Booking choice: The Venice waterbus pass. Book this Compare options below
Murano lies about 1.5 km north of Venice, across open water. The usual way to get there is the ACTV vaporetto, the public waterbus of Venice. The quickest departures leave from Fondamente Nove, on the northern edge of the historic centre, and reach Murano in about 10 minutes. There are also direct boats from Piazzale Roma and the railway station, and slower boats from San Zaccaria near St Mark's.
Once you know the lines, going to Murano on your own is simple, and you can book only what you want to do on the island, such as a factory tour or a workshop. If you prefer to have everything arranged, the guide to Murano tours compares the boat combos. To plan a day with Burano as well, read Murano or Burano.
Quick answer
From Fondamente Nove, lines 12-13 reach Murano Faro in about 9 minutes, and the boats to Murano Colonna (about 10 minutes) are lines 4.1 and 4.2. From Piazzale Roma or the railway station, line 3 'Diretto Murano' takes about 17 minutes to Colonna. You cannot walk to Murano. Line 12 continues from Murano Faro to Burano in about 25 minutes.
How far is Murano from Venice by boat?
Murano is about 1.5 km north of Venice. By vaporetto it takes about 10 minutes from Fondamente Nove, about 17 minutes from Piazzale Roma or the railway station, and just over 40 minutes from San Zaccaria.
The journey time depends on where you start. Fondamente Nove faces Murano across the lagoon, so it is the closest departure point. From the station area, line 3 runs directly to Murano. From San Zaccaria, near St Mark's, the boats go around the city and stop at Fondamente Nove and the cemetery island of San Michele on the way, so the trip is longer.
If you are staying near St Mark's, it can be quicker to walk to Fondamente Nove across the city and take a short boat from there, rather than ride the full loop from San Zaccaria.
| Starting point | Vaporetto line | Murano stop | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fondamente Nove | Lines 4.1 and 4.2 | Murano Colonna | About 10 minutes |
| Fondamente Nove | Lines 12-13 | Murano Faro | About 9 minutes |
| Piazzale Roma or Ferrovia | Line 3 'Diretto Murano' | Murano Colonna | About 17 minutes |
| San Zaccaria | Via San Michele on line 4.2. | Murano Colonna | Just over 40 minutes |
| San Zaccaria | The other direction, on line 4.1. | Murano Colonna | Nearly an hour |
Can you walk to Murano?
No. Murano is a group of islands across open lagoon water from the Fondamente Nove waterfront, so you need a boat.
There is no bridge between Venice and Murano. From Fondamente Nove you can see the island across the water, which sometimes makes visitors think it is within walking distance. You can walk to Fondamente Nove from most parts of the historic centre, and from there the vaporetto takes about 10 minutes.
Once you arrive, Murano itself is easy to explore on foot. Its seven islands are linked by bridges over eight channels, and the main sights are a short walk apart.
Which stop is best for Murano?
Murano Colonna is the first stop from Venice and is near many furnaces. Use Museo for the Glass Museum, Faro for line 12 to Burano, and Da Mula, Museo or Venier for specific tours and workshops.
- Murano Colonna: the first stop coming from Venice, close to many glass furnaces. A good start for a first walk.
- Murano Faro: by the lighthouse. Line 12 continues from here to Burano.
- Murano Museo: next to the Museo del Vetro and close to Santi Maria e Donato.
- Murano Da Mula: a few steps from the gallery where the in-depth factory tour meets.
- Murano Venier and Museo: the nearest stops for the bead-making workshop, served by lines 3, 7, 4.1 and 4.2.
- Murano Navagero: another stop on the island.
Because the stops are close together, you can arrive at one and leave from another.
One pass for every vaporetto ride of your stay, including Murano, Burano and Torcello, from 24 hours to 7 days.
Book thisHow do you get from Murano to Burano?
Take line 12 from Murano Faro. It reaches Burano in about 25 minutes and runs roughly every 30 minutes.
Line 12 runs from Fondamente Nove to Murano Faro, then on to Mazzorbo, Torcello, Burano, Treporti and Punta Sabbioni. It runs roughly every 30 minutes. From Murano Faro to Burano takes about 25 minutes, and from Fondamente Nove to Burano about 45 minutes. Line 9 links Burano and Torcello.
Because Murano is on the way, it makes sense to visit it first and then continue to Burano. The Murano or Burano guide explains the differences between the two islands.
Can you go to Murano and Burano on your own?
Yes. With the vaporetto you can visit both islands without a tour: Fondamente Nove to Murano, line 12 from Murano Faro to Burano, and line 12 back to Fondamente Nove.
A simple plan is to take a morning boat from Fondamente Nove to Murano, spend two to three hours there, then walk to Murano Faro and take line 12 to Burano. After a few hours on Burano, line 12 brings you back to Fondamente Nove in about 45 minutes. This gives you full control over your time on each island.
On your own, you can also book just the experiences you cannot do alone, such as the in-depth factory tour, the glassblowing workshop or a Glass Museum ticket. A guided boat tour does the planning for you, but gives less time on Murano.
A Venezia Unica pass valid on the vaporetto to Murano, Burano, Torcello and the Lido, plus mainland buses in Mestre and Marghera.
Book thisHow does the waterbus pass work?
The Venezia Unica waterbus pass covers the vaporetto for 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours or 7 days. You must convert the voucher at a Venezia Unica ticket machine with the PNR code before boarding.
The Venice waterbus and mainland bus pass is valid on the vaporetto network, including Venice, the Lido, Murano, Burano and Torcello, and on mainland buses in Mestre and Marghera. The voucher is not a ticket by itself. Before your first ride, use the PNR code at a Venezia Unica ticket machine to get your travel card, then board.
The listing states the pass is non-refundable, so choose the length that matches your stay. A pass is useful if you plan several boat trips in a day, for example to Murano, Burano and back. For a single short ride, check the current fare at the ticket machine.
Is there a water taxi to Murano, and how much does it cost?
Yes. Private water taxis go to Murano and are faster and more flexible than the vaporetto, but they cost far more. Ask for the fare before you board.
A water taxi takes you directly from your hotel or a jetty to Murano, which can be convenient for a group, for travellers with heavy bags or for a tight schedule. It is the most expensive way to reach the island. The Murano private guided tour includes a water taxi from San Marco and back as part of the experience.
Alilaguna boats from the airport also serve Murano stops, which can be useful if you plan to stay on the island.
A water taxi from San Marco to Murano and back, with a private guide, a glass factory visit and the Church of San Donato.
Book thisShould you accept a free boat to a glass factory?
Be careful. Touts sometimes offer free boat trips to a glass factory, but these trips come with high-pressure selling once you arrive.
Near St Mark's, people may approach visitors with an offer of a free boat ride to Murano to see a glass factory. The ride costs nothing because the aim is to sell glass when you arrive. Many visitors find the experience uncomfortable. A public vaporetto or a tour with a clear listing gives you more freedom to decide where to go and what to buy.
Also note that the 2026 Venice Access Fee applies to the historic centre on designated days, not to the islands. Murano, Burano, Torcello and the Lido are exempt.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the boat ride to Murano?
About 9 minutes from Fondamente Nove to Murano Faro on lines 12-13, about 10 minutes to Murano Colonna, and about 17 minutes on line 3 from Piazzale Roma or the railway station.
Do I need to pay the Venice Access Fee to visit Murano?
No. The 2026 fee applies to the historic centre of Venice on designated days. The lagoon islands, including Murano and Burano, are exempt.
Can I get to Murano from the airport?
Yes. Alilaguna airport boats serve Murano stops. A private water taxi is another option, at a much higher cost.
Is the waterbus pass refundable?
No. The listing states the pass is non-refundable.
Ready to book
Choose your tour
Booked on GetYourGuide; each listing states its own cancellation terms.
Venice Waterbus Pass, 24 Hours to 7 Days
Murano on your own terms: the pass covers the vaporetto to Murano, Burano, Torcello and the Lido, plus the mainland buses. Convert the voucher at a Venezia Unica ticket machine with your booking code before you board.
In-Depth Glass Factory Guided Tour
The batch room, the hot shop and the cold shop of a working factory, step by step; the listing says there is no obligation to buy
Murano Island & Glass Factory Private Tour
- Water taxi from San Marco to Murano and back
- Glass factory entry with a guide and a glassmaking demonstration
- Guided tour of Murano or free time, depending on the option
