Actv Transport Pass in Venice

Make the most of your visit to the beautiful city of Venice with its many attractions through the versatile ACTV Transport Pass to get around. While you may not need to take a bus to get around the city center, it’s often necessary to travel to other destinations further out.

You can choose from 75 minutes to seven whole days and travel hassle-free around Venice with this single ACTV Transport Pass for all public transport. Cruise on the water buses in Venice, Lido and the Lagoon islands, and ride the buses in Mestre and Marghera.

Here is a look at everything you need to know about the ACTV Transport Pass and how you can get your hands on your passport for an unforgettable adventure and sightseeing tours in Venice.

What does the ACTV Transport pass do and what does it included?

The ACTV Transport Pass allows you unlimited access to Venice’s public transportation network. Its scope covers road transport buses and water buses (vaporettos), and as an option, the Regionale Veloce (RV) and Regionale (R) trains. The ACTV transport pass is flexible and can last for as little as 75 minutes, to 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours or even an entire week, depending on your needs.

You can use the RV and R trains to connect with the mainland area of Mestre, which is connected with central Venice across the Liberty Bridge. In Venice, you can use any of the ACTV public transport services, which includes ACTV buses in Mestre, Marghera and the mainland, as well as ACTV water-buses in Venice, Lido and Lagoon islands.

Furthermore, the ACTV transports pass allows unrestricted use of the People Mover service, which includes the Trenitalia train service on Regional and Fast Regional trains within the territory of the Municipality of Venice (Venezia S. Lucia, Venezia P. to Marghera, Venezia Mestre, Venezia Carpenedo, Venezia Mestre Ospedale).

Keep in mind that ACTV Services do not include transport from and to Marco Polo Airport, the no. 16 water-bus service and Alilaguna Lines.

How does the ACTV Transport pass work? Where can I buy one and do I use it?

The public transport system in the city of Venice gives you access to all areas of the city’s historic center, the Lagoon islands and various areas on the mainland. With an ACTV Transport Pass, you will be able to use buses and water buses without limits on just a single ticket.

The ACTV Pass is intended solely for public transportation, so it does not cover gondola rides. Venice comprises a very large area, and you will require public transportation regularly between traveling to the other islands on the Lagoon, especially Murano and Burano. Then you may also need to journey to the Venice borough of Mestre across the Liberty Bridge.

How the ACTV works

The Venice Transport Pass is a traditional type of card. Once you have it, you can use it to travel free of charge on all public transportation services covered by the card.

These services include access to the water buses (vaporetto), the Venetian ACTV bus network (excluding transfer to and from the airport) and the R and RV trains around Venice (if you select this option at the time of purchase). It does not cover transportation to the Marco Polo and Treviso Airports, whether by bus or boat (on the Alilaguna Line).

Period of validity

The ACTV Pass is valid for the amount of time that you select during purchase. The moment you use it for the first time – the first time you board a boat, bus or train – time starts to be deducted. So, if you activate a 3-day pass on Monday at 2 PM, it will be valid until Thursday at 1:59 PM. Note that it is not possible to reschedule or change any details.

Where to buy a Venice Transport card

The Transport card is a printed card, so it has to be picked up in the city of Venice. There are convenient pick-up points at the ACTV kiosks in most of the water bus stations, recognizable by the signs “ACTV” and “Biglietteria”.

Go to one of these terminals and follow the instructions. Scan the QR code you receive by email after making your purchase and you will get your pass directly at the machine.

Alternatively, you can just go straight to the ACTV office in Piazzale Roma. It’s situated right next to the bus station and about 500 meters from Santa Lucia train station. The office is open daily from 7 AM to 7:30 PM.

How much does an ACTV Transport pass cost?

The Venice ACTV card pricing is simple as it only depends on the duration that you select - from 75 minutes or 24 hours, to a couple of days or an entire week. You can buy the ACTV card in Venice at the ACTV kiosks at most water bus stations. The longer you plan to use the card, the higher its overall cost will be; however, the daily price becomes more affordable as the number of days increases.

Adults and children aged 7+

• 75-minute ticket:  €9.50
• 24-hour ticket: €25
• 48-hour ticket: €35
• 72-hour ticket: €45
• 7-day ticket: €65

Children under the age of 6 can travel for free on the ACTV network and there is no need to buy a card for them.

The ACTV Transport Pass is wheelchair accessible, with wheelchair users paying €1.50 and carers receiving a free ticket. These tickets allow access to all ACTV waterborne services, except routes 16 and the Alilaguna lines.

Is the ACTV Transport pass worth getting?

The ACTV Transport Pass is definitely worth buying as it makes traveling across Venice very affordable, especially when combined with a Venice Museum Pass if you plan to visit any major churches, museums and landmarks in and around the city. If you consider that a one-way ticket for a water bus costs €7.50 and the distances you have to travel, the card quickly pays for itself.

From the train and bus stations to St. Mark’s Square, you have to walk about three kilometers, for instance. To reach the islands of Burano and Murano, you will need to take a boat. With the ACTV card, however, you can travel around Venice and not worry about fares prices, while avoiding the hassle of having to buy tickets at ticket kiosks. Traveling to and from Venice involves fairly long distances, so a water bus is surely necessary.

Modes of transportation that are included with the ACTV card are the vaporetti water buses, the Venetian ACTV bus network, as well as the R and RV trains around Venice (you choose this option at the time of card purchase). The ACTV card does not include transportation to the Marco Polo and Treviso airports in Venice, whether it’s by boat on the Alilaguna Line, or by bus.