The vaporetto Line 5.1 is a particularly practical line for those tourists who want to visit parts of Venice that are located along the external perimeter of the city and perhaps continue to discover the inside of the historic center on foot.
The water-bus 5.1 is one of the “gira città” lines meaning that, by taking this vaporetto, you can sail around the entire city of Venice and choose to stop at a number of locations along the itinerary.
In this article you will find information on timetables, stops and a variety of points of interest located near the vaporetto stops of line 5.1 to help you best organize your next vacation in Venice.
Venice Vaporetto line 5.1 ACTV
Vaporetto line 5.1 begins its itinerary at the Venetian Lido, and travels towards the city of Venice sailing beside its external perimeter and stopping at the main stops such as the bus station P.le Roma and San Marco – San Zaccaria, next to St. Mark’s Square.
Line 5.1 completes its itinerary around Venice in about an hour and 20 minutes. It allows to travel to and from parts of the city which can be quite distant from each other. By travelling with line 5.1 one can also enjoy the scenic lagoon surrounding Venice.
If you are in an “exteral” part of Venice (meaning close to the lagoon) and need to reach the Venetian Lido, we suggest yu take either line 5.1 or 5.2. Whereas if you find yourself in the heart of the historic center or not far from the Grand Canal, Line 1 would be more practical
Vaporetto Line 5.1 ACTV route and stops
Line 5.1 travels all around the city of Venice and stops at some of the most important locations such as Guglie, the bus station P.le Roma, the train station Ferrovia and San Marco – San Zaccaria, and then reaches the Venetian Lido. Let’s see all the stops more in detail.
- S.PIETRO DI CASTELLO
- BACINI – ARSENALE NORD
- CELESTIA
- OSPEDALE
- F.TE NOVE “C”
- ORTO
- S.ALVISE
- TRE ARCHI
- GUGLIE “B”
- RIVA DE BIASIO “A”
- FERROVIA “C”
- P.LE ROMA “B”
- S.MARTA
- ZATTERE “B”
- S.MARCO-S.ZACCARIA “F”
- GIARDINI BIENNALE”B”
- S.ELENA – Stadio P.L. Penzo “C”
- LIDO S.M.E. “A”
Please note that the busiest stops (usually those closest to the main attractions) have more than one platform, and all are located close to one another. Each pier is indicated by the name of the stop and then a letter in progression.
Bear in mind that the stops to and from Lido are on the same platform, not on the opposite sides of the canal. Be careful which direction the boat you are about to board travels to.
Vaporetto Line 5.1 tickets
Here you can purchase your vaporetto tickets commission free! Buy online and skip the line in front of the box offices.
Online tickets and physical tickets are the same price!
75′: 9.50€; 1 day: 25€; 2 days: 35€; 3 days: 45€; 7 days: 65€
Line 5.1 timetables
Vaporetto line 5.1 ACTV is active every day during daytime.
In Venice vaporetto timetables are subject to minor changes due to seasonal variation.
For this reason we recommend always checking the official ACTV site – Line 5.1 and/or the timetables indicated on the displays next to the piers for up-to-date information.
Generally the vaporetto Line 5.1 operates every day of the week from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The line 5.1 water-buses run at intervals of about 20 minutes.
The vaporetto rides the complete itinerary between 6:20 a.m. and 8:20 p.m.
Between 4:50 and 6:20 a.m. and then 9 p.m and 11 p.m. the route is limited to part of the itinerary: it starts at F.te Nove “C” and ends at Lido.
Line 5.1 night service
The vaporetto line 5.1 is active during daytime, and there is no exact night-time equivalent.
However, ACTV provides a the nocturnal line N, which is in service from 11:30 p.m. and 4 a.m., has some stops in common with line 5.1 and ends its itinerary at the Lido. Differently from line 5.1, line N stops at Rialto, Tronchetto and San Basilio as well.
Further information on line N stops and timetables are available on the official ACTV website – Line N.
Vaporetto line 5.1 stops and attractions
Line 5.1 is ideal to move to different sides of the city and visit the main attractions and tourist-beaten locations such as St. Mark’s Square, the Giardini della Biennale, the bust station Piazzale Roma and railway station. This line offers a beautiful opportunity to closely observe the lagoon.
By taking the vaporetto line 5.1 it is possible to visit a number of points of interest. Let’s see what you can visit more in detail.
Lido S.M.E.
- LIDO SANTA MARIA ELISABETTA “D” : this is the last stop of vaporetto line 5.1. Here you can enjoy a bycicle ride around the venetian lido to discover the naturalistic and historical beauty of this area of Venice.
Castello
- GIARDINI BIENNALE “B”: the stop is located next to the Giardini della Biennale which houses the foreign pavillions of the exhibition. It is an evocative place which deserves to be visited especially during the opening period of the Biennale exhibition.
- S.ELENA – Stadio P. L. Penzo “C” getting off the vaporetto at this stop you will be few minutes away from St. Elena’s Church with its beautiful architecture and the tranquillity of its gardens. It is possible to rest there especially after a long visit around the city.
- S.PIETRO DI CASTELLO you can stop here to visit the church of San Pietro di Castello. Marble statues, mosaics and frescoes enhance the beauty of this church, which you might want to visit.
- BACINI – Arsenale Nord here you will find the Tower of the Arsenal. From the scenic terrace of the tower you can look down on the entire city of Venice and on the lagoon.
- CELESTIA this stop is located few steps away from the church Chiesa di San Francesco della Vigna. We strongly suggest you pay a visit to its inernal courtyard and antique library whose heritage comprises approximately 13,000 ancient books.
- OSPEDALE few minutes from this stop you can find one of the most peculiar and uniqe places in Venice: the bookhop Libreria Acqua Alta. It is a must-see when visiting the city. Entering the bookshop you will feel submerged by books: it is a picturesque place where the volumes are stored in real gondolas and the small shop is filled with books to the ceiling!
Cannaregio
- F.TE NOVE “C” at this stop you can admire the picturesque view towards the island of San Michele while resting in one of the bacari (typical Venetian pub) next to the vaporetto stop.
- ORTO if you stop here you can visit the church Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto in which the famous Venetian painter Tintoretto was buried. In this church you may find some of his works. If you are an art enthusiast you could also visit Tintoretto’s house, located not far from the church.
- TRE ARCHI at this stop you will find the recently restored church of the Saints Job and Bernardino. We suggest you visit the Martini Chapel by Luca della Robbia which is made of decorated porcelein.
- S.ALVISE the Monastero dei Santi Giuseppe e Bonaventura (Monastery of the Saints Joseph and Bonaventura) is an ancient Franciscan convent located few minutes away from this stop. It is a peaceful oasis to take advantage of – especially during the summer – while visiting Venice.
- GUGLIE “B” if you stop here, you can visit the Jewish ghetto of Venice where the word ghetto originated! It is in fact one of the most ancient ghettos in Europe. The Jewish ghetto is a perfect place to visit if you wish to discover an alternative side of the city.
Santa Croce
- RIVA DE BIASIO: here you can visit the Museum of Natural History of Venice, which could be an interesting visit to add to your itinerary, especially if you travel with children. The Museum organizes a number of activities involving parents and children such as interactive visits with games, hidden clues, stories and legends.
Connections with the mainland
- FERROVIA “C” it is the stop across Saint Lucia’s Train Station. It is located on the opposite side of the canal to San Simeon Piccolo’s Church, the main building that you can spot when you first arrive in Venice by train. If you choose to pay a visit, we recommend checking out the crypt.
- P.LE ROMA “E” it is the bus station where you can take transfers to and from the airport. It is located a few steps away from Giardino di Papadopoli, a little quiet park, usually popular with students. We suggest you take a break there since it is one of the rare shaded areas in Venice.
Dorsoduro
- S.MARTA near this stop you will find one of the most ancient churches of Venice: the Chiesa di San Nicolò dei Mendicoli. This church deserves to be visited because of its historic importance and rich decorations.
- ZATTERE: stopping here you will find yourself at walking distance from the Squero di San Trovaso (a typical rowing court in Venice) you can see how gondolas are built and repaired. You can observe the Squero and the artisans at work for free by standing on the opposite side of the canal. you will find yourself next to a typical venetian pub, a bacaro, so we suggest you enjoy a spritz and some cicchetti in the meantime.
San Marco
- S.MARCO-ZACCARIA “D” this stop is located few steps away from the St. Mark’s Basilica, Palazzo Ducale and the Bridge of Sighs, which you can enjoy for free from the Paglia Bridge. If you visit Palazzo Ducale, the ticket often includes a guided tour of the Bridge of Sighs.
Vaporetto ticket prices
Based on the length of your stay in Venice, you can choose among a variety of tickets sold by the public transport agency ACTV.
Fares are fixed by ACTV, you will find the same prices both at the ticket office and online.
ACTV vaporetto tickets allow unlimited travel on public water during the validity period of the ticket you purchased.
Vaporetto tickets available are valid for 75 minutes, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days or 7 days at the following prices:
- single fare ticket (75′): 9,50€
- 1 day ticket: 25 €
- 2 days ticket: 35 €
- 3 days ticket: 45 €
- 7 days ticket: 65 €
In order to save up on transport money, we suggest you organize your schedule to make the most efficient use of your vaporetto tickets.
Which ticket is more convenient
In order to decide which vaporetto ticket would be the most convenient option for you, you should consider how many days you will stay in Venice, your itinerary and how many times a day you will commute with public transport.
Vaporetto line 5.1 offers a panoramic route all around Venice. It is therefore possible to spend an entire day visiting the major points of interest of the city travelling by boat.
Consider the distance of your destinations and how to reach them ahead of time, in order to choose the most suitable ticket for your needs.
- If you plan on travelling mainly by vaporetto to move through the various parts of Venice (some of them can be quite far to reach by walking if you are on the opposite side of the city), you will probably take the water bus multiple times during the day.
In this case if you use public transport at least three times in one day, then you should consider purchasing either a daily or multi-day pass.
Vaporetto Line 5.1 tickets
Here you can purchase your vaporetto tickets commission free! Buy online and skip the line in front of the box offices.
Online tickets and physical tickets are the same price!
75′: 9.50€; 1 day: 25€; 2 days: 35€; 3 days: 45€; 7 days: 65€
Vaporetto line 5.1 ACTV tickets: discounts and reductions
Here are some reductions available for vaporetto Line 5.1 ACTV:
- Children under the age of 6 ride free
- Young people between 6 and 26 can buy discounted 3-day tickets
- Passengers in a wheelchair can purchae single-fare tickets at a significant discount. If accompanied, the other person does not pay.
The vaporetto line 5.1 ACTV tickets are not refundable and cannot be exchanged.
You must validate tickets before boarding. Look for the white electronic card reader near the vaporetto platform.
Buy vaporetto line 5.1 tickets
Vaporetto line 5.1 ACTV tickets are available both online and at the box offices located next to the vaporetto platforms in Venice.
The online and in-person prices are the same, however there are some advantages that only purchasing your tickets online can offer.
Buy tickets online
Most online websites allow you to purchase your vaporetto line 5.1 tickets directly on your smartphone, so you can skip the long queues in front of the box offices and go to the vaporetto platforms straight away.
You can buy your tickets ahead of time, because their validity is calculated upon the first validation.
The opportunity to buy tickets online can prove very useful even when you’re alrealy discovering Venice. Tourists often risk missing their water-bus because of the long lines at the box offices or find themselves at stops with no ticket stands.
For this reason buying online is practical. Moreover, you’ll have your tickets on your phone, so you won’t risk losing or demagnetizing them by accident.
By purchasing your vaporetto line 5.1 tickets online you can keep them on your mobile or use the PNR code on the voucher to pick up your physical ticket at the machines displaying the Venezia Unica logo.
Buy tickets at physical ticket offices
You can buy vaporetto line 5.1 tickets at the ticket offices in Venice (usually located next to the platforms) or in authorized retailers (recognizable by the ACTV logo) in the historic center.
Buying tickets at the box offices can be useful if you need to ask for directions and information, however be aware that some sellers might not speak English.
Many are the instances in which purchasing tickets in person is impractical.
ACTV ticket offices in Venice are small box-offices located outdoors which, of course, can have very long queues of tourists waiting in front of them.
The space in front of the ticket offices is not covered, so you might find yourself waiting in line, exposed to the elements.
Waiting under the sun or the rain is certainly really uncomfortable, especially when travelling with children, elders or people with disabilities.
Services in the event of fog or high tide
If you plan on visiting Venice during fall or winter, you are likely to face the very typical phenomenon of high tide. In order to be fully prepared and equipped, we suggest checking the tidal flow since the vaporetto routes can sometimes vary depending on the water level.
If water reaches 95 cm the vaporetto line 5.1 service undergoes some temporary variations. Until the water level normalizes, the route is limited to the stops Lido S.M.E. – Ospedale (hospital) – F.te Nove – Tre Archi and back.
For further up-to-date information on line 5.1 and more, check the official ACTV site – high tide
From October to March, fog covering the canals is also very frequent. Whenever visibility is lower than 150 meters, the itinerary of the water-bus 5.1 will follow a slightly different itinerary until visibility conditions have improved.
Further information is available in the official ACTV site – services in foggy conditions.
These phenomena occur yearly, therefore our suggestion is to organize a flexible itinerary including a number of alternative destinations in case of bad weather and high tide.
Lastly, please note that the vaporetto line 5.1 is completely accessible to wheelchair users and strollers.
