The motorized road traffic is strictly forbidden in Venice, which is why most of the means to get around in Venice are represented by waterborne vehicles. The so-called vaporetti and motoscafi run by ACTV are at hand in this respect. But one should never forget the romantic gondolas which, for centuries, have been sliding on the Venice’s canals, managing to become a symbol of the city. The tragettos (gondolas operated as ferries) can also stand out as a further alternative. The water taxis are also a possible solution (though highly likely out of the reach of budget travelers). On top of that, getting around by bike should not be disregarded by visitors who intend to spend an active vacation in Venice and its surroundings. Eventually, the mere walking is also a prospect to be taken into account, in particular in the limited traffic zones (ZTL).

By water bus

ACTV

ACTV is in charge with running the public transport in the Venetian Lagoon. The water buses (vaporetti) it manages link sundry parts of Venice by means of a dense network of lines which crisscross the Grand Canal with the rest of the city, but not exclusively. The company also makes available waterborne airport transfer services for people who don’t want to complicate their trip from Marco Polo Airport to Venice by other intermediary means of transport and stops. The company also runs ferries between Punta Sabbioni and Venice (which is always reassuring for people who want to explore the Venetian coastline all the way to Jesolo, Eraclea Mare, Caorle, Bibione and even further afield).

The ticket sale points are scattered throughout Venice, including in Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, Santa Lucia Train Station, Lido di Venezia, Punta Sabbioni, San Marco, Mestre and Burano. Tourists who acquire a Venice Card are entitled to substantial discounts and advantages while using the public transport system of the city.

On top of the water transport, ACTV is also in charge with running the land transport in the province of Venice (that is, complementing the bus line network managed by ATVO).

In order to learn about the water bus lines, their terminals, bus schedule and the like, use the indications below:

Name:
ACTV
Address:
32, Isola Nova del Tronchetto, 30135, Venice, Italy
Telephone:
0039 041 2424
Website:
www.actv.it

In order to orient better and to enjoy the guidance of a specialized tour operator, visitors should turn to the suggestions offered by Hellovenezia, a company which combines the transport services provided by ACTV with sightseeing and tourist activity suggestions, extremely valuable for visitors who don’t want to miss out the most important highlights of Venice.

By gondola

Just like its worldwide celebrated Carnival, the gondolas which, for centuries, have been sliding on the meandering canals of the city, have turned into a symbol of Venice. It’s true gondolas are not as time efficient as the vaporetti or the motoscafi run by ATVO. Neither are they as cost-efficient, for that matter. But getting to Venice and overlooking the opportunity to take a gondola tour is nothing but a regrettable tourist slip.

At present, the gondola services have a prominently tourist-oriented scope, a features mirrored by the price one has to pay in order to take a tour on the Grand Canal, for instance. However, gondolas do remain a mark of Venice and a truly enchanting and romantic manner of making the experience of the city.

Ente Gondola

Ente Gondola is the company which manages the gondola traffic, so to speak, in Venice. There is a handful of gondola stations in Venice, and most of the itineraries cover the Grand Canal. In order to learn about these stations, gondola itineraries, prices the gondoliers are allowed to charge and the like, follow the indications below:

Name:
Ente Gondola
Address:
3613, San Marco, 30135, Venice, Italy
Telephone:
0039 041 5285075
Fax:
0039 041 5211534
Website:
www.gondolavenezia.it
Gondolas passing under the bridge of sighs in venice Gondola under the Bridge of Sighs in Venice

By tragetto

While the gondola tours, despite their tourist magnetism, are a little too expensive for budget travelers in particular, the so-called tragettos can make up for an excellent substitute. They are, in fact, larger gondolas rowed by two gondoliers, and the price for a ride amounts to only 50 euro cents. The trips can, however, be hardly called a tour, yet it is a manner of crossing in a time and cost-efficient way the Grand Canal of Venice.

The tragetto “stations” can be found in 7 different spots on the Grand Canal (on both banks), making the connection between Fondamenta Santa Lucia and Fondamenta San Siomeon Piccolo, between San Marcuola and Fondaco dei Turchi, Santa Sofia and Pescaria, Riva del Carbon and Fondamente del Vin, Sant’Angelo and San Toma, San Samuele and Ca’Rezonico, and, finally, between Campo del Traghetto and Calle Lanza.

A further mention is the tragettos are highly popular with locals too. The stations are easily noticeable, since they are signed by a

By bike

Venice has recently been endowed with a bike sharing system which allows tourists and locals alike to experience the city on two wheels. The bike stands and routes are located chiefly in mainland Venice and in Lido di Venezia. In order to learn more about the rules one must comply with in order to be able to use the bike sharing system of Venice, follow the indications below:

Name:
ASM Venezia (Azienda Mobilita Venezia)
Address (headquarters):
33, Isola Nova del Tronchetto, 30135, Venice, Italy
Telephone:
0039 041 2727211
Fax:
0039 041 723131
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.asmvenezia.it

By water taxi

The water taxi companies in Venice offer the most time efficient taxi services. It’s true one has to dig deep in their pockets in order to be able to turn to such transport alternatives, but the cost is worth the effort.

Venice Water Taxi

On top of the taxi services available within the confines of the city of Venice proper, Venice Water Taxi also offers guided tours in Burano and Murano, as well as airport transfers from Marco Polo to hotels.

Name:
Venice Water Taxi
Address:
4590, San Marco, 30124, Venice, Italy
Telephone:
0039 041 5229040
Fax:
0039 041 5201338
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
venicewatertaxi.it

Venice Water Limousine Service

By turning to Venice Water Limousine Service, tourists don’t only make sure their vacation in Venice will be spent in comfort and luxury, but they can also browse through the generous complementary offer put forward by the company. Helicopter tours, as well a car tours in the mainland surroundings of Venice are also at hand.

Name:
Venice Water Limousine Service
Address 1:
415/d, Calle dei Pensieri, Santa Croce, 30135, Venice, Italy
Telephone:
0039 041 5019442 / 0039 3358 077273
Fax:
0039 041 5010854
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.venicewaterlimousine.com

Cooperativa Taxi Serenissima

Cooperativa Taxi Serenissima is one of the oldest water taxi companies in Venice. Its history goes back to 1924, but the bottom line is at present the company is one of the first-hand solutions for tourists in search of a rapid and reliable transport solution in the Venetian Lagoon and its surroundings.

Name:
Cooperativa Taxi Serenissima
Address:
6118, Castello, 30122, Venice, Italy
Telephone:
0039 041 5221265
Fax:
0039 041 7241059
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.serenissimataxi.it

Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia

The priorities observed by Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia in respect to the services provided to their clients are the rapidity, the quality and the comfort of the transport solutions. The offer of taxi services in Venice is complemented by airport transfers and sightseeing tours in the lagoon (the Grand Canal included).

Name:
Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia
Address:
4512, Castello, 30122, Venice, Italy
Telephone:
0039 041 5222303 / 0039 041 2406711
Fax:
0039 041 2406700
Website:
www.motoscafivenezia.it
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