Speedboat to Venice Island like Burano

The only "free" speedboat rides go to Murano, and are attached to a "free" glass factory tour and heavy pressure to buy. Then you get yourself back to Venice by vaporetto.

Most people say it is not worth the hassle to get that free ride. Lots of negative experiences reported, such as this:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/free-factory-tour-of-murano-glass-factory-scam

Burano is , indeed , worth seeing. The charm of the place is found among the lanes away from the main streets , which are peppered with small houses splashed with pastel colors , a gentle contemplative place . Another worthwhile island , just a short stop from Burano , is Torcello , read about it here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torcello As far as the Vaporetto fare , it's a component part of your visit , a shame to let that drive your planning .

If you don't want to buy a 48 hour vaporetto pass, then just buy one way tickets to and from Burano. That will be 15 EUR per person. A 24-hour pass is 20 EUR, so just one more ride that day and you'll be ahead of the game.

I always get a multi day pass there. I ride them just for fun and the views, and knowing that if I do have a spur of the moment desire to go to say, San Giorgio Maggiore, I just hop a boat and go.

By the way , if you are not familiar with this beautiful film , set in 1955 Venice , it is well worth seeking out . Here is the opening to whet your interest - https://youtu.be/ya9fNV26OVw and this scene , set in Burano - https://youtu.be/PXH9FJMttzA

I was amazed when in Venice last year for a week in the middle of January (about as off season as you can get there) how busy both Murano and particularly Burano were. Torcello was so different and had fewer crowds that I wouldn't hesitate to return there, unlike Murano and Burano.

The cost of the vaporetto is nothing compared to what else you will spend there!

We did the free speedboat to Murano and it was a fun ride. Then yes, they pressure to buy the big ticket items, but after the demonstration we just said no thanks and bought a few inexpensive things at the downstairs showroom. Took the vaperatto back to St. Marks Square. But, we had 3 teens with us so they loved the free ride. We are going again in July with all adults this time, all but one has been to Murano, so we will skip it this trip. As a side note, we first went to Murano in 2002 and 2x since then and they are glass blowing the same horse.

Some hotels offer "Water Taxi" rides...I assume you're referring to Water Taxis when you say speedboat :-) The Hotel Saturnia & International is one of those with the offer to visit Murano for guests.

Burano is a rip off? We didn't go there to buy lace, but to look at the colourful houses - if you aren't interested in that or lace, I guess it could be considered a rip off...