Transport in Venice Article

In Venice, getting around is above all on foot or on the water. The historic centre has no cars, buses or trams: once you arrive at Piazzale Roma or Santa Lucia station, the network of alleys, quays and bridges becomes the main way to get around. For longer distances and to reach the islands of the lagoon, public transport is mainly provided by vaporetti, the water buses of the ACTV network.

The network is operated by ACTV, a company of the AVM group. It serves in particular the historic centre, Giudecca, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Sant'Erasmo, the Lido and Pellestrina.

• Official ACTV vaporetto timetable
• Official ACTV line map
• Information on public transport in Venice

Vaporetto fares

The main drawback of the vaporetto is its price when used only occasionally. The ACTV ticket valid for 75 minutes costs €9.50. Its validity starts at the first validation, and the ticket must be validated again each time you change means of transport.

For several journeys, limited-duration passes quickly become more worthwhile:

• 24 hours: €25
• 48 hours: €35
• 72 hours: €45
• 7 days: €65

These tickets give access to the relevant ACTV urban network, including vaporetti as well as urban buses, trams and the People Mover according to the ticket conditions. Ordinary connections to or from Marco Polo Airport are not included in the classic ACTV tourist tickets.

Travellers aged 6 to 29 can also look at the Rolling Venice offer, which notably allows a reduced rate on a 72-hour ACTV pass.

See the current ACTV fares and tickets.

Which vaporetto lines should you use?

The network includes many lines, and you do not need to know them all. For a visitor, a few are particularly useful:

• the line 1 runs along the Grand Canal, connecting in particular Piazzale Roma, Santa Lucia station, Rialto, San Marco and the Lido;
• the line 2 provides a faster connection across several areas and serves in particular the Grand Canal, Giudecca, Tronchetto, Piazzale Roma and San Marco;
• the 4.1 and 4.2 lines run circular routes around Venice and serve in particular Murano;
• the line 12, from the Fondamente Nove quays, is one of the main lines for reaching Murano, Mazzorbo, Torcello and Burano;
• the line 13 serves in particular Vignole and Sant'Erasmo.

Routes, termini and frequencies may change depending on the season or navigation conditions. ACTV also recommends checking timetables shortly before travelling. Fog and periods of acqua alta can also lead to service changes.

Venezia Unica and transport

Venezia Unica is the official platform for buying and combining different services for a stay in Venice: transport, museums, monuments and other tourist services. However, ACTV transport is not automatically included in every cultural package: you need to check precisely which services are included in the chosen product.

See how the Venezia Unica City Pass works.

Reaching Venice from the airport by boat

Alilaguna boats form a network separate from ACTV. They connect Marco Polo Airport directly to Murano and to several areas of central Venice. Depending on the route chosen, the lines serve in particular Fondamente Nove, Guglie, Rialto, San Marco, Zattere, Giudecca and Santa Lucia station.

The single ticket between the airport and Venice currently costs €18, with specific passes available. Alilaguna boats should therefore not be confused with ACTV vaporetti, even though their appearance and piers can sometimes be confusing.

See the Alilaguna fares and the lines served.

Traghetti, water taxis and gondolas

Traghetti offer a very Venetian way to cross the Grand Canal. They are large gondolas used as shuttles between two banks, particularly practical where bridges are far away. However, their operation depends on the piers and timetables available.

Water taxis are the most direct option: these private boats can reach many quays, hotels and islands, but their cost is out of all proportion to that of the vaporetto. They are especially worthwhile for a group, with a lot of luggage or when a direct journey is sought.

Finally, the tourist gondola is not strictly speaking a means of public transport. Today it is above all a ride on the canals, with fares regulated by the City of Venice.

Bicycles in Venice

Bicycles and other cycles are prohibited in the historic centre of Venice, even when they are walked by hand. An exception is provided on the short route linking Piazzale Roma to Santa Lucia station, via the Ponte della Costituzione and as far as the Ponte degli Scalzi area.

Coming to Venice by bicycle is nevertheless still possible: parking is available in Mestre and at Piazzale Roma. Cycling is also possible on the Lido, in Pellestrina and in several areas of the lagoon.

ACTV accepts bicycles only on certain routes, in particular lines 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 17 as well as some sections of line 2. Boarding remains subject to the boat's capacity and the captain's decision. Folding bicycles placed in a suitable cover benefit from special rules.

A few tips for getting around

To visit the historic centre, there is no point in taking a vaporetto for every journey: Venice is best discovered on foot, and much of its appeal lies precisely in the detours imposed by the canals and bridges. The vaporetto becomes particularly useful for travelling along the Grand Canal, reaching the Lido or Giudecca, or organising a day in the lagoon islands.

For several journeys in the same day, an ACTV pass is generally more sensible than buying successive €9.50 tickets. For a simple crossing or a short route in the centre, walking often remains just as quick once waiting time and boat stops are taken into account.

Sources and further information

• ACTV – Navigation network timetables
• ACTV – Transport line map
• Venezia Unica – Public transport tickets and fares
• Venezia Unica – Getting around Venice
• Alilaguna – Airport connection fares
• City of Venice – Bicycle regulations