Buying vaporetto pass on-line in advance

It does not really save any time. When you buy on-line, you get a code number which you will enter into one of the ticket machines at the docks and your tickets will be dispensed. If you did not buy on line, you go to the ticket machine and put your credit card in and your tickets are dispensed. So I don't see any time savings.

I got mine at the airport, from a person behind a window, including a slightly discounted bus ticket to the city. I had to wait a few minutes, it was easy.

I’ve been to Venice more times than I can count and have only ever ridden the vaporetto on 2 occasions. I know lots of people talk about the passes, but I just don’t think the vaporetto are really that useful (for me)

But that is you Tim. I ride them all the time. Best way to see the city and get to where you cannot walk to, like all the other islands.

We bought ours from the kiosk right by the train station. It only took a few minutes.

I like the vaporetto. In addition to getting to the islands or wherever else you want to go, I like to ride it at the end of the day as the sun is going down and enjoy Venice from the water.

I'm with Andrea and Sam -- vaporetto pass (bought on-site) is great for touring and for end-of-day trips when you could walk back to the hotel if you weren't so tired. Love the nighttime ride down the Grand Canal just to see the lights.

As Sam mentioned, this likely won't save much time as you'll still have to collect the actual Vaporetto ticket when you arrive there. Unlike many rail tickets in Italy which can be printed out at home or where the traveller can just jot down the code number of the ticket and show that to the conductor, Venice uses electronic tickets. It's important to validate these on the electronic reader prior to boarding the Vaporetto. Failure to do so may result in hefty fines, which will be collected on the spot. To validate the ticket, press against the reader.... if you get a green light, you're good to go.