What vaporetto would I take to get to San Giorgio Maggiore?

Number 2. From the train station, take the No. 2 that is going to your right if your facing the water. There will be quite a few stops to San Giorgio Maggiore. From St. Mark's, go to the San Zaccaria boat stop and take the No. 2, the boat turns around there. San Giorgio Maggiore is the first stop.

Number 2 is the right answer. But - a small cautionary word. Venice and its ACTV which run the vaporetti sometimes fiddle around with the line numbering and the finer points of some stopping patterns. You'd be well advised to check shortly before travel to be sure that they don't make last minute changes prior to the high (er) season. Use the official ACTV English language web page . At the top will be a bulletin for any proposed strikes on the system and an interactive map. Find S Giorgio Maggiore (lower centre, across the Guidecca Canal from S Marco) and click on the blue blobs. You can can get right up to the moment timing. The result of your blob clicking appears in the schedule checker in the upper left of the webpage when put in a time.

I plan to do the same in June from St. Marks and will definitely check on the schedule. On the return, does the vaporetto go back to St. Marks or will I be taking the scenic route (which I would not have a problem doing)?

Either way, Jeannie. Use the link in the post just above for details.

To make sure your vaporetto is going where you want to it to, just ask. If you don't speak any Italian, just say the name of where you want to go with the inflection of a question at the end. The vaporetto workers will nod, say "si" (or "yes") or tell you "no." That's often the best way to make sure and it's easy. People often think the workers on the vaporetto are being rude but they are on a tight schedule and must work quickly. Just ask quickly, you'll get a quick answer and be on your way!