Vaporetto to the lagoon islands: lines, schedules, and tickets explained
From Venice: Murano and Burano half-day island tour by boat
Which vaporetto line goes to Murano, Burano, and Torcello?
Line 4.1/4.2 from Fondamenta Nuove (Cannaregio) to Murano takes 10–12 minutes. Line 12 from Fondamenta Nuove continues from Murano-Faro to Burano (35 min) and Torcello requires changing to line 9 at Burano (5 min further). A 24-hour pass at €25 covers all of these on one ticket.
Getting to the lagoon islands by vaporetto
The Venetian Lagoon’s public transport network — operated by ACTV — connects Venice’s main island to the surrounding lagoon islands by regular vaporetto (water bus) services. The northern lagoon islands (Murano, Burano, Torcello) are all accessible on public vaporetto without any pre-booking. Understanding the lines, stops, and ticketing makes the difference between a smooth islands day and a frustrating one.
This guide explains exactly which lines serve which islands, where to board, what tickets to buy, and what to expect from the journey.
The main departure point: Fondamenta Nuove
All public vaporetto services to the northern lagoon islands depart from Fondamenta Nuove — the long waterfront on the northern edge of Cannaregio. This is the island of Venice’s north-facing shore, looking across the lagoon toward Murano and the cemetery island of San Michele.
How to get to Fondamenta Nuove from different parts of Venice:
- From the train station (Ferrovia): Line 4.1 or 4.2 from Ferrovia stop, about 20 minutes; or walk through Cannaregio (~25 minutes)
- From San Marco Zaccaria: Line 4.1 or 4.2, about 15 minutes
- From Piazzale Roma: Line 4.1 or 4.2, approximately 20 minutes
Fondamenta Nuove has several landing stages (pontoons) for different lines. Signs at the stop indicate which pontoon serves which line. The ACTV ticket office is adjacent if you need to buy or validate passes.
Line 4.1 and 4.2: Venice to Murano
Line 4.1 (clockwise) and line 4.2 (counterclockwise) both serve Murano. They run the same circular route around Venice in opposite directions; both stop at Fondamenta Nuove and at Murano.
Stops on Murano served by lines 4.1/4.2:
- Murano-Colonna — the first Murano stop, nearest to the main canal and many glass showrooms
- Murano-Faro — the main Murano stop; departure point for line 12 to Burano
- Murano-Navagero — eastern end of Murano; near the Glass Museum
- Murano-Museo — closest to the Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum) and the basilica
Journey time: Fondamenta Nuove to Murano-Colonna: approximately 10–12 minutes.
Frequency: Every 12–15 minutes during daytime hours (roughly 6am–10pm). Reduced evening service.
Recommendation: If you are visiting the Glass Museum or the Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato, alight at Murano-Museo or Murano-Navagero. If your primary goal is glass showrooms or the main canal area, Murano-Colonna or Murano-Faro is better.
Line 12: Murano to Burano (and Torcello approach)
Line 12 runs from Fondamenta Nuove through Murano to Burano and beyond. It is the main public connection for the longer journey to Burano.
Key stops on line 12:
- Fondamenta Nuove (Venice) — departure
- Murano-Faro — 10 minutes; connection between lines 4.1/4.2 and line 12
- Burano — approximately 45 minutes from Fondamenta Nuove; approximately 35 minutes from Murano-Faro
Frequency: Approximately every 30–35 minutes from Fondamenta Nuove. The timetable varies seasonally; check the ACTV website or the posted timetable at Fondamenta Nuove.
Note: Line 12 does not stop directly at Torcello. For Torcello, change at Burano to line 9.
The lagoon crossing: The line 12 journey across the open northern lagoon to Burano is genuinely scenic — reed beds, fish traps, occasional boats, and (on clear days) the Alps visible on the horizon. Sit on the outer deck if weather permits.
Line 9: Burano to Torcello
Line 9 is a short shuttle between Burano and Torcello — the simplest connection on the islands network.
Journey time: Burano to Torcello: approximately 5 minutes.
Frequency: Every 30–60 minutes; varies seasonally. The line runs during daylight hours but stops earlier in the evening than line 12. Check the timetable at Burano’s landing stage.
Connection at Burano: When arriving from Venice on line 12, the line 9 departure pontoon is clearly signed at Burano’s main landing area. The connection is usually straightforward; timetables are posted.
Tickets and passes
Single ticket (biglietto singolo): €9.50 Valid for 75 minutes from first validation. Works on all ACTV vaporetto lines including islands services. You need a separate ticket for each journey; a single ticket is not enough for a multi-stop islands day.
24-hour pass (biglietto 24 ore): €25 Unlimited travel on all ACTV vaporetto lines for 24 hours from first use. For any trip involving Murano + Burano or all three islands, this is almost always better value than singles (you break even at trip 3; typical islands days involve 5–6 trips).
48-hour pass: €35 Better value if you are taking island trips across multiple days or making extensive use of vaporettos around Venice.
72-hour pass: €45 Covers three full days of unlimited travel.
Where to buy: ACTV ticket booths at major vaporetto stops (Fondamenta Nuove, Ferrovia, Piazzale Roma, San Marco), tabacchi (tobacconists) marked with the ACTV logo, and the ACTV app (Venezia Unica). Validate the pass on the first use by tapping it on the yellow readers at the boarding pontoon.
See the vaporetto guide for the complete fare structure and all Venice vaporetto routes.
Return journeys and last boats
Last boats from Burano to Venice (line 12): Typically around 8–9pm in summer, earlier in winter. The exact time changes seasonally. Check the current timetable before your trip — missing the last boat means a private taxi (possible but expensive).
Last boats from Torcello to Burano (line 9): Earlier than the Burano–Venice last departure. Check carefully if you plan to have dinner on Torcello.
Last boats from Murano to Venice: Lines 4.1/4.2 run until around 10pm (check current timetable). Murano is the easiest island to return from late.
Alternative options: private boats and organised tours
Private water taxi: Can take you to any island directly, without vaporetto stops. Prices start around €80–100 for a one-way trip to Murano for a private group; Burano is more expensive. Useful for groups of 4+ or for those who value direct service and flexibility.
Organised island tours: All-inclusive tours that handle boat transport to and from the islands. You do not need to navigate vaporetto lines or buy tickets. The tour price typically includes the boat journey, a guide, and a glass demonstration. Useful for first-time visitors who prefer not to figure out the logistics independently.
From Venice: Murano and Burano half-day island tour by boatHop-on hop-off lagoon boat: A separate commercial service (different from public ACTV vaporettos) running with more frequent departures to the islands and dedicated tourist-oriented commentary. Ticket prices are higher than ACTV day passes but include the full circuit. Worth considering if you want more flexibility than the line 12 schedule offers.
Murano, Burano, and Torcello hop-on hop-off boat tourThe journey as experience
The vaporetto ride across the northern lagoon from Fondamenta Nuove to Burano is itself part of the experience — not just transport. The first 10 minutes are through the inner lagoon (passing San Michele cemetery island, arriving at Murano); then there is a broader crossing over open, shallow water where the depth rarely exceeds a few metres, and the sky dominates.
In clear weather, the Dolomites are sometimes visible on the horizon to the north — unexpected and beautiful. In foggy conditions (common in autumn and winter), the crossing becomes atmospheric and slightly disorientating: the islands emerge from grey as you approach them. Either way, sitting on the outer deck (if available) rather than inside the cabin makes the journey significantly better.
Frequently asked questions about the vaporetto to islands
How do I find the correct pontoon for line 12 at Fondamenta Nuove?
The Fondamenta Nuove has several pontoons numbered and signed. Line 12 typically departs from the pontoon closest to the eastern end of the fondamenta — signs are in Italian but with line numbers and destinations clearly indicated. When in doubt, ask at the nearby ACTV ticket booth; staff are used to directing tourists.
Is the vaporetto crowded on the islands route?
In peak summer (July–August), line 12 departures on summer weekend mornings can be crowded — standing room only. Travel on weekdays or on early departures (before 9am) for more space. Lines 4.1/4.2 to Murano are less crowded since Murano is also accessible via other routes.
Can I bring a bicycle on the vaporetto to the islands?
Bicycles are permitted on ACTV vaporettos subject to availability of space and an additional fee (approximately €3). The islands trip with a bicycle is unusual but possible; Burano and Murano have very limited cycling value due to their small size. The Lido is the best cycling destination from Venice, and has good vaporetto-bicycle integration.
What happens if I miss the last boat?
Private water taxis are available from all islands at any hour, but they are expensive (€80–150+ to Venice). There are no accommodation options at most small islands. Build in a buffer of at least one boat departure when planning your return timing.
Are there night services to the islands?
Night vaporetto services on the main island are limited; to the lagoon islands there are essentially no regular night services. The islands are daytime destinations. If you want to see them at sunset or in the early evening, build in enough time to catch the last regular service back.
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