Question - Express Venice Vaporetto

The apparently now #2 (#82) vaporetto goes both ways on the grand canal. It actually circles the the southern part of the main islands in both directions including the Giudecca Canal and Tronchetto areas. Depending on where you start and where you want to go, it could be a long ride.

It's not called an express because it goes faster. It goes at the same speed at the #1 local. It's called an express beause it stops at fewer stops. For example, there are 17 stops between the Piazzale Roma and San Zaccaria Pieta (includes Ferrovia, Rialto, San Marco, etc). The #1 stops at all 17. The #2 stops at only 10.

There are route maps overhead in every vaporetto barge. In smaller vaporetto barges, the boats approach the barge from both directions. At large stops, there's a barge for each direction. Again, look overhead for the route maps. You'll quickly learn how to read and understand them.

Although I've taken the Vaparetto both ways through the grand canal. I don't recall if it was #2 or #82. I know we didn't travel around the outside of the Island on the way back. It's possible they run a clockwise and counterclockwise loop, on the way in you take one. One the way out, you take the other for the same leg. I just asked at the ticket window for the next boat going our way then made sure I got on the right boat.

Thanks for the info. My instincts told me that vaporettos traveled in both directions along the Grand Canal, but I've learned to never just assume anything. I suppose a logical rule would be: always make sure the vaporetto is pointing in the right direction before boarding.