How does public transport work in Venice? Here’s our complete guide to getting around Venice using the city’s various forms of public transport.
Venice is an ideal city for walking, but even the most loyal walkers will probably want to use public transport in Venice at some point. Water is, after all, how you get around in this city where there are no cars or buses, and you won’t regret a ride on a vaporetto, one of Venice’s famous boats.
To get around Venice, you first have to get there. Here’s how to get from Marco Polo airport to Venice. What if you’re arriving fromTreviso airport? No problem! Just click here.
The good news is that Venice’s public transport system is really easy to use – there are very few lines to spot in Venice, and only a few places where you’ll have no choice but to take the boat. The bad news is that transport tickets seem more expensive than they should be, so it’s important to know all the transport options in Venice to save money.
Here’s what you need to know about using public transport in Venice (prices, timetables, routes…)!
How to use public transport in Venice
As you’ll have gathered by now, the most common way to get around Venice is by boat. There are many different types of boat in Venice. The three main types of water transport in Venice are vaporetto, gondola and traghetto. But do you know what they are?
Vaporetto
These are the large water buses that run regular routes (see route map) along the Grand Canal, for example, and from Venice to Murano and Burano. During your stay, you’re bound to take a vaporetto (plural vaporetti ).
Map of vaporetto lines
It goes without saying that getting lost in the narrow streets of Venice can be part of the charm of your stay. Since vaporetti essentially only run along the Grand Canal and between the islands of the Venetian lagoon, you don’t really have to worry about getting around the network of lines. If you’re close to the Grand Canal, it may be easier to go to the nearest vaporetto stop and look at the stops served by that line. And if you’re planning a trip to one of the other islands, you’ll need to find the connection.
To make it easier for you to organize your transportation in Venice, we’ve included a map of the Venice vaporetto lines below.
Vaporetto: where to buy tickets, prices, timetables…
A one-way ticket valid for 75 minutes to take a vaporetto will cost you €7.50. If you’re just looking to cross a canal, that’s a hefty price to pay. At this point, we suggest either taking an ACTV Pass, which gives you access to all transport in Venice for the duration of your choice (from 1 to 7 days), or taking a traghetto, or walking.
Vaporetti ticket price:
- 75 min: €7.5
- 24h : 20€
- 48h : 30€
- 72h : 40€
- 7 days: €60
Children under 6 travel free! Once you’ve bought your ticket, don’t forget to validate it in the machines available at each vaporetto station just before boarding.
Gondolas
The gondolas are Venice’s most famous boats, symbols of the Venetian dolce vita. You can hire a private gondola for a cruise, but it costs a small fortune. Find out more about gondola rides in Venice.
Map & plan of gondola lines
If you’re looking for a picturesque, folkloric and romantic way to visit Venice, this is a must! Gondola stations are numerous and scattered throughout the city. Stops serve the most popular tourist sites and thoroughfares. These include the famous Piazza San Marco, the Orseolo Basin, the Rialto Bridge, Piazzale Roma and Campo San Moise. The gondolas are almost exclusively reserved for tourists: locals never use them.
To help you organize your transportation in Venice, we’ve included a map of the gondola lines below.
Gondolas: where to buy your tickets, at what price, timetables…
Gondola fares are strictly regulated. So there are no surprises when you book or embark. The fare is set per gondola, not per number of people, and will be the same for one or five people (the maximum possible).
To buy your tickets, go to a stop and look for an empty gondola. The gondolier shouts « Gondola, gondola! » when his gondola is available. Landings are marked « Servizio Gondole ». You can also book online. Gondoliers are active day and night!
Gondola ticket price :
During the day, a gondola costs €80 for 30 minutes and €40 for a further 20 minutes.
At night (from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. in summer), a gondola costs €100 for 30 minutes and €50 for an additional 20 minutes.
Traghetto
Traghetti are large gondolas used to cross the Grand Canal at various points. This means of transport is less picturesque: there are two gondoliers, they don’t sing, and they don’t wear the famous striped shirt. What’s more, passengers (no more than 14) don’t sit down during the crossing.
Map & plan of traghetti lines
Traghetti cross the Grand Canal from one bank to the other at eight points around the city.
To make it easier for you to organize your transportation in Venice, we’ve included a map of the traghetti lines below.
Traghetti: where to buy tickets, prices, timetables…
Tickets can be purchased directly from the gondoliers. Simply wait at the desired landing stage and climb aboard. Departures are approximately every five minutes.
Each line has a different timetable, and most are only active in the morning.
- Ferrovia/San Simeone: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ;
- San Marcuola/Fondaco dei Turchi: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ;
- Santa Sofia/Mercato del Rialto: 7.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ;
- Riva del Vin/Riva del Carbon: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ;
- San Tomà/San Stefano: 7.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. ;
- San Samuele/Ca’ Rezzonico: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ;
- Santa Maria del Giglio/Salute: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ;
- Punta della dogana/San Marco-Giardinetti: 9 am to 2 pm.
Ticket price for traghetti :
The cost is €2 per crossing if you don’t live in Venice. For locals, the fare is €0.75.
In the photo of the Grand Canal below, you can see the three different types of boat mentioned in the article.
Photo credit: Max Pixel – Sony Ilce-7r
As mentioned above, most travelers are content to walk around Venice for the duration of their stay. You really can walk everywhere, and in many ways a stroll is one of the things to do in Venice. But taking a boat along the Grand Canal (especially at night) can be a great way to spend some quality time. And if you’re planning to visit other islands in the lagoon, you’re likely to take a vaporetto or two in Venice.
ACTV Venice Pass: what’s in it for you?
Venezia Unica is the main seller of public transport tickets, and you can buy vaporetti tickets in the booths of most stations. Free timetables and maps are also available. Tickets can also be purchased in advance online.
In fact, if you plan to use the vaporetto frequently (more than three trips), instead of spending €7.50 for each one-way ticket, it’s advisable to take out an ACTV Pass – which gives unlimited access (and for a set period that begins when you validate your ticket at the yellow machine located at the vaporetto stops).
Show your card each time you board, even if you have already validated it on your first trip. If you’re stopped without a valid ticket, you’ll have to pay an immediate fine of €59 (plus the €7.50 fare). No exceptions possible.
ACTV Venice Pass – FAQ
How do I get my ACTV Pass?
To collect your ACTV Pass booked online, you need to exchange the voucher you receive by email at Vènezia Unica branches or Vènezia Unica vending machines. Once you’ve made your reservation, you’ll receive a complete list of all vending machines by e-mail.
Simply scan the QR code on your voucher at the yellow machines, which will automatically issue your ticket, allowing you to use the vaporetti for the duration of your pass (from 1 to 7 days).
How do I use the ACTV Pass?
The ACTV Pass is activated on the first trip, not when the ticket is collected. It is therefore no longer necessary to validate each time you board, and the ACTV Pass operates in 24-, 48-, 72- or 7-day packages. If you validate the 24-hour Pass on Monday at 12pm, it will only be valid until Tuesday at 12pm.
What are the vaporetto timetables in Venice?
Vaporetti run between 5 a.m. and 11.30 p.m. Waiting time between two vaporetti varies from less than 10 minutes to 20 minutes.
How much luggage can I take on board?
The package includes a single piece of luggage, unless you’re coming from the airport. Vaporetti are equipped with a luggage storage area behind the cockpit. For more than two pieces of luggage, an additional ticket is charged.
What’s the main tourist vaporetto line?
The main tourist vaporetto line, the one recommended if you want a « cruise » (without a guide and at a lower cost) on the Grand Canal, is vaporetto line #1.
Vaporetto line #1 runs along the Grand Canal, stopping at every point between the station and Piazza San Marco. It takes between 45 minutes and an hour to travel between these two points. If you’re looking for a peaceful way to see the sights, and the weather is favorable, this is a great way to relax for an hour.
If you still have questions about transportation in Venice, please write us a comment below! We’ll be happy to help.