Vaporetto Line 4.1 / 4.2 in Venice: The Complete Guide 🔄🚤
While Lines 1 and 2 cut straight through the heart of Venice along the Grand Canal, Lines 4.1 and 4.2 take a completely different approach: they circle the city like a watery ring road, linking the historic center to outer islands, the hospital, and everyday neighborhoods most tourists never see.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how these two “twin” lines work, which stops are worth your time, and how to turn this ride into one of the most rewarding (and least crowded) experiences on the Venice lagoon. ✨
Most visitors discover Venice through the Grand Canal, and understandably so – it‘s the postcard view everyone comes for. But once you’ve seen it, Line 4 offers something different: a working transport route used daily by hospital staff, Murano glassblowers commuting to their workshops, and residents of Cannaregio and Castello simply getting on with their lives. Riding it end to end is less a sightseeing checklist and more a window into how the city actually functions behind the tourist trail.
What Is a “Giracittà” Line, Exactly?
Line 4.1/4.2 belongs to a family of ACTV routes called Linee Giracittà (“go-around-the-city” lines), which also includes Lines 3, 5.1, 5.2, and 6. While the Centrocittà lines (1 and 2) cut through the Grand Canal, the Giracittà lines trace the outer edge of Venice, linking the center to Murano, the Giudecca, and the Lido. Line 5.1/5.2 works the same way but leans toward the Lido; Line 4.1/4.2 is built around Murano and the hospital.
The boats used are also often the smaller, black-and-white “motoscafi,” which is part of why the ride feels a bit more intimate than Lines 1 and 2.
4.1 vs 4.2: The Secret of the Circular Lines
The first thing to understand is that Lines 4.1 and 4.2 are circular routes – but they run in opposite directions around the same loop.
| Line 4.1 | Line 4.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Counter-clockwise | Clockwise |
| Route | Circular loop around Venice + Murano | Circular loop around Venice + Murano |
| Key stops | Fondamente Nove, Cimitero, Murano | Murano, Cimitero, Fondamente Nove |
| Key stops | Giardini, San Zaccaria, Giudecca | Giudecca, San Zaccaria, Giardini |
| Connection point | Ferrovia platform “C” (toward F. Nove/Murano) | Ferrovia platform “D” (toward Giudecca/San Marco) |
| Full loop duration | About 1h20 | About 1h20 |
| Frequency | Roughly every 20 minutes | Roughly every 20 minutes |
| Accessibility | Excellent (wide boats) | Excellent (wide boats) |
| Best for | Fast access to the hospital and Murano | Fast access to the Giudecca |
Why does this matter? If you’re at San Marco and want to reach Murano, Line 4.1 gets you there faster, since it heads directly toward the hospital and Fondamente Nove. But if you’re at the train station and want to loop around toward San Marco via the Giudecca, Line 4.2 is your line.
Line 4.1 / 4.2 Timetable
Both lines run daily from around 6:00 a.m. until shortly before midnight, after which the night service, Line N, takes over on a similar (though not identical) route. During the day, boats depart roughly every 20 minutes in each direction, which in practice means a wait of no more than 15–20 minutes at any stop along the loop.
| Time of day | Approximate frequency |
|---|---|
| Early morning (6:00–8:00) | Every 20–30 minutes |
| Daytime (8:00–20:00) | Every 20 minutes |
| Evening (20:00–23:30) | Every 20–30 minutes |
| Night (23:30–6:00) | Replaced by Line N, every 30–40 minutes |
Because Line 4.1 and Line 4.2 share most of their stops, you’ll often see boats from both lines arriving close together at the same pontoon – always check the electronic board or the boat’s front display, since 4.1 and 4.2 are not interchangeable if you’re trying to reach a specific destination efficiently.
For the most accurate, up-to-the-minute departures, the AVM Venezia app is by far the best tool: it shows real-time boat positions, live timetables, and lets you buy and validate your ticket directly from your phone.
Tickets: What You Need to Know
Line 4.1 and 4.2 are regular urban ACTV lines, which means the standard Venice public transport tickets are fully valid on them – there’s no special fare or supplement to worry about.
In short: if you already have a vaporetto ticket or pass for Venice, you’re covered for Line 4 – no separate purchase needed.
| Vaporetto | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| 75-Minute | 12.00 € | Book Online |
| 24-Hour | 23.50 € | Book Online |
| 48-Hour | 40.00 € | Book Online |
| 72-Hour | 50.00 € | Book Online |
| 7-Day | 70.00 € | Book Online |
| + Murano + Burano | 37.00 € | Book Online |
| + Shuttle | 24.00 € | Book Online |
| + Water Taxi | 51.00 € | Book Online |
| + Ca’ Pesaro | 27.00 € | Book Online |
Who Should Take Line 4?
Line 4.1/4.2 isn’t for everyone – but for the right traveler, it’s one of the best value experiences in Venice.
ℹ️ First-time visitors chasing a quick photo op are usually better off on Line 1 or 2 down the Grand Canal, since Line 4 skips the postcard views of Rialto and the Doge’s Palace entirely.
ℹ️ Repeat visitors and slow travelers, on the other hand, will love it. If you’ve already “done” San Marco and the Grand Canal, this loop shows you the Venice that locals actually use: the hospital, the cemetery, working boats, and quiet residential edges of the lagoon.
ℹ️ Anyone heading to Murano should seriously consider Line 4 over the more crowded direct lines, since it drops you at multiple points around the island (Colonna, Faro, Museo) rather than just one.
ℹ️ Photographers and anyone who enjoys open water will appreciate the long stretch between Fondamente Nove and Murano, where the city disappears behind you and the lagoon opens up – one of the few moments in Venice where you get real horizon and sky.
ℹ️ Travelers with reduced mobility or families with strollers benefit from the wider, more modern boats typically used on the circular lines, with flat, stable boarding at most stops.
ℹ️ Budget-conscious sightseers can effectively turn Line 4 into a cheap mini-cruise: since it’s covered by any standard vaporetto ticket or pass, riding the full loop costs nothing extra and takes you past the hospital, the Arsenale, the Giudecca (on 4.2), and Murano in about an hour and a half.
ℹ️ If your priority is ticking off San Marco and the Rialto Bridge in one afternoon, skip Line 4. If you want to understand how Venice actually functions day to day – or you’re heading to Murano and want to see more than one stop on the island – this is the line to take.
Strategic Stops Along the Loop
These lines serve a long string of stops, offering a real slice of “Venice off the beaten path.”
Piazzale Roma & Ferrovia (The Hubs)
The starting and ending point for most travelers. Ideal if you’re staying in Cannaregio or Castello and want to reach Murano or the hospital without fighting the crowds on the Grand Canal.
San Michele (Cemetery Island)
Served by both 4.1 and 4.2. Venice’s cemetery island, with its red brick walls and dark cypress trees, is a place of quiet, melancholic beauty – a stop that invites reflection rather than rushing through.
Murano (Colonna, Faro, Museo, Navagero)
Served by both lines. This is the perfect route for exploring Murano properly, and one of the main reasons to take Line 4 in the first place. Get off at Murano Colonna for glassblowing demonstrations, Murano Faro for connections toward Burano, or Murano Museo for the Glass Museum and the Basilica of Santi Maria e Donato. For a full breakdown of the island’s stops, sights, and history, see our complete guide to getting to Murano.
Fondamenta Nove (Gateway to the Islands)
Served by both lines. This is the departure point for the more distant islands of Burano and Torcello (via Line 12). It’s also an authentic, far less touristy corner of Cannaregio.
Ospedale (The Hospital)
Served by both lines. Venice’s hospital occupies a former monastery, and the vaporetto actually enters a small internal canal to reach the dock – a genuinely unique experience you won’t find on any other line.
Giardini / Arsenale
Served by both lines. Home to the historic Arsenale shipyards and the Giardini, the public gardens that host the Venice Art and Architecture Biennale.
San Giorgio Maggiore
Only on Line 4.2, via the Giudecca. Palladio’s island-basilica offers a rare view back toward San Marco from the water, a highlight if you’re riding the clockwise route.
A Ride Worth Photographing
Because Lines 4.1 and 4.2 spend long stretches out on open water rather than squeezed between palazzo walls, they’re some of the best vaporetto routes in Venice for photography – and for simply sitting back and watching the lagoon go by.
Accessibility
Lines 4.1 and 4.2 are generally considered among the more comfortable vaporetto routes for travelers with reduced mobility. The circular lines tend to use newer, wider boats, and most of the pontoons along the route are modern, flat, and stable, with crew members accustomed to assisting passengers with wheelchairs or strollers. Interior space is typically more generous than on the boats used for the Grand Canal lines, making it easier to move around or store luggage during the ride.
Practical Tips for Riding Line 4.1 and 4.2
In Summary: Your Circular Companion
Lines 4.1 and 4.2 are your best allies for discovering the more authentic side of Venice – its islands, its quieter neighborhoods, and the everyday rhythm of the lagoon. They give you a complete panorama of the city without ever fighting the crowds of the Grand Canal.
Getting comfortable with these two lines means unlocking a level of freedom most visitors never experience, and a genuine immersion into the working heart of Venice.
Does Line 4 go down the Grand Canal?
From Ferrovia or Piazzale Roma, take 4.2 — it's the shorter route via the north of the city. From San Marco (San Zaccaria), take 4.1 — it heads there more directly via the hospital and Fondamente Nove.
Which one should I take to get to Murano?
From Ferrovia or Piazzale Roma, take 4.2 — it's the shorter route via the north of the city. From San Marco (San Zaccaria), take 4.1 — it heads there more directly via the hospital and Fondamente Nove.
Is a standard vaporetto ticket valid on Line 4?
Yes. Line 4.1/4.2 is a regular ACTV urban line, so any single-ride ticket or multi-day pass covers it - no extra fare needed.
How long does a full loop take?
Around 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the direction and time of day.
Does Line 4 stop at the cemetery island of San Michele?
Yes, both 4.1 and 4.2 stop there — it's one of the easiest ways to visit this quiet, atmospheric island.
Are the boats wheelchair and stroller accessible?
Yes. The circular lines typically use wider, more modern boats with flat, stable boarding.
Where's the best spot on board for photos?
The open rear deck, especially between Fondamente Nove and Murano, where the boat crosses open lagoon with wide views of the water and sky.
Does Line 4 serve the Venice hospital?
Yes — it's the main line for the "Ospedale" stop, and the boat actually enters a small internal canal to reach the dock.
What happens after Line 4 stops running at night?
Line N takes over on a similar (but not identical) route once the regular Giracittà lines stop for the night. Always check current times in the AVM Venezia app.