The ACTV is Venice's public transportation system. At the airport we were able to purchase our…read morepasses from their machines. We decided to get the daily passes (48€/2 day pass) because we thought we would be using them to travel around a lot. In retrospect this was a mistake and we would have saved money just getting the ticket into town and the ticket to the train station. This was the most I paid for public transportation in any of the European cities for the least amount of time I spent in the city. To add insult to injury, the Vaporetto, or the waterbus, were crowded and at times barely admitted any new passengers on at the stop. At our stop we waited for over an hour to get onto a waterbus. It delayed our plans and set back everything for our time in Venice. On the day we left, we saw some other people who were first in line be denied getting on the boat if they have luggage. The rules are so inconsistent with no rhyme or reason. If you find yourself depending on these vaporetto during your visit, make sure to leave ample time for cushion so you don't get stranded or miss a flight or the train. Honestly you might be better off walking. Because driving is not an option -- there are no cars on the Venice islands.

We purchased a 3 day ticket on the ACTV website. Note that there are 3rd party sellers, so careful…read morewhen buying, because we saw one for 50€ that included taxi and restaurant discounts, that wasn't sold by ACTV. The pass can be used in land and on the island. Once we received the email we walked up to a Kiosk to figure out how to redeem it. The QR code that was included in the email did not work. We had to type in the confirmation code. Once the screen prompted the tickets. We selected and printed them out without issues. If you're on the island there's actual customer service kiosk you could go to and speak to someone. We were able to use the card to take the bus, and Vaporetto. We did not get a chance to use the Lido. Google Maps is super helpful, but I would strongly suggest looking at the screen, and map that is near each pickup location. We boarded one of the buses at 11:30pm, which ended up taking us 2 cities away from Venice, and was one stop away from calling it a night. They don't loop back to where they picked you up. Since the bus did not run again until 4:30am. We had to take an uber black back to Mestre. Expensive lesson learned. When you board a bus, or get ready to enter the vaporetto line. Scan the card without having your finger or hand over it. I made the mistake of doing that a few times and so it took a couple tries before it actually scanned. As for riding on the bus and/or vaporetto. It can get PACKED. Depending on the stop and time. If you're the first on the bus. You'll find a seat, but they have the AC off so it's HOT. Depending on time of the year of course. If you're one of the last to board. Expect to stand and hold on to something. It's definitely a cheaper way to get around, but if you're looking for comfort and space. Book a taxi, or water taxi to get around instead.

One of the reasons Venice is so magical is the fact that it's surrounded by water…read more In a city with canals in place of roads, it only makes sense that public transportation consists of watercraft. This vaporetto means "little steamer," after the city's original system of steam-powered motorboats, and takes visitors along the main canals, to the outer islands, and around the lagoon. Although often crowded, it's by far the least expensive way to get around (other than walking). Tickets are one price, regardless of the length of the journey. Last Sunday, my partner, our friends, family members, and I used this transport to take us to the island of Murano. The travel agency has given 2-day tickets for us. However, the rudeness of the staff, especially on Murano, who think that the Venetian dialect is the world language, and the difficulty in understanding which line to take to go where one wants. Utterly overcrowded to the point of being dangerous. We managed to get where we wanted, but the maps were very difficult to interpret. Too bad there is no alternative.

The main means of public transport in Venice is the vaporetto. There are numerous lines in all…read moredirections, so first remember which line your hotel is close to and whether you are going to or back from your hotel. The operators are mostly helpful so ask before getting on the boat. Don't worry if you get on the wrong one! There are a lot of stops and they tend to arrive every 10 minutes or so. It is way more economical and practical to buy multi day passes if you are staying more than a day. You will be jumping on and off them multiple tines per day. On board, you can only buy a day pass. For multi day pass go to a ticket office. A single trip ticket is 9.5 euros, day pass 25 euros, 2 day pass 35 euros and 3 day pass is 45 euros. For the airport, you need Alilaguna which requires a different kind of ticket, 18 euros per person. Water taxies and gondolas are pretty expensive, more than 100 euros.

Great views and about a 20-25min ride around the canals. The only thing that could've made this…read moreride better is music

We had tickets to airport. And the tickets have no precise location where we need to wait the bus…read more So, the bus was in the back of parking lot of bus station. When we found the bus the driver refused to take us because it was already time to depart. Bastards.

The ATVO bus from Marco Polo Airport to Piazzale Roma was quick and convenient. And since our hotel…read morewas within walking distance from Piazzale Roma, the ATVO bus was the best option for us opposed to the water bus. Purchasing the ATVO tickets was an easy process once we got off the plane at Marco Polo. We saw the ATVO kiosk in the baggage claim area and told the sales rep we needed two tickets to Piazzale Roma. When he gave us the tickets, he told us where to find the bus once we got outside. Easy and painless. The ride took about 15 minutes from the airport to Piazzale Roma. I think ATVO would be deserving of five stars, but I have to dock a star because of the windows and the heat. The outside windows of the bus are covered with advertisements, so I couldn't really see much when looking outside the window. When you're a first-time visitor to Venice like I was, you want to look out the window! Also, I'm a person who is always, ALWAYS cold, but I found the ATVO bus to be uncomfortably warm. Perhaps I rode the ATVO bus on an off day. If and when I return to Venice, I will plan on using the ATVO bus again!