Select Your Experience
- Give a slip to the expensive gondola rides and travel around the City of Canals through the value-for-money ACTV Water Bus Pass, available in 1, 2, 3, and 7-day options.
- Make the most of the unlimited use of Vaporetti (water-buses) in Venice, Lido and the lagoon islands.
- You also have access to the use of ACTV buses in Mestre and Marghera.
- Tickets must be validated before boarding ACTV public transport. The validity of ACTV Tickets and Travelcards starts from the exact moment they are first validated.
This ticket has the following options that you can choose from:
- 1-Day Pass
- 2-Day Pass
- 3-Day Pass
- 7-Day Pass
- Tip: With the paper ticket in hand, you are free to board any vaporetto in Venice multiple times.
- Note: This pass does not include ACTV Services from/to Marco Polo Airport, routes no. 16, 19, 21, Casinò, and Alilaguna lines.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Exploring the Water City on Venice Water Bus
Venice is a small city, spread over a series of 100 small islands in a lagoon. The Grand Canal is the bustling main street, with fleets of over 150 boats that run throughout the farthest corners of the Venetian lagoon. The Venice water bus or the Vaporetto is the cheapest and most convenient way of traveling around the city. Floating through the canal, you will catch the best views of Venetian landmarks- St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge Palace, Teatro La Fenice, Marco Polo’s House, and the Rialto Bridge. Read on to know more about Venice water buses, how to book Venice water bus tickets, their timings, and other details that will help you plan your trip.
Why Take the Venice Water Bus?
- Economical and Comfortable: The city has operated on the water since the olden days and these water buses connect the farthest areas of the Venetian Lagoon to the Grand Canal. It is the cheapest and most convenient way of getting around Venice.
- Best for Sightseeing: Riding on a Venice water bus or Vaporetto as it is locally called is an experience in itself. The Vaporetto buses run along some of the most unique sights in the city like the Grand Canal, San Marco, and the Rialto Bridge. It is the best way to travel around the city and take in its many architectural marvels.
- Lasts for a Day and More: The best part about booking Venice water bus tickets is that it lasts for a day, and more if you want to extend it. It allows you to plan your itinerary and explore different attractions within the city on an economical budget.
- Well-connected and Efficient: The Venice water buses do not just allow you to travel in and around Venice, Lido, and the Lagoon islands, but the tickets also allow unrestricted use of the ACTV buses in Mestre and Marghera.
- Pocket-Friendly: Priced at only €9.50 for a single trip, the Venice water bus is one of the most affordable and convenient public transport in the city.
Your Venice Water Bus Tickets Explained
1/2/3/7- Day Pass: Venice ACTV Water Bus Tickets
- Book the Venice ACTV water bus passes available in 1, 2, 3, and 7-day options to enjoy cruising around the city.
- The ACTV Venice water bus tickets do not just allow you to travel in and around Venice, Lido, and the Lagoon islands, but the passes also allow unrestricted use of the ACTV buses in Mestre and Marghera.
- Note that you cannot avail of services to and from the Marco Polo airport and run on 16, 19, 21, Casino, and Alilaguna routes with these 1/2/3/7- days Venice ACTV water bus passes.
- Make sure to validate your Venice ACTV water bus tickets before boarding the boat.
- Booking Venice ACTV water bus tickets are the most economical and convenient way to travel to attractions in the city.
1 Way Tickets to Venice ACTV Water Bus Tickets
- The Venice ACTV 1-way ticket is best for availing short-term, pocket-friendly visits around the city. The ride lasts for 1 hour and 15 mins.
- You can plan your own itinerary and float from one attraction to another with these 1-way Venice ACTV water bus passes.
- The 1-way Venice ACTV water bus tickets are valid not only for traveling to Venice, Lido, and Lagoon islands but also for boarding ACTV buses in Mestre, Marghera, and the mainland.
- Note that you cannot avail of services to and from the Marco Polo airport and run on 16, 19, 21, Casino, and Alilaguna routes with these 1-way Venice ACTV water bus tickets.
- Booking the Venice ACTV water bus tickets allows you to plan your own itinerary and travel to attractions in the city. It is affordable and convenient.
Why Book Venice Water Bus Tickets Online?
If you want to go on a self-made itinerary spree across Venice, there is no better option than Venice ACTV buses. They connect Venice, Lido, and Lagoon islands, and also allow you to make use of ACTV buses in Mestre, Marghera, and the mainland. There is quite a rush during the summer months. Make sure to book your tickets well in advance to have a hassle-free experience. You can book your tickets online to reserve your spot and enjoy cruising around the city.
- Convenience: With online booking systems in place, you can book a ticket easily without queuing up in long lines outside the ticket counter.
- Secure Bookings: Since online reservations are taken early, you do not have to worry about missing out. The summer months always attract many tourists to Venice, and if you do not book early, you will not be able to secure a spot.
- Great Deals: Online bookings offer great discounts on a variety of experiences. The ACTV Venice water bus tickets last for an entire day, and you can extend them to remain valid for up to 7 days and cruise throughout the city comfortably.
Highlights of the Venice Water Bus Experience
Pocket-friendly Public Transport
Venice makes use of its water channels to make public transport easy and affordable. The Venice water buses crisscross through Venice, Lido, and the Lagoon islands. There are floating platforms or ‘stations’ that jut out into the water, where passengers board and off the boat. The Venice water buses also allow unrestricted use of the ACTV buses in Mestre and Marghera.
Splendid Views
The Vaporetto buses run along some of the most unique sights in the city like the Grand Canal, San Marco, and the Rialto Bridge. It is the best way to cruise around the city. You can spot several attractions like the Doge Palace, St. Mark’s Bell Tower, Teatro La Fenice, and Marco Polo’s house from the boat itself. You can plan your own itinerary and float from one spot to another.
Venice Water Bus Routes
This public transportation system allows tourists and residents alike to experience the sights and sounds of one of the world’s most picturesque cities while allowing you to commute through the city. The Venetian Vaporetto consists of 23 scheduled lines that cover the length and breadth of Venice, as well as connect the city with other nearby islands.
While lines 1-22 run during the day time, Line N operates at night, ensuring that the water bus is available 24x7
Plan Your Visit on Venice Water Buses
- 1- way Pass:
Monday to Sunday: 9:30 AM to 9 PM
Duration: 1 hr 15 mins - 2-way Pass:
Monday to Sunday: 9:30 AM to 9 PM
Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins - 1/2/3/7- Day Pass:
Monday to Sunday: 8 AM to 10 PM
Duration: Flexible
Validity: All tickets must be validated before going on board. The 1-way tickets last for 75 minutes after their activation.
Luggage Inclusive: Dimension must not exceed 150cm.
Best Time to Visit: April to June, September to October
- Doge Palace: The residence of the supreme authority of the former Republic, the Doge Palace of Venice, is one of the must-visit attractions in Venice. It was originally built in Venetian Gothic style and later Renaissance and Mannerist details were added to its structure.
- St Mark’s Basilica: Located at the eastern end of St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica stands as the former religious and political center of the Republic of Venice. It is renowned as one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe.
- Peggy Guggenheim Museum: Named after a great Venetian collector, the Peggy Guggenheim Museum houses some of the most important European and American art dating back to the first half of the 20th century.
- Teatro la Fenice: Founded in 1792, Teatro La Fenice is the most important opera house in the history of Italy.
- Wheelchair Accessible: ACTV platforms are on the same level as the boat, so it makes it convenient for wheelchair users to board the water bus.
- Must Validate Tickets: Make sure you validate your Venice water bus tickets at the white electronic ticket reader or validation machines near the entrance of the boat.
- Accepts Cashless Payments: The Venice water bus tickets can be bought with credit cards and the ticket machines have the English language option.
- Stay Behind the Yellow Line: When the water bus arrives, stay behind the yellow line until passengers disembark and the boat drivers signal you to come on board.
- Easy to Navigate: Like buses that run on roads, the Venice water buses also run on designated routes that are mentioned on placards or electric screens on its body.
- Avoid Rush Hours: The Vaporetto also services locals. Try to avoid office and school hours to increase your chances of grabbing a window seat.
Is the Venice Water Bus the Only Way to Commute in Venice?
Although the water bus or Vaporetto is the cheapest and most convenient way of traveling around the city, Venice has other public transportation options as well.
- On Foot: The winding alleyways of Venice are best to explore the city on foot. Otherwise, the city only has waterways.
- Hop-on-hop-off Boats: These hop-on-hop-off tours allow you to get down or catch a glimpse of the many attractions in the city such as St. Mark’s square, the islands of Murano, and Torcello. The boats also contain curated audio guides in English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian for a more informative experience.
- Alilaguna Shuttle Service: The Alilaguna shuttle service takes you from Marco Polo airport to Venice city or vice versa.
- Gondolas: The gondolas are traditional, small, flat-bottomed Venetian boats, nowadays mostly used by tourists. If you do not mind sharing your gondola with others, it is one of the most affordable options for going around the city.
- Traghetti: Traghetti are large public Gondolas on the Grand Canal. They are useful to get from one end of the canal to the other. Unlike the touristy Gondolas, Traghetti are cheap and are also used by locals for commuting.
- Bus: Piazzale Roma has a bus station for buses going outside the main city. You can board buses to visit Mestre.
- Taxi: Venice is completely closed to vehicular traffic, however, you can book taxis to travel outside the city. Piazzale Roma has car rental offices.
All Your Questions about Venice Water Bus Tickets Answered
A. Yes, it is recommended that you buy Venice water bus tickets online in advance to secure your seat.
A. The best way to buy Venice water bus tickets is to book them online from trusted platforms. You can also get them from the ticket counters on stops, but to avoid missing out and to secure your seat, it is best to book them online.
A. The best part about booking Venice water bus tickets online is that you can avail yourself of great deals and discounts.
A. The Venice water bus stops are marked in yellow and the floating platforms jut out into the water, where passengers can board and off the boats. You can spot them easily. The routes are often written on placards or displayed on electric screens on the side of the boats.
A. The Venice water bus tickets are valid for an entire day. You can extend them up to 2, 3, or 7 days, as per your needs.
A. You must always validate your ticket from the electronic ticket checkers before boarding a Venice water bus. Make sure that your luggage does not exceed the limit.
A. Since the waters do not create large waves, you do not have the chance of getting seasick. However, if you feel nauseous, inform the sailors and boatmen. They will help you through the journey.
A. The Venice water buses run from 8 AM to 9 PM on all days.
A. One must traverse over a floating ramp that juts out into the water to board a boat. A wheelchair visitor can easily glide over the surface.
A. There are no toilets on a Venice water bus.
A. The Vaporetto buses run along some of the most unique sights in the city like the Grand Canal, San Marco, and the Rialto Bridge. It is a good option for sightseeing in the city. They are also affordable and convenient.