Quick answer: the vaporetto ticket price is €9.50 one-way, valid 75 minutes from validation, and passes run from €25.00 for 24 hours to €65.00 for 168 hours, according to a published ACTV fare table. Tickets must be validated before boarding.
This guide sits within the wider topic of how to get around venice. It explains which ticket suits which trip, where to buy it and how to validate it so a first ride does not end in a fine.
Choosing between a single ticket and a pass
A single ticket suits one or two crossings in a day, while a pass suits visitors who plan to ride repeatedly. A published fare table calls the 24-hour pass worthwhile from 3 trips a day, so count your planned rides before paying for a pass.
- Number of rides. Occasional crossings, such as a single trip between the station area and your lodging, fit a single ticket.
- Length of stay. Passes are counted in hours, so match the pass to the span of your riding rather than the number of nights you stay.
- Age. Travellers aged 6 to 29 can qualify for a cheaper 72-hour pass through the Rolling Venice card, covered below.
| Ticket | Price | Validity | Planning use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single ride | €9.50 | 75 minutes from validation | One-off crossing or a rare trip |
| 24-hour pass | €25.00 | 24 hours from first validation | A busy sightseeing day with several rides |
| 48-hour pass | €35.00 | 48 hours from first validation | A short stay with rides on both days |
| 72-hour pass | €45.00 | 72 hours from first validation | Labelled popular; suits a longer city break |
| 7-day pass | €65.00 | 168 hours from first validation | A week of regular commuting between islands |
Prices and validity periods are taken from the published ACTV fare listing, and fares can change, so check the current figure at the point of purchase.
Single ride ticket
The single ride ticket costs €9.50 and is valid for 75 minutes from validation, as stated on a Venice visitor guide to vaporetto tickets. The clock starts when you validate, not when you buy, so a ticket kept in a pocket has not started counting.
The 75 minutes is a window rather than a single hop. That makes the ticket a reasonable fit for one longer ride on a Grand Canal line, or two short connections made within the window. It is poor value for a day of repeated short hops, where a pass quickly makes more sense.
Visitors must buy a ticket for each ride or a round-trip ticket, according to a Venice transport information page. Do not assume that a ticket bought for the outward trip also covers the return once its time has run out.
24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour and 7-day passes
A pass is valid for a set number of hours from the first validation, not for calendar days. A 24-hour pass first validated in the afternoon therefore runs into the following afternoon rather than stopping at midnight, as the published fare listing explains.
Which pass fits which plan
- 24-hour pass (€25.00). Best for a single dense day, such as a morning on the Grand Canal and an afternoon trip out to the lagoon islands.
- 48-hour pass (€35.00). A middle option for a weekend when you ride on most of both days but not constantly.
- 7-day pass (€65.00 for 168 hours). Only worth considering for a full week of regular rides.
Rolling Venice card for ages 6 to 29
With the Rolling Venice card, which costs €6, the 72-hour pass drops to €27 instead of €45. The card is aimed at ages 6 to 29, and the same fare listing says it is sold at Venezia Unica sales locations, where you should bring a form of ID.
Visitors comparing several transport options for a longer stay can read the venice transport pass worth it breakdown.
Where to buy a vaporetto ticket
Tickets can be bought from the ticket seller at the boat stop or at any tobacco shop, according to a Venice transport information page. Buying before boarding is the simplest habit, because the stop is where you will need the ticket anyway.
- At the stop or a tobacco shop. Suits a spontaneous trip. Check the shop or seller is open before you rely on it late in the day.
- Online or at ticket counters. Tickets and passes are described as available online or at ticket counters, which helps if you want a pass ready before arrival.
- Ticket desks and authorised resellers. Hellovenezia ticket desks and authorised resellers sell tickets, and Venezia Unica sales locations handle the Rolling Venice card.
An online purchase or a printout does not start the ticket. As the published fare listing puts it, a ticket is valid only from the first journey, not when you buy or print it.
Validating your ticket, step by step
Tickets must always be validated before boarding, according to a Venice visitor guide. The routine is the same at every stop.
- Buy your single ticket or pass before you reach the landing stage, or at the stop’s ticket seller.
- Walk to the ACTV reader on the landing area, before stepping onto the boat.
- Hold the ticket against the reader to validate it. This is the moment the 75 minutes or the pass hours begin.
- Board, and keep the ticket for the whole ride in case a controller asks to see it.
For a pass, validate only on the first ride. Later rides within the pass period follow the same stop routine, so look for the reader each time before boarding.
Children, luggage and reduced fares
Children under 6 travel free on all ACTV lines in the city of Venice, and from age 6 a regular ticket is needed, according to the published fare listing. Plan fares for each older child as for an adult.
Luggage rules are more forgiving. The ticket price includes the transport of one luggage item of up to 150 cm, according to a Venice ticket page. Suitcases are allowed, but space is limited, so a crowded boat in peak hours is a poor moment to bring a large bag. Travel between rush periods where your plans allow, and keep the bag close to the boarding area.
Troubleshooting and fines
Travelling without a valid ticket risks a large fine on top of the ticket cost, according to a Venice transport information page, which does not give a set amount. Controllers carry out occasional checks, so an unvalidated ticket is a risk even if nobody asks on a given ride.
- Bought but not validated. A ticket in your bag counts for nothing until a reader has stamped it, so go back to the reader before the boat leaves rather than hoping for the best.
- Missing a ticket seller. If the stop has no seller, a tobacco shop is the fallback described above. Buying a pass in advance avoids the problem altogether.
- Single ticket expired. Once the 75 minutes have passed, a new ticket is needed for the next boat, even on the same line.
- Pass ending sooner than expected. Count the hours from your first validation, not from the morning of the day.
For other practical stops during a day on the water, such as refilling a bottle, see venice drinking fountains.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates the vaporetto service?
ACTV, the Azienda del Consorzio Trasporti Veneziano, operates the Water Bus in Venice, according to a Venice water bus ticket guide.
Is there a family ticket?
No. There is no official family ticket or child discount for tourists, so only children under 6 travel free, per the published fare listing.
Is there a reduced fare for wheelchair users?
Yes. A reduced single ticket costs €1.50 instead of €9.50 for 75 minutes, according to the published fare listing.
Can I pay with a contactless card?
Yes. Tap-to-pay has been available directly at ACTV readers since 2024, according to the published fare listing.
