Hey travellers, when we talk about ferry tickets in Venice, the options available to tourists are surprisingly many and can change a lot depending on how long you want to stay and what you want to see of the city on the water.
So we at Venice Insider Guide explain it all.
Goal of this guide: that every tourist knows where, how, when and how much to buy their ferry tickets in Venice, avoiding scams, queues and confusion.
What are ferry tickets in Venice
The word ferry tickets in Venice can refer to several types of water transport legitimate for a tourist:
- Vaporetto (public waterbus / lagoon services): the most common way to get around Venice and the islands (Murano, Burano, Giudecca).
- Traghetti / short crossings (city traghetti, for example Canal Grande): not always considered “ferry” by tourism, but useful for crossing canals.
- Naval services / international or interregional ferries to Venice: connections from other ports / countries (Croatia, Greece, Slovenia).
In this guide we focus on the first one (vaporetto / public water transport), with a section also on international ferries. For the international ferries part, we redirect to the active companies and booking tips.
Public water transport system: ACTV / AVM / Venezia Unica
Among the ferry tickets in Venice there is the first type of transport, so we talk about it.
Who runs the ferries / vaporetto in Venice
The company responsible for public urban transport (land + water) in Venice is ACTV, under the supervision of AVM S.p.A.
The water services (vaporetti) are part of the urban and regional navigation services.
For the tourist, ferry tickets in Venice means almost always ACTV ticket for the vaporetto, or Venezia Unica pass.
Some specific services (for example airport connections) are managed by other companies like Alilaguna.
The “Venezia Unica” project and transport / culture integration
Venezia Unica Pass is part of the ticket project for the vaporetto in Venice.
Venezia Unica is the city’s integrated ticket system for tickets, subscriptions and tourist cards: it allows to combine transport, museums, attractions and other services in one tool.
When you buy an ACTV ticket, you often buy it through Venezia Unica (or at automatic machines or authorized vendors).
Some tourist passes (that include more museums) are based on Venezia Unica as the “entrance” to the included services.
Validation and rules of use
Vaporetto tickets in Venice must be validated at the beginning of each journey, and every time you change service / vehicle. At vaporetto stops there are validation machines; for digital passes/app, you use the QR code / electronic validation.
If you buy the ticket via app (AVM Venezia Official App), the system is integrated with digital validation.
Note: in some cases, for land tickets (bus/tram) there is a different activation method than for vaporetto.
Where and how to buy ferry tickets in Venice
Important: don’t get surprised with expensive vaporetto tickets in Venice or long queues.
Here are the legit ways:
Vaporetto tickets in Venice: Physical points of sale
- Venezia Unica / ACTV ticket offices: at official points in the city, at stations, tourist information points.
- Ticket machines: at vaporetto stops, including some at the airport and train station.
- Authorized vendors: tobacco shops, newsstands, some authorized shops
- On board (in limited cases): generally not recommended, as prices may be higher or the operator may not accept on board purchases. (Check especially on “special” lines.)
- Chat & Go via WhatsApp: a new feature: you can buy tickets through a MuoversiVenezia WhatsApp service and receive a digital QR code.
- Official app (AVM Venezia Official App): you can buy and validate tickets directly from your phone.
Vaporetto ticket in Venice: Online / in advance purchase
- Through the Venezia Unica website you can buy tickets and digital passes, especially for transport and integration with other services.
- Partner platforms / authorized vendors (e.g. MyPass Venezia) offer digital “fast track” tickets, but be aware of extra costs / commissions.
Practical tips for buying vaporetto tickets in Venice
If you arrive at Marco Polo airport, you can already buy vaporetto tickets there.Don’t wait until the last stop before the main embarkation: machines and ticket offices can be crowded.
If you buy a daily or multi-day pass, calculate in advance how many times you’ll move: it’s only convenient if you’ll make more than 2-3 moves a day.
Check the ticket dates: tourist passes are valid for a certain number of consecutive hours from the first use, not for “piece of the day”.
Keep your phone connected/international if you use the app to buy/validate, as you might need internet for QR code/validate.
International waterways / ferries “to/from Venice”
If you’re looking for ferry tickets in Venice in the sense “boats to/from other ports / countries”, here are the key information:
Main routes and companies
- On Ferryhopper you’ll find updated schedules and prices for ferries connecting Venice with international ports (Croatia, Greece, etc.)
- Venezia Lines offers seasonal / daily services between Venice and some Croatian / Adriatic coastal destinations.
- Adriatic Lines is another company operating on routes from the North Adriatic to Venice.
- On Direct Ferries you can compare connections from Venice to Poreč, Patras, Igoumenitsa and other ports.
What to consider when booking
- International routes often require advance booking, especially in high season.
- Check if the ticket includes vehicle (car, motorcycle) or only passengers.
- Check the arrival time at the port: Venice has multiple ports and harbors, and access to the city may require additional transportation (vaporetto, water taxi).
- Keep in mind customs / passport issues if you travel between countries.
- Check cancellation / refund conditions, penalties and baggage restrictions.
Example of tourist itinerary: how to use ferry tickets in Venice
You’re staying 3 days in Venice, based near Santa Lucia station. You want:
- to arrive from the airport by vaporetto
- to move around piazzale Roma, San Marco, Rialto, Murano, Burano
- to take some day trips in the lagoon included
Smart choice: 72 h pass (€ 40) that gives you freedom to move often.
Other scenario: if you’ll only make 2-3 main moves, you might save with single 75 min tickets.
When you arrive:
- Pick up / buy the pass at the airport ticket office, or use the app / Venezia Unica.
- At the first ride, validate the pass (digital or physical).
- Move, change as many times as you want within the remaining time.
- If you take an external trip that’s not included in the urban services (e.g. a special ferry), buy that ticket separately.
Common mistakes to avoid (and Venice Insider Guide tips)
As Venice Insider Guide, regarding vaporetto tickets in Venice, we advise you to:
- Don’t validate the ticket: a simple mistake that can cost you a fine.
- Think the daily pass resets at night: no, it starts with the first use and is valid for 24 hours exactly.
- Use apps / unofficial tickets with high commissions or risk of fake tickets.
- Not consider that some special / airport lines are not included in the standard pass.
- Overestimate the number of moves: if you only make a couple of rides a day, the pass might not be worth it compared to single tickets.
- Don’t check schedules and frequencies - in 30 minutes you can discover that the next vaporetto arrives in 20 minutes, not 5.
Ferry tickets in Venice (types)
The most common vaporetto ticket in Venice is the single, valid for 75 minutes from validation. This type of ticket allows you to use the vaporetti freely for the entire validity period, change lines if needed, and is ideal for those who have few moves in a day or just want to cross the Grand Canal or reach a nearby island. The average price is around € 7,50 and you must always remember to validate it before boarding.
If you arrive or depart from Marco Polo airport you can choose a airport dedicated ticket, which is slightly more expensive and costs around € 10. There’s also the option to buy a return ticket, useful if you’ll be returning to the airport by water, with a total price of around € 18. These tickets are convenient because they eliminate the need to buy two separate tickets and can be planned in advance.If you want to move freely for the entire duration of your stay, travel cards are definitely the way to go. These tourist passes offer unlimited rides on all public transportation services by water and land (including buses and trams), with flexible durations: from 24 hours to 7 consecutive days. The price varies according to the duration – around € 20 for a 24 hour pass, € 30 for 48 hours, € 40 for 72 hours and around € 60 for a week – and the main advantage is that you don’t have to buy a new ticket for each single move. Just validate the pass at the first use and you have all the rides you need for the chosen time interval. This type of ticket is particularly suitable for those who want to visit multiple islands, move between sestieri or simply move without worries.
Besides standard tickets, there are also combined and special options. Some packages include public transportation with cultural attractions, museums or entrance to historical sites, so you have a full travel experience. Others combine urban transportation with airport connection or with lines not included in the standard pass. These tickets are ideal for those who want to plan every detail in advance and have one solution for all logistic needs.Remember that all passes and tickets start to be valid from the first validation and are hourly, not daily. This means that, for example, a 24 hour pass bought at 3:00 pm will be valid until 3:00 pm the next day. Also, most tickets allow you to bring a standard size luggage without extra cost, but always check the specific rules on the ACTV official website. Finally, some special services – like night lines or private water transportation – are not included in the standard tickets and must be bought separately.
Conclusion
We have concluded this guide on ferry tickets in Venice.
The best vaporetto ticket in Venice depends on your stay: if you visit Venice for a day you can rely on the single ticket, if you stay for a weekend or more you’ll find it more convenient to buy a travel card, if you want a full and organized experience you can opt for a combined package.
Knowing the differences between the various types is key to save time and money, but above all to live the city on the water with the freedom and simplicity it deserves.