Lido di Venezia: Tours & Tickets

My two daughters and I were in Venice, Italy from August 15 to August 17. You can purchase the mainland bus and the Venice waterbus ticket online. The Waterbus two day ticket was a great bargain and a very convenient way to get from one location to another while in Venice. As soon as we arrived at Marco Polo International we hopped on a ATVO bus for 8 euros each and arrived at the waterbus stop in about 20 minutes. We picked up our waterbus pass at the station from a dispensing machine with our code that we got from the online purchase and hopped on the watertaxi for the 20 minute water ride to our hotel stop. A five minute walk and we were at our hotel! This was a lot easier than I imagined. We used the waterbus extensively throughout our 2.5 days while in Venice. We took the waterbus all over Venice and to Murano and to the little island where the San Giorgio Maggiore chuch is located. The bell tower is the best view looking at Venice and it's not crowded! Buy a pass!

I enjoyed the boat rides - although none of the commentary could be heard if outside on the one boat with outside seating and not much could be seen through dirty windows when seated inside on the inside-seating only boats, although could hear description well. Unfortunately a thunderstorm hit while we were on the second island, which was ok as was a little town and could duck into shops etc., but it was bucketing down on the third island where it was all totally exposed and everyone got soaked as we were not allowed to stay on the boat (although there was small ferry terminal building nearby that many people crowded into to shelter for the hour). Enjoyed the second island, Burano, the most.

It was not clear which is the PNR number which must be entered into the yellow ticket booth. The operators at the main ticket booths Cld not help either, eventually I found the correct number on my emailed voucher (my phone iOS did not allow for download of the App) and the rest was easy. However, there are very few yellow machines for printing out yr ticket. For information I used the water is many times while in Venice as I was staying informed isl of Giudecca, so the three day ticket was good value. I saw inspectors twice over my three days there so I'm glad I had my ticket!

I booked the morning on the internet and it is much cheaper than booking at the station. They had to get phone clearance with my booking number because it was done so late via the internet, but that was not a problem at all. The tour is very nice hopping on and off several boats. I suggest that they do a trip with only Burano and Murano to have more time to spend there. You really don't have enough time before you have to catch your next boat - next time I would actually spend the whole day at Burano.

We had a great time visiting the little islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello. The boat was comfortable and the guide gave some information during the ride. Interesting visit to Murano glassmaking factory but the highlight of the tour is the beautiful island of Burano with the colourful fisherman houses. In Torcello not much to see but not bad to get a break and enjoy a coffee before you head back to Venice. Half day duration is just perfect.