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Tour Venice by vaporetto (water bus): how to get around the lagoon city

If you want to tour Venice, the water bus will help you save time. The city of Venice is criss-crossed entirely by canals with over 400 bridges and 3000 “calli” (very narrow pedestrian paths). The vaporetto is the cheapest, most convenient alternative compared to going around on foot through the six districts to reach the main hotspots. The local public transport company has a vast fleet of over 160 vessels (ferry boats, motor taxis, motor ships, water buses and the larger, all-weather water buses). The water bus system was created to make residents' life easier and provide a sustainable city for the millions of tourists in the Serenissima city. The service runs 24/7. Don't forget!

Informations > https://www.veneziaunica.it/en/content/how-take-vaporetto-ride-venice

A little bit of history: the first water buses in Venice

Queen Margherita was the first to ride the waves of Canale Grande in 1881 on the first water bus to cross the sea from France. This model was actually inspired by the renowned bateaux-mouches that sailed the River Seine at the time. The event triggered significant protests from the gondoliers. Since then, the water buses have ensured public transport in town. Today, they obviously have a diesel engine. However the name "vaporetto" has remained to commemorate the first water ferries that ran on steam ("vapore" in Italian). Venetians usually call them "batèi", i.e. the Italian word "battelli" for boats.

What you need to know before boarding a water bus

Here is some useful information, so you don't get caught out unprepared. You need a ticket before you get on the water bus: we advise you to buy it before you board. Travel cards and passes are also available and once you have passed through the turnstiles (not every stop has one), you must stamp your ticket to avoid any nasty surprises.

The quays to get on or off the water buses are known as imbarcadèri (piers) and you'll find them along almost all the canals running through Venice. There is more than one pier on the same side of the canal at the main stops, such as San Marco or Santa Lucia Railway Station. Each one is marked by a Letter (A, B, C, etc.), depending on the direction of the water buses and the different lines they stop at.
Each water bus line has its own number and colour.
Each attraction or monument has its own stop. Have you brought your dog with you? There are special rules to follow before dogs can travel by water bus in Venice. First of all, they must be muzzled (and on a lead) and only one can travel per person. Other small animals, such as cats and birds, can also travel provided they are in a cage or carrier. Animals travel free of charge.

Take a look at the map of the water bus lines > map (avmspa.it)

We look forward to seeing you in Venice!

Locanda Ca’ Lucrezia is a stone’s throw from Santa Lucia train station. We will be happy to welcome you to our tiny hotel. Your tourist tax will exempt you from the day-tripper access fee.

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