Line 4.1 and 4.2 are the two richest touristic vaporetto lines offered by the public transport agency ACTV in terms of stops available all around Venice. By taking those lines it is possible to visit the entire Venetian historic center and Murano island with only one means of transport.
Line 4.2 is part of the gira città lines which sail off from Murano and navigate around Venice while stopping at the most popular spots of the city such as San Marco, the Giudecca island and the Biennale gardens. Then it sails back to Murano.
In this article you will find information on timetables, stops and travel suggestions for your next itnerary travelling with line 4.2. you will also find the difference between line 4.1 and 4.2 explained to help you best organize your next vacation in Venice.
Vaporetto line 4.2 ACTV
Line 4.2 travels around the external perimeter of the city, therefore it is the ideal line if you wish to enjoy a panoramic route in the Venetian lagoon and reach the island of Murano from any point of Venice you are at.
In the span of 2 hours the vaporetto line 4.2 sails off from Murano towards Fondamente Nove, makes all the stops located along the Grand Canal with an addititonal stop at the bus station Piazzale Roma. It then navigates towards San Marco stopping at the Giudecca Island and then goes back to Murano.
It is therefore a particularly complete line thanks to the number of attractions that you can visit by getting off at its stops.
If your aim is to reach Murano quickly, then we suggest you consider the more rapid line 3.
Difference between line 4.1 and 4.2
The main difference between line 4.1 and 4.2 is that they travel the same route in opposite directions.
We therefore suggest you keep reading this article in order to determine which line is better suited for your itinerary.
A second important difference consists in the timetables:
- The last complete route for line 4.1 sails off at around 6:50 p.m. whereas 4.2 at 7:40 p.m.
- Line 4.2 is partially actve during night time with rides limited to the route between Murano island and Fondamenta Nove. Differently, line 4.1 is active exclusively during daytime.
Let’s now see more in depth all the stops and timetables of line 4.2.
Vaporetto Line 4.2 ACTV route and stops
After sailing off from Murano, the vaporetto line 4.2 navigates around Venice clockwise where it stops at the most popular spots located in the historic center. Its route comprehends the islands of San Michele, Certosa and Giudecca as well.
Then the water-bus sails back to Murano.
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 Murano 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.
The itinerary of line 4.2 consists in these stops:
Murano
- MURANO MUSEO “B”
- MURANO NAVAGERO
- MURANO FARO
- MURANO COLONNA “B”
Venice
- CIMITERO
- F.TE NOVE “D”
- OSPEDALE
- CELESTIA
- BACINI – Arsenale Nord: to reach Zattere you can take vaporetto Line 5.1 or 5.2 from this stop
- S. PIETRO DI CASTELLO
- CERTOSA (solo a richiesta)
- S.ELENA – – Stadio P. L. Penzo “B”
- GIARDINI BIENNALE “A”
- ARSENALE “A”
- S.MARCO-S.ZACCARIA “C” from this stop you can take the vaporetto line 1 to reach the Lido
- ZITELLE “B”
- REDENTORE
- GIUDECCA PALANCA “B”
- SACCA FISOLA “B”: from here you can take the vaporetto line 2 to reach Rialto and the Gallerie dell’Accademia
- S.MARTA
- P.LE ROMA “D”
- FERROVIA “D”
- GUGLIE “A”
- CREA
- S.ALVISE
- ORTO
- F.TE NOVE “B”
- CIMITERO
Murano
- MURANO COLONNA “C”
- MURANO SERENELLA
- MURANO VENIER
- MURANO DA MULA
- MURANO MUSEO “A”
Vaporetto line 4.2 tickets
Here you can purchase your vaporetto tickets commission free! Buy online and skip the line at 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 4.1 or 4.2? Which one you shoud choose
In order to decide which vapoetto line to take, it is useful to consider in advance what attractions you would like to visit (and therefore which stops are closer to your destination) and check which one of the two lines will take you there in the shortest time.
Since these lines follow the same route in opposite directions, the last stops on line 4.1 will be the first stops on line 4.2 and vice versa.
Depending on which stop you are at, consulting a map check in which direction your destination is located, so then you can opt for one line instead of the other.
In doing so, remember that the stops of line 4.1 and 4.2 are the same. In some cases the two vaporetto lines stop at different piers, for instance F.te Nove “B” and “D”, they are located few steps from one another.
For this reason, even in case of error you can get off at the next stop and in a few minutes get on the vaporetto of the other line.
Both line 4.1 and 4.2 are ideal for those tourists who want to complement their itinerary in Venice with a stop in Murano.
Coming back from Murano, if you want to get off at the train or bus station (stops “Ferrovia” and “Piazzale Roma”), we suggest you take the vaporetto line 3, which connects the island to the train and bus station in only 20 minutes.
Venice vaporetto line 4.2 timetables
Venice vaporetto line 4.2 ACTV is active every day from 6 a.m. to midnight with variable routes.
In Venice vaporetto timetables are subject to change and seasonal variation.
Although the changes are minor, we recommend always checking the official ACTV site – Line 4.2 and/or the timetables indicated on the displays next to the piers for up-to-date information.
With this premise, generally vaporetto line 4.2 ACTV travels the complete itinerary approximatively from 6:40 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. with rides available every 20 minutes.
The itinerary from first to last stop is about 2 hours long.
During the day some rides are limited to part of the entire route:
Between 6 and 6:40 a.m. there are routes available every 20 minutes from Fondamente Nove “D” to Murano Museo “A”.
Rides from 8 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. are limited to Murano Museo B – San Marco.
Line 4.2 night service
Vaporetto line 4.2 is active during the day, in the evening rides limited to the route between Murano and Fondamenta Nove (between 8 p.m. and midnight).
There is no exact night-time equivalent that follows the same panoramic route.
A similar route is followed by the nocturnal line NMU which is active from 11:45 p.m. to: a.m. approximately.
This evening route is therefore useful only to those people who want to visit or return from Murano in the evening or at night.
The only stop in Venice is Fondamenta Nove, which is at a walking distance of about 30 minutes from the railway and bus stations (Piazzale Roma). An alternative to walking is using a water taxi.
Vaporetto line 4.2 stops and attractions
Travelling with the vaporetto line 4.2 you can combine a visit to the main points of interest of the city such as San Marco, the Biennale exhibition and the Arsenal with a visit to the Murano island, renowned for its artistic glasswork production.
In addition to the most characteristic places of Venice, ravelling with this line you can visit some of the major islands of the Venetian archipelago such as Giudecca, San Michele and Certosa.
Here are some of the main attractions you can visit by travelling with the water-bus line 4.2:
Murano
- MURANO MUSEO “B” at the Glass Museum of Murano displays a number of artistic pieces made of glass, which were created on the island over the centuries. Our suggestion is to pay a visit to this museum to enjoy the valuable works preserved here.
- MURANO NAVAGERO stopping here you may visit the furnaces where artistic glasswork is produced and enjoy watching a demonstration and listening to the explanation of artisans at work.
- MURANO FARO this stop is located next to the Murano lighthouse, which is still in use today and can be admired from the outside only.
- MURANO COLONNA “B” stopping off here you will find yourself a few steps away from various glasswork shops and laboratories where you can sit and enjoy a demonstration by the venetian artisans, but also purchase the glass art pieces that they produce.
- MURANO SERENELLA this stop is located next to an artistic glasswork laboratory, where you can observe local artisans at work while they create unique artistic glass pieces. We suggest you pay a visit to one of the various furnaces of the island because the products that will be created in front of you are one-of-a-kind.
- MURANO VENIER here you will find yourself at a 5 minute walk from Parco degli Angeli, which is a tiny park ideal for picnics if you visit during spring or summer.
- MURANO DA MULA this stop is located in front of the historic Palazzo da Mula, which is Murano’s town hall. The exterior of this building is particular. We suggest either stop here or look outside the vaporetto when you pass this stop.
Castello
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- SANT’ELENA “C” : this stop is located few minutes away by foot from St. Elena’s Church with its beautiful architecture and tranquillity of its gardens. It is possible to rest there especially after a long visit of the rest of the city.
- GIARDINI “A” : 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.
- ARSENALE “A” : here you can visit the Venetian arsenal and the Naval History Museum of Venice in which you can admire how gondole are built. We recommend a visit to this museum especially if you are plan to visit the city with children.
San Marco
- SAN MARCO – SAN 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 bridge Ponte della Paglia. If you visit Palazzo Ducale, the ticket often includes a guided tour of the Bridge of Sighs.
San Michele - Certosa - Giudecca islands
SAN MICHELE:
- CIMITERO next to the stop you will find the Cimitero di San Michele (St. Michael Graveyard). It is an evocative place where you can visit the tombstone of famous personalities such as Igor Stravinskij
CERTOSA:
- CERTOSA (upon request) getting off here you can visit the Certosa island which houses a park free of architectural barriers. We advise you to stop here to relax after a long walk through the calli of Venice.
GIUDECCA:
- ZITELLE “B” this stop is not far from the Casa dei Tre Oci, we recommend you both observe this building from the outside and visit the inside since Casa dei Tre Oci is a venue chosen for photographic exhibitions.
- REDENTORE: near this stop you will find Chiesa del Santissimo Redentore. In case you find yourself in Venice during the festivity of Festa del Redentore (July 17th) you can admire the so called “ponte di barche” (bridge of boats), a line of small boats that cross the canal similarly to a bridge.
- GIUDECCA PALANCA “B”: not far from the vaporetto stop you will find Chiesa di Sant’Eufemia, which you can visit for free. It is therefore an interesting addition to your itinerary at the Giudecca Island.
- SACCA FISOLA “B” this stop is located at one extremity of the Giudecca Island, so it is the ideal spot to stop at and begin your itinerary of the island on foot.
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.
Connections to the mainland
- P.LE ROMA “D”: it is the bust 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.
- FERROVIA “D”: 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.
Cannaregio
- GUGLIE “A” 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.
- CREA not far from this stop you can visit the church Chiesa dei Santi Giobbe e Bernardino which has been recently restored. In this church you will find the Cappella Martini, a beautiful ceramic chapel.
- 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.
- 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.
- F.TE NOVE “B” : 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.
Vaporetto line 4.2 ACTV tickets and fares
Venice vaporettos are operated by the local transit authority ACTV. To travel on the water-buses, you’ll need either a single-fare ticket (valid for 75 minutes), all-day or multi-day ticket (available up to 7 days).
ACTV vaporetto tickets allow unlimited travel on public water during the validity period of the ticket you purchased.
In the following paragraph we’ll look into fare prices, the difference among the tickets and where it is more convenient to buy them.
Vaporetto ticket prices
Based on the number of days of your stay in Venice, you can choose among a variety of tickets sold by the public transit agency ACTV.
Since the fares are fixed by ACTV, you will find the same prices both at the ticket office and online.
In order to save up on transport money, we suggest you organize your schedule to make the most efficient use of your vaporetto 4.2 tickets.
Vaporetto tickets are available 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 €
Vaporetto line 4.2 tickets
Here you can purchase your vaporetto tickets commission free! Buy online and skip the line at 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€
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 4.2 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.
We’d suggest considering 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), perhaps adding a visit to the islands of the Venetian archipelago to your itinerary, 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.
- On the contrary, if your hotel is located in the historic center and you plan on walking to discover the city, taking the vaporetto only to reach the most distant parts of the city or to go back to your hotel, then a single fare ticket might be the most cost-effective choice.
Buy vaporetto line 4.2 tickets
Vaporetto line 4.2 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 4.2 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.
Buy tickets at physical ticket offices
You can buy vaporetto line 4.2 tickets in person at the ticket offices in Venice (usually located next to the platforms) or in authorized retailers in the old town (recognizable by the ACTV logo)
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, and 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.
Vaporetto line 4.2 ACTV tickets: discounts and reductions
Here are some reductions available for vaporetto Line 4.2 ACTV:
- Children under the age of 6 travel for free
- Young people between the age 6 and 26 can buy discounted 3-day tickets
- Passengers in a wheelchair can purchase discounted single-fare tickets. If accompanied, the other person does not pay.
The vaporetto line 4.2 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.
Services in the event of fog or high tide
If you visit 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.
In case water reaches 95 cm, vaporeto line 4.2 rides will be temporarily modified. For further information we advise you check the dedicated official ACTV page for up-to-date information.
From October to March, fog covering the canals is also very frequent. When visibility is under 150 m the section of the path between Bacini and Santa Marta via Giudecca canal will be temporarily suspended until suspended until visibility conditions are improved. For more details we suggest consulting the official ACTV site.
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 4.2 is completely accessible to wheelchair users and strollers.
