Getting Around by Vaporetto

Getting Around by Vaporetto

Venice's primary means of public transportation is by vaporetto (water bus). ACTV (041/2424. www.hellovenezia.it) operates vaporetti on several routes through and around the city. Beginning at 11 PM there is limited service through the night. Landing stages are clearly marked with name and line number, but check before boarding to make sure the boat is going in your direction. Line 1 is the Grand Canal local, calling at every stop and continuing via San Marco to the Lido. The trip takes about 35 minutes from Ferrovia to Vallaresso, San Marco.

A vaporetto ticket for all lines costs EUR 6 one-way (children under four ride free). Another option is a Travel Card: EUR 15 buys 24 hours and EUR 30 buys 72 hours of unlimited travel. For travelers between ages 14 and 29, the 72-hour pass is EUR 18 with the Rolling Venice card. Ask for the card (EUR 4) before buying your tickets. A shuttle ticket allows you to cross a canal, one stop only, for EUR 2.

Line information is posted at each landing, and complete timetables for all lines are available for EUR .60 at ACTV/Vela ticket booths, located at most major stops. Buy your ticket before getting on the boat and validate it in the yellow time-stamp machine. Tickets are also sold on the boat; you must ask to buy one immediately upon boarding, which can be a hassle. When inspectors come aboard, ticketless riders are fined, as are those who haven't validated their tickets. The fine is EUR 35, and pleading ignorance will not spare you. The law says you must also buy tickets for bags more than 28 inches long (there's no charge for your bag if you have a Travel Card), but this is generally enforced only for very bulky bags.