Murano or Burano?

In a whole day you could easily do both and add Torcello if it interests you. Murano is closer and takes less time to get to but is a little blander in personality. It is mostly about glass shopping. Burano is very colorful and makes great pictures. There is definitely shopping there too, but it is generally more focused on lace but you can find other things as well. We found Burano much more visually interesting but both are worth a visit, Burano is farther out so will take more time to get there. Torcello is even farther out and has some great mosaics. Unfortunately in two trips I have not made it to Torcello, but I am insisting on it the next time we go!

The ferries are pretty stable, but it will also probably depend on that days weather and how easily you get sea sick. Yes, the regular vaporetto passes will work within the lagoon and you can use those for your travel.

Very easy to do both Murano and Burano in the same day. Have done so several times. An early start will allow plenty of time to do both without being rushed.

Lauriepatm, what Jen said is true. You can make the trip by vaporetto, and a vaporetto pass covers the expense, and the trip makes a pass especially worthwhile. I don't expect a vaporetto ride would make you seasick, unless it was a day with extraordinary wave action. You can actually do all three islands -- Murano, Burano and Torcello -- in one healthy day, and be back in Venice for dinner. In that case, or any case, Burano would be an excellent place for lunch, especially if you like fish and seafood. The island is famous for its risotto di pesci. Torcello is the place where Venice was founded. It is really a rural island. It is a 5 minute vaporetto ride from Burano. From the vaporetto stop, it is about a 10-minute rural walk to the very old 3-building (including a bell tower) Basilica complex, each way. There is a combined ticket price for the 3 buildings, so if you go, give yourself at least an hour on Torcello. Or, you can walk, just take a look at the exterior of the buildings, and walk back to the vaporetto. Every time I am in Venice, I spend a fun day visiting two, usually all three, of these islands. Especially enjoyable if you wander beyond the touristy commercial areas on both Murano and Burano.

1st - Burano
2nd - Torcello
3rd - Murano

A full day would give you time for all three. Torcello is my favorite, for the mosaics and the history of it.

Burano is known for lace, but I found it more interesting than Murano for its glass artisan studios. If I could visit only two, they would be Torcello snd Burano (have lunch there).

Sorry...I meant to say in my original question that we "don't" want to devote a whole day, which is why we need to choose one to visit. Thanks!

I would also recommend a stop at the Cemetery island - it is lovely and some very famous people buried there. We were there when a boat pulled up to the dock with a coffin for a funeral ... very interesting.

A whole day is more than enough for Murano, Burano, and Torcello. As a matter of fact you can do all in one long afternoon. Start from the farthest (Torcello and Burano).
Torcello: Basilica
Burano: colorful facades and lace craft
Murano: glass

Since you don't want to spend an entire day, consider this: Murano is closest and is primarily about the glass blowing trade and shops for blown glass. Burano is as colorful as can be and is a photographers dream. The shopping and main trade there is lace. Torcello is probably the best if you are into mosaics and history. Go to the one that calls to you the most based on your interest.

I went to Burano and thoroughly enjoyed the lace museum. If you have any interest in Burano's lacemaking and its history I think you would value your time there. I hit it at the right time, there was a lace making demonstration of several local women of varying ages making lace. I could have spent the day there with them. The museum has some intricate pieces of work from wedding gowns to tablecloths to handkerchiefs. The homes are colorful and it was fun walking around.

I am sure whichever you decide you will enjoy though, it is Venice.
Have fun

Burano...I'm not at all interested in glass blowing so have never even been to Murano. Burano is very interesting to me with its brightly painted houses, back streets, and lace.
Torcello is pretty amazing and worth your consideration! Grassy island with pathways leading to the ancient church and tower...I really like the feel of this place.

If you only want a quick trip, I'd go to the Cemetery Island and then Murano. They are on the same vaporetto route and only a short time on the water. Burano can be an hour long ride one way, which sounds like it doesn't fit your plans. I didn't expect to like Murano but it was fun to see the different glass, and the boat ride was a lot of fun too.

If you use Google maps for directions, it will show you which vaporetto line to use and the time it will take to travel from one island to another.

As others have stated, Burano is colorful and more visually appealing, especially if you're into photography and there are some nice little shops and restaurants there. (I picked up some artwork and jewelry there which I really enjoy). The only draw for a Murano, in my opinion, is if you want to purchase some glass items. It's not as quaint and appealing as Burano but a major goal of my travels is photography which is why I prefer Burano. I'd suggest getting out to Burano early in the day since it is further than Murano and spend the morning there, have lunch there and then make your way back to Venice in the early afternoon. By the way, if you are interested in purchasing some glass items and don't want to visit Murano, you can find authentic Murano glass products (you want to make sure the items have the Murano stamp on them) in the stores in St. Mark's Square. I picked up several items on our last trip and they weren't much more expensive than if I'd purchased them in Murano itself.

As for motion sickness, I did not have any trouble on the ferries and I'm pretty prone to motion sickness, but I wore a motion sickness device on my wrist which emits an electrical impulse and it seemed to help. We used the ferries several times last summer (twice to Murano and once to Burano) and one time I left the bracelet device in our hotel and did fine on the ferry. I stood outside on the ferry and watched the horizon.

Have a great trip.