Venice Water Bus Tickets (Vaporetto): Types, Prices, and How to Buy

In the water city of Venice, Italy, the water bus, called the Vaporetto, is the main form of public transportation.

Cars do not run in the historic center, so moving by boat is an essential part of traveling in Venice.

By riding the Vaporetto, you can relax on the canal, enjoy unexpected views, and experience the city at a slower pace.

For example, if you stay in Venice for two days, you can spend one day walking around the city and another day enjoying a “journey on the water” using the water bus.

In this article, based on the latest information as of April 2025, we clearly explain venice water bus tickets, including ticket types, how to buy them, and important tips to know before purchasing.

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Italy has a high risk of pickpocketing, especially in popular tourist cities such as Venice, and Rome. Cameras and iPhones are common targets and are often not covered by credit card insurance.

To prepare for theft, injuries, and unexpected medical visits, choosing reliable travel insurance is essential.

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Venice Water Bus Ticket Types and Prices

As of April 2025, there are five main types of venice water bus tickets available.

How Often Do Venice Water Buses Run?

Venice water buses usually arrive at each stop about every 15 minutes.

However, at popular tourist stops, the platforms can become very crowded. Sometimes not everyone can board the first boat, and you may need to wait for the next one.
*In busy periods, waiting times can exceed 30 minutes.

In addition, routes and stops can be confusing for first-time visitors. It is not uncommon to accidentally board a boat going in the opposite direction.

Which Venice Water Bus Ticket Should You Choose?

Considering these factors, choosing at least the Daily Pass Venice (1 Day) is a safe and convenient option.

With unlimited rides, you do not need to worry about extra costs if you make a mistake or need to change routes.

For stress-free sightseeing, day passes or multi-day venice water bus tickets offer the best value and flexibility.

How to Buy Venice Water Bus Tickets

You can buy Venice water bus tickets at ticket machines or ticket counters located at major Vaporetto stops.

As shown in the photo above, tickets are available both from ticket machines and staffed service counters.

In this section, we will walk through the step-by-step process of buying tickets using a ticket machine.

Change the Language to English

First, tap the British flag icon on the screen.

This will change the display language to English, making the process much easier to follow.

Select “Waterborne service”

On the next screen, tap “Waterborne service” in the top-left corner.

This option is for Vaporetto (Venice water bus) tickets.

Choose Your Ticket Type

Next, select the type of venice water bus ticket you want to buy from the list.

I recommend unlimited travel tickets for 24 hours or more.

Confirm Ticket and Number of Passengers

In this example, the 2 day ticket (48H) is selected. The screen will show the total price based on the ticket type and the number of passengers.

Make sure the ticket details and quantity are correct before continuing.

Choose Payment Method and Complete Payment

Finally, select your payment method: Cash or Credit cards.

Once the payment is completed, your venice water bus ticket will be issued.

How to Validate Venice Water Bus Tickets When Boarding

When boarding the Vaporetto, you only need to tap your venice water bus ticket on the validation machine located at each stop.

There is no need to show your ticket to staff when getting on the boat. Because there is usually no ticket check at boarding, it may seem possible to ride without a ticket.

However, this is considered fare evasion.

If you are caught riding without a valid venice water bus ticket, you will be asked to pay a €110 fine on the spot.

You Can Also Buy Tickets at Mestre Station

Hotels in Venice’s historic center are often very expensive, so many travelers choose to stay near Mestre Station, just one stop before Venice Island.

If you stay in Mestre, you can buy venice water bus tickets at the small shops (kiosks) inside Mestre Station.

Please note that cash payment only is accepted at these shops.

When tickets were purchased in April 2025, credit cards were not accepted, so make sure to prepare cash in advance.

Save on Transportation from Mestre to Venice

If you buy your Venice water bus ticket in Mestre, you can also use local land buses between Mestre and Venice Island without extra cost.

This helps reduce overall transportation expenses.

The bus stop in front of Mestre Station is shown below.

From this stop, take Bus No. 2 to Venice Island.
*The ride takes about 15 minutes.

You can return from Venice Island to Mestre Station using the same Bus No. 2.

Buses departing from Venice Island run approximately every 15 minutes, and the last bus leaves at 11:45 p.m.

This option is convenient and cost-effective for travelers staying in Mestre while using venice water bus tickets to explore Venice.

Things to Know Before Using the Venice Water Bus

I have visited Venice twice and spent a total of 10 days in the city.

Based on my personal experience, here are some useful tips for first-time visitors who plan to use the water bus in Venice.

These four points are based purely on my personal experience.

① Unlimited Passes Are Worth It

In Venice, buying unlimited venice water bus tickets is highly recommended. Anyone who has actually used the water bus will quickly understand how convenient it is.

This is just my personal opinion, but I felt that unlimited venice water bus tickets offer much better value and satisfaction than expensive gondola rides.

One of the biggest attractions of the Venice water bus is the freedom to enjoy the city’s beautiful scenery whenever you like and as many times as you like.

② Santa Lucia Station Can Be Very Crowded

The square in front of Santa Lucia Station is where the most tourists gather. The vaporetto stop (Ferrovia) right in front of the station is almost always crowded.

As a result, even if a boat arrives, you may not be able to get on and have to wait for the next one.
*The wait time alone could be more than 30 minutes.

The best solution to this problem is simple: walk to the previous Vaporetto stop, P.le Roma.

From the Ferrovia stop in front of Santa Lucia Station, it takes about 6 minutes on foot to reach P.le Roma.

By boarding at this earlier stop, you have a much better chance of getting on the boat without waiting.

③ Evenings Are Best for a Relaxing Ride

In recent years, overtourism has become a serious issue in Venice. The problem is especially noticeable during the busy travel season from April to July, when large numbers of visitors flood the city.

To curb the flow of tourists, a Venice tourist tax was introduced from 2025.

However, after 4:00 p.m., the situation changes dramatically.

From personal experience, it feels as if the number of tourists drops to one-tenth of the daytime level.

Many day-trip visitors leave the city in the late afternoon, and Venice quickly becomes much quieter.

This time of day is perfect for using the water bus. With Venice water bus tickets, you can enjoy a relaxed ride and cruise through the canals without crowds.

As the sun begins to set, Venice is covered in soft, nostalgic light.

The canal views at dusk offer a completely different atmosphere compared to daytime, making an evening Vaporetto ride one of the most memorable experiences in Venice.

④ Visit Murano and Burano After Noon

If you travel a little outside Venice’s main island, you can visit two popular nearby islands: Murano and Burano.

With venice water bus tickets, especially unlimited passes, you can reach both islands without any extra cost.

You may want to avoid visiting these islands in the morning.

I once went to Murano early in the day to avoid crowds, but most glass shops were still closed. The island felt very quiet, and honestly, it felt like there was little to see at that time.

Most shops start opening around 11:00 a.m., so visiting after 12:00 p.m. is a much better option, especially for Murano.

How to Get There by Water Bus

Water buses to Murano depart from Ferrovia D, located near Santa Lucia Station.

• From Ferrovia D to Murano: about 20 minutes
• From Murano to Burano: transfer at Murano, then about 30–40 minutes

Conclusion: Choose Unlimited Venice Water Bus Tickets

If you want to explore Venice efficiently and at your own pace, unlimited venice water bus tickets are the best choice.

Venice water bus tickets are available for 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, and 7 days, so you can select the option that matches your length of stay.

With these tickets, you can also visit nearby islands such as Murano and Burano without paying extra.

In addition, after 4:00 p.m., the number of tourists decreases significantly, making an evening canal ride especially enjoyable.

Because the ticket purchase process is simple, even first-time visitors can use the Venice water bus with confidence.

With the right venice water bus tickets, every ride becomes part of your Venice travel experience!

Travel safely. Get covered before you go!

Italy has a high risk of pickpocketing, especially in popular tourist cities such as Venice, and Rome. Cameras and iPhones are common targets and are often not covered by credit card insurance.

To prepare for theft, injuries, and unexpected medical visits, choosing reliable travel insurance is essential.

5-day coverage available from $10.05

Check SafetyWing

Get your quote in minutes on the official website now!

Taka

Japanese blogger

I've been a nomad abroad for five years, traveling through 10+ cities across Europe. Right now I’m spending time in places like Paris, Venice, and Barcelona. I’ll be sharing simple, useful tips for living abroad.