There are no roads on the island of Venice, so the public transport in Venice works a little differently than other cities. However, once you have figured it out, getting around Venice is pretty easy although it can be expensive. I’ve written this Venice transport guide to help you figure out how to navigate Venice like a pro – you’re welcome!
Know Before You Go to Venice
Before travelling to Venice, check if you have to pay the Venice Access Fee, which applies to day trippers to Venice on certain dates starting in spring 2024. This official page has more information.
Overnight guests do not have to pay the fee, as they already have Tourist Tax included in their accommodation. If you need accommodation in Venice make sure you book in advance as hotels can sell out.
🛌 MY FAVOURITE CHEAP HOTELS IN VENICE:
$$ Hotel Antiche Figure – opposite the station, friendly staff and great service.
$ Albergo Marin – great value for its location next to Grand Canal close to the railway station.
$ Ostello S. Fosca in the centre of Venice or Anda Venice a fantastic hostel in Mestre
⭐ TOP 3 VENICE ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1. Doge’s Palace Reserved Entry Ticket – the most popular activity in Venice
2. Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary – great for solo travellers
3. Burano, Torcello & Murano Boat Tour w/Glassblowing – the top day trip from Venice
🚌 Pre-book your transfer from Marco Polo Airport to Venice by bus or water taxi
Also in the Venice Section:
- How to Visit Venice on a Budget
- Free Things to do in Venice
- The Best Views in Venice
- What to Eat in Venice
- How Much is a Gondola Ride in Venice
- Authentic Souvenirs to Buy in Venice
- A Day Trip from Venice to Burano
Public Transport in Venice
In Venice itself, the only way to get around is on foot or by boat. There are no cars, buses or bikes to get around, and you can forget that Uber ever existed. There are several ways of getting around Venice by boat, and of course, the best way to see Venice is from the water.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Don’t Try to Visit Venice in a Day
Vaporetto Waterbuses
The most common public conveyance in Venice (remember that for a popular crossword puzzle answer), Vaporetto water bus services have several lines crossing the city and connecting Venice with the other islands in the lagoon. They are a convenient and scenic way to get from one side of the city to another. Vaporetto is singular, vaporetti is plural, so don’t worry if you see both written down.
Vaporetto Lines & Route Maps
At every vaporetto stop in Venice, you will find a map with all of the vaporetto routes, or you can see this one online.
You can also use google maps to tell you which line to get from where, but be sure to check the exact departure point as some vaporetto stops have several different docking stations. Most of the vaporetto stops have electronic departure boards which list the upcoming departures and key stops along the route.
AVM Venezia official App
With the new AVM Venezia official app, you can buy tickets and check timetables and vaporetto routes with your smartphone. Unfortunately it doesn’t get very good reviews, but download the app from Apple Store or from Google Play Store and see if you can get it to work!
All Vaporetto Routes
The table below has details of all the Vaporetto routes and timetables from the ACTV website. Although I endeavour to keep the website up to date please check the ACTV website for the most accurate information. The key routes you will probably be interested in are Line 1 along the Grand Canal and the lines to Murano and Lido.
Vaporetto Water Bus 1 is a great way to see the Grand Canal if you take it from Piazzale Roma (Venice bus station) all the way to St Mark’s Square. Try to get a seat at the front (or back if the boat doesn’t have front seats) for some of the best views in Venice of the beautiful buildings all along the Grand Canal.
Lines 11 and 17 are Vaporetto Water Bus Car Ferry lines between the Tronchetto and Lido, Pellestrina or Cavallino. These are the only vaporetti that allow you to take bicycles on board.
| Line | Route | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
P.LE ROMA – FERROVIA – RIALTO – S.MARCO – LIDO S.M.E. e vicevers |
|
|||
 |
SAN ZACCARIA / SAN MARCO – GIUDECCA – ZATTERE – TRONCHETTO – P.LE ROMA e viceversa | ||||
 |
P.LE ROMA – FERROVIA – RIALTO e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
P.LE ROMA – FERROVIA – MURANO – FERROVIA – P.LE ROMA |
|
|||
 |
MURANO – F.TE NOVE – FERROVIA – P.LE ROMA – GIUDECCA – S.ZACCARIA – F.TE NOVE – MURANO |
|
|||
 |
MURANO – F.TE NOVE – S. ZACCARIA – GIUDECCA – P.LE ROMA – FERROVIA – F.TE NOVE – MURANO |
|
|||
 |
LIDO S.M.E. – OSPEDALE – FONDAMENTE NOVE – FERROVIA – P.LE ROMA – S.MARCO/S.ZACCARIA – LIDO S.M.E. |
|
|||
 |
LIDO S.M.E. – S.MARCO/S.ZACCARIA – P.LE ROMA – FERROVIA – FONDAMENTE NOVE – OSPEDALE – LIDO S.M.E. |
|
|
||
 |
P.LE ROMA – ZATTERE – GIARDINI BIENNALE – S.ELENA – LIDO S.M.E. e viceversa |
|
|
||
 |
S.MARCO/S.ZACCARIA – MURANO (Navagero – Faro – Colonna) – S.MARCO/S.ZACCARIA |
|
|
||
|
|
SAN BASILIO – GIUDECCA – GIARDINI – LIDO S.M.E. / S.NICOLÒ e viceversa |
|
|||
|
|
BURANO – TORCELLO e viceversa | ||||
 |
LIDO S.M.E. – S.MARCO GIARDINETTI – ZATTERE – LIDO S.M.E. |
|
|||
 |
LIDO S.M.E. – ALBERONI FARO ROCCHETTA – S.MARIA DEL MARE – PELLESTRINA – CHIOGGIA e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
VENEZIA/F.TE NOVE – MURANO – MAZZORBO – (TORCELLO) – BURANO – TREPORTI – PUNTA SABBIONI e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
VENEZIA/F.TE NOVE – MURANO – VIGNOLE – S.ERASMO -TREPORTI e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
VENEZIA/S. ZACCARIA – LIDO S.M.E. – PUNTA SABBIONI – (BURANO) e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
VENEZIA / S.ZACCARIA – PUNTA SABBIONI |
|
|||
 |
FUSINA – VENEZIA/Zattere e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
FERRY-BOAT TRONCHETTO – LIDO S. NICOLÒ e viceversa \ LIDO S. NICOLÒ – PUNTA SABBIONI e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
MURANO (Navagero – Faro – Colonna) – LIDO S.M.E. / S.NICOLÒ e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
S.MARCO/S.ZACCARIA – S.SERVOLO – S.LAZZARO – S.SERVOLO – S.MARCO/S.ZACCARIA |
|
|||
 |
PUNTA SABBIONI – OSPEDALE – F.TE NOVE – TRE ARCHI e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
S.MARCO / S.ZACCARIA – CANALE GIUDECCA – CANAL GRANDE – LIDO S.M.E. e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
NOTTURNO LAGUNA NORD VENEZIA/F.TE NOVE – S.ERASMO – BURANO- PUNTA SABBIONI e viceversa |
|
|||
 |
NOTTURNO MURANO F.TE NOVE – MURANO – F.TE NOVE |
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Vaporetto Stops
Smaller vaporetto stops may have boats travelling in both directions, so ask the conductor before you board if it is going to the station you want. Some routes and stops are seasonal, so if you are unsure then ask. Bear in mind that you may be fined for simply being on the boarding platforms without a ticket, so it is best to buy your ticket before you board if you can.
Larger vaporetto stops like Piazzale Roma and the Ferrovia (Train Station) have multiple boarding platforms at the same spot. These are marked A,B,C,D and so on. If you come to a vaporetto stop and can’t see the destination you want on the departure board, check for other boarding platforms nearby.
When the vaporetto arrives, the conductor opens the gate to allow the passengers to depart before allowing new passengers to board.
Vaporetto Tickets
A one-way ticket on a Vaporetto costs €7.50, which is for journeys of up to 75 minutes, and includes changes to different lines. You can also buy a 24-hour ticket which covers the trams and buses around Mestre and all the Vaporetto lines for €20, or you can also buy 48-hour, 72-hour and 7-day travel tickets for €30, €40 and €60 respectively.
You can buy the tickets online in advance, or from the ticket offices or machines at the main vaporetto stops, or try the app. If there isn’t a ticket machine at the stop you want to get on, you can also buy tickets from the staff on board the boat, but remember you could get fined for being on the platform without a ticket.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: What to Eat in Venice Italy
Please note, the 24/48/72/week-long tickets do not include the journey to/from Marco Polo airport to Venice, which has to be bought separately.
Young people from 6-29 years old can buy a ‘Rolling Venice’ card for €6 which offers huge discounts on the 72-hour travel card (€22 instead of €40), as well as further savings on the Venezia Unica card, entry to various museums and other activities. Check the website for details.
Remember to Validate your Ticket
Every time you board the vaporetto you need to validate your ticket at the machine by the vaporetto stop. Simply hold your ticket close to the sensor, and you should get a beep and a green light to show that you are good to go. Some of the larger stations have gates which won’t let you through until you swipe your ticket.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: The Best Views in Venice
Alilaguna Water Buses
Alilaguna also has boat services to the other islands and offers combined trips to Murano, Burano and Lido among others, as well as boat transfers from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. However, they are more expensive than the ACTV Vaporettos although they can be quicker.
Traghettos
Traghettos are large gondola-type boats that ferry people from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. They cost €2 per person per trip and are a cheap way to get a gondola fix without paying for a full gondola ride! There are traghetto stations at various points along the Grand Canal where it isn’t easy to cross by bridge.
Be aware though that the traghetto services usually stop around 6 or 7pm, so if you are in Venice at night then you’ll have to walk to the nearest bridge or Vaporetto stop to get around.
The People Mover
I didn’t use this at all, but if you are driving to Venice and parking your car at Tronchetto, or taking a cruise ship to Venice, this is the most convenient way of getting into Venice itself. The shuttle train connects Piazzale Roma with the city’s Tronchetto island car parking facility, via a stop above the Marittima cruise terminal. Journeys on the People Mover are included in the 24 hour or multi-day transport tickets or cost €1.50 from the ticket machines for a one-way journey.
Other Forms of Transport in Venice
Venice on Foot
Walking is obviously the cheapest way to get around Venice, and you can wander the streets to your heart’s content, finding narrow alleys and hidden corners that you won’t find any other way. However, if you are walking around all day in the heat it does get very tiring, so you may be glad of a vaporetto ride on the way home!
Bikes in Venice
Bikes are not allowed on the main island of Venice, but you can hire bikes in Mestre and take them by ferry to other islands such as Lido. Alternatively, you can also hire bikes once you are in Lido. Note that you can’t take bikes on the vaporettos, only on ferries to or from Lido.
Driving in Venice
Cars are not allowed onto the island of Venice as there are no roads! There is car parking in Mestre and close to the bus station in Venice if you are driving to Venice and need somewhere to park. However, if you are planning to hire a car in Venice, make sure you do it at the end of your trip so you’re not paying hefty parking charges while you are here!
Water Taxis
Water Taxis in Venice are extremely expensive, so I don’t recommend taking those. I asked a water taxi driver how much it would be from Rialto Bridge to St Mark’s Square and he wanted to charge us €60, so that actually works out more expensive than a gondola!
If you arrive in Venice with lots of luggage, you can take the vaporetto as close as you can get to your hotel or hire a porter to wheel your luggage with you. Venice has lots of bridges which have lots of steps, so getting around Venice island with a heavy suitcase is not anyone’s idea of fun.
Gondolas in Venice
Although Gondolas are not public transport, they are one of the most popular forms of tourist transport in Venice. However, they are not cheap, and cost €80 for a 30-minute ride per gondola, which is a fixed price. It is per gondola not per person and you can fit up to 6 people in a gondola, so if you really want to do it then join up with some fellow travellers to share the experience. Singing gondoliers charge significantly more!
If you want more information about how to get the best gondola ride for your budget, check out my article all about gondola rides in Venice.
Learn to Row your own Gondola
You could also take a lesson in how to row a traditional Venetian boat (similar to a Gondola). Row Venice is a non-profit organization offering 90-minute private lessons from €85 for 1 or 2 people, teaching you the skills passed down through generations.
Although it is possible for women to become gondoliers, there are currently no women who row gondolas in Venice. The women who founded Row Venice are dedicated to preserving the traditional Venetian style of rowing, for everyone. Read more.
Where to Stay in Venice
Hotels in Venice
Although staying somewhere close to the train station isn’t as convenient for St Mark’s Square, you won’t have to worry about moving heavy cases around the streets of Venice.
Hotel Antiche Figure, for example, is just opposite the station and gets great reviews for the friendly staff, good location and great service.
Albergo Marin is a good choice to get a mix of value and location, next to Grand Canal and 10 minutes walk from the railway station.
B&B Ca’ Bonvicini is a lovely bed and breakfast hotel just 7 minutes walk from Rialto Bridge if you would rather be more ‘in the middle’ of the action. It gets great reviews for the traditional Venetian decor and friendly staff.
Apartments in Venice
There are lots of options for Airbnb in Venice, but given how many locals have had to leave their homes, I would advise against getting a whole apartment for yourself. A private room in a local’s apartment will help them to pay the rent, and help you to really feel like a local in Venice, as well as saving you money.
This room in Venice with a terrace, for example, is a short walk from the train station and walking distance from the main sights in Venice. Alternatively, try Homestay.com which has some options for private rooms in apartments in Venice, Mestre and surrounding areas.
If you do want a whole apartment, you can rent full homes on Vrbo like this lovely historic apartment that is close to the centre of Venice, or this apartment which has its own garden! Booking.com also has a large selection of vacation rentals available too, browse available apartments here.
Hostels in Venice
I stayed at the fabulous Wombat’s City Hostel Venice Mestre, which is now sadly closed due to the pandemic. It may reopen in future, but it’s not looking good at the moment. However, there are other hostels in Venice if you are visiting Venice on a budget, take a look at these options:
- Anda Venice: a trendy hostel a short train ride from Venice in Mestre with excellent reviews
- Ostello S. Fosca in the centre of Venice
- Combo Venezia, set in the grounds of a 12th Century convent.
You can also take a look at all of the hostels in Venice on Hostelworld.
Want More Venice Posts?
Check out these blog posts to learn more about the best things to do in Venice and more Venice travel tips, or click here to read all of my Italy posts.Like this post? Pin it to read later:
