By Shared Mobility
Padua also offers sustainable and eco-friendly transportation options. You can rent a shared bicycle using the Ridemovi platform, or a shared electric scooter through Bit Mobility and Dott.
By Car
If you're driving in Padua, be especially cautious in the city center. Like many Italian cities, Padua has restricted traffic zones ("ZTL") where only residents or hotel guests with authorization may drive. These areas are clearly marked and monitored by video surveillance, so be sure to check the signage and avoid entering without proper access.
For details on parking facilities nearby the Padova Congress Center, refer to this PDF: Parking Information.
Other Useful Links
For more information on how to reach Padua, visit the Municipal Tourism Office page.