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BEST WAYS TO TRAVEL AROUND VENICE

Navigating Venice is a unique experience since the city is built on canals, with no cars or conventional roads. Here are the best ways to travel around Venice:

venice-grand-canalSource

#1 Best Way to Travel Around Venice: Walking

Venice is a compact city, and many attractions are just a short distance away from each other. Walking is a great way to travel around Venice because you can explore alleyways, bridges and hidden corners. Also, it's free and it allows you to discover Venice at your own pace.

  • Tips:
  • Use a map or GPS, as Venice’s layout can be confusing with its narrow streets and canals. However, be aware that Venice can be confusing for apps, too. Google Maps once led me to the edge of a canal where there was no crossing to the other side.
  • Wear comfortable shoes—Venice has a lot of cobblestones and steps on bridges.
  • Wear high boots on rainy days, as the mud from the cobblestones tends to splatter all the way up to your thighs.

Recommended Walking Tours:

#2 Best Way to Travel Around Venice: Vaporetto (Water Bus)

actv-vaporetto-venice

    The ACTV vaporetto is Venice’s public water transportation system and the best way to travel around Venice and to the islands at a relatively cheap price.

  • Key routes:
  • Line 1: A scenic route along the Grand Canal, stopping at major attractions.
  • Line 2: A faster line with fewer stops, also covering the Grand Canal.
  • Lines to outer islands like Murano, Burano, and Lido.
  • Cost:
  • A single ticket is quite costly – about €9.50 (valid for 75 minutes).
  • Consider an ACTV 1,2,3 or 7-day transport pass for unlimited travel. You can book this online to avoid queues. You will be given a PNR code (shown on the voucher) to collect your ACTV card at Venezia Unica centres or at the automatic ticket machines displaying the Venezia Unica logo. You can get these passes here.
  • Tips:
  • Validate your ticket before boarding. If you don’t, you can incur hefty fines.
  • Sit or stand outside for the best views.
  • For a fantastic tour of the lagoon, travel the entire routes of Line 1 and Line 2. If you go early in the morning you’ll find fewer people on board and you’ll have the perfect opportunity to take great photos. And it’s much cheaper than a boat tour.
  • You can find the routes and schedules of the vaporetto here

#3 Best Way to Travel Around Venice: Traghetto

  • Best for crossing the Grand Canal: The traghetto is a simple gondola ferry used by locals to cross from one side of the Grand Canal to another.
  • Why it’s great:
  • Quick and cheap (€2 per ride) compared to the vaporetto or gondola. You pay the gondolier when you board.
  • Where to find them:
  • There are 7 Gondola Stations along the Grand Canal between the Train Station and San Marco:
  • Fondamenta S. Lucia – Train Station
  • San Marcuola - Fóndaco dei Turchi
  • San Samuele - Cà Rezzónico
  • Campo Santa Maria del Giglio – Salute
  • San Tomà - Santo Stefano
  • Rialto Market - Cà D'Oro
  • Riva del Carbòn - Fondamente del Vin
  • Tips:
  • Venetians are used to standing in the gondola, but it is better for you to find a place to sit.

#4 Best Way to Travel Around Venice: Gondola

venice-gondola-damiano-baschiera-smSource

    Gondolas are Venice’s most famous form of transportation, and the most romantic or iconic way to travel around Venice.

  • Why a Gondola ride is great:
  • It’s a unique way to see the city’s smaller canals and get a historic feel of Venice.
  • Cost:
  • €80 for 30 minutes during the day, €100 at night (set by the city).
  • Optional: Split the cost by sharing a gondola with others. You can find various options here.
  • Tips:
  • If you're not pre-booking, negotiate the route and duration before starting your ride.

#5 Best Way to Travel Around Venice: Water Taxi

  • Best for convenience and speed: Water taxis are private boats that can take you directly to your destination.
  • Why a water taxi is great:
  • Faster than vaporettos, and they can reach places where larger boats can’t.
  • Ideal for groups, travellers with luggage, or those wanting a private experience.
  • Cost:
  • Expensive (prices vary depending on the route), with surcharges for luggage, night trips, or additional passengers.
  • Tips: Confirm the price beforehand to avoid surprises, or pre-book.
venice-canal-vidar-nordli-mathisenSource

Buses, Bicycles and Scooters

  • Not allowed in Venice: For obvious reasons, there are no buses in Venice. Due to narrow streets and bridges, bicycles and scooters are prohibited in the historic centre. However, there are buses on islands like Lido or Pellestrina, where you can also use bicycles and scooters.

Exploring the Outer Islands

  • Use the ACTV vaporetto for islands like Murano, Burano, and Torcello.
  • Alilaguna is a private transport company that operates between San Marco airport and Venice and includes stops at Murano, Burano and the Lido. It's more expensive than ACTV but much cheaper than a water taxi.
  • You can also join guided boat tours for a hassle-free way to visit multiple islands.

Tips for Hassle-Free Travel Around Venice

  1. Travel light: Bridges and cobbled streets can make heavy bags cumbersome.
  2. Travelling with young children: Most bridges have steps, therefore keep this in mind if you intend to take a stroller.
  3. Watch for signs: Look for signs pointing to major landmarks like “San Marco” or “Rialto.”
  4. Night travel: Vaporetto services run less frequently at night, so plan accordingly.

Go back to the Main Page about Venice

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