Vaporetto Line 2 Venice — Grand Canal Express, Stops & Times

In brief: Vaporetto line 2 is the express line through the Grand Canal — it calls at far fewer stops than line 1 and is therefore roughly twice as fast on the main stretch. ACTV operates it in two variants: line 2 as a short St Mark’s loop (San Marco-San Zaccaria ↔ San Marco Giardinetti) and line 2/ as the express Piazzale Roma → Rialto. If you want to get from the station to St Mark’s Square quickly and don’t need the full Grand Canal tour, take line 2.

Express variant (line 2/) — Piazzale Roma → Rialto

P.le Roma "F" - Rialto "D"

3 stops

08:49 P.le Roma "F"
08:53 Ferrovia "B"
09:04 Rialto "D"

St Mark’s loop (line 2) — San Marco-San Zaccaria → Giardinetti

S. Marco-San Zaccaria "B" - Lido S.M.E. "E"

21 stops

07:37 S. Marco-San Zaccaria "B"
07:40 S. Giorgio
07:43 Zitelle "B"
07:46 Redentore
07:49 Giudecca Palanca "B"
07:53 Zattere "A"
07:57 S. Basilio
08:00 Sacca Fisola "B"
08:08 Tronchetto "B"
08:10 Tronchetto Mercato
08:18 P.le Roma "F"
08:22 Ferrovia "B"
08:27 S. Marcuola-Casino' "B"
08:34 Rialto "D"
08:40 S. Toma' "A"
08:43 S. Samuele
08:46 Accademia "A"
08:51 S. Marco Vallaresso "B"
08:56 S. Marco-San Zaccaria "F"
09:03 Giardini "B"
09:10 Lido S.M.E. "E"

When is line 2 the better choice over line 1?

If you are in holiday mode and have time, take line 1 — the full 60 minutes of the Grand Canal are an experience in themselves. Line 2 is the line for:

Tight connections: If you have a fixed time slot at St Mark’s Square or the Rialto (a skip-the-line slot at the Doge’s Palace, a booked tour, a restaurant reservation).
Returning visitors: If you have been to Venice before, know the Grand Canal highlights and simply want to get from A to B.
Travelling with luggage: With a suitcase, line 2 is more relaxed — fewer stops mean less boarding and alighting around you.
Avoiding the crowds: Around midday line 1 is often packed between Ferrovia and San Marco; line 2 is noticeably calmer.

Understanding the route variants

In its official feed, ACTV lists two separate “line 2” routes:

Line 2/ (Grand Canal express): Piazzale Roma → Rialto. The line popularly known as “the express” for the fast transit station → market/Rialto.
Line 2 (St Mark’s ring): San Marco-San Zaccaria → San Marco Giardinetti. A short link between the two St Mark’s piers, mainly relevant for tickets and connections.

On the ground, both are simply announced as “2” — the difference is only visible on the destination board and the headsign. If you board at Ferrovia and see “San Marco” as the destination, you are on the right boat.

Which stops line 2/ skips (compared with line 1)

Line 2/ calls only at the major tourist stops and skips the smaller intermediate stops along the Grand Canal. In express mode, typically: P.le Roma → Ferrovia → Rialto → San Tomà → Ca’ Rezzonico → Accademia → Salute → San Marco. Line 1 additionally stops at Riva de Biasio, S. Marcuola, S. Stae, Ca’ d’Oro, Rialto Mercato, S. Silvestro, S. Angelo and S. Maria del Giglio.

The practical difference: if you want to get off at the Rialto market (not the bridge), you need line 1 — line 2/ only calls at the Rialto bridge pier.

Journey time and frequency

From the Ferrovia pier to San Marco about 22–25 minutes (line 1 takes 35–40 min for the same stretch). Daytime frequency every 10–15 minutes, off-peak every 20 minutes. First departure around 04:55, last around 23:56. At night, the night line N (Notturno) covers the Grand Canal.

Practical tips

Missed your boat at Ferrovia? If line 2 is full and you are in a hurry — line 1 often runs in parallel every 10 minutes. You arrive only ~15 minutes later with line 1, but with a seat.
Avoid Carnival season: During Carnival (February), line 2 is regularly standing-room only between Ferrovia and San Marco — then better take line 1 to the “S. Marco Vallaresso” pier or walk via the Strada Nova in Cannaregio.
No Lido service: Line 2 ends at St Mark’s Square — for the Lido take line 1 (continuing east) or line 5.1/5.2.

Frequently asked questions

How much faster is line 2 than line 1?

Roughly twice as fast on the main stretch Ferrovia → San Marco: approx. 22–25 min vs. 35–40 min with line 1.

Does line 2 run the full length of the Grand Canal?

Yes, but it does not call at every stop — it skips the smaller stops such as S. Marcuola, Ca’ d’Oro, Rialto Mercato, S. Silvestro and S. Angelo.

What is the difference between line 2 and line 2/?

In its official feed ACTV distinguishes: line 2 = St Mark’s loop San Marco-San Zaccaria ↔ Giardinetti. Line 2/ = Grand Canal express P.le Roma ↔ Rialto. On the ground both are announced as “2”.

Does line 2 stop at the Rialto market?

No — it only calls at the Rialto bridge pier “Rialto”. For the Mercato del Pesce take line 1 (stop “Rialto Mercato”).

Does line 2 go to the Lido?

No. For the Lido take line 1 (via the Grand Canal) or line 5.1/5.2 (the ring via Castello).

Does line 2 run at night?

Last departure around 23:56. After that, the night line N (Notturno) covers the Grand Canal into the early hours; the first line 2 departs again from around 04:55.