Hop on Hop off Bus Tours in Venice
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Venice, being a city of over 400 bridges, 150 canals and 118 small islands, doesn't quite fit into the double-decker tourist bus mix.
Here, the classic hop-on-hop-off tours in Venice take to the water. Besides being able to see different sections of the Floating City, you'll also be able to venture to the nearby lagoon islands, where a different, equally fascinating slice of Venetian culture awaits.
Here's everything you need to know about hop-on hop-off tours, one of the most captivating opportunities for sightseeing in Venice.
What are the best hop-on hop-off Venice tours? What are their prices?
Venice and Lagoon Islands hop-on hop-off tour with audio guide
A great way for first-time visitors to see the main Venice tourist attractions, as well as several of the islands in the Venetian lagoon, this hop-on-hop-off boat package checks off the heart of Venice, Murano, Burano, Torcello and more.
Route
You have two routes to choose from, Line A and Line B.
Line A
Line A is a loop that starts at Santa Lucia railway station and then ticks off some of the quintessential treasures of Venice's main area, including St. Mark's Square and Tronchetto. From there, the next stop is Murano, the island renowned for its glassmaking history.
You'll then make your way back toward the main group of islands, stopping in Zattere in the Dorsoduro district. Here, you'll stop right next to the Canale della Giudecca, where you can learn the art of Gondola-making.
You'll make another stop at Tronchetto before ending back at Santa Lucia railway station.
Given the repetition of Line A, it is recommended to swap to line B at Murano so you can see more of Venice as a whole.
Line B
Line B is also a loop, starting and ending at Punta Sabbioni (pier number 5) which is attached to a peninsula on the mainland. From there, you journey to Murano, Torcello and Burano.
Murano's glassmaking history is well-known. Torcello, on the other hand, is most renowned for its Roman-era history and its Cathedral of Santa Maria Dell'Assunta (which houses spectacular Byzantine mosaics along its walls). Then there's Burano, which, alongside its colorful fishermen's houses, also boasts a significant lace production industry.
Timetable
Line A
Boats usually pass by the designated meeting points every hour (sometimes up to 90 minutes, depending on water conditions).
The first boat departs from Santa Lucia railway station at 9:20 AM and the last boat departs at 4 PM. In between, boats typically depart every 60 minutes. That means, if you disembark at a stop, you'll have to fill 1 hour of time before the next one arrives.
If you ride the whole loop, the duration will be roughly 2 hours.
Line B
For Line B, the first boat leaves from Punta Sabbioni at 9:45 AM, and the last boat leaves at 5:25 PM. They typically depart every 60 minutes throughout the day.
If you ride the entire loop without disembarking, it will take roughly 2 hours as well.
Tickets
There are a couple of different ticket options to choose from for hop-on-hop-off bus tickets in Venice:
24-Hour ticket
This ticket grants you access to both Line A and Line B for 24 hours. However, given that boats only run between 9 AM and 6 PM, you should think of it more as a "day pass".
The prices are as follows:
- Adult tickets (anyone aged 12+): €30
- Youth tickets (6-11): €15
- Children under 5: Free
48-Hour ticket
This ticket grants you access to both Line A and Line B for a period of 48 hours.
The prices are:
- Adult tickets (12+): €41
- Youth tickets (6-11): €21
- Children under 5: Free
24-Hour family ticket
This ticket grants access to both Line A and Line B for a period of 24 hours and presents a more affordable option compared to buying individual tickets.
It includes two adult tickets and two youth tickets and costs €85.
How do hop-on hop-off tours in Venice work? Is anything included?
The tours typically include a mix of both the main area as well as the smaller islands that surround the main land mass. These small islands, such as Murano and Burano, offer a fascinating insight into everyday life and culture in Venice.
The hop-on-hop-off tours all include audio guides in multiple languages. Tickets also include a map of the city (which is available onboard) as well as a sightseeing app you can download for free on your phone.
All tickets also include tours of Murano, Burano and Torcello, as well as a free glassmaking demonstration in Murano.
Are there any combined tickets including hop-on hop-off tours?
Yes, you can participate in day trips from Venice to nearby cities that include hop-on hop-off bus tours at your destination. These combined tickets are great for those with limited time, as they provide both a sightseeing tour and transportation in one package. The two most popular options are listed below:
Day trip from Venice to Florence with hop-on hop-off bus tour
This one-day package includes a high-speed train ride from Venice to Florence and tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus tour in Florence. This will allow you to see the Duomo, the Accademia Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, the beautiful nearby hillside town of Fiesole, and more.
Day trip from Venice to Milan with hop-on hop-off bus tour
Italy's fashion capital, Milan is just a couple hours away by train. In addition to your train ticket, this package also includes tickets for the hop-on hop-off bus tour in Milan so you can explore top attractions such as the Sforza Castle, the Church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie and the famous shopping streets.
What other Venice sightseeing tours are there?
Travel tips
- Before hopping on the boat, plan your route to make sure you get to see all the places you want to.
- The boats can get crowded, especially during peak tourist season. To get good seats and avoid the biggest crowds, try to start your tour early in the day.
- The boats run on a specific schedule. Make sure you're aware of it so you don't miss the last boat back, especially if you've ventured to outer islands like Murano, Burano, or Torcello.