Are you wondering how to get from Venice to Murano?
Murano is one of the most famous islands of the Venetian lagoon. It’s also called the ‘Glass Island’ and it’s known all over the world for its unique glass production.
On the island there are workshops and historic factories where it’s possible to see craftsmen using the original techniques to create incredible blown glass objects.
It’s easy to get from Venice to Murano thanks to the reliable and frequent water bus (vaporetto) service, or in alternative by joining group or private tours. If you don’t want to use public transport or join a tour, you can hire a water taxi.
Venice to Murano
In this travel guide, you’ll learn exactly how to get to Murano from Venice to help you decide the best way to travel when it comes to visiting as a day (or overnight) trip.
Where is Murano?
If you didn’t already know, Murano is the second biggest island in the Venetian lagoon, after Venice. It is located north-east of Venice, Italy.
It faces the Adriatic Sea and belongs to the Veneto region which stretches as far as the Dolomites. Murano is made up of 7 islands which are connected by bridges.
Even Murano, like Venice, has its own Grand Canal that divides the island in two.
The island was one of the major lagoon centres and it was founded by the inhabitants of Altino, in the year 453. Altino was a Paleovenetian centre and it was considered the predecessor of Venice. From there, the inhabitants fled from the invasions of the Huns.
In the year 1295 it was decreed that the glassworks of Venice were to be transferred to Murano for safety reasons. The laboratory ovens were often causing terrible fires in Venetian houses, built mainly of wood.
From this moment on, the island of Murano became known throughout the world for its glassmaking production and as a holiday destination for artists and many aristocratic families.
Is Murano worth visiting?
Thanks to the frequent water bus service and organised tours, it’s simple and straightforward getting from Venice to Murano. This alone can be considered a valid reason to visit this island for tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
Murano looks a lot like Venice, but it’s much quieter. This means that you can take time to enjoy visiting its ancient churches and elegant palaces.
I recommend visiting the Glass Museum holding the largest historical glass collection in the world. It also has wonderful interiors. During your time in Murano, go to glass workshops and factories and book a glass blowing demonstration.
This is nothing less than a unique opportunity to see master glassmakers at work. You can also get to know the techniques and processes handed down by generations of craftsmen and buy unique glass souvenirs.
Where to stay in Murano?
Most visitors spend a day in Murano and then they leave the island, back to Venice. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the peaceful Murano’s atmosphere, when all the crowds abandon it, then check out this selection of hotels for every budget.
- Hyatt Centric Murano Venice: the 4 star hotel is a former glass-making furnace completely renovated. The interiors embrace clean and simple lines and one of the best features is the on-site restaurant Osteriva located inside a bioclimatic greenhouse.
- Murano Palace: this beautiful palace hotel is divided between an 18th century house and a 20th century nobleman’s palace. Overlooking the Rio dei Vetrai canal, it features spacious Venetian style rooms with great attention to detail.
- Al Soffiador: this 2 star hotel is perfect for any traveller that wants to stay on a budget in Murano. You can choose between basic, standard or superior double or triple rooms with TV and free Wi-Fi. The rooms have private bathroom with free toiletries.
How far is the Murano from Venice?
Murano is 3,5 kilometres north of Venice and it takes 9 minutes if you get the vaporetto from Fondamenta Nove, the closest point in Venice to Murano. The journey duration will vary depending on where you choose to get the water bus.
Other popular points where you can hop on a water bus to Murano are:
- Piazzale Roma
- Venezia Santa Lucia railway station
- St. Mark’s Square
- Biennale gardens
- Lido of Venice
As you may have heard, you can get from Venice to Murano by vaporetto, the most popular option, water taxi or by joining group or private tours.
Got travel insurance for Venice and Murano?
World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
How to get from Venice to Murano
Now that you know what you can expect to see and do in Murano, where you can stay and how close it is to Venice city centre, let’s take a deeper look at how you can actually get from Venice to Murano so you can decide which is for you.
Water bus from Venice to Murano
The cheapest way to get from Venice to Murano is by water bus. The water bus service is provided by the company ACTV. The efficient and frequent water buses (called vaporetto) connect Venice to the ‘Glass Island’ every single hour.
From the stop Fondamenta Nove in Venice, it only takes 9 minutes to get to Murano with the lines 4.1, 4.2, 12, 13 and N (night water bus).
Other popular stops from where you can get it:
- Piazzale Roma, 34 minutes ride, line 3.
- Ferrovia (Santa Lucia railway station), 31 minutes ride, line 3.
- San Marco – San Zaccaria (near St. Mark’s Square), 43 minutes, lines 4.1 and 4.2 or seasonal line 7 that only takes 25 minutes.
- Giardini Biennale, 37 minutes, lines 4.1 and 4.2.
- From the Marco Polo airport, Alilaguna water bus lines: blue and red (seasonal).
You can simply check Google Maps and get to know where your closest stop is and the next available water bus. Save this vaporetto interactive map to check vaporetto lines, stops and timetables. You can also consult the Che Bateo? website.
Type your location and your final stop and it will provide useful information such as next vaporetto to leave, line numbers, stops, how long the journey it will be.
Bear in mind that there are often long queues at the ACTV ticket offices to purchase water bus tickets. I recommend getting the water bus ticket in advance.
Just select the type of ticket you want. You can choose among the 75 minutes pass, the 24/48/72 hours or 7 days pass).
See the map of the Murano stops below: (you can save it to your phone)
It is simple to navigate from your smartphone. Once you open Google Maps, select your Murano stop and type the location from where you want to leave in Venice.
Water taxi from Venice to Murano
The water taxi is another way to get from Venice to Murano, but it’s much more expensive compared to the water bus or the boat trip.
Hiring a water taxi means that you don’t share the boat ride with other travellers you don’t know, pick up from your accommodation or a specific point of your choice and get to Murano fast.
It’s also possible to book a private boat, and usually this type of service includes a guided tour of Murano and glass factory demonstration.
There are set fares for the water taxis in Venice and the rest of the lagoon. For a water taxi to Murano, you can expect to pay a minimum fare of 60 euros leaving from Piazzale Roma or the railway station.
The price is for up to 4 people, and you pay an extra 10 euros for any additional passenger. One piece of luggage costs 10 euros per person, any extra luggage 3 euros per piece. If you decide to ask the water taxi to pick you up at your hotel, fares can considerably change.
Group tours from Venice to Murano
You don’t like using public transport in Venice, but at the same time, don’t want to spend too much for a water taxi, the group tour can be a good compromise!
By joining this group tour from Venice to Murano, you’ll also have the chance to visit the islands of Torcello and Burano.
With a guide you’ll visit first a glass factory in Murano, then see the Byzantine church in Torcello and then head over Burano, where you can stroll around the colourful streets and houses and learn about lace production.
What travellers like about this group tour is that they can share the cost of the motorboat, professional guide and glass making demonstration.
Since this is a half-day tour, you won’t have much free time to spend on each island, but it’s perfect if you’re spending, let’s say 3 days in Venice or have even more time.
Private tours from Venice to Murano
For some travellers, there’s nothing better than enjoying the comfort of a private transfer and being guided around Murano, to discover its main sights and learn its history.
Especially, if travelling with friends or family and you want to create unique travel memories without having to share the experience with strangers.
If you’re that type of traveller, then this 3 hour private tour of Murano is perfect for you! This tour includes a water taxi from Venice to Murano and back, private walking tour with an expert guide and skip-the-line tickets to a glass factory.
During your visit to the glass factory, you’ll assist a glass making demonstration and closely observe master craftsmen working. The guide will take you around the island on foot whilst sharing with you secrets of Murano’s history and traditions.
You’ll visit the beautiful church of San Donato, dating back to the 12th century and considered one of the best examples of Venetian Byzantine style.
Getting from Venice to Murano
To conclude, getting from Venice to Murano is easy. Murano is the closest island to Venice city centre and it’s well-connected by water bus.
The vaporetto is the most common way to travel from one place to the other for both travellers and residents. A trip to Venice and other islands is a one-off experience for many, and it doesn’t really matter if it costs a bit more to get where you want to.
If you don’t mind sharing the boat transfer with a guide, then the group tour is your best option . Alternatively, you can always book a private tour and share the journey with people you want, this is a common option for couples and small families.
In any case, I can assure you that Murano is absolutely worth visiting and if you’re spending enough time in Venice, make sure you add it it to your itinerary.
See my advice on how many days to spend in Venice to get more trip ideas.
📌 Like this article? Click to Pin it…
If you found this Venice travel guide helpful, feel free to buy me a virtual coffee here.
“Dear traveller! Some links in this post contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click through and make a tour booking or reserve a hotel, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support means a lot to me and helps me to keep creating and maintaining the quality of this site for you.”
