Venice to Murano & Burano: Taking the Vaporetto Ferry to the Islands
Even if you’re not interested in glassmaking or fine Italian lace, it’s worth taking a water taxi (called the Vaporetto) from Venice to visit the islands of Murano and Burano.
They actually refer to the public ferries in Venice as “water buses.”
The boat ride across the lagoon from Venice is scenic, and very easy to navigate for tourists!
Plus, with the cost of a single Euro per ride, the Venice ferry system might be the best deal in Italy!
Key Info on Visiting the Islands
- The Vaporetto water taxi is only 1Euro each way!
- The ferries run a couple of times an hour.
- Murano is closer to Venice, only a 15-minute ride.
- Burano is about 40 minutes on the ferry.
Tour Murano & Burano from Venice
If you’re looking for a private water taxi, or a guide to give you more of the history of the islands, these two options have excellent reviews:
How to Take the Vaporetto Water Taxi to Murano
I’ve been on ferries and water taxi systems across the US and Europe, and the Venice Vaporetto ranks among the easiest to use.
Plug your destination into Google Maps, and it’ll tell you which ferry line to take across the lagoon to Murano, or the other islands off Venice.
Departing Venice for Murano
Most of the time for Murano and Burano, you’ll be departing from Fondamente Nova, a series of floating docks on the north side of Venice. It’s a short walk from St. Mark’s Square, and referred to as “F.te Nove” on signage.
The docks will be labeled “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D.” Each will have a billboard, telling you where the boats will be heading.
Paying for Your Ticket
There is no ticket!
Subway and Metro systems around the world have upgraded to a credit card (or Apple Pay on your phone) tap system. The Venice Vaporetto water taxis have done the same. Simply tap your card (or phone), and you’re beeped in.
The cost is 1 Euro per boat ride. That’s why I say: the Venice Vaporetto might be the best deal in Italy!
The whole system is “on your honor” these days. No one really checks your admission payment.
The Ferry Ride to Murano
You’ll be waiting on the floating dock for your ferry to arrive. Often, a rep from the ferry company will announce the boat’s destination.
From Venice, it’s about a 25-minute ride to Murano.
Returning to Venice
You’ll follow the same procedure. Check departure times on Google Maps, head to the floating dock, tap your card for entry, and wait for your boat ride back to Venice.
A sunset ride back to Venice is beautiful!
How to Take the Vaporetto Water Taxi to Burano
The steps are the same as they are for Murano. Type your destination into Google Maps, and it’ll tell you which ferry line to take across the lagoon to Burano.
Departing Venice for Burano
You’ll likely be departing from Fondamente Nova, seen as “F.te Nove” on signs.
Check the billboards to find the right departure dock.
Paying for Your Ticket
Tap your credit card to pay your 1 Euro fee to enter. Again, there’s no ticket, and no one has ever checked to see if I’ve paid for my ride.
The Ferry Ride to Burano
From Venice, it’s about a 40-minute ride to Burano.
Video: Venice to Murano & Burano
Venice to Murano: What to Expect on the Island
Murano is best known as the center of Venetian glassmaking, a tradition that dates back to the 13th century.
Walking around, you’ll find canals lined with stores and restaurants, plus historic workshops and museums dedicated to glass art.
The restaurants and cafes on Murano proudly feature locally-made glassware, which you can purchase in countless stores on Murano.
Some locals will say the glassblowing demonstrations are all for show… but as a tourist, they’re impressive to check out!
Venice to Burano: What to Expect on the Island
Burano is famous for its brightly colored houses, which line canals throughout the small island.
The colors were traditionally used to help fishermen find their homes in foggy weather, and today they make Burano one of the most photographed places in the lagoon. I’ve been told: people *have* to paint their homes every couple of years to maintain the bright colors.
Beyond the visuals, Burano has a relaxed, local feel. It’s known for seafood restaurants and traditional lace-making, and it’s a great place to slow down, wander, and enjoy lunch before heading back to Venice.
It’s crowded in the summer, and slow in the winter. Still, most of the restaurants and stores remain open, and a big Christmas tree stands in one of the town squares.
a Full Day From Venice to the Islands in the Lagoon
In the busy summer months, I’d suggest departing early to make a loop from Venice to Murano, Burano, and Mazzorbo.
Murano is very close, so it’s the most crowded of the islands. I’d head there first to walk around, check out the glass, maybe browse a museum and watch a demonstration.
From Murano, you can take a ferry up to Burano. It’s a 30-minute boat ride, and the ferry will stop along the way at Torcello and Mazzorbo before reaching Burano.
Spend some time on Burano, then walk the bridge to Mazzorbo.
Mazzorbo is a smaller, quieter island with just a couple of restaurants.
Have dinner there, before catching the water taxi back to Venice. It’ll likely make a stop at Murano on your way back.
Of course, you can do this in reverse, too. I only suggest starting in Murano because it gets more crowded.
The Best Times to Visit Murano and Burano
I’ve been to Murano and Burano in both the summertime and winter, and can honestly say: they’re great to visit any time of year. Here’s a brief breakdown by season:
Spring (March – May)
- Mild, with highs from the mid-50s to low-70s °F by May.
- Expect typical spring showers.
Summer (June – August)
- It gets hot and humid, with highs in the mid-80s °F.
- Storms are usually brief.
Fall (September – November)
- Mild to cool by November, with highs from the upper-70s down to the low-50s °F.
- Rain increases to about 3+ inches per month in the fall.
Winter (December – February)
- Cool and quiet, with highs in the 40s and 50s °F.
- Rainfall is minimal, but fog is common.
Wrap: Are Murano and Burano Worth Visiting from Venice?
Yes, a trip to the islands is “a must” on your Venice itinerary for many reasons, including:
- Easy lagoon escape: Both islands are close to Venice and simple to visit in a half or full day.
- Two distinct experiences: Murano’s glassmaking history pairs well with Burano’s colorful streets and canals.
- Highly visual stops: Great photography opportunities!
- Flexible timing: Spend 30 minutes or the whole day. The ferries run constantly.
If you’re in northern Italy, it’s also going from Venice to Verona, and taking another day trip to Treviso.
From Florence, I’d suggest taking a day trip to San Gimignano or Pisa.
From Rome, I’d suggest day trips to Orvieto and Assisi (or both).
