Detailed Guide to Venice Water Bus Routes & Areas Covered

Line 1

Line 1, one of the busiest lines, runs from the Venice central station through the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, and straight to San Marco, before making its way back to the Piazzale Roma. 

The line stops over 20 times during its 65-minute duration before heading to Lido Island. It’s popular among tourists because this is where most of the sightseeing happens.

Line 2

This one is runs from Rialto Bridge and terminates at St. Mark’s Square, stopping at the central station Santa Lucia, Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto and Island Giudecca along the way. Upon reaching its destination at St. Mark's Square, it follows the same route back to Rialto Bridge.

The entire journey takes about 50 minutes to complete, making it faster than line 1. 

Line 3

Line 3 is an express line that runs from Piazzale Roma (the bus station where buses arrive from the airport) and Ferrovia (Santa Lucia Station) to the Murano Island via Cannaregio Canal.

It’s a 20-minute non-stop journey.

Line 4.1

This water bus line circles the island of Venice. From Murano, the Water Bus reaches Cemetery Island, followed by Venice Fondamente Nove. This portion of the circuit is similar for lines 4.1 and 4.2. From Fondamente Nove, line 4.1 takes a counter-clockwise route around Venice, going toward Central Station and Giudecca Island, finally terminating at Murano. 

The journey takes around 2 hours, with almost 35 stops in total. 

Line 4.2

Line 4.2 also circles the island of Venice. The only difference is that, unlike 4.1, on this line, once the vaporetto reaches Venice, it moves in a clockwise direction toward the Hospital and San Marco. This line then continues toward Cemetery Island and docks at Murano. 

The journey takes around 2 hours, with almost 35 stops in total. 

Line 5.1

This water bus line also circumnavigates Venice but in an anti-clockwise direction on the outer side of the city. The Vaporetti on this line travel from Lido to Lido via the Cannaregio Canal.

This line makes stops at destinations such as Guglie, Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, and San Marco, before it terminates at Lido. 

Line 5.2

Like Line 5.2, this water bus line also circumnavigates Venice and travels from Lido to Lido but takes a clockwise detour to the island. It starts at Lido and moves toward San Marco.

Line 6

The vaporetti on this express line travel from Piazzale Roma to Lido, via the Zattere and Guidecca Canal. It has very few stops, which makes it the fastest line to take to reach Lido, Giardini, or Sant’Elena from Piazzale Roma.

Line 7

Line 7 serves as a direct line connecting South to North Venice. It starts from San Marco to Murano Island. It runs from Murano to Sant’Elena before finally reaching San Zaccaria in Castello Venice. It stops at Navagero, Faro, and Colonna before reaching its final destination, San Marco.

This line is seasonal, and non-functional from November to April.

Line 8

The vaporetti on this water bus line run from the island of Sacca Fisola, stopping at Giudecca, Giardini, Lido San Nicolo, and back. This runs as a weekend and holiday line.

It is seasonal, and non-functional from November to April. 

Line 9

This water bus line serves as the direct link between the islands of Burano and Torcello. It’s a seasonal line that operates every 15 minutes.

Line 10

Line 10 serves as a link between Lido Santa Maria Elisabetta Island and Zattere via San Marco Giardinetti and San Zaccaria. The line starts and ends at the island of Lido. 

It is the best route to take to travel from San Marco to Lido because it is just a 15-minute ride. 

Line 11

Line 11 runs from Lido to Chioggia and back via Santa Maria del Mare, Pellestrina, and Caroman. It is both a Vaporetto and a bus line because you will have to the bus at Santa Maria Elisabetta stop to cross Lido Island.

Line 12

This water bus line runs from Fondamente Nove to Punta Sabbioni via Murano, Mazzorbo, Torcello, Burano, and Treporti. It’s one of the few Vaporetti that has toilets.

Make sure that you check the schedule before getting on the water bus because the ride ends at Treporti sometimes, instead of Punta Sabbioni.

Line 13

This water bus line runs from Fondamente Nove to the islands of Murano, Le Vignole, Lazzaretto Nuovo, and Sant’Erasmo. It stops at three different stations on the island of Sant’Erasmo before finally heading to Treporti.

Line 14

Line 14 runs from San Zaccaria to Punta Sabbioni via Lido Island, connecting Burano with Venice. Sometimes, it only travels between Lido and Punta Sabbioni and also transports cars and trucks between these stops.

Line 15

The Water Bus on Line 15 travels non-stop from San Zaccaria to Punta Sabbioni, which is why it is considered an express line. 

Line 16

This line runs from Fusina to Zattere in Venice and back. 

Line 17

Line 17 is used to transport vehicles to Lido Island. This water bus line runs from Tronchetto to San Nicolo del Lido and back every 50 minutes.

Line 18

Line 18 is a seasonal water bus line that runs from Murano Island to Lido Island and back. It makes stops at the Lido San Nicolo and Lido SME. 

Line 19

The vaporetti on Line 19 run from San Zaccaria to Chioggia.

However, services are currently suspended.

Line 20

The water buses on Line 20 connect Lido and Venice. It also covers the islands of San Servolo and San Lazzaro degli Armeni.

Line 22

Line 22 is a lagoon line that runs from Tre Archi to Punta Sabbioni via Fondamente Nove and the Venice Civil Hospital.

Line N

Line N operates at night from San Marco and San Zaccaria to Lido via Guidecca Canal. If you want to experience what Venice looks like at night, you must not miss this ride. During its journey, it stops at Redentore, Palanca, Zattere, Tronchetto, and Piazzale Roma before going through the Grand Canal and finally to Lido Island.