Venice ferry ticket buying guide

TL;DR: Venice ferry tickets (vaporetto) can be bought at ticket booths, kiosks, tobacco shops, or via the official Venezia Unica app. Single rides cost €9.50, but multi-day passes (€25-€65) offer better value. Skip the lines by buying online, validate before boarding, and consider getting an unlimited pass if you’re staying more than a day.

Look, buying ferry tickets in Venice isn’t rocket science, but it’s one of those things that can either save you a bundle or drain your wallet faster than you can say “gondola.” Let me walk you through everything you need to know about getting around Venice’s iconic waterways without getting ripped off or looking like a confused tourist.

What Are These “Ferries” Anyway?

First things first: in Venice, we’re talking about vaporetti (water buses), not those massive car ferries. These are your lifeline around the city—the floating equivalent of city buses that zip between islands, along the Grand Canal, and out to places like Murano and Burano.

Where to Actually Buy Your Tickets

Option 1: Ticket Booths and Machines (The Traditional Route)

You’ll find ACTV ticket offices and automated machines at major vaporetto stops like:

• Piazzale Roma
• Santa Lucia Train Station
• San Marco
• Rialto

The catch? Lines can be absolutely brutal during peak season. We’re talking 20-30 minute waits when cruise ships dock. The machines accept credit cards and cash, but they can be finicky.

Option 2: Tobacco Shops (The Local Secret)

Here’s a pro tip: look for shops with the black-and-white “T” sign (tabacchi). Many sell vaporetto tickets with zero wait time. You’ll pay the same official price, but you’ll save your sanity. Just walk in, say “un biglietto per il vaporetto,” and you’re golden.

Option 3: Online (The Smart Move)

The Venezia Unica website and app let you buy tickets before you even land in Venice. Download the app, create an account, purchase your pass, and you’re done. Show the QR code on your phone at the validator, and boom—you’re on board.

Why this rocks: No lines, no cash needed, and you can buy multi-day passes at 3am in your pajamas if that’s your thing.

Ticket Types and Prices (What Actually Makes Sense)

Single Ride Ticket

• Cost: €9.50
• Valid: 75 minutes from validation
• Worth it if: You’re literally taking one ride. Otherwise? Terrible value.

Time-Based Passes (Where the Real Savings Are)

• 24-hour pass: €25
• 48-hour pass: €35
• 72-hour pass: €45
• 7-day pass: €65

Do the math: Just three rides in a day and you’ve already broken even with the 24-hour pass. If you’re island-hopping to Murano, Burano, and the Lido? The multi-day passes are no-brainers.

Special Options

Under 6? Kids ride free (blessed relief for parents).

Between 6-29 and staying a while? Look into the Rolling Venice card for discounted rates.

Airport transfer? The Alilaguna airport boats are separate and cost around €15-25 depending on your route.

How to Use Your Ticket (Without Looking Clueless)

1. Always validate before boarding—tap your ticket or QR code on the yellow/white machines at the dock
2. Keep your ticket for the entire journey (inspectors are real, and fines are €60+)
3. Check the route number displayed on the boat—not all vaporetti stop everywhere
4. Board from the floating platforms (not the fancy private water taxis)

Common Mistakes That’ll Cost You

Buying single tickets for multiple rides. Seriously, don’t do this. You’ll spend €30 on three rides when a day pass costs €25.

Forgetting to validate. “But I bought a ticket!” won’t save you from the fine. Those yellow machines exist for a reason.

Confusing water taxis with vaporetti. Water taxis are the sleek private boats that cost €60-100+ per ride. Vaporetti are the chunky public ones covered in ads.

Not checking if your hotel offers a pass. Some accommodations include or discount vaporetto passes—always ask.

Routes You’ll Actually Use

• Line 1: The “scenic route” down the Grand Canal (slower, stops everywhere)
• Line 2: The “express” Grand Canal route (faster, fewer stops)
• Line 12: Gets you to Murano and Burano
• Lines 5.1/5.2: Circle the main island
• Line 1/2 at night: Fewer boats, longer waits after 11pm

Money-Saving Hacks

Walking is free. Venice is tiny—only about 2 square miles. Many “must-take-a-boat” routes are actually walkable in 15-20 minutes.

Buy the longest pass you need upfront. Extending a 24-hour to a 48-hour pass later costs more than buying the 48-hour pass initially.

Skip boats for short distances. San Marco to Rialto? Just walk—it’s 15 minutes and way more interesting than fighting crowds on a boat.

Apps and Resources Worth Having

• Venezia Unica: Official ticket app
• ACTV Venezia Official: Real-time boat schedules and routes
• Google Maps: Actually works well for vaporetto routes
• Moovit: Another solid option for public transport navigation

Final Thoughts

Venice’s water bus system is honestly pretty efficient once you understand it. Yeah, the single-ride price is outrageous, but the multi-day passes are reasonable for what you’re getting—unlimited access to one of the world’s most unique public transport systems.

Buy your tickets online if you can, get a multi-day pass unless you’re genuinely only taking one ride, and don’t stress too much about which boat to take. Worst case? You end up on a scenic tour of a canal you didn’t plan to see. In Venice, that’s not exactly a tragedy.

Safe travels, and try not to fall in a canal while you’re distracted by all those Instagram-worthy views.

Disclaimer: Prices and ticket options mentioned in this article are based on information available as of early 2025 and are subject to change. Always verify current rates and ticket types on the official ACTV or Venezia Unica websites before your trip. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional travel advice. Individual travel needs vary, and travelers should assess their own circumstances when making transportation decisions in Venice.