Venice's water bus system is confusing until you understand it. Lines, tickets, passes, and the one route every tourist should take.
Plan your Italy trip →Water buses. Venice has no cars, no roads, no metro. The vaporetto network is the public transport system — boats running fixed routes along the Grand Canal and to the islands (Murano, Burano, Lido). Operated by ACTV.
Single ride: €9.50. Valid for 75 minutes with unlimited transfers. Yes, €9.50. Venice public transport is expensive.
Day passes are essential: 24 hours: €25. 48 hours: €35. 72 hours: €45. 7 days: €65. If you're taking more than 3 rides in a day (you will), the 24-hour pass pays for itself immediately.
Buy at ACTV booths at major stops (Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, San Marco), tabacchi shops, or the ACTV app. Validate by tapping on the reader at the dock entrance.
Line 1: The slow route down the Grand Canal, stopping at every stop. San Marco ↔ Piazzale Roma. Takes 45 minutes. This IS the Grand Canal tour — sit on the outside at the back for the best views. Better than any paid tour.
Line 2: Express version of Line 1. Fewer stops, faster. Use when you need to get somewhere.
Line 12: Murano → Burano → Torcello. The island-hopping line. Takes ~45 min to Burano from Fondamente Nove.
Line 5.1/5.2: Circular routes around Venice. Useful for reaching Murano from the train station or Piazzale Roma.
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