5 of the best · Venice, Italy
Boats in Venice: Vaporetti, Water Taxis and Gondolas
In Venice the buses are boats: ACTV’s vaporetti, Alilaguna from the airport, water taxis around the clock, gondolas and the traghetti.
Our 5 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Venice
Browse by type
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Venice.
-
The city’s buses are boats
ACTV waterbuses (vaporetti)
The public waterbuses of Venice, along the Grand Canal and out to the islands.
-
From the airport by water
Alilaguna
Boats from Marco Polo Airport to Murano, the Lido, San Marco, Rialto and the station.
The full list: Boats, A–Z
Waterbuses 2
ACTV and Alilaguna.
-
The city’s buses are boats
ACTV waterbuses (vaporetti)
The public waterbuses of Venice, along the Grand Canal and out to the islands.
-
From the airport by water
Alilaguna
Boats from Marco Polo Airport to Murano, the Lido, San Marco, Rialto and the station.
Taxis, gondolas and terminals 3
Private boats.
-
24 hours a day
Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia (water taxis)
Venice’s water-taxi consortium, 24 hours a day.
-
The Venetian way
Gondolas and the traghetti
A gondola ride from a gondola station, or the traghetto, a short gondola crossing of the Grand Canal.
-
Cruises and ferries
Venezia Terminal Passeggeri
The passenger terminal for cruise ships and ferries.
