Vaporetto Night Lines Venice: N, NLN and NMU — Timetable, Routes, Practical Tips
In brief: Between 23:30 and 04:30, three night lines (N, NLN, NMU) take over Venice’s vaporetto service — all every 60 minutes instead of the daytime 10–20 minutes. Line N is the main night line across the Grand Canal and Giudecca, line NLN serves the northern lagoon (Murano, Burano, Punta Sabbioni), and line NMU is the short Murano shuttle. After an evening concert, a restaurant or the Festa del Redentore, they get you home reliably — even to the Lido, Murano or Punta Sabbioni. Tickets: identical to the daytime fare; the 24-hour pass remains valid.
Why the night lines matter
Venice’s regular vaporetto lines (1, 2, 4.1/4.2, 5.1/5.2 etc.) finish between 23:00 and midnight — after that, the city is not reachable by water without the night lines. If you are staying in Mestre, on the Lido, Murano, Cavallino or in Jesolo and are still in the centre late in the evening (a concert at La Fenice, a late dinner in Cannaregio, the Festa del Redentore in mid-July), you absolutely need one of the three night lines for the return — or a water taxi (much more expensive, from €80 per ride).
The night lines are fully included in the normal ACTV fare — single ride €9.50, 24-hour pass €25, all multi-day passes valid. There is no night surcharge.
The three night lines in detail
Line N — main night line, Grand Canal & Giudecca
The city’s most important night line. It serves the entire Grand Canal plus the Giudecca — exactly the stretch covered by lines 1 and 2 during the day. You can board at all the major Grand Canal stops (Ferrovia, P.le Roma, Rialto, San Marco), at San Zaccaria, on the Giudecca and at the Lido.
Route (simplified)
Lido S.M.E. → San Zaccaria → S. Marco Vallaresso → Salute → Accademia → S. Tomà → S. Silvestro → Rialto → Ca’ d’Oro → S. Marcuola → Ferrovia → P.le Roma → Tronchetto → Sacca Fisola → Palanca → Redentore → Zitelle → San Giorgio → San Zaccaria → Lido S.M.E.
Frequency
Every 60 minutes between approx. 23:30 and 04:30. The first trip after midnight usually leaves at 00:00 from the Lido or P.le Roma, the last at 04:30 (in both directions). Check the arrivals board before boarding — the line usually terminates at the Lido and starts again from there.
Line NLN — northern lagoon night line
Serves the northern lagoon: Fondamente Nove → Murano → Burano → Treporti → Punta Sabbioni. Important for overnight guests on Murano, Burano or in Cavallino-Treporti / Jesolo who are still in the centre late in the evening. The line is critical for Jesolo travellers too — the last regular line 12 from Burano usually ends around 22:00, after which the NLN takes over until about 03:30.
Route (simplified)
F.te Nove → Murano (Colonna, Faro) → Mazzorbo → Burano → Treporti → Punta Sabbioni → return (routing varies per trip)
Frequency
Every 60 minutes between approx. 23:30 and 03:30. If you are staying in Jesolo or Cavallino-Treporti and want a late evening in the centre, plan it like this: last outbound line 15 from Punta Sabbioni approx. 22:30, return with the NLN to Punta Sabbioni around 00:30, 01:30 or 02:30.
Line NMU — Murano night shuttle
A short night shuttle between Fondamente Nove and Murano. Handy for Murano overnight guests who are in the centre in the evening and don’t want to wait for the NLN northern-lagoon line — the NMU serves only Murano, but for that reason runs more often and more directly.
Route (simplified)
F.te Nove ↔ Murano (Colonna, Faro, Navagero) — out and back
Frequency
Every 60 minutes between approx. 23:30 and 04:30. The complete run takes around 20 minutes.
In practice: what matters at night
- Mind the frequency — every 60 minutes is not much. If you miss the 02:30 boat to Punta Sabbioni, you wait until 03:30 for the next one. Check the timetable beforehand in the ACTV app or on the live display at the pier.
- Buy tickets in advance — the machines at the piers also work at night, but not every one of them. In high season the machines at the Lido and Ferrovia are the most reliable. If you have the 24-hour pass: just board, it is valid at night too.
- Seats are available — the night boats are never crowded, unlike daytime. Even in summer.
- Safety is high — Venice is a safe city, at night too. The vaporetti have staff on board, the piers are lit. Low crime risk.
- Acqua alta at night too — during a high-water warning, services can also be disrupted at night. Check the live levels on our acqua alta page before midnight.
Which night line for which accommodation?
| You are staying in … | Night line for the return |
|---|---|
| Central Venice / Cannaregio / Castello | Line N (Grand Canal) |
| Dorsoduro / Santa Croce / San Polo | Line N (Grand Canal, stop Zattere or Sacca Fisola) |
| Giudecca | Line N (stops Palanca, Redentore, Zitelle) |
| Lido di Venezia | Line N (terminus Lido S.M.E.) |
| Murano | Line NMU (direct shuttle) or NLN (northern lagoon) |
| Burano | Line NLN (via Fondamente Nove) |
| Cavallino-Treporti / Punta Sabbioni | Line NLN (terminus Punta Sabbioni) |
| Jesolo | Line NLN to Punta Sabbioni, then bus/taxi to Jesolo |
| Mestre / Marghera | Line N to P.le Roma, then tram T1 or ATVO bus |
Frequently asked questions about the night lines
Is there a night surcharge on the vaporetti?
No. The night lines are fully included in the normal ACTV fare — single ride €9.50, 24-hour pass €25. If you have a multi-day pass, you can use the night lines without any surcharge.
When does the last regular vaporetto run before the night lines start?
Lines 1 and 2 usually finish around 23:00–23:30 from P.le Roma. Line 12 from Burano usually ends around 22:00. Line 14 from San Marco towards the Adriatic resorts usually ends around 22:30. After that, N, NLN and NMU take over until 04:30.
Where do I find the current night-line timetable?
In the official AVM Venezia Official app (iOS/Android), on the ACTV website or directly at the piers (digital boards). Note: in high season (June–September) extra special services can be added, especially during the Festa del Redentore (mid-July).
How do I get from the Lido to Punta Sabbioni at night?
Line N does not go directly to Punta Sabbioni. You would first take line N from the Lido to F.te Nove, then change to the NLN to Punta Sabbioni. Realistically that takes 90 minutes including waiting. If you are staying in Cavallino and want to avoid that: return in time before 22:30 with line 14 or 15.
Are the piers lit at night?
Yes, all served piers are lit through the night. Those not served (e.g. some intermediate stops skipped at night) can be dark — check the pier sign to see whether the night line calls there.
What if I miss the last night boat?
Take a water taxi — available throughout the city, but expensive (from €80 per ride within the main island, considerably more for the lagoon islands or Cavallino). Alternative: book a hotel room near the centre on the spot.