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GETTING AROUND
VAPORETTI (WATER BUS)
The one thing to always remember when using the Vaporetti is to ensure you validate your ticket! The Venetian Police are very hot on this and make regular checks. You could be in for a substantial fine if you don't. ACTV really wants you to have a ticket that you've swiped against an electronic reader before you board. It's now illegal to be on a waterbus platform without a validated ticket, and stations are gradually being upgraded with paddle-style gates to encourage compliance.
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At every ACTV stop, you'll see a white electronic ticket reader near the entrance to the floating boat platform. Hold your ticket or pass up to the ticket reader, and listen for the beep or wait for the green light to flash. At an increasing number of boat stops, you'll also encounter gates or turnstiles that are locked until you've swiped your ticket.
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(Note: At larger ACTV stations, you may also see green ticket readers. These are "read-only" devices that let you check how many trips are left on your ticket. They won't deduct a fare or validate your ticket for your current trip.)
Main Vaporetto lines
The most useful water bus lines for tourists are the following:
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Line 1: One of the most handy lines for all visitors is line 1. It slowly cruises the Grand Canal from the central bus station in Piazzale Roma until Venezia Lido. It stops in most landmarks down the Canal like Piazza San Marco, Ca’Rezzonico or Rialto Bridge.
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Line 3: connects Piazzale Roma and Murano.
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Line 7: connects Piazza San Marco with Murano.
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Line 10: is the quickest way to get from Piazza San Marco to Lido.
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Tariffs
A single-journey that is valid for 60 minutes costs 7 euros. Depending on where you are staying and how many times you think you might be taking the city’s transportation, you might want to purchase the Venezia Unica Pass.
If you only need to get across the Grand Canal using Line 1 or need to take the city’s transportation for one stop, you can purchase a ticket for 4 euros. However, we recommend getting a traghetto instead, as it is cheaper.
Schedule
Usually, most lines that serve Venice run from 4:30 am until 12:30 am (midnight).
GONDOLAS
For most people visiting Venice, their trip is not complete without a Gondola ride.
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There are numerous places in and around the city where you can hire a Gondola. You can choose between sharing a Gondola with others (6 per Gondola) hire a private Gondola and the ultimate romantic Gondola ride complete with serenade!
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Gondolas are priced at 80 Euros for 20-25 minutes. This price is set by the city and so there is no negotiation. Additional 20-minute increments are €40. After 7 p.m., the base rate climbs to €100, with €50 for an additional 20 minutes. Special services, such as singing, can boost the fare even more. This means you should negotiate both the rate and the length of the ride before you get into the boat. Otherwise, your gondola ride may be memorable for reasons that have nothing to do with sightseeing!
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Tips:
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Decide what kind of trip you want, then find a gondola stand in the area nearest your destination. For example, if you'd like to experience the hubbub of the Grand Canal, hire a gondola near the Doge's Palace or the Rialto Bridge. If, on the other hand, you'd rather tour the quiet and romantic side canals, book a gondola away from the vaporetti and water taxis. (The latter may be the best idea if boats make you nervous or if you're inclined to seasickness.)
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If you'd rather not haggle with gondoliers, or if you prefer music with your ride, consider booking a tour through a travel agency. Viator offers online reservations for the Gondola Serenade Tour and other excursions; you can book ahead and lock in the price by prepaying in your own currency.
EXPLORE ON FOOT
By far the best way to explore the watery city and to really experience it is to walk. The Vaporetto are often crowded and Gondolas are'nt a cheap alternative either as are water taxis. The most beautiful experience you can ever have of Venice is to simply wander the streets getting totally lost! There are yellow signs up on the wall occasionally pointing you back to Rialto and St Marks so you are never really lost anyway.
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My advice is to get away from the touristy parts of Venice (Rialto, St Marks) and wander through the back streets, stopping to admire the many bridges, canals, calle (side streets) and the many squares. Each corner you turn will have new vistas and new surprises. Quite often away from the tourist areas you can find much cheaper places to eat and drink too! I recommend a visit through Cannaregio which is the Jewish area where they were once segregated (the original ghetto) Here you will find the Holocaust Memorial, and many tranquil streets to wander, or sit in the main square and immerse yourself. Cannaregio is one of six sestiere (neighbourhoods and if you look at the front of any Gondola you will see the reference to them by the six notches on the bow. the “S” shape represents the Grand Canal; the forward 6 comb teeth represent the 6 Districts of Venice; the 1 backward tooth represents the island of Giudecca; the upper part represents the Doge’s cap; the arch shaped break between the top and the upper tooth represent the Rialto Bridge.
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