Vaporetto Questions

Do you have the Rick Steves Venice book? If not, get it. You'll be soooo glad you did. He answers these sorts of questions and lots more that it may not even occur to you to ask. As for the vap passes, I'm pretty sure they're 24 hours, 48 hrs, etc.

And a traghetto is 2 euros for tourists. Cheaper for residents.

Unless things have changed recently, a "day" does mean 24 hours and your 24, 48 or whatever hour pass starts when you first validate it on your first trip. (Be sure to validate it each trip). You can use number 1 or 2. Number 1 is the "slow" boat that stops at every dock. The number 2 is the "express" boat that does not stop at every stop. The vaporetto system has a very good web site that you might find helpful.

It's helpful to get a map of the entire system. I think you can get one where tickets are sold. The map will show which vaporettos go where.

Thanks for your replies. I do have the RS Venice 2013 book, but things have recently changed. I'm having a problem reading the maps for direction of the vaporettos for the link between Dosodoro and Giudecca, as well as going up the Grand Canal for the #2. The tickets are no longer 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours but rather 1,2,3 and 7 days. Also, I'm not sure where to buy the multiday tickets. I must be getting old!

You can buy the multi-day passes from machines located at most big vaporetto stops. We bought ours at Rialto. It was easier to use cash than our credit card, even though it is a true chip-and-pin.

The ACTV website is vague on what a "one-day" pass means, but according to this website it is still a 24-hour day, valid for a full day (or 2 or 3 or 7) from the first validation.
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/venice-tourist-travel-cards.htm

You can use the validation machines to check how much time is remaining, using the ? Button.

You can buy the pass at the train station or at the vaporetto stop outside it, and use it right away. You must tap or scan it for every use.

If it has changed to "day", it probably expires at midnight or at the last vaporetto run. I would check to be sure. I used the pass last May and it was still 72 hours, not 3 days.

Does the #2 vaporetto go up the Grand Canal from the Academia to P. Roma (or do you have to use the #1)? What would be the best way to get to and return from Dosodoro to Giudecca (Palanca stop)?

Don,

Yes, vaporetto #2 goes up the Grand Canal from the Accademia to P. Roma & it continues all the way around to the stops on the Island of Giudecca, including Palanca.

• Here is the map showing the vaporetto routes (follow the red line of vaporetto #2 to see where it goes): http://www.actv.it/sites/default/files/ultimamappa.pdf
  

We visited Venice last October & took vaporetto #2 at the S. Lucia train station & cruised the Grand Canal before disembarking at 'Palanca' stop on the Island of Giudecca.

We found a great supermarket just a few yards from Palanca stop & we purchased the best items for a delicious picnic (freshly baked baguette, prosciutto, burrata cheese, olives, sweet cherry tomatoes, juicy pears & pear juice.
We sat on the steps of a bridge & enjoyed this beautiful view of Venice: http://tinyurl.com/View-of-Venice-Palanca-stop

• Here is a map of how to get to the market, in case you are interested: http://tinyurl.com/Palanca-Market-Venice-map

We purchased our travel day pass just outside the train station at the Venezia Unica ticket (whitish) portable (left side at the bottom of the stairs) or you can also purchase at the train station or many of the vaporetto stops listed on this website:http://www.actv.it/en/movinginvenice/prices

• Here is the map showing the vaporetto routes: http://www.actv.it/sites/default/files/ultimamappa.pdf
  

Hope this helps.

Enjoy your trip!

The vaporetto zigzags along the canal and the waterway (don't remember the name) between Dorsoduro and Giudecca, stopping on both sides, alternately. When you are there, you'll see the boat coming and know which was it's headed.

The official Venice website, which sells the vaporetto passes, specifically states that the passes are for 24 hour days. For instance, it says "1 day (24 hours)."

the waterway (don't remember the name) between Dorsoduro and Giudecca,

The Giudecca Canal.

As noted above the passes are based on hours, not days, and the clock doesn't start ticking until you validate your pass when boarding your first vaporetto. However, you must have completed your final trip within the specified time period of the pass. In other words, if you first validate your 24-hour ticket at 12:00 on a Monday, you have to be done with your final trip and off the vaporetto by 12:00 on Tuesday.

The traghetto is 2€ for non residents.

Nigel - LOL. Thanks.

Thanks to you all. Have a great weekend.

Side note -- for anyone using prior-year RS guidebooks, there are updates/corrections on this site. See "guidebook updates" at the bottom of this screen. Maybe buy the current edition (or check the public library )

I would highly recommend spending the $15-20 for the most up-to-date RS guide.

I just returned from Venice a week ago. The machines at the train station and other major stops are great at dispensing one ride tickets, but, more often than not, will not dispense the multiday passes. I found this after standing in line at a machine (with many others). Save yourself the trouble and just stand in line at the "Hello Venezia" office (two of them right in the docks) and buy the passes there. Don't worry too much about the routes - the signage is so easy to understand once you are there. My kids figured it out on our first ride.

You can walk from the Accademia bridge (Grand Canal) to the Guidecca waterfront in about 10 minutes - there is a sort-of straight shot path between the two. We did get our money's worth out of the Vaparetto passes but just barely as we walked most places.

I think it's always worth getting the pass. At current prices, a 1-day pass saves a tiny bit if you ride 3 times, a 2-day saves you money after 4 rides, and a 3-day pass, at 6 rides. The vaporetto is not just a way to get around Venice but also an experience. Ride on the Grand Canal from beginning to end twice, once in daylight and once at night, and listen to Rick's audio commentary. Ride it to Burano and back and enjoy the ride across the lagoon - even if you don't want to visit Burano, the ride is worth it. And if you want to get to Giudecca or Murano, you'll need it too.