If you're in a hurry, the best way to get to Venice is from Punta Sabbioni (paid parking), the furthest point on the mainland that borders the lagoon.
From there, take public transportation (motorboats and ferries), which will take you directly to St. Mark's Square.
If you'd like to take your time while on vacation, you can board a boat in Treporti on the Cavallino Peninsula. From there, you can also be taken to the islands of San Francesco del Deserto, Burano, Torcello, and Murano.
You can't miss the boat stop at Punta Sabbioni. If you're arriving by car, you'll drive down a long, long, straight road leading right to it. You can park your car there on the street or in one of the (paid) parking lots.
The crossing takes about 40 minutes. Ferries depart every 30 minutes, always at x:05 or x:35. This means you won't wait more than half an hour for the ferry. If you're heading to a major event (e.g., Carnival or the Festa del Redentore), be sure to allow for a longer wait.
By car, you can reach Venice via Tessera along the lagoon. After a few kilometers, you'll reach the island directly via the causeway.
However, the trip is probably more relaxing by bus and boat (Line 5, runs every half hour). From there, you'll continue by public boat. This information may be helpful if you want to drive directly into Venice.
Punta Sabbioni → Venice / St. Mark's
- Line 14: Punta Sabbioni – Lido S.M.E. – S. Marco/S. Zaccaria; important connection from the Cavallino area via the Lido to Venice.
- Line 15: Punta Sabbioni – S. Marco/S. Zaccaria; direct connection to San Marco, without stopping at the Lido.
Punta Sabbioni → Lido di Venezia
- Line 14: Punta Sabbioni – Lido S.M.E.; convenient connection to the central Santa Maria Elisabetta pier on the Lido.
- Line 17: Punta Sabbioni – Lido S. Nicolò – Tronchetto; ferry service, particularly useful for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Punta Sabbioni → Burano / Murano / Fondamente Nove
- Line 12: Punta Sabbioni – Treporti – Burano – Torcello – Mazzorbo – Murano – Venice/Fondamente Nove; a good line for excursions to the northern lagoon.
- Line 14: Some trips also connect Punta Sabbioni with Burano; always check the current schedule for trips to Burano.
Punta Sabbioni → Ospedale / Fondamente Nove / S. Giobbe
- Line 22: Punta Sabbioni – Ospedale – Fondamente Nove – S. Giobbe; a rather specialized route, particularly useful for destinations in northern Venice.
Night services from Punta Sabbioni
- Line NLN / Notturno Laguna Nord: Punta Sabbioni – Burano – S. Erasmo – Venezia/Fondamente Nove; night service through the northern lagoon.
Note
There is usually no direct vaporetto line to Rialto from Punta Sabbioni. If you want to go to Rialto, you usually take a vaporetto to S. Marco/S. Zaccaria first and then continue on foot or transfer to an inner-city vaporetto line.
Waterbus Ticket
For 1 hour: €7. You can also purchase it directly on board from the crew (no extra charge; it also costs €7). Valid for all services except the Alilaguna route and ACTV routes 16, 19, 21, Casinò, and Vaporetto dell'Arte.
Valid from the time of validation.
Includes one piece of luggage with a total perimeter (height + width + depth) of no more than 1.50 meters.
Tourist Maps
These are indeed the most affordable options for tourists:
- €18 – 12-hour TravelCard
- €20 – 24-hour TravelCard
- €25 – 36-hour TravelCard
- €30 – 48-hour TravelCard
- €35 – 72-hour TravelCard
- €50 - 7-day TravelCard
Valid for all modes of transportation (including buses), with the same restrictions as above, except for the Alilaguna route and ACTV routes 16, 19, 21, and Casinò.
Retail locations
Tickets are available at all HelloVenezia locations as well as at the ticket machines at Piazzale Roma (near the municipal parking lot), Piazzale Roma S. Chiara, Ferrovia Scalzi, Ferrovia S. Lucia, S. Marcuola, Ca' d'Oro, Rialto, S. Tomà, Zattere, S. Marco Vallaresso, and Giardinetti, S. Zaccaria Danieli and Pietà, Arsenale, Lido S.M. Elisabetta, Burano, Punta Sabbioni, Marco Polo Airport, at the Ospedale dell'Angelo, and at other authorized sales points. Further information and the fine print in Italian and English can be found on the ACTV website (currently available only in English and Italian).
Here you will find a complete overview of all vaporetto lines in Venice (all schedules available for download).