Vaporetto Line 12 Venice: Murano, Burano, Torcello and Punta Sabbioni — the Island Line

In brief: Vaporetto line 12 is the lagoon’s island line: Fondamente Nove → Murano Faro → Mazzorbo → Burano → Torcello → Treporti → Punta Sabbioni. It connects the three most important lagoon islands (Murano, Burano, Torcello) and continues to the Adriatic seaside resorts. The full run takes about 90 minutes; the typical tourist leg Fondamente Nove → Burano takes 45 minutes. If you are planning an island day, there is no way around line 12.

12

Punta Sabbioni "A" - F.te Nove "A"

6 stops

  1. 05:40 Treporti
  2. 05:56 Burano "C"
  3. 05:59 Torcello A RICHIESTA
  4. 06:03 Mazzorbo
  5. 06:29 Murano Faro "A"
  6. 06:38 F.te Nove "A"

The key line for an island day

If you spend a full day in the northern lagoon — the classic Murano–Burano–Torcello loop — you travel on line 12. Lines 4.1/4.2 cover only Murano. Line 9 is a pure Burano–Torcello shuttle (5 min). Line 12 is the only through connection from the main island to Punta Sabbioni via all three islands. It departs from the Fondamente Nove pier on Venice’s north side (a 10-minute walk from the Rialto).

Island-by-island overview along the route

Fondamente Nove (F.te Nove)

Six piers (A to D) on the northern edge of the island. Line 12 departs from pier A towards Murano. There are ACTV machines, a tabacchi bar with tickets, and connections to lines 4.1/4.2 (Murano ring), 5.1/5.2 (Lido ring) and 13 (Treporti). Coming from San Marco: a 20-minute walk via Castello, or line 1 to the Rialto and a 10-minute walk.

Murano Faro

First stop after a 10-minute ride. The “Faro” pier sits by the lighthouse — the Murano glass workshops Cesare Toffolo and Vetreria Artistica are within easy reach. If you want to visit the Museo del Vetro, go one stop further (lines 4.1/4.2 stop right in front of the museum). Line 12 only calls at the Faro pier.

Mazzorbo

A small, quiet island with the Hotel Venissa and the Bisol family vineyard — one of the few addresses for local lagoon wine. A 5-minute walk across the wooden bridge takes you to Burano. Visit Mazzorbo at lunchtime on the way to Burano and you often have a quiet restaurant to yourself.

Burano “A”

The endpoint for most day visitors — the famous coloured houses, the lace museum (Museo del Merletto), Trattoria al Gatto Nero. The main attraction: 40 minutes from Fondamente Nove. Change here to line 9 for the Torcello shuttle (5 min, a separate boat type).

Torcello

The oldest settled island in the lagoon, with the Byzantine basilica of Santa Maria Assunta (7th c.). Only ~10 people live here year-round today. From the Burano pier it is about a 5-minute boat ride with line 12 or line 9. Come early (before 10:00) and you often have the basilica almost to yourself.

Treporti

Almost mainland — its own Adriatic peninsula with campsites and a local beach. Less relevant for tourists, unless you are staying there.

Punta Sabbioni “A”

Terminus of the line and a large landing point for hotel guests of the Cavallino peninsula. Connections to bus lines towards Jesolo, Cavallino and Eraclea. Guests staying there use Punta Sabbioni in reverse as their gateway into the city.

The optimal island-day tour

From ten years of experience — the order we recommend most often, because it dodges the crowds and catches the best light:

  1. 09:00 Fondamente Nove → Murano Faro (line 12). Murano before 11:00 is much calmer.
  2. 11:00 Murano → Burano (line 12). Burano at lunchtime (12:30) — lunch at the Gatto Nero (advance reservation strongly recommended).
  3. 14:30 Burano → Torcello (line 9 or 12, 5-min shuttle). Basilica Santa Maria Assunta + Locanda Cipriani.
  4. 16:30 Torcello → Burano → Fondamente Nove (line 12). Golden afternoon light on the Burano houses.

Total duration: 8 hours, of which ~2.5 hours on boats. The time on the water is part of the experience, not “lost” travel time.

Timetable and frequency

Line 12 runs every 30 minutes during the day between 7:00 and 22:00. First departure from Fondamente Nove around 6:00, last around 22:30. Reduced frequency in low season (November–March). In storms and bad weather, trips towards Burano/Torcello are sometimes suspended — check the water levels and the ACTV website beforehand.

Tickets for the island tour

Line 12 is part of the normal ACTV fare. For a full island day with at least 4 rides, the 24-hour pass at €25 pays off — single rides would cost €38 (4 × €9.50).

The exception: if you ONLY want Burano–Torcello and back (2 rides + shuttle), 3 single rides = €28.50 would do. Even so, the 24-hr pass is usually the better choice for its flexibility.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Fondamente Nove → Burano take?

With line 12 about 40 minutes (direct, no change). Line 14 from San Marco-San Zaccaria takes 75 minutes, because it goes via Punta Sabbioni.

Can I manage Murano and Burano in one day?

Yes, both comfortably in one day with line 12. Recommended: Murano in the morning (3 hrs), Burano at midday (3 hrs), optionally Torcello in the afternoon (1.5 hrs). A total of 8 hours from Fondamente Nove.

How much does an island day with line 12 cost?

With the 24-hour ACTV pass: €25 per person. Children under 6 free. If you only do Burano and back, 2 single rides (€19) would do — but with no flexibility.

Do all line 12 boats also call at Torcello?

Not all. Off-peak (early morning and late evening) line 12 sometimes terminates at Burano — Torcello is then served only by the line 9 shuttle. During the day most trips call at Torcello.

How do I get to Fondamente Nove?

From the Rialto, a 10-minute walk north. From San Marco, 20 minutes on foot via Castello or line 4.2 from the station/P.le Roma. Lines arriving directly: 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 13.