In a nutshell
- Taking a vaporetto, water bus or water taxi in Venice? What’s the difference, and do you actually need them? We’ll explain everything you need to know about getting around Venice.
- Vaporetto and water bus mean the same thing. “Vaporetto” is just what locals in Venice call it.
- A single ticket costs 9.50 euros and is valid for 75 minutes. It’s not cheap, but day and multi-day tickets are available and can save you money fast.
- Coming from the airport? You can take the airport water bus to Venice, but regular vaporetto tickets don’t cover this route.
What Is The Vaporetto?
The vaporetto is Venice’s version of a water bus.
It works just like a typical city bus in other places — except that in Venice, everything runs on water instead of roads.
The city’s public transport is run by the company ACTV.
There are several lines and plenty of stops throughout Venice where the vaporetto picks up passengers.
You can also use it to reach other islands in the lagoon, like Murano, Burano or even the beaches on Lido.
Vaporetto Venice: Tickets
A single vaporetto ticket is valid for 75 minutes and costs 9.50 euros.
If you’re planning to take the vaporetto at least three times in one day, it’s definitely worth getting a day ticket for 25 euros. This gives you unlimited rides on all Venice water buses for 24 hours.
Check out how to visit in Venice on 1 day
That’s a great option if, for example, you’re visiting more than one island on the same day.
| Price | Tickets | |
|---|---|---|
| One-way ticket | €9.50 | Book tickets |
| 24-hour ticket | €25 | Book tickets |
| 48-hour ticket | €35 | Book tickets |
| 72-hour ticket | €45 | Book tickets |
| 7-day ticket | €65 | Book tickets |
All vaporetto tickets are valid for public transport within the city area, but not for trips to Marco Polo Airport.
The city area includes:
- Mestre (on the mainland)
- Lido
- Murano
- Burano
In Mestre and on Lido, you’ll also find regular road buses — and yes, your vaporetto ticket works for those too.
So if you stay in Mestre to save money and take the bus into Venice, you can hop straight on a vaporetto with the same ticket.
Where to buy vaporetto tickets
During peak season, it’s best to buy your vaporetto tickets online. That way, you can skip the lines at ticket machines — and the price is exactly the same.
Of course, you can also buy tickets at any vaporetto stop from a machine or at the ticket counter.
There’s an ACTV app too, but it’s only available in Italian and a bit tricky to use.
Do You Always Need The Vaporetto in Venice?
When you arrive in Venice, you don’t necessarily need a vaporetto ticket right away.
Most of the main sights in Venice can be easily reached on foot. It takes about 40 minutes to walk across the historic center.
You only need the vaporetto if:
- you’re on a day trip to Venice and want to save time,
- you’re visiting Venice with children who can’t walk long distances,
- you have limited mobility,
- you want to visit the other islands in the lagoon.
By the way: The vaporetto is included in the Venice Turbo Pass. If you want to see a lot in a short time, the pass can be a great value. Check out our Venice pass comparison for more info.
Vaporetto Timetable
You’ll find all lines and stops on the vaporetto timetable below.
The Venice water bus mainly runs along the Grand Canal and circles around the city.
The shaded gray areas on the Venice vaporetto map show the old town’s narrow canals — only gondolas and water taxis can pass through here.
By Water Bus to The Islands of Venice
You can get around Venice on foot, but to visit the islands, you’ll need to take the water bus.
Most island-bound routes leave from the main train station, the S. Zaccaria stop near St. Mark’s Square, or the F. Nove stop.
From Venice to Murano by vaporetto
Lines 4.1, 4.2, 7 and 12 all go to Murano.
Lines 4.1 and 4.2 circle Venice entirely. The quickest way to get to Murano is from the Fondamente Nove (F. Nove) stop.
It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge, and from there, Murano is just 20 minutes away.
You can also catch a vaporetto from St. Mark’s Square or the central station — but those routes take longer.
From Venice to Burano by vaporetto
Line 12 takes you to Burano. The trip takes around 50 minutes.
This line also stops in Murano, so with a day pass, you can easily see both islands. Or take a guided boat tour to Murano, Burano and Torcello.
Line 12 only departs from the F. Nove stop.
So you’ll need to walk there through the city or take lines 4.1 or 4.2 and transfer at F. Nove.
At F. Nove, there are four docks, labeled A to D. Line 12 to Burano leaves from dock A.
From Venice to Lido by vaporetto
Several water buses go to Lido. From San Zaccaria on St. Mark’s Square, lines 1, 10 and 14 will get you there directly in about 15 minutes.
The Lido stop is called Lido S.M.E., and it’s just a 10-minute walk from there to the beach.
You can also catch bus line A from Lido S.M.E. to the beach — a regular bus with wheels, since Lido has streets instead of canals.
Fun fact: You can even drive to Lido. Line 17 is a car ferry from the island of Tronchetto to the Lido San Nicolò stop.
Difference Between Water Bus and Water Taxi
The difference is just like on land: a bus vs. a taxi.
The water bus carries lots of people along set routes, while a water taxi takes you wherever you want to go.
That means you can go straight to your hotel in Venice without dragging your bags through the streets.
But it’s also much more expensive: a private water taxi starts at around 70 euros.
You can also share a water taxi. The price is 37 euros per person for a ride from Marco Polo Airport to your hotel.
From The Airport to The City
Marco Polo Airport sits right on the water, so you can head straight to Venice by boat or bus.
The airport water buses are run by Alilaguna. ACTV vaporetto tickets aren’t valid for this service.
An Alilaguna ticket from the airport to the city costs 15 euros. Depending on the route, the boat may go through the Grand Canal.
Book a ticket for the airport water bus
The bus is cheaper but only goes to Piazzale Roma at the edge of the old town. From there, you’ll need to either walk or catch a vaporetto to reach your hotel.
Book a ticket for the airport bus
FAQ About The Vaporetto in Venice
From what age do children have to pay for the ticket?
Children only pay from the age of 6, but then also the full price.
How often does the water bus run?
It depends on the line. The water buses within the old town run approximately every 5 minutes. The water buses to the islands usually run every hour or every 30 minutes.
What if there is a strike?
If there is a strike, there are always certain lines that run anyway so that nobody gets stuck on the islands. Otherwise, you can also take the water cab.
What time does the vaporetto run until?
The inner-city lines run until around midnight, and there are also night lines to the islands.
How long is a ticket valid for?
A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes and you can also use it to change and take the bus.
Are water buses barrier-free?
Yes, you can get on the vaporetto with a baby carriage, wheelchair or suitcases.
Can I take my suitcase on the boat?
Yes, each passenger is allowed to take up to three pieces of luggage on board.