World-famous for its system of canals, Venice is built on an archipelago of 118 islands formed by about 150 canals. In the heart of the city, these canals and a system of over 400 bridges are the only ways to get around, so you can either resign yourself to a lot of walking or learn how to navigate the canals while staying on budget.
These are best and most inexpensive ways to get around this beautiful and historic city.
Venice Tip 1: Vaporetti
Also called motoscafi, these waterbuses run almost non-stop, and there’s rarely a long wait for the next one.
The #1 route is the most popular, traveling between the Piazza San Marco and the Piazzale Roma. It’s also the slowest, stopping at twenty stations along the way, and often the most crowded.
The #2 route (formerly the #82) travels pretty much the same route, but it’s an express line, so it actually skips some of route #1’s stops. It runs from San Zaccaria (above the Piazza San Marco) through the Giudecca Canal to the Piazzale Roma, and the railway station. During the day, boats continue up the Grand Canal to the Rialto.
Other popular visitor routes are lines #51 and #52, which operate in a circular pattern. The #51 travels counterclockwise from the Lido to Fondamenta Nove, continuing through the Cannaregio Canal (to the railway station) and the Giudecca Canal with stops at San Zaccaria, Giardini, and S. Elena on its way back to the Lido. The #52 serves the same stops but goes in a clockwise direction.
Fares are €6.50 for a one-way adult fare, which is valid for 60 minutes after it is time-stamped for use. A better value is to get a Travel Card, which starts at €14 for 12 hours and runs to €31 for 72 hours of unlimited use. Those aged 14-29 can also take advantage of the 3-Day Youth Card, which offers 72 hours unlimited travel for €18. Both the regular and youth cards also include use of the land buses when traveling away from the canal areas.
Many vaporetti are wheelchair accessible. Look for the wheelchair icon on route signs.
Venice Tip 2: Traghetti
The Grand Canal has only three bridges that cross its 2 ½ mile length, but that needn’t mean you have to keep walking back and forth between them. A system of seven gondola ferries, or “traghetti,” offer a quick way to get from one side to the other.
For about € .50, these older gondolas, rowed by two oarsmen, ferry passengers at the Fondamente S. Lucia, San Marcuola, Santa Sofia, Riva del Carbon, San Samuele and Campo del Traghetto.
It is standing room only, as all seats have been stripped from the gondolas, but it sure beats having to backtrack to a bridge.
Venice Tip 3: Water Taxis
These are motorized boats that operate like taxis do in America, traveling from point A where they pick you up, to point B where they drop you off. They offer leather-upholstered seating and private drivers, and are a far cry from the often-crowded vaporetti.
This is the most expensive way to travel Venice, however, with a one-way trip from Marco Polo airport to a hotel in central Venice costing around €100.
Only choose this option if you are traveling with a group. Since these taxis can hold up to ten passengers, splitting costs with your fellow travelers might bring the cost down into the “budget splurge” category.
If you opt for the water taxi, make sure you negotiate a cost before booking or stepping onto the boat. Otherwise, the driver may take liberties as to what they charge. If hiring via a hotel concierge, verify the cost is per taxi, not per person. Also, only used licensed water taxis, identifiable by a yellow stripe with a license number. There are many unlicensed taxis that often try to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists.
Venice Tip 4: Private Gondolas
This is by far the most expensive way to travel within the main tourist areas of central Venice, but for some, a trip to the city isn’t complete without partaking in this iconic mode of travel.
Venice sets official rates for gondola rides at €80 for the first 40 minutes and €20 for each additional 20 minutes. After 7pm, these rates climb to €100 and €50 respectively. That said, there is still room for negotiation, especially when it comes to the add-ons like the traditional singing, which is not included in that base price. As with the water taxis, negotiate before setting foot on the gondola, or pay a little more to have a concierge book a package for you.
Gondolas seat up to six, so a small group may find it worth the expense, when everyone chips in on the price.
Further Resources
ACTV – the official website for Venice’s vaporetti and regular buses
Europe For Visitors – this travel information site has a great subsection on transportation within the city of Venice, including routing and purchasing information
Venice Tourist Board – the official website for the city of Venice offers information on transportation, including routes from the airports, as well as maps
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