Lignano Sabbiadoro Transportation

One of the main black point of the itinerary to reach Lignano from the West is the Venice toll Barrier. There are always long lines in Summer especially on Saturday afternoon when the tourists arrive to begin their vacation.
The queue is announced some kilometers before by the radio or by the GPS.
My tip is to go on the right line because near the barrier there are 3 new lines on this part of the motorway which are devoted to the payment by card and Italians are rather reluctant to pay with "plastic". More, these lines are just right of the 3 telepass lines which are generally used by drivers who frequently travel by "autostrada". Those who are blocked in a cash line cannot change line .So we go faster than a lot of people.

Fortunately, this black point is disappeared thanks to the "Passante di Mestre" which allows to avoid the toll barrier.

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Itinerary Paris - Lignano : (the quickest though a bit expensive)
- Motorway A6 from Paris beltway
- A40 at Macon then A41 (White Motorway)
- Mont Blanc Tunnel (32.3 Euros ! )
- A4 in Italy
- Exit at Latisana
- Lignano is at 15 Km from the exit.

We leave Paris at one AM and we arrive at Lignano at 3PM. Such as 14 H for 1250 Km, including a regular stop each 2 H + a breakfast and a lunch.

We reach the Mont Blanc Tunnel around 7 AM and the queue is short.

Since June 2009, we have not to pass the Venice toll Barrier which is now replaced by the "Passante di Mestre" a turnpike which allows to get round the Venice line at the toll to go directly East towards Trieste.

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A situation which becomes rarer and rarer in France (yes indeed) but which continues in Italy :
I was on the left lane at a speed above the limit (130 Km per hour) and a driver going faster (180 Km/h) standed behind me at few meters lighting his headlights.

1- It is very "pericoloso " because if I slow down he is unable to stop and he is liable if there is an accident

2- It is rude because it means "shift ! I am coming" (sgarbato ! malcalzone)

Fortunately, there is a new Road Traffic Code in Italy which includes a driving licence with 20 points.

In 2012, we have changed our travel policy to reach Lignano.
We take the plane early in morning to fly to Venice 1:40 and then we have reserved a taxi. There was some construction work on the highway so the journey lasted 2 hours with a driver who was not affraid by the passing prohibited signal nor the speed limit in order to not be blocked within the trafic jams.
Price for 2 :
- Plane 650€ with Air France for 2 (a low cost company is cheaper)
- Taxi : 120€ for each ride.
It is more confortable to leave home in the morning and to be on the seaside at noon than to ride the car during 15 or 16 hours.

If you have a bit of money to play with, you might want to take advantage of the numerous bicycle/Vespa/ATV rental shops located around Lignano. The "mottorinos" (Vespas) will cost around 40-50 euros an hour, though this rate is sometimes negotiable. Even if you have never ridden one before, it's extremely easy to learn and relatively safe, given the low traffic and long, straight roads. Definitely fun.