Unlock the magic of Venice with the perfect city pass! Explore top attractions, skip the lines, and save money with our comprehensive guide to Venice’s tourist cards.
Destination Venice
Ah, Venice! The city of canals, gondolas, and timeless romance. Whether you’re wandering through the narrow alleyways, marveling at the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica, or enjoying a gelato by the Rialto Bridge, Venice never fails to enchant. But with so much to see and do, how can you make the most of your visit? Enter the world of city passes and tourist maps with our useful tips!
Which City Passes for Venice Are Available?
Venice offers a range of city passes to make your sightseeing adventure seamless and budget-friendly:
Waterbus Pass
The historic center of Venice is built on over 100 islands and the main transportation routes are the more than 170 canals. The winding alleys of the islands are connected by more than 400 bridges. To capture the soul of this once mighty trading city, you need to see it and its magnificent palaces from the water. A simple and inexpensive solution is to take the scheduled boats that connect the parking lot at Piazzale Roma and the train station with St. Mark’s Square and the islands of the lagoon. The name “vaporetto” (vapore = steam) goes back to the days of steamboats.
Line 1 runs through the Grand Canal to St. Mark’s Square, Line 2 runs through the Grand Canal to the Rialto Bridge and is only extended to St. Mark’s Square during the season. In the other direction, line 2 runs west past the city center, stopping at Giudecca Island before reaching St. Mark’s Square. For more than two trips on the vaporetto, a 24-hour pass is recommended.
St. Mark’s Square Passes
St. Mark’s Square is the largest square in the heart of Venice and the main destination for day tourists. The most famous buildings on the square are St. Mark’s Basilica with its bell tower and the Doge’s Palace, which housed the government and courts of the Republic of Venice. To visit the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace you should plan two hours each. To avoid long queues, reserve your entrance time in advance.
All reservations are included
Completely free time management without a time limit
Time-saving booking with all reservations at a glance
Immediate delivery online
Priority access to the reserved time
10% discount on further bookings
For the Venice Pass:
Audio guide for the smartphone is included
Gondola ride or boat trip to Murano and Burano
Venice Discovery Pass
The ideal pass for air travelers planning a multi-day stay in Venice. In addition to the airport transfer and vaporetto ticket, it includes the Doge’s Palace and the Chorus Pass with free admission to 15 churches.
Airport Transfer
Vaporetto ticket
Reserved priority entrance to the Doge’s Palace
Chorus Pass
Audio guide for smartphone included
10% discount on further bookings
St. Mark’s Basilica and Bell Tower not included
Venice Museum Pass and Chorus Pass
Perfect for art and history lovers who want to immerse themselves in Venice’s rich cultural heritage. Includes admission to all Civic Museums, including the Doge’s Palace, the Correr Museum and 15 churches.
Unlimited access to top museums, no need to buy separate tickets
St. Mark’s Basilica and Bell Tower not included
The reservation for the Doge’s Palace is not included
Venice Turbopass
The Turbopass is available with a validity of 1-5 days. It includes entrance to the museums in St. Mark’s Square with priority entry to the Doge’s Palace, free entry to the 15 churches of the Chorus Pass, a gondola ride, a boat trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello and a guided tour of the Teatro La Fenice.
Priority entrance to the Doge’s Palace
Optional visit to St. Mark’s Basilica
Vaporetti not included
Venice Access Fee
On some days during the high season, there is an entrance fee to the historic center of Venice. The fee is charged to day visitors who are not staying in an accommodation in Venice. The fee is charged at Easter and on weekends from May to July and is not included in the City Passes.
If you wish to visit the historic center of Venice on these days, you must register on the website https://cda.ve.it/ and either indicate where you are staying in the Venice area or pay the fee. If you register at least 4 days before arrival, you will receive a 50% discount.
The Venice City Passes are ideal for
Day Tourists: Day-trippers should consider at least one trip on the public waterbuses. To visit the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica, the St. Mark’s Square passes are essential to avoid the long queues.
Art lovers: If you are passionate about art and culture, the Museum Pass and the Chorus Pass are a must. They offer quick access to the city’s museums and 15 churches.
Connoisseurs: The Discovery Pass and the Turbo Pass offer extensive services such as a gondola ride or a boat tour to Murano and Burano in addition to the main sights.
Choosing the right city pass can make your Venetian adventure smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re a first-time visitor, a history buff, or a young explorer, there’s a pass that fits your needs. So grab your pass, hop on a vaporetto, and let Venice’s magic unfold before your eyes!