Venice Ferries

The port of Venice plays a key role in the ferry network of Italy, offering a convenient, scenic, and often essential way to connect with nearby islands. With 1 ferry routes operated by 1 ferry companies, Venice serves as a busy hub for both passenger and freight travel.

Ferries depart regularly from Venice, with schedules varying seasonally depending on demand, weather conditions, and tourism activity.

Popular routes from this port include - connecting Venice with key coastal and island destinations. Depending on the route, crossings can range from quick local hops to longer overnight journeys, often with a choice between high-speed ferries and traditional vessels.

Operators such as Kompas run regular services from Venice, offering a range of onboard amenities including comfortable seating, food and drink options, cabins, and vehicle transport. Ticket options vary by company and vessel type, with choices to suit solo travellers, families, and business passengers alike.

Whether you're island hopping, heading home, or starting a new adventure, Venice offers a reliable and enjoyable gateway to the sea.

Venice is well-connected to major Italian cities by both road and rail, with frequent trains arriving at Santa Lucia station from Milan (2.5 hours), Florence (2 hours), and Rome (3.5 hours). International travelers can fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport, located on the mainland about 13km from the city center, with regular water taxis and bus services connecting to the ferry terminals. For those driving, large parking facilities are available at Piazzale Roma and Tronchetto, the only areas accessible by car. From these transportation hubs, public water buses (vaporetti) provide convenient connections to all parts of the city and outlying islands.

Venice stands as one of Italy's most extraordinary cities, built across 118 small islands connected by over 400 bridges and separated by a network of picturesque canals. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers visitors a unique maritime experience, where waterways replace streets and vaporetti (water buses) serve as public transportation. From the grandeur of St. Mark's Square to the quiet charm of hidden neighborhoods, Venice presents a living museum where Byzantine, Gothic, and Renaissance influences blend into an unforgettable landscape.

Venice enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters, though autumn often brings acqua alta (high water) flooding to parts of the city. Spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds, making these months ideal for exploring the city comfortably on foot. February brings the world-famous Carnival with its elaborate masks and costumes, while summer hosts the Biennale art exhibition and numerous cultural festivals. Ferry services to the lagoon islands operate year-round but run with increased frequency during peak tourist season from April through October.

Venice serves as an excellent base for exploring the treasures of the Venetian Lagoon by ferry. The colorful island of Burano, famous for its lace-making tradition and rainbow-hued fishermen's houses, can be reached in about 40 minutes by vaporetto. Murano, the glass-blowing center of the lagoon, is just a 20-minute ferry ride and offers fascinating glass factory tours. The peaceful island of Torcello, with its ancient cathedral and Byzantine mosaics, provides a glimpse into Venice's earliest days. For those seeking longer journeys, ferries connect Venice to coastal destinations across the Adriatic, including seasonal routes to Croatia and Slovenia, offering spectacular views of the Venetian skyline as you depart.

Beyond the iconic St. Mark's Square and Basilica, Venice offers countless treasures waiting to be explored. Glide through the Grand Canal on a vaporetto to admire palaces that seem to float on water, or wander through the less-traveled districts of Cannaregio and Dorsoduro to experience authentic Venetian life. Art enthusiasts shouldn't miss the Gallerie dell'Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, while the Rialto Market offers a feast for culinary explorers. For a true taste of Venice, sample cicchetti (Venetian tapas) at traditional bacari wine bars, particularly in the San Polo district, accompanied by a spritz or local Veneto wine. The Giudecca island provides stunning views of the main city with significantly fewer tourists.

Venice was once the capital of the powerful Republic of Venice for over 1,000 years and controlled much of the Mediterranean maritime trade. The city is slowly sinking at a rate of about 1-2mm per year, while simultaneously facing rising sea levels. Venetian gondolas are asymmetrical, built slightly tilted to one side to counterbalance the weight of the gondolier. The world's first public casino, Il Ridotto, opened in Venice in 1638, establishing the city as an early gambling destination for European nobility traveling by sea.