Vaporetto Lines 5.1 and 5.2 Venice: The Lido Ring via Castello and Cannaregio

In brief: Vaporetto lines 5.1 and 5.2 are the Lido ring — a circular connection between the Lido, F.te Nove and P.le Roma, running east around the main island via Castello and north via Cannaregio. 5.1 runs clockwise, 5.2 anticlockwise. Faster for Lido visitors than the detour via line 1 or 6, and the natural link to the city centre for Castello residents.

Line 5.1 (clockwise) — Lido → F.te Nove

5.1

Lido S.M.E. "A" - F.te Nove "C"

19 stops

  1. 06:20 Lido S.M.E. "A"
  2. 06:30 S. Pietro di Castello
  3. 06:37 Bacini - Arsenale Nord
  4. 06:39 Celestia
  5. 06:42 Ospedale
  6. 06:44 F.te Nove "C"
  7. 06:49 Orto
  8. 06:51 S. Alvise
  9. 06:56 Tre Archi
  10. 06:59 Guglie "B"
  11. 07:01 Riva de Biasio "A"
  12. 07:04 Ferrovia "C"
  13. 07:10 P.le Roma "B"
  14. 07:14 S. Marta
  15. 07:21 Zattere "B"
  16. 07:28 S. Marco-San Zaccaria "F"
  17. 07:33 Giardini Biennale "B"
  18. 07:37 S.Elena-Stadio Penzo "C"
  19. 07:42 Lido S.M.E. "A"

Line 5.2 (anticlockwise) — F.te Nove → Lido

5.2

F.te Nove "D" - Lido S.M.E. "A"

19 stops

  1. 06:12 Lido S.M.E. "B"
  2. 06:17 S.Elena-Stadio Penzo "B"
  3. 06:21 Giardini Biennale "A"
  4. 06:26 S. Marco-San Zaccaria "D"
  5. 06:32 Zattere "A"
  6. 06:40 S. Marta
  7. 06:46 P.le Roma "D"
  8. 06:50 Ferrovia "D"
  9. 06:52 Riva de Biasio "A"
  10. 06:55 Guglie "A"
  11. 06:58 Tre Archi
  12. 07:03 S. Alvise
  13. 07:05 Orto
  14. 07:10 F.te Nove "D"
  15. 07:13 Ospedale
  16. 07:15 Celestia
  17. 07:17 Bacini - Arsenale Nord
  18. 07:24 S. Pietro di Castello
  19. 07:34 Lido S.M.E. "A"

When do I take 5.1 or 5.2?

Both lines run the same route around the main island, just in opposite directions. In practice:

  • From the Lido to the station? Line 5.2 (anticlockwise, via Cannaregio).
  • From the station to the Lido? Line 5.1 (clockwise, faster than the long detour via line 1).
  • From Castello to the Lido? Both work — take whichever departs next.

The key stops

StopSestiere/locationBest for
Lido S.M.E.Lido (terminus)Beach, film festival, Lido hotels
GiardiniCastelloBiennale pavilions (May–November)
ArsenaleCastelloNaval museum, Biennale pavilions
San ZaccariaCastelloEastern entrance to St Mark’s Square
F.te NoveNorthern CannaregioConnection to line 12 (Murano/Burano)
OrtoCannaregioMadonna dell’Orto (Tintoretto’s church)
S. AlviseCannaregioGhetto Vecchio (synagogues)
Guglie / Tre ArchiCannaregioStrada Nova, near the station
FerroviaCannaregioSanta Lucia main station
P.le RomaWestern CannaregioBus connections, the mainland

Journey time and frequency

From the Lido to P.le Roma (the full run) about 50 minutes. From the Lido to St Mark’s-San Zaccaria about 15 minutes. Daytime frequency every 10–15 minutes, denser in high season. First departure around 5:30 in the morning, last before midnight — after that the night lines take over.

Practical tips

  • Lido day with line 5: From St Mark’s Square take 5.1 (15 min to the Lido). In the evening return with 5.2 (via Cannaregio) — you get the Cannaregio skyline in the evening light on the way back.
  • Visiting the Biennale: Lines 5.1/5.2 are the perfect link to the Giardini and Arsenale pavilions — both piers are served directly.
  • Cannaregio walk: Line 5.2 lets you get off at Orto — from there, walk through the quietest part of Cannaregio to the Rialto in 20–30 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How fast do I get from the Lido to St Mark’s Square?

Line 5.1 in about 15 minutes direct to Zaccaria. Line 1 would take 30+ minutes (the long way round via southern Castello).

Does line 5 serve the film festival site?

Yes — the “Lido S.M.E.” stop sits right on the main connection to the Mostra. For festival venues in town there are additional bus links from the Lido.

What is the difference between line 5 and line 6?

Line 6 is the direct route P.le Roma → Lido via the south (no Castello detour, 25 min). Line 5 is the long ring via Castello and Cannaregio (50 min).

Which line goes to the Ghetto?

Line 5.2 (Cannaregio) has the “S. Alvise” stop near the Ghetto Vecchio. Alternatively line 1 or 2 to Ferrovia and a 10-minute walk.