Travel guide
Venice to Murano by Vaporetto: Lines, Stops and Tickets
Where to start from, which line to take and which stop to get off at: the practical guide to reaching Murano on the ACTV water buses, with a pointer to the official timetable for your travel day.
- Line 12 from Fondamente Nove, the most direct run
- Lines 4.1 and 4.2 for the Colonna and Museo stops
- Your timed ACTV ticket already covers the crossing
From €9.50 / person
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The quick answer
For most visitors the simplest route is this: walk to Fondamente Nove on the northern edge of Venice and take line 12 towards Murano Faro, about ten minutes on the water, or one of the 4.1 and 4.2 circular lines, which also call at Colonna and Museo. Your timed ACTV ticket covers the crossing. There is no separate island fare.
Where to start from
The right departure point depends on where you are staying. There are only a handful of useful combinations, and they rarely change:
| You are at | Recommended route | Line | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rialto or San Marco (centre) | walk to Fondamente Nove, about 20 min | 12 or 4.1/4.2 | the fastest and most frequent option |
| Santa Lucia station or Piazzale Roma | direct line 3, in the periods when it runs | 3 | otherwise 4.1/4.2 around the northern edge |
| Riva degli Schiavoni or San Zaccaria | direct line 7, seasonal | 7 | out of season: walk to Fondamente Nove |
| At night | from Fondamente Nove on the night line | NLN | limited sailings, check the timetable for the day |
Where to start from for Murano, depending on your base
The stops on Murano
Murano has several landing stages, and getting off at the right one saves you a walk:
- Colonna: the first stop coming from Venice, at the head of Fondamenta dei Vetrai with the glassworks and the shops. The right choice for a first visit.
- Museo: the stop for the Glass Museum and the basilica of Santi Maria e Donato.
- Faro: the hub of the island and the terminus of line 12. This is where you change for Burano and Torcello.
- Navagero, Serenella, Venier: minor stops on the circular lines, useful if you are heading for one particular glassworks.
Which ticket you need
Murano sits inside the Venice urban fare zone: the timed ACTV ticket, 75 minutes or 1, 2, 3 and 7 days, covers the trip out and back, with a validation every time you board. Alilaguna and airport services stay outside it, as do ACTV lines 16 and 19 and the Casinò line.
The booking module on the ticket page shows the official ACTV fares, with the terms: a ticket booked online is neither refundable nor changeable. Before your first ride you collect the ticket at an ACTV machine by entering the PNR code printed under the QR on your voucher; the QR itself is not scanned. All durations with prices are on the vaporetto price overview.
Timetable and getting back
During the day the sailings between Venice and Murano are frequent: line 12 leaves Fondamente Nove roughly every 30 minutes, the 4.1 and 4.2 circulars roughly every 20. Exact times differ between the summer and winter service and on public holidays. For the sailing on your day, the official ACTV timetable and the AVM Venezia Official app, with departures in real time, are what count.
For the evening return, note the last useful sailing on your way out. Once the daytime service ends, the NLN night line still runs to and from Fondamente Nove with limited departures. In acqua alta or fog the service can be diverted; notices appear on the official AVM and ACTV channels.
For the full picture of lines, main stops and typical frequencies, see our line overview.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Murano by vaporetto
How long does the trip to Murano take? +
On line 12 from Fondamente Nove the crossing takes about ten minutes to Murano Faro. On the 4.1 and 4.2 circulars the trip is a little longer, because they call at more stops along the northern edge of Venice.
What is the fastest way from the station to Murano? +
In the periods when it runs, line 3 connects Piazzale Roma and the station directly with Murano. Otherwise take line 4.1 or 4.2, or walk to Fondamente Nove and pick up line 12 there. To find out which sailings run on your travel day, check the official ACTV timetable.
Is the vaporetto ticket valid for Murano as well? +
Yes. Murano is inside the urban fare zone, so the ordinary timed ACTV ticket covers the crossing, just as it does for Burano, Torcello and the Lido. Remember to validate before boarding, on every single ride.
Can I go straight from the airport to Murano on an ACTV ticket? +
No. The direct connections from Marco Polo Airport are run by Alilaguna, a different company with a separate ticket: the ACTV ticket does not cover them. Travel into Venice first, then continue to Murano on the ACTV lines.
Can I take luggage on the vaporetto to Murano? +
Yes. Up to three pieces travel free, each up to 150 cm in combined dimensions, under the ACTV conditions of carriage. For extra or larger items you need a luggage ticket at the passenger fare.
Ready for Murano?
Pick the right duration, collect your ticket at an ACTV machine with the PNR code, and the lagoon is yours: the Grand Canal, Murano, Burano and the Lido on a single ticket.