Getting around in Venice is limited to two modes of transportation, you either walk, or you can ride the vaporetto. Actually you can ride a gondola also but that's more of a "thing do to" than a mode of transportation.
The vaporetto is basically a water bus that takes visitors to various destinations in and around Venice. They make stops just like a city bus would and passengers can come and go at each stop depending on their destination. There are 22 different lines in the system that take passengers around the Venetian Lagoon. We won’t go over all of them but will look at the routes that traverse Venice and the popular neighboring islands of Murano, Burano and Lido. If you are visiting Venice these are the vaporetto lines that you want to be familiar with.
Vaporetto Line 1 and 2
For most visitors to Venice the only vaporetto lines that you will probably need to ride are line 1 and 2. Vaporetto lines number 1 and 2 run up and down the Grand Canal between Piazzale Roma and San Marco. As most visitors to Venice will be arriving at either the train station (Ferrovia) or the bus station (Piazzale Roma) these lines are the ones that you will be taking. The only difference between these two lines is in the number of stops that they make. Line number 1 takes about 45 minutes to go the length of the canal and stops at every station along the way. Line 1 also continues onto the island of Lido, which is famous as the beach island of Venice. Line number 2 takes only about 25 minutes to traverse the Grand Canal and only makes a handful of stops at the most popular stations: Tronchetto, Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, San Marcuola, Rialto Bridge, San Toma, Accademia Bridge and San Marco. Line two also stops at Guidecca and only goes to Lido during the peak season.
While catching the vaporetto may be required to get to your accommodations or to one of the outer islands, be sure to take a ride down the full length of the Grand Canal, preferably during off-peak hours. There is no better way to experience the true essence of Venice than by cruising the Grand Canal and the water bus is a much cheaper alternative to a gondola ride or a private boat.
While catching the vaporetto may be required to get to your accommodations or to one of the outer islands, be sure to take a ride down the full length of the Grand Canal, preferably during off-peak hours. There is no better way to experience the true essence of Venice than by cruising the Grand Canal and the water bus is a much cheaper alternative to a gondola ride or a private boat.
Vaporetto Line 3
The vaporetto line number 3 is known as the direct Murano line. This service connects the Ferrovia (railroad station), Piazzale Roma (bus station) and five stops on the island of Murano. If you are looking for a quick trip out to Murano, line 3 might be your best bet as it avoids the crowded Grand Canal.
Vaporetto Line 4.1 and 4.2
Lines 4.1 and 4.2 make a circular route that goes around Venice and out to the island of Murano and San Michele (Cemetery Island). Line 4.1 runs in a clockwise direction while line 4.2 takes the same route but in a counterclockwise motion. On these routes the vaporetto leaves Murano and makes stops at San Michele, Fondamenta Nove, Ferrovia, Piazzale Roma, Guidecca, San Zaccaria, and Fondamenta Nove again before returning to Murano. To help you get your bearings the Fondamenta Nove station is located on the north shore of Venice while the Guidecca station is located on the south shore of Venice. The 4.1 and 4.2 lines do not go down the Grand Canal but rather travel around the island of Venice before heading out to Murano.
Vaporetto Line 12
If you are interested in visiting the islands of Murano, Burano, or Torcello then line number 12 is the way to go. Line 12 leaves from the Fondamenta Nova station located on the north side of Venice. It’s a short ten minute ride to Murano and along the way you will pass the cemetery island of San Michele. From Murano out to Burano is a longer ride and will take about 35 minutes. Burano is a beautiful island with a multitude of colorful homes and is worth the ride. Continuing on from Burano to Torcello is just a five minute ride.
To get to the Fondamente Station you can either walk or you can get there via other vaporetto lines (4.1, 4.2, 5.1, and 5.2). I would suggest a walk as this will give you a chance to see the Cannaregio district of Venice. This part of Venice is rather quiet and is home to the Jewish Ghetto and the Church of Santa Maria di Nazareth. A walk through some of the more quiet neighborhoods of Venice will give you a glimpse of a different side of Venice away from the crowds of Rialto and San Marco.
To get to the Fondamente Station you can either walk or you can get there via other vaporetto lines (4.1, 4.2, 5.1, and 5.2). I would suggest a walk as this will give you a chance to see the Cannaregio district of Venice. This part of Venice is rather quiet and is home to the Jewish Ghetto and the Church of Santa Maria di Nazareth. A walk through some of the more quiet neighborhoods of Venice will give you a glimpse of a different side of Venice away from the crowds of Rialto and San Marco.
Vaporetto Line 14
If you are heading out to the island of Lido, the beach island, another option in addition to line number 1 is to take the number 14 vaporetto, which leaves from the San Zaccaria station located just beyond the San Marco stop. Line number 14 makes a stop in Lido before heading out to Punta Sabbioni, which is home to the largest campground in the Venice area.
Vaporetto Fees
So what’s it going to cost you to get around Venice by vaporetto? That will all depend on how often you plan on taking the water bus and how long you are staying in Venice.
For a single 60 minute ticket, which allows travel on most of the lines and includes one luggage bag the fee is 7 euro. The 60 minutes starts from the time you validate your ticket, which should be done as soon as you board. The ticket is good for travel in one direction and does not include the return trip. Although a round-trip ride is not technically allowed, if you can complete it within the 60 minutes you can go roundtrip. You can also hop off and back on at any stops during the time period.
For a single 60 minute ticket, which allows travel on most of the lines and includes one luggage bag the fee is 7 euro. The 60 minutes starts from the time you validate your ticket, which should be done as soon as you board. The ticket is good for travel in one direction and does not include the return trip. Although a round-trip ride is not technically allowed, if you can complete it within the 60 minutes you can go roundtrip. You can also hop off and back on at any stops during the time period.
Before you start adding up the cost for all of your planned trips, which at 7 euro per trip can add up fast, there is a more economical way to use the vaporetto system. Travel Cards are available, which allow for unlimited travel on most routes for those of you who think you will need to make multiple trips on the water bus. The Travel Cards are priced as follows:
Hope fully this helps you find your way around Venice and gives you a clearer understanding of the vaporetto system and which lines to use. When in doubt simply ask an attendant at any of the stations or look for the signs that show a map of the various lines and stops. Enjoy your visit to beautiful Venice.
Ciao for now.
Hope fully this helps you find your way around Venice and gives you a clearer understanding of the vaporetto system and which lines to use. When in doubt simply ask an attendant at any of the stations or look for the signs that show a map of the various lines and stops. Enjoy your visit to beautiful Venice.
Ciao for now.
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