How to Get Around Venice, Italy

Now that you can actually travel again to this unbelievable city, make sure you know these tips so you can get around Venice with minimal stress and confusion.

Last updated: 26th July, 2021

Planning for your trip to Venice but worried about the best methods of exploring the island? Or maybe you just want to check how to get your luggage from the airport to the hotel?

Venice is an incredible and unique place due to the beautiful canals which divide up the island. These canals make it one of the top European cities to go for a break, but also a little complicated to navigate.

This guide helps you understand the many types of public transport in Venice, from Gondolas to Vaporettos, with information on the cost and where to take them below. 

Venice is also quite small so walking is definitely an option for most, although it really isn’t the most accessible place.

Scroll down for our tips on the best ways to get around Venice and the surrounding islands, so that you can explore the city with minimal stress.

If you are flying to Venice, you will probably be arriving at Marco Polo Airport (based in the mainland and 13km away from Venice). 

From the airport, you have a few options depending on your budget and which area of Venice you are staying in. 

When we travelled to Venice post-lockdown, we stayed near Ponte Rialto, and didn’t want to spend more than our plane tickets cost to get to our hotel. 

That left us with public transport – so we got a bus to Piazzale Roma, and walked for 30 minutes.

However, we were stumped with the simplest thing like which bus to take and from where. 

We hope that the below tips will be useful at helping you have a smooth journey throughout your trip in Venice. 

Choose your preferred way of travelling based on how much you want to spend: 

• Cost: 8€ one way or 15€ round-trip
• How often: every 30 minutes
• Journey length: around 20 minutes.
• What to do with your luggage: There’s an area underneath the bus where the driver will leave your suitcases.
• Where to buy: Automatic ticket machine at the airport, online and ticket office.
• Where to get the bus: The ATVO bus stops are located on a strip of the footpath outside the arrivals and baggage claim area. When you exit the terminal, take a left off door D and look for No. 2 stop. 

• Cost: 8€ one way or 15€ round-trip
• Tip: Buy “Aerobus + Nave” for 14€, if you are planning on taking a Vaporetto to your hotel from Piazzale Roma.
• How often: every 15 minutes
• Journey length: Takes approximately 25 minutes to get to Piazzale Roma.
• What to do with your luggage: You have to keep your suitcases with you.
• Where to buy: Automatic ticket machine at the airport and ticket office.
• Where to get the bus: Head towards the footpath outside of the terminal and wait for No. 5 bus. 

TOP TIP: Make sure to validate your ticket before boarding. We also wish we’d known that the bus service is labelled on the machine you buy your ticket from, and this helps you to find the right stop to wait at.

• Cost: 15€ one way or 27€ round trip
• The ticket covers 1 piece of luggage and 1 hand luggage, there’s a 3€ charge per extra baggage.
• How often: every hour
• Journey length: Takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
• What to do with your luggage: You have to keep your suitcases with you.
• There are 3 lines: Blue, Orange and Red. Check where your hotel is to get the right line or ask the ticket clerk. 
• Where to purchase: The arrival at the airport and online.
• Where to get the water bus: At the airport terminal, follow the signs for airport boats and water taxis.

• Cost: from 35€ depending on your destination and luggage.

• Cost: around 100€ – 150€ depending on your destination and luggage.

• How to get a water taxi: inquire about them at the taxi desk at the arrivals. 
• Drop-off point: It will take you to the closest water stop to your hotel. 
• Where to get a water taxi: The same pier as the water bus by following the signs from the terminal. 

TOP TIP: Haggle the price before getting on the taxi.

• Cost: around 50€
• Drop off point: Piazzale Roma
• Journey length: Takes around 15 minutes
• Where to get a land taxi: Outside of the airport terminal.

The best way to explore is on foot and see where your feet take you. 

How else are you going to discover a peaceful canal and ponder about your existence?!

However, if you have in mind where you want to go, there are a few things for you to consider – for example, how long it will take to walk there vs how long it will take on a Vaporetto.

• It can take you around Venice island and the surrounding islands such as Murano, Burano and Lido (Lido especially we loved during our trip). 
• Cost: A single ticket is 7.50€, it’s better value for money to get a multiple days tourist ticket instead. 
• Tip #1: The Vaporetto is run by ACTV so you can buy a combined ticket with your bus journey from the airport.
• Tip #2: Be wary of where you are heading and which direction the Vaporetto is going as they both use the same stop. I.e don’t go to Murano from the San Marco stop.
• Tip #3: When you first arrive in Venice, you can get the Vaporetto from Piazzale Roma (the line depends on the destination). Otherwise, there are multiple docks throughout the island to help you get around. 

• It takes you across from one side of the Rialto Bridge to the other but there are other stops around the island.
• Cost: 2€
• Maximum capacity: Carries up to 10 people.

• Cost: 80€ for 40 minutes (but make sure to negotiate the price, time and additional service such as singing beforehand). 
• Maximum capacity: Carries up to 6 people.

TOP TIP: Depending on the vibe and scenery of the ride you want, make sure to start the ride from the right spot (quiet back canal or the lively area of St. Mark’s Square).

Read our post on 16 Things You Need to Know Before Going to Venice Post-Lockdown and more on our 3 Days in Venice Post-Lockdown. 

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Wanischa Sirivarangkun

Wanischa is a big believer in the importance of wellbeing and uses her experience with mental health challenges to inspire others to live their happiest lives. She's also a self-confessed foodie. Currently she works as a Senior Marketing Manager at The Unseen.

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