Worldwide known for its colorful glass-making tradition, Murano ranks among the most-visited locations in Italy. Located northeast of Venice and with a population of 5,000, the island is a must-see for people visiting this side of Italy. Murano consists of seven islands interconnected with bridges, has a miniature yet picturesque Grand Canal, and is easy to reach. So, in this guide, you’ll learn how to get to Murano from Venice.
As you will read in the following lines, you have plenty of options for reaching Murano. As I already wrote, Murano is popular among tourists, so don’t expect an off-the-beaten-path destination. Outside of the winter months, you should expect loads of people visiting the island. Therefore, the comfort level while traveling between Murano and Venice depends on your budget.
So, let’s figure out how to travel to Murano from Venice and explain every available option.
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How to get to Murano from Venice: every option explained
There are four different ways to travel between Venice and Murano: by Vaporetto, shared water taxi, private water taxi, and organized tours. The latter usually includes on-site guided tours and visits to places of interest. So, let’s break down every option and see how you can easily reach the Glass Island of Venice.
To Murano by Vaporetto
The most affordable way to get to Murano from Venice is by taking the Vaporetto. Venice’s public water buses are an excellent way to reach the island, and plenty of lines operate the route. That’s how I traveled to Murano, and the only downside is that the waterbuses are packed even in shoulder months.
The travel time to Murano by Vaporetto will largely depend on your starting point. The shortest way to reach the stunning Glass Island is to depart from Fondamente Nove, and you should calculate approximately 15 minutes. However, since Fondamente Nove lies slightly off the main sightseeing spots of Venice, most people depart to Murano from San Marco.
The Vaporetto lines from Venice to Murano
Here are the Vaporetto lines you can use for your Murano visit.
Line 3. If you arrive at Piazzale Roma (the bus station) or Santa Lucia (the train station), the Vaporetto No. 3 is your best option. It travels directly to Murano, and the ride won’t take more than 20 minutes.
Lines 4.1 and 4.2. These two lines are the most common when it comes to getting to Murano from Venice. Lines 4.1 and 4.2 circumnavigate Venice, and the downside is longer travel times. However, if your starting point is San Marco, embarking on these Vaporettos is a great option. From San Marco, travel times are approximately 50 minutes, and the distance covered by 4.1 and 4.2 is more or less the same.
Line 7. That’s an express line connecting San Marco and Murano. However, the Vaporettos don’t operate that frequently, and they offer the service for a few hours during the day.
Line 12. The Vaporetto No. 12 feels like an express water bus to Murano and Burano. It departs from Fondamente Nove and reaches Murano in just 12 minutes.
Line 13. Finally, Vaporetto No. 13 travels once per hour from Fondamente Nove to Murano before continuing to the rarely-visited islands of Saint Erasmo and Vignole. I wouldn’t count that much to this line; it’s better to choose line 12 instead.
Apart from No. 13, all other Vaporettos run from Venice to Murano and back every 20 or 30 minutes.
Vaporetto to Murano Note: The Blue Line
The Blue Line of Vaporetto from Marco Polo Airport stops also at Murano. However, this route is operated by another company (Alilaguna), and you’ll need a separate ticket. Unless your accommodation is in Murano, do not consider it as an option for getting to the island.
How much does it cost to visit Murano from Venice by Vaporetto?
The regular Vaporetto tickets are valid for your journey to Murano. It currently costs 9,50 euros one way, and it’s valid for 75 minutes; therefore, it’ll cost you 19 euros to travel back and forth.
However, since most people choose to continue to Burano after spending some time in Murano, the cost will be 38 euros. If that’s what you plan to do, it’s better to buy a Vaporetto pass for 24 hours, which costs 25 euros. Apparently, if you plan to use public waterbuses throughout your stay in Venice, the best option is to purchase a Vaporetto pass for the entire length of your stay.
I pre-booked a Vaporetto pass and used it several times per day. You can see and buy the Vaporetto pass prices here.
For more info, you can read my comprehensive Vaporetto guide here.
To Murano by guided tour
If you’re not up for the Vaporettos but are willing to spend some extra cash, guided tours to Murano are the best option. Apart from traveling with a nice boat toward the island, you will also get a guided tour of Murano. Most of these tours offer walks around the island and visits to local glassmakers to see how the iconic glasses are created.
In addition, since Murano and Burano are easily combined on a day trip, several operators offer tours to both islands. If you’d rather have someone showing you around the islands, that’s by far the best option, and usually, the prices are reasonable. Below, you’ll find the best tours to Murano, and some also include visits to Burano.
The best tours to Murano (and Burano)
So, here you will find the best tours to Murano, accompanied by their duration and prices.
Murano Island and Glass Factory private tour. This small group tour will take you to Murano by private boat. There, you’ll enjoy a private walking tour and a visit to a glass factory. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and costs 35 euros per person. You can book this private tour here.
Murano and Burano Boat tour. In this tour, you will visit both islands. The tour also includes demonstrations of glassblowing in Murano and lace-making in Burano. Additionally, you have the option to book it as a shared tour (therefore, much cheaper) or as a private tour. The tour lasts 5 hours, and prices start from 42 euros per person. You can book this combo tour here.
Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Finally, that’s the best tour if you want to see all three islands, including the overlooked yet picturesque Torcello. As with the previous tours, a visit to a glass factory in Murano is also included. What makes the tour stand out from the rest is definitely its price: it costs 30 euros per person and lasts more than 7 hours. You can book the three-island tour here.
To Murano by water taxi (shared or private)
If you’re not up for traveling on a crowded water bus and can afford the slightly elevated cost, you can always book a water taxi.
The advantage of Venetian water taxis is that they can pick you up from your accommodation -well, from the closest canal- and bring you directly to your destination. It’s a significantly faster way of transportation that comes with a slightly elevated cost. As its name suggests, you’ll travel toward Murano on board a private water taxi. The price is 80 euros for up to 4 people, and there’s a surcharge of 10-20 euros for each additional traveler, depending on the company.
In my opinion, visiting Murano by water taxi only makes sense for larger groups of people. Apparently, you can share the water taxi with others, but you should be the one organizing the group. That said, don’t expect the water taxi driver to form a group. Lastly, you’ll need another 80 euros for the way back.
Summary of traveling between Venice and Murano
So, here is how you can get to Murano from Venice.
- The Vaporetto, which costs 9,50 euros one way. That’s the most affordable option.
- A guided tour. It costs between 30 and 50 euros, depending on the itinerary. That’s the best option if you want to have a guide showing you around.
- A water taxi, shared or private. That’s the fastest yet priciest option, ideal if you’re in a rush.
How to get from Venice to Murano: Conclusion
Murano Island is one of the must-see locations for your Venetian journey. Its long glassmaking tradition, paired with the colorful local architecture, makes it a fantastic destination. It’s not a surprise that lots of travelers decide to stay there during their holiday in Venice. Its proximity to the city, the laid-back atmosphere of the island, and the absence of crowds after the daytrippers return to Venice make Murano an unbeatable place to see.
As I wrote earlier in this article, I traveled to Murano by Vaporetto. Unless your time in Venice is limited and thus a guided tour makes sense, the Vaporetto is the best way to get to Murano from Venice and reach every place in the Venetian lagoon. That said, the best investment you can make for your journey to the Serenissima is to book a Vaporetto pass and immerse yourself in the local way of life.
Therefore, add Murano to your bucket list and visit it as part of your Venice experience. Don’t forget to include a visit to a glass factory to see live how the famous Murano glasses are made. The small island will have an impact on you, and its traditional glassmaking techniques will fascinate you.
More about Venice: How to book a Venice gondola, Marco Polo Airport to Venice, Venice Biennale, Lido Guide, Burano Guide
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Last Updated on February 10, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos