We found a Ryanair round-trip from London Luton (LTN) to Venice Marco Polo (VCE) for 6–10 December 2026, from $37. That is about 61% below the usual fare we see on this route (a median of $94 in the sample we checked). Both directions are nonstop, both use Luton and Marco Polo, and the flight takes a little over two hours.
That price is what was on sale when we checked on 13 November 2026. Low-cost seats disappear, and the total changes once bags are added. If the fare is gone when you open the link, this page is not a promise that it will come back.
Where to stay
Four nights in early December are a quieter Venice than summer: cooler walks, fewer crowds, and the city starting to light up for the holidays. The comparison below is by neighbourhood, not a ranking of any hotel. Because this fare uses Marco Polo, not Treviso, a base near a vaporetto stop or a straightforward path from Piazzale Roma matters on arrival day.
San Marco
The postcard core around St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. Unbeatable for a first visit if you want to step outside and already be in the centre, and usually the most expensive. It stays busy even in December, and some streets are noisy late. A quieter side street is more restful than a room on the piazza itself.
San Polo / Rialto
Beside the Rialto Bridge and the market, with cicchetti bars and a genuinely central location. You can walk to San Marco and still feel a little closer to everyday Venice. The market streets are lively in the morning; a room a block off the main route is usually calmer at night.
Dorsoduro
The art and university quarter, near the Accademia, the Zattere and Santa Maria della Salute. Quieter and a good fit for a slower stay, with beautiful walks along the water. Slightly less convenient for a very early start than a base near Piazzale Roma or the station, but this return flight leaves in the evening.
Cannaregio
A more local stretch toward the railway station, including the historic Jewish Ghetto, with trattorie and often gentler prices than San Marco. Well connected by vaporetto, and a practical first-night choice if you arrive from Marco Polo via Piazzale Roma or Ferrovia.
Castello
East of San Marco, toward the Arsenale and the Riva. Still walkable to the main sights, usually a little quieter and slightly better value than the square itself. A solid base if you want the island atmosphere without sleeping on the busiest lanes.
Santa Croce / Piazzale Roma
The practical choice for the airport bus and the people mover. Many travellers from Marco Polo arrive here first, which helps after a morning flight from Luton. The immediate station and bus area is functional rather than pretty; a hotel a few quieter streets into Santa Croce is usually better than a room on the terminal itself. Staying in Mestre, on the mainland, is cheaper still, but it means commuting in and out each day.
Hotels in these areas
Once you have a neighbourhood in mind, compare prices for 6–10 December. This is not a recommendation of a specific hotel, and the rate in the link may differ from what you see now.
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Before you book
Confirm both legs are still nonstop Ryanair flights between Luton and Venice Marco Polo, not Treviso and not a different London airport. A cheaper-looking $37 option on these dates sometimes mixes Luton on the way out with Stansted on the way back; the fare this page is about uses Luton in both directions. The cheap headline fare usually includes a small under-seat bag. A larger cabin bag and a checked bag are normally extra, and so is choosing a seat. Add those costs before you compare this ticket with a fare that already includes a suitcase.
The timetable is early on the way out and comfortable on the way home. The outbound leaves Luton at 07:25, so many travellers stay near the airport or travel out the evening before. The return leaves Marco Polo at 19:35, which leaves time for a full last day if you allow for the Alilaguna or the bus to Piazzale Roma. Four nights is enough to stay in one neighbourhood and cover San Marco, a couple of slower walks and some cicchetti stops without changing hotels.
Early December in Venice is city-break weather. Days are often in the high single digits to low teens Celsius, with fog, damp stone and a real chance of acqua alta, so waterproof shoes and a jacket matter. The summer crowds have thinned, and the city is starting to put up holiday lights, without quite being peak Christmas week. Book the room separately, and check the cancellation terms. A fare this low is often non-refundable, so the flight dates and the room dates should match before you pay for either.
FAQ
Is the London–Venice fare nonstop?
Yes. The fare we saw is Ryanair nonstop in both directions between London Luton (LTN) and Venice Marco Polo (VCE). Confirm both legs are still Luton and Marco Polo, not Stansted, Heathrow or Treviso (TSF), and that you return to the same London airport you left from.
Does the $37 fare include bags?
That is the price we saw for a round-trip ticket on 13 November 2026. The cheap Ryanair headline fare usually includes a small under-seat bag. A larger cabin bag and a checked bag are normally extra, and so is choosing a seat. Add those costs before you compare this ticket with a fare that already includes a suitcase.
What are the flight times, and how do I get into Venice?
The outbound leaves Luton at 07:25 and arrives at Marco Polo around 11:35. The return leaves Marco Polo at 19:35 and gets back to Luton around 20:45, so you have a full last day in the city. From Marco Polo, the usual options are the Alilaguna water bus, or a land bus to Piazzale Roma and then a vaporetto or a short walk. A water taxi is faster and much more expensive. The 07:25 departure from Luton means an early start; many travellers stay near the airport or travel out the evening before.
Where should I stay for a short December trip?
San Marco is the most central and the most expensive. San Polo and Rialto are still very central with more everyday energy, Dorsoduro is quieter and scenic, Cannaregio and Castello are often better value, and Santa Croce or the area near Piazzale Roma is the most practical for the airport transfer. For four nights, staying on the islands is usually worth it over Mestre.