Venice, Italy

Getting around Venice

How to travel around Venice — 5 options, what they cost, and which booking apps fix the fare before you go.

Last updated 2026-08-08

1. Vaporetto

The public waterbus network, and the city's actual public transport.

Cost: EUR 9.50 single, multi-day passes far better value
Tip: A single ticket costs almost as much as a day pass. If you will take two trips, buy the pass.

2. Walking

The only way to reach most of the city, and getting lost is part of it.

Tip: Follow the yellow signs to San Marco, Rialto and Ferrovia — they are the city's real navigation system.

3. Traghetto

Gondola ferries crossing the Grand Canal where there is no bridge, standing up.

Cost: EUR 2
Tip: The same boats as a gondola ride, for two euros instead of ninety.

4. Gondola

Fares are fixed by the city, not negotiated.

Cost: EUR 90 daytime, EUR 110 after 19:00, per boat up to five people

Watch outQuoting per person rather than per boat is the standard overcharge.

5. Alilaguna from the airport

Waterbus from Marco Polo directly into the city.

Cost: EUR 15
Tip: Slower than the bus to Piazzale Roma but arrives closer to most accommodation.

Booking apps in Italy

Agreeing the fare in an app before you travel removes the argument at the end of the journey, which is where most transport scams happen. Links go to each app's official page — lookalike apps are themselves a scam.

FREE NOW

Hails licensed metered taxis across Italian cities.

Coverage: Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Naples.
Why it helps: Italian taxis are metered by law; app booking removes the route-padding and phantom surcharges.

Trenitalia

Official national rail booking, including high-speed services.

Coverage: Nationwide.

Italo

The private high-speed operator, often cheaper on the same corridors.

Coverage: Main north-south high-speed routes.