We will be in Venice for 3 nights (2 1/2 days). We are trying to decide whether to buy individual tickets or get a pass. We are people who like to walk a lot and will probably walk to many places but then again it may be more convenient to just hop on and off. We definitely will do the Grand Canal ride. Just wondering what other's thoughts may be on this, individual tickets or pass?
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
If you buy the 48 hour pass, €30, you break even if you take 4 rides. Pass starts time with first use. Individual tickets are €7,50.
Posted by
san diego, us
82 posts
I am also the kind of person who loves to walk, especially when I am on vacations. We (my family of 4) spent close to 3 days in Venice and we bought the 48 hr pass, and used it as following
1. going from the train station to our air bnb place
2. joy ride from our air bnb to piazza st marco, twice, once on the day we arrived in Venice and once around sunset time the day before we left. I was lucky enough to get a front row seat the 2nd time around. Venice was so lovely in the setting sun.
3. ride to and back from Murano and Burano
4. ride back to our bnb from piazza st marco one night after enjoying the music on the square, because we were tired and because it was free to us
5. ride back to the train station then on to the bus to the airport (there is a small discount on the bus ticket if you add it to the pass)
Needless to say that I am really glad that we bought the pass.
Mei
Posted by
Walnut Creek, CA
643 posts
What places are you going to visit in Venice?
If you're going to Murano or Burano, or Guidecca, you can't walk there.
It also depends on your schedule. We were there for 4 days and walked around a lot, but we took the Vaporetto every day from P. Roma to our destination at San Marco or the Ponte Rialto or the Guggenheim or in the evenings to the Opera House. We usually went back to our hotel during the hot afternoon for a siesta and then ventured out after 5 pm.
I highly recommend the 2 or 3 day vaporetto pass.
Posted by
Atlanta, Georgia
451 posts
We bought a pass. It ended up cheaper than individual tickets. We went to Murano and Burano.
Posted by
Campbell River, Canada
361 posts
We spent 3 nights in Venice and purchased the 72 hour pass. We used it to visit Murano and Burano but also to travel to our evening dinner restaurants and back. After dinner we would board another vaporetto and cruise around Venice enjoying the views of Palazzos all lit up with beautiful chandeliers that weren't visible by day, it was magical. Our last night we got off at San Marco and listened to the orchestras playing in the piazza. On our last morning we took the vaporetto to the train station. Very good value if you take advantage of the opportunities. Priceless!
Posted by
Louisville, Ky
218 posts
Another "yes" vote for getting the Vaporetto pass.
You'll use it at least twice (getting from your arrival point to your lodging and back) and you mentioned a joyride on the Grand Canal, so that's 3 times. One more ride to break even on the pass.
Even though you enjoy walking, after a long day doing just that, you might enjoy a magic carpet ride back to wherever you are eating/sleeping that night.
I walk a lot (typically more than 100 miles over a two week vacation period) and have gotten the pass both times in Venice.
There is plenty of walking to be had. This just gives a boost to get to a starting point or, as I mentioned above, get you to your room more quickly when your feet are barking at the end of the day. And if it rains or the hot sun is beating down, you're covered up for that portion of the trip, rather than walking the entire way to wherever you're off to.
I don't think you'll regret getting the passes for your family.
Posted by
OP
57 posts
Thank you all for your advice and great suggestions. We will definitely get a pass. In the process of boarding our plane right now. Yay!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34216 posts
One other advantage of having the pass is that even walking a lot you may want to cross the Grand Canal. There are only 3 bridges across it - one at the station, one at Rialto and one at the Accademia. The vaporettos zig zag along the canal so can be easily used just to cross the Grand Canal from one side to the other. Expensive at €7.50 a ticket, but included in a pass.
Remember to always scan the pass every single time you go onto a dock before boarding. There are inspections from time to time and even if your pass is within valid time and previously validated if you are inspected on a boat or dock and the inspector's reader indicated that you didn't validate for that trip or visit to the dock - you will have earned an expensive fine. No exceptions and no appeal.
A word to the wise is sufficient.