Visit Venice from Punta Sabbioni. Tips that will save you money!

Visiting Venice leaving from Cavallino-Treporti is a great classic, but for a family, the costs between public transport and the infamous Venice entrance fee can become quite demanding. With a little organization, however, it is possible to optimize expenses and enjoy the city without nasty surprises.

In this article, I will explain how the access fee works and what the most convenient solutions are for the vaporetto from Punta Sabbioni.

1. Venice Entrance Fee 

The entrance fee to Venice is not charged every day and, above all, it is not 24/7. Here are the core rules to keep in mind:

• Time: It only applies if you enter the ancient city before 4:00 PM. If you arrive in the late afternoon for a walk or dinner, entry is completely free.
• Cost: €5.00 if paid at least 4 days in advance; €10.00 if paid at the last minute or on the same day.
• Exemptions: Children under 14 do not pay the access fee (though registering for the exemption online is still required).

Before leaving, always check the official calendar on the Municipality of Venice website HERE to verify if your date is subject to payment.

2. How to get to Venice from Punta Sabbioni: Prices and Options

For water transport, you basically have two options depending on your flexibility needs:

Company / Service	Type	Estimated Price
ACTV (Public Vaporetto)	Single trip	€9.50 per way
ACTV (Daily Pass)	Ideal for multiple transfers	Approx. €25.00
Private Motorboats (e.g., local lines/consortiums)	Direct round-trip transfer	Often advantageous for families (approx. €15.00 R/T or discounted child rates)

A local's tips to truly save money

1. Choose "No-Ticket" dates: Plan your trip on days when the access fee is inactive to completely zero out this cost.
2. Take advantage of the late afternoon: Entering after 4:00 PM lets you skip the fee and enjoy Venice with spectacular lighting and fewer crowds.
3. Consider family passes or private motorboats: If you don't need to hop across multiple islands on vaporetti and just want a direct ride to Venice and back, check the private boat prices at Punta Sabbioni: they often offer special family discounts.

Remember that if you travel from Punta Sabbioni to Piazzale Roma or Santa Lucia Station passing through the Lido of Venice, the fee is not due! The same applies if you visit the minor islands of the lagoon, which are entirely exempt from the Access Fee.

What are the excluded minor islands? Here is the full list: Lido di Venice (including Alberoni and Malamocco), Pellestrina, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Sant‘Erasmo, Mazzorbo, Mazzorbetto, Vignole, S. Andrea, La Certosa, S. Servolo, S. Clemente, Poveglia, Sacca Sessola, San Francesco del Deserto, Isola del Lazzaretto Vecchio, Isola del Lazzaretto Nuovo, and Isola degli Armeni.

So, what better opportunity to visit one of the minor islands (among those open to visitors) that you've never seen before?

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Do you have any other tips to save money on a trip to Venice? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for reading!