Venice is undeniably a unique city, not least because of how its residents and visitors must navigate its collection of 118 islands. It is completely closed off to vehicular traffic, so you are left with two options to get around: either go by foot or use any of the available boat services connecting every part of the city. While wandering the labyrinth of tiny streets and calli is an inherent part of the city’s charm, it can be tiring and may also prove challenging, seeing as there are well over 400 bridges to contend with.
Luckily, the city of Venice offers plenty of options to travel along the city’s waterways which make reaching your destination quicker and easier.
The most common is to go by vaporetto, the “water bus” of the city. With lines that connect every major part of the city, as well as the series of smaller islands that make up Greater Venice, it is possible to reach any destination without having to walk through kilometers or winding, sometimes crowded streets. Most of these lines are services by ACTV, with a series of ticket counters located conveniently around the city, typically close to the vaporetto stops themselves.
A 75-minute ticket costs €7.50 for non-residents, while Venice residents only pay €1.50 for the same ticket (also the same price as a regular public transport ticket on the mainland). Residents may sign up for a transport subscription, or abbonamento, with special monthly rates. Valid for all public transportation around Venice, including on the mainland, it is a fantastic perk for those who call Venice home.
The vaporetto also connects Venice with Marco Polo International Airport, located a little over 10 km from Piazzale Roma (the principal arrival point in Venice). This line is operated by Alilaguna, who services this direct line from morning to evening, connecting you to various points around the city: Piazzale Roma, St. Mark’s Square, Rialto, Le Guglie, and Fondamenta Nova. Another option from Marco Polo Aiport is to book your service with NCC, a transfer service which can be booked in advance to take you wherever you need to go, including to San Basilio – perfect for residents of the sestiere of Dorsoduro.
For anyone who needs only to get from one side of the Grand Canal to the other, and who doesn’t find themselves near one of the only three bridges that cross it, there is the Traghetto. These are gondolas situated along the Grand Canal that, for the bargain price of only €0.70 per ride, will ferry you across saving you considerable time and walking. This method is used often by locals, being largely ignored by tourists simply because it is not widely publicized.
Looking for an option that doesn’t call for waiting in lines, or perhaps you want to avoid some of the busier lines (such as the one connecting Piazzale Roma with Lido in the summer)? Fleets of private water taxis are available either by booking ahead of time or hailed at taxi points around the city. A number of taxi companies also have more luxurious options for those who prefer to travel in style, perfect for arriving for a night at the famous Venice Casino or a classy evening at Hotel Cipriani on the island of Giudecca.
No matter where you decide to purchase property on this spectacular island, getting where you need to go doesn’t have to be a hike. Speak to one of the experts at Ravagnan’s who, along with finding your perfect villa, piano nobile, palace or apartment, can provide insights on how to best navigate the Venetian waterways. Contact us!
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
