Venice is a city without car traffic. All public transportation takes place on the water. The cornerstone of this system is the so-called Vaporetti – the water buses operated by the transit company ACTV.
For first-time visitors to Venice, the system of piers and routes may seem unfamiliar at first. In practice, however, the water bus operates on the same principle as a regular bus or streetcar on land: there are fixed route numbers, designated stops, and a reliable schedule.
On this page, we provide clear, factual information on how to navigate the transit network, where to purchase tickets, and what to keep in mind when boarding and exiting, so you can reach your destination safely and comfortably.
Current Prices (as of 2026)
A public transit ticket is your best investment here in Venice. Without the water buses, your stay will certainly be difficult and very tiring. And if you want to visit the islands—Lido, Murano, Burano, and Torcello—you can only get there by vaporetto. You can also only see the Grand Canal with its magnificent palazzi by vaporetto.
Current prices as of 2026
- A one-way ticket costs 9.50 euros. Maximum travel time: 75 minutes
- The 24-hour ticket (valid from the first validation) costs 25.00 euros.
- The 48-hour ticket (valid for 2 days from the first validation) costs 35.00 euros.
- The 3-day ticket (valid from the first validation) costs 45.00 euros
- The 7-day ticket (valid from the first validation) costs 65.00 euros
Note: Please note that each ticket before must be validated at the ticket machine upon entering the boardwalk.
The Transit Network: Line 1 as an Example
Here on the map, you can see the stops for Vaporetto Line 1. This line is Venice’s local water bus and runs every 12 minutes from the north of the city, Piazzale Roma, to the south at the Lido. Line 1 crosses the entire Grand Canal and is an absolute must for all visitors to Venice. Since there is NO continuous path along the banks of the Grand Canal, you’ll need to take Vaporetto Line 1. Other important stops: the train station, the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Square, and the Biennale.
All other vaporetto lines also serve fixed destinations and operate on a set schedule.
Types of Vaporetto Boats
Basically, there are only 5 types of vaporettos:
This is the type of boat you'll use most often. It crosses Venice along the Grand Canal every 12 minutes and is, so to speak, the fleet's workhorse. It is primarily used on Lines 1 and 2.
This guy will drive you to Murano
Not all vaporettos are suitable for navigating the narrow canals of Venice or Murano. Furthermore, the largest type of boat isn’t always needed on the secondary routes. This black-and-white vaporetto is used for transfers to and from Murano. It’s slightly smaller (narrower) than the boats on Line 1 and Line 2, making it a perfect fit for Murano’s narrow canals.
The large boats traveling to and from Punta Sabbioni
The boats that travel from Punta Sabbioni to Venice and back carry a particularly high volume of passengers. On the one hand, there are thousands of passengers who commute to work in Venice and live on the peninsula between Punta Sabbioni and Cavallino. And second, of course, there is a very large number of vacationers who are spending their summer vacations on the Adriatic coast and want to take a few-hour trip from Punta Sabbioni to Venice for sightseeing.
The Car Ferry to the Lido
Traffic on the Lido is „just like any other day.” Cars, buses, vans, trucks, etc. This applies both to locals who live here and to vacationers who have booked accommodations on the Lido. The ferry transports all types of vehicles coming from the mainland, from the Tronchetto parking island to the Lido and back again.
Over 40 websites
On more than 40 web pages, we have provided detailed information about all vaporetto lines and schedules. Since we don't want to repeat ourselves here, please visit these pages if you're interested:
The exact schedules with departure times for all lines:
Line 1 – Line 2 – Line 3 – Line 4 – Line 5 – Line 6 – Line 7 – Line 8 – Line 9 – Line 10 – Line 11 – Line 12 – Line 13 – Line 14 – Line 15 – Line 16 – Line 17 – Line 18 – Line 20 – Line 22 – Night Line N – Night Line NLN – NMU Night Line
Overview of All Vaporetto Lines
Vaporetto Lines 1 through 5 – Vaporetto Lines 6 through 10 – Vaporetto Lines 11 through 15 – Vaporetto Lines 16 through 22 – The Vaporetto Night Lines
Major Vaporetto Destinations in Venice – The following Vaporetto lines stop here:
St. Mark's Square – Piazzale Roma – Train Station (Ferrovia) – Tronchetto Park Island – Rialto Bridge – Lido – Murano – Burano – Punta Sabbioni
Focus on Seniors
Accessibility & Boarding: This is a very important point for seniors. The vaporetto crew is more than happy to help you get on and off. The boarding ramps are usually at ground level, which makes boarding safe even with a walker or light luggage.
In the photo, you can see a small step between the vaporetto and the pier. If this step is too high for you and your luggage, please let the vaporetto staff know in advance, and they will provide a small ramp to help you board or disembark.
Park & Ride
No matter how you travel to Venice, you’ll definitely need a vaporetto ticket for your trip to Venice and for getting around the city. To make sure you not If the vaporetto leaves right in front of you while you're waiting in line at the ticket counter, here's a tip: Buy your vaporetto ticket online in advance. It costs the same as it does at the ticket counter on site.