>> TARIFFS, PASSES, and the imob TRANSIT CARD.
Not long ago, the Venice ACTV transit system adopted the iMob smart card system for ticketing and tariffs. This means that no matter what sort of fare you purchase, single or pass, you’ll be issued a smart card that you’ll swipe across the machines located just outside the landings every time your board. The machine will beep with a green light to let you know you’re legal, or growl with a lower tone and a red light if your card has expired. If you have a pass, your time will start from the first time you swipe the card.
ATTENZIONE: You are responsible for having a valid transit card, pass, or Venicecard upon boarding. These may be purchased at ticket booths located at any of the principal stops (see > MAIN STOPS: Fermate Principali).
If you board without a valid transit card, to avoid the possibility of a substantial fine, tell the conductor immediately and purchase a single ticket from them.
SINGLE FARES.
60-minute and On-Board single fare is €6,50
- You may change lines, but not reverse direction.
- Includes one normal sized bag per person. Additional bags may incur addional cost.
- Not valid for Alilaguna, Clodia, Fusina.
TRAVEL CARDS.
Buying a pass (known as a Travel Card) as opposed to a single ticket will afford you unlimited travel on all ACTV lagoon and land transport (excluding Alilaguna, Clodia, and Fusina lines). Validity starts from the time you use the card. Keep your card handy to swipe each time you board, and to show anytime it’s requested. Travel Card fares are as follows:
- 12 hours €16
- 24 hours €18
- 36 hours €23
- 48 hours €28
- 72 hours €33
Discounted fares are available for groups of students, seniors, and convention participants, and through VeniceConnected.com.
WORTH NOTING: Many people first pay a full-fare ticket to arrive at their lodging, only buy a Travel Card on top of it. It’s almost always more economical to buy the Travel Card instead of any full-fare ticket, and then utilize it during your entire stay.
ATTENZIONE: Buy it…then use it. It’s natural to say, oh, we’ll just walk; what this usually leads to is walkus-interruptus once you realize you have to retrace your adventurous steps back to your lodging on stone pavement on your already-aching feet, or not being adventurous at all to avoid the aches in the first place. Buy the pass, walk to your heart’s content, then hop the vap when your feet start to complain.
MORE INFO:
- ACTV: www.actv.it
- Hello Venezia: hellovenezia.com, +39 041 2424
ATTENZIONE: VeniceConnected.com offers significant discounts on a variety of services, including Travel Cards. You must book 15 days in advance, and you’ll receive a PNR that you’ll present to claim each service you’ve reserved.
VENICEcard
With the advent of VeniceConnected, the VeniceCard has suddenly become less of a deal. It is no longer available for purchase online, which likely means all the services it was offering will be moved to VeniceConnected where they’ll be discounted. Do compare between the offerings, and check back for updates as things progress.
The Venicecard integrates a variety of discounts on venues and services throughout the city. It is available in two versions: Transport (blue), and Transport and Culture (orange). Both include a welcome kit, toilet and nursery access along with reduced fares on public transit and a number of services, venues, and events; Transport & Culture includes entrance to 12 civic museums and 16 Chorus churches.
Venicecards may be purchased in 3- or 7-day versions, with prices ranging from €47 to €119 depending on the length and type of pass. Cards can be purchased online at a discount, and at tourist offices, ACTV, and VeneziaSì booths throughout the city: just look for the big VENICEcard sign.
WORTH NOTING: The 7-day Orange Transport & Culture card is the best deal if you make sure to take advantage of all it offers.
WORTH NOTING: In addition to the duration, VeniceCards are available in both Junior (under 30 years old) and Senior (30 and over) versions.
ATTENZIONE: If you’re at least 14 and under 30 years-old, The Rolling Venice card is available for €4, and entitles the holder to all the benefits of the VeniceCard Junior (except transport), and many more. Although it doesn’t include transport, it does allow the holder to purchase the 72-hour travel pass for €18 instead of €33.
MORE INFO: www.venicecard.com
ALILAGUNA
Alilaguna is not part of Venice public transport, but a private company specializing in transfers to and from the airport. Tickets must be purchased separately (better in advance, on board in a pinch, maybe…). Alilaguna service is not affected by public transit strikes. Sample fares:
- Airport – Venezia €12 (Linea ORO direct to S.Marco is €25 per person)
- Airport – Marittima €15
- Airport – Murano, Airport – Fte. Nove, Murano – Lido €6
MORE INFO: www.alilaguna.com
>> POINTERS & PASSENGER ETIQUETTE
Ferrovia and Piazzale Roma are up, Lido is down. To stay oriented, remember that Tronchetto, P.le Roma and the rail station (Ferrovia) are at the top of the Grand Canal, and Lido (and thus San Marco) is heading down the Canal, in the opposite direction.- Pause before boarding. Let other passengers disembark before attempting to board a water bus.
- Let others pass who may need to board a bus heading in one direction, while you’re waiting for the one heading in the opposite direction to arrive.
- Avanti in cabina: Move forward into the cabin. The outdoor area can become incredibly crowded on main routes, so heed the attendant calls and move forward into the cabin to make room for additional passengers.
- Do not place luggage on the seats. Place in center stand, along external walls, to the sides of the interior cabin.
- Keep passageways clear. Don’t block the paths to the boarding gates, either from inside the cabin or anywhere else. Even if it’s not your stop, you may even disembark temporarily to let others off, and then re-board. If you hear the word permesso, it means someone behind you needs to get by…now.
- Remove your backpack before you board to keep from inadvertently annihilating nearby passengers.
- Pickpockets. Water buses can become extremely crowded, and thus a target for pickpockets. Make sure all cash and valuables are stored in something that closes or zips; nothing that someone might reach into easily. Keep purses and day packs in front of you or under an arm.
- Offer your seat to any passenger older than you.If you don’t, you may be stared down intently until you realize your thoughtlessness.
>> VOCABULARY
- a richiesta - on request
- aeroporto - airport
- alle ore – to the hours of
- arrivo - arrival
- avanti in cabina - keep moving into the cabin
- biglietto – ticket
- corso limitato – limited route
- dalle ore – from the hours of
- direzione – direction
- (si) effettua – is in effect, operates
- farli passare – please let people pass
- feriali – weekdays
- ferma - it stops
- fermata – a boat stop
- giorni feriali – workdays (Mon – Sat)
- imbarco – boarding
- linea – line
- lmmgvsd – mtwtfss
- motoscafo – waterbus
- non ferma - (it) does not stop
- orario – schedule
- ordinario – ordinary (full) fare
- partenza – departure
- passeggero – passenger
- percorso – route
- permesso - permission (to pass)
- pontile – landing
- scendere – get off
- sciopero – strike
- tariffa – fare, tariff
- timbrare - stamp
- valida – valid
>> The Private Water Taxi
Private water taxis are available for hire at all principal stops, at glamorous fares of €55 and up for four people and one main piece of luggage each. The fare for transport from the airport to Venice center destination is €95, there may be an additional charge for side canal locations. Be careful when reserving, if a taxi has to wait for you, there will be an additional charge. Confirm price and specific drop-off points prior to departure.
>> Additional Assistance
- HELLO VENEZIA 041 2424 (English spoken)
- To reserve a taxi: 041 522 2303
- Tourist info: 041 529 8711
- Info Disabilities: 041 274 8144
- Emergencies: 113, 118
- For strike info, call Hello Venezia, +39 041 2424
Get the indispensable, newly revised VAP MAP, the print-and-go pocket vaporetto guide available in two paper formats and three print sizes. The Handiest Way to Make Sure You Never Miss the Boat,
