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Venice’s Vaporetti

1 - The city of Venice attracts many visitors every year. Its old palaces still testify to the wealth of the families who once ruled the city. Venice is made up of several islands, with canals running between them. The islands have many narrow streets that you can explore on foot. Cars are never driven here—there simply isn’t room for them. Some canals are so narrow that only small boats can pass through. Gondolas are especially popular; they are rowed by the famous gondoliers, who sometimes even sing as they go.

2 - The rest of the traffic takes place on the wider canals. The vaporetti, or water buses, travel here. They serve as public transport, like buses, trams and underground trains do for us. They offer a practical way to get around Venice. There are several routes along the main canal, the Canale Grande, and to nearby islands such as Lido, Murano and Burano. You can also take a water bus to the cemetery island of San Michele, where the city’s dead are buried.

3 - Vaporetti are an alternative to private water taxis and gondolas, as they are cheaper and run on well-known routes and schedules. Lines 1 and 2, for example, travel along the Grand Canal. There are fixed stops where passengers can get on and off. These stops float on pontoons.

4 -  The word Vaporetto actually means “little steamer”. The first boat of this kind went into service in 1881.  Today, boats of the Series 90, among others, are in operation, powered by diesel engines. They are just under 24 metres long and 4.22 metres wide. They can carry 210 passengers.  The captain is responsible for navigating and steering the Vaporetto. He ensures the safety of the vessel and its passengers. A sailor helps with docking and undocking the boat and assists passengers as they get on and off.

5 - There are currently around 160 vaporetti operating in Venice. Other boats also travel along the canals, of course. Although the city has an airport and a railway station, visitors and almost all goods ultimately reach their destinations by water. Food, rubbish and construction debris are transported by boat. The canals are always bustling with activity, which the boat operators manage with calm and skill.