ACTV Venice
Public Transport Venice
ACTV Venice
Public Transport Venice
Water buses and water taxis in Venice
Public Transport Venice
How Public Transport Works on the Islands (ACTV).
Public transport in Venice works very differently from what you might know from other Museos cities. Here, everything runs on water. Cars are completely banned on the islands (as are mopeds, bicycles, and e-scooters!).
Most people explore Venice on foot (we’ve put together several walking routes for you), which means you’ll be crossing many bridges that connect the city’s 118 islands.
So here’s our first tip:
Leave your high heels and flip-flops at home! Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes to spare yourself some serious foot pain.
But there is also public transportation: Boats! To help you navigate Venice using public transport, we’ve summarized the most important things you need to know.
Table of
contents
Transportation
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Where to buy tickets
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Prices
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To/from the airport
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What You Should Absolutely Know
About the Different Types of Transport
Vaporetto (“water bus”)
The Vaporetto is Venice’s main mode of transport. These are large water buses — essentially ferries — that run along the city’s canals. There are different lines, including express and slower routes, covering various distances.
You won’t really save time with a vaporetto: walking is usually just as fast (or slow). But you will get a relaxing boat ride — and you won’t risk getting lost in the maze of alleys (which otherwise happens almost automatically in Venice …).
Traghetto
A Traghetto is a very inexpensive way to cross the Grand Canal. It’s a large gondola operated by gondoliers that ferries passengers from one side of the canal to the other. About 10 people fit on one, the crossing only takes a few minutes, and the price is EUR 2 per ride.
Important: Payment is in cash only!
Gondola
Gondolas are traditional Venetian boats rowed by gondoliers in their striped shirts. Thanks to their shape, they are actually the most practical way to move through Venice’s narrow, winding canals. In the Middle Ages and early modern period, gondolas were even used to transport the deceased through the city!
Today they are used mainly for tourist rides and have become one of Venice’s most iconic symbols. You can read more about them here.
Water taxi
These small private boats are more expensive than the Vaporetto, but they offer faster and more personalized transport. Prices are fixed — just make sure you use the official taxi stations.
Bus and train
To get from the mainland (Mestre) to Venice, you can use buses, trams, and trains in addition to cars. A vaporetto ticket is also valid for bus and tram travel to/from Mestre.
The train station in Venice is called Santa Lucia.
The main bus and tram stop is Piazzale Roma.
The Ponte della Costituzione bridge connects the two areas.
Where Can You
Buy Tickets?
3 Ways to Buy Tickets
1. At Vaporetto stops
You can buy Vaporetto tickets at most stops and piers. There are either staffed ticket counters or machines where you can purchase your tickets.
2. Tobacco shops
Many tobacco shops (“Tabacchi”) in Venice also sell Vaporetto tickets. Look for the sign “Biglietti” inside or at the entrance.
3. Online
You can also buy your tickets online, also here. You will still need to exchange the online ticket at a ticket machine on-site.
We offer the tickets at the same price as locally.
What Types of Tickets Are There
and How Much Do They Cost?
Single Tickets
A regular Vaporetto ticket valid for 75 minutes anywhere in the city costs EUR 9.50.
This includes buses and trams to/from Mestre — but not private taxis, traghetti, or gondolas.
Same price on GYG!
A 75-minute bus or tram ticket (Mestre only) costs EUR 1.50.
A pack of 10 rides for the mainland bus network costs EUR 14.
A round-trip ticket to the beaches (Venezia – Lido – Punta Sabbioni – Lido – Venezia) on lines 14 and 15 costs EUR 16.
Day Passes & Multi-Day Passes
Venezia Daily Pass (24 hours) → EUR 25
Valid on almost all public transport (except private taxis, traghetti, and gondolas).
Same price on GYG!
Mestre Daily Pass (24 hours) → EUR 5
Valid for trams and buses on the mainland (Mestre only).
Available only on-site.
2-, 3-, and 7-day passes (48, 72, or 168 hours) cost:
EUR 35 (2 days)
EUR 45 (3 days)
EUR 65 (7 days)
Same price on GYG!
Special Youth Pass (3 days) → EUR 27
Available for everyone 6–29 years old, but only when purchasing the Rolling Venice Card for EUR 6
The savings are minimal — and it’s only available on-site.
To/From the Airport
The Options
a) Alilaguna: Water Transport – the “Bus-Version”
Affordable and delightful!
This water “bus” runs from the airport to Lido or Venice – and back, if you wish. There are two separate lines: the Blue Line (see Image 1) and the Orange Line (see Image 2). The Blue Line connects Marco Polo Airport with Venice, Murano, and Lido SME, while the Orange Line links the airport with S. Maria del Giglio via Rialto.
Departures in the morning: hourly.
During the day: every 30 minutes.
Children under 5 travel free.
Each passenger may take one large suitcase and one piece of hand luggage.
Prices:
Single ticket: EUR 18
Return ticket: EUR 32
I tried it out: Here you can find my review!
b) Shared Water Taxi
More expensive, but (almost) direct to your hotel! VIP Feeling included!
This is a shared water taxi service that will take you from the airport to (almost) your hotel, as long as it has a water entrance. The journey itself is an experience and a wonderful introduction to the city. Travel times vary between 50 and 100 minutes, depending on the number of passengers and your turn.
One suitcase and one piece of hand luggage per person.
Maximum waiting time at the airport: 40 minutes (to wait for other passengers).
Prices:
Single daytime trip: EUR 39 per person
Single evening trip: EUR 45 per person
Return trip: EUR 78 per person
I tried it out: Here you can find my review!
c) ATVO Bus
Affordable and… straightforward
The express bus takes you directly to the city centre – i.e., the bus station – without stops along the way.
Departures: every 30 minutes
From the airport to Venice: 6.00 – 1.10 h
From Venice to the airport: 4.20 – 00.40
(See Image 3 for timetable.)
Prices:
Single ticket: EUR 12
Return ticket: EUR 20
Conclusion
A few more important details to note!
Tickets must be validated at the start of each journey and whenever you change lines. Contactless validation machines are provided for this purpose.
Children under 6 may travel on Venice’s public transport free of charge.
We highly recommend taking at least one ride on a traghetto or vaporetto – not only is it convenient, but it’s also a fantastic way to see the city from the water.
Unfortunately, online tickets must still be exchanged in person before use. However, this is far easier than dealing with Italian ticket offices – just one quick swap and you’re ready to go! 😉
Safe travels,
Susi
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2023–2026
With support from Susanne Vukan
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3 routes through the city
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