Travel guide
Venice to Burano by Vaporetto: Line 12, Journey Time and Tickets
Burano is the farthest of the everyday lagoon islands, and that changes how you plan the day: here is the line to take, the time to allow, and how to combine it with Torcello or Murano.
- Line 12 from Fondamente Nove, about 45 minutes
- Torcello five minutes away on line 9
- Your timed ACTV ticket covers the trip out and back
From €9.50 / person
On this page
The quick answer
One line connects Venice with Burano: line 12, leaving from Fondamente Nove on the northern side of the city. Allow about 45 minutes on the water, with departures roughly every 30 minutes during the day. The boat calls at Murano Faro and Mazzorbo before it reaches Burano. Your timed ACTV ticket covers the trip: Burano is part of the urban fare zone, exactly like Murano, Torcello and the Lido.
How long to allow
Burano is not an hour-long errand. Between the outward trip, the visit and the way back, the outing takes up half a day, and that is the point most itineraries underestimate:
| Step | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Walking to Fondamente Nove | 20 to 30 min from Rialto or San Marco | depending on where you start |
| Crossing on line 12 | about 45 min | departures roughly every 30 min |
| Time on the island | 1.5 to 2 hours | the colourful centre is walkable |
| Return | about 45 min | note the last useful sailing on the way out |
A realistic time budget for a trip to Burano
Adding Torcello
Torcello is five minutes from Burano on line 9, which shuttles between the two islands roughly every 30 minutes. It is the natural extension of the day, and it needs no extra ticket as long as your timed fare is still running.
The island is far quieter than Burano: a few houses, one canal, and the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta with its Byzantine mosaics. Allow an hour there, more if you go into the basilica and up the bell tower. The last shuttles leave early in the evening, earlier than most people expect out of season.
Murano and Burano in one day
It works, and it is the most common pairing, as long as you take it in the right order. Line 12 calls at Murano Faro before Burano: stop at Murano on the way out, pick the same line up again towards Burano, then head straight back. The reverse works too but costs you a sailing.
Allow a full day for both islands, or three quarters of a day if Murano is only a quick look. With Torcello on top, the day is full. For how Murano is served, its stops and the alternatives from the station, see Venice to Murano by vaporetto.
Ticket and the way back
One timed ticket covers the whole outing, connections included, with a validation every time you board. Since the round trip alone runs well past 75 minutes, the day pass is almost always the right choice for a day in the northern lagoon; all durations and fares are on the price overview.
For the way back the rule is simple: note the time of the last useful sailing as soon as you arrive. Once the daytime service ends, the NLN night line still links Fondamente Nove with Murano, Burano and Treporti, with limited departures. In acqua alta or fog the service can be diverted; notices appear on the official AVM and ACTV channels.
The full table of lines, stops and frequencies is on the line overview.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Burano by vaporetto
How long does the trip to Burano take? +
Allow about 45 minutes on line 12 from Fondamente Nove. The boat calls at Murano Faro and Mazzorbo on the way, which is what accounts for the time: there is no faster direct service to Burano.
Can you see Murano and Burano in one day? +
Yes, and it is the most common pairing. Line 12 calls at Murano before Burano: stop at Murano on the way out, then pick the same line up again. Allow a full day for both islands, or three quarters of a day for a quick look at Murano.
How do you get from Burano to Torcello? +
About five minutes on line 9, which shuttles between the two islands roughly every 30 minutes. No extra ticket is needed as long as your timed fare is still running. The last shuttles leave early in the evening, particularly out of season.
Which ticket do you need for Burano? +
For a day in the northern lagoon the day pass is almost always the right choice: the round trip alone runs past the 75-minute window, and every connection needs a fresh validation. All durations and fares are on the price overview.
Is the ordinary ACTV ticket valid for Burano? +
Yes. Burano belongs to the Venice urban fare zone, as do Murano, Torcello and the Lido. Alilaguna and airport services stay outside it, as do ACTV lines 16 and 19 and the Casinò line.
Heading for Burano?
Pick a duration that covers the day, collect your ticket at an ACTV machine with the PNR code, and the northern lagoon is yours: Murano, Burano and Torcello on a single fare.