We will be in Venice for four days. I was considering buying a 72-hour vaporetto pass but some people say that they didn't use it...they just walked everywhere. This will be our first visit, so I'd appreciate the advice of other travelers.

I walk nearly everywhere too; a pass wouldn't be good value for me.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34428585

Here's a thread on this same topic. To find others like it, type "vaporetto AND pass" into the text box at the top of this page.

We had 6 nights in Venice and bought a 7 day pass on arrival so used it straight away to go down the Grand Canal with our luggage to the hotel. We walked a lot but used the vaporettos a lot too. You can go out to Murano, Burano or Torcello included in the cost. The best part of having the pass was never having to find somewhere to buy tickets, or queue up for tickets, or jump on the vaporetto at the last minute then think, damn, no ticket! We didn't see any ticket inspectors at all but heard the fines are quite heavy if caught without a ticket.
Kay

It's a little bit of a self-fulfilling thing...I think if you have the pass, you are more likely to just jump on the vaporetto if it will save you a few steps. If you don't, you may walk more. I thought it was worthwhile. we rode the vaporetto's a couple of times a day, even if only for a short distance.

I was just there for 4 days and bought the 24 hour pass and nothing after that. If you're not on the grand canal, the tix are cheaper. The pass is nice, though, when you are getting to know the town. I went all over, including Muranno & Lido, and back for 10 euro, which is what the 24 hr pass costs now. BTW, I did get caught by the tix police - YIKES - I was sure I was in deep trouble. My husband had gotten off the boat a few stops before me and he had both our tix in his pocket. The tix guy gave me a hard time and threatened to fine me but then let me go. Lesson learned -- always carry your own tix!

Yes, definitely.
We had three day pass and used it extensively - to get places from our hotel, to visit the islands, and just to cruise up and down grand canal etc.

Hi Lina,

In our several trips to Venice we have not bought any passes.

We just walk until we get tired and take the vaporetto back, or take the vaporetto to the far end and walk back.

We bought the 3 day pass and at times it came in very handy. We walked almost everywhere, but sometimes when we were walking and walking and we wanted to go back to the hotel or somewhere else and were getting tired, there always seemed to be a vaporetto stop nearby to hop on. I'd recommend it. If you buy the pass, my guess is you would use it.

We just got back from 4 days in Venice and only bought a 24 hr pass on the day we were going to Murano and Burano.

By walking we got to know the city much better and were able to visit neighborhoods that we otherwise would have missed.

That makes it 4 to 4.

It may depend on where you are staying. We bought a three day pass, used it and still walked a lot. We were staying at the Accademia in Dorsoduro and would take the vaporetto to our farthest point for the day then work our way back to the hotel. We'd also use it to get to a restaurant more quickly and walk back after dinner. We felt like its value to us was similar to a metro pass in Paris....just convenient to hop on, hop off when it suited us.

A tiebreaker? For me, depends on the time of year. In winter or very cold weather, I'd rather walk & keep vaporetto rides to a minimum. In summer/nice weather, I enjoy riding the vaporetto! Even though I always do a great deal of walking, as well. On the last trip, I was only there two days, and had a 24 hr. pass and used it enough to make the purchase worthwhile. I could have avoided all vap. use except to & from the hotel, but why? We especially enjoyed coming & going without ticket purchase or line or stamping worries. And, we loved just relaxing & riding the complete circuit one evening after dinner. Crowds were down at that time and we simply enjoyed the ride. I don't think we would have done that if we hadn't had a pass. Also, sometimes the Grand Canal is the easiest to navigate quickly from, say, San Marco to the Rialto Bridge. Yes, it is fun to walk, but generally takes awhile and a few wrong turns....if your time is limited, and you feel uncertain about your bearings, you may want to make a few of those "there it is, I can see it" rides. Either way, enjoy. Consider a shorter than 72 hour pass, too.

Thank you, everyone, for your input. What will I do when I'm in Rome/Florence/Venice and don't have this forum as a handy resource?! Gain experience of my own, I guess.

We purchased a 3-day pass (22 euros each) for a 3 1/2 day visit. Although we walked most of the time, it was nice to have the option of hopping on the vaparetto for a sundown cruise down the Grand Canal, and to have a chance to sit for a short while. We also used it for Burano and to return to the train station.

It affords some flexibility to your day.

Hi
I think the current break-even rate on a one-day pass vs individual tickets is 3 trips during the day. If you take that 4th trip, the pass will be a savings.
I've been to Venice a few times, don't ever recall taking a vaporetto 4 times in one day, but if I did it was the exception. I'm a walker when I travel, even if it rains. On the other hand, if I were tired, paying one more vaporetto fare wouldn't stop me from using it.

I'd recommend buying the pass. We bought a 24 hour pass and used it a lot. We walk all the time (live in Chicago) and Venice is just much too big in my opinion to see what you want by walking (of course, we only had 1 full day). Very easy to jump on and off the boats, then pick a neighborhood to walk around in. It was also very hot when we were there and the boats were a nice breezy respite to the heat! Each hop is 5euro, the pass is a huge cost saver.

How much does the 4 day pass cost?

Hi Lina,

Buy the pass, which I was told is "the only bargain in Venice".
A one day excursion out to Burano and Torcello will totally justify the cost.

Enjoy

JandaO -

The Venice public transportation (ACTV) website shows a 3 day pass, but not a 4 day pass. Actually, it is a 72 Hour pass.

http://www.actv.it/eng/vapo_tariffe.htm

Hope this helps.

thanks Rookie. I will buy the pass to have that option when I get tired from walking.