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

In brief: Vaporetto line 2 is a long circular line: from San Zaccaria it loops around the Giudecca (San Giorgio, Zitelle, Redentore), on to Tronchetto and Piazzale Roma, then back through Ferrovia and part of the Grand Canal via Rialto to San Marco — closing the loop at San Zaccaria. In spring and summer the line is extended past Giardini to the Lido (S.M.E.), making it a direct link between St Mark’s Square and the Lido. A separate short variant, line 2/, is a rush-hour booster that runs only between Piazzale Roma → Ferrovia → Rialto.

Line 2 — the circular route (San Zaccaria ↔ Giudecca ↔ Tronchetto ↔ Grand Canal ↔ Lido in season)

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

21 stops

10:49 S. Marco-San Zaccaria "B"
10:52 S. Giorgio
10:55 Zitelle "B"
10:58 Redentore
11:01 Giudecca Palanca "B"
11:05 Zattere "A"
11:09 S. Basilio
11:12 Sacca Fisola "B"
11:20 Tronchetto "B"
11:22 Tronchetto Mercato
11:30 P.le Roma "F"
11:34 Ferrovia "B"
11:39 S. Marcuola-Casino' "B"
11:46 Rialto "D"
11:52 S. Toma' "A"
11:55 S. Samuele
11:58 Accademia "A"
12:03 S. Marco Vallaresso "B"
12:08 S. Marco-San Zaccaria "F"
12:15 Giardini "B"
12:22 Lido S.M.E. "E"

Line 2/ — short rush-hour booster (Piazzale Roma → Ferrovia → Rialto)

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

3 stops

07:01 P.le Roma "F"
07:05 Ferrovia "B"
07:16 Rialto "D"

Understanding the route: one long loop, one short booster

Line 2 is one of the most versatile all-round lines in Venice because it links so many different districts in a single loop. Starting at San Zaccaria near St Mark’s Square, it runs down the Giudecca Canal calling at San Giorgio Maggiore, Zitelle, Redentore and Giudecca Palanca, continues along Zattere and San Basilio, rounds Sacca Fisola and Tronchetto, then swings into Piazzale Roma and Ferrovia (the railway station). From there it runs along part of the Grand Canal via San Marcuola-Casinò to the Rialto Bridge, then continues via San Tomà, San Samuele and Accademia back to San Marco Vallaresso and San Marco-San Zaccaria — closing the loop. In spring and summer, the line carries on from San Zaccaria to Giardini and the Lido (Lido S.M.E.), so line 2 also works as a direct connection between St Mark’s Square and the Lido in the warmer months.

Line 2/ (with the slash) is a different and much shorter service: a rush-hour booster that shuttles only between Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia and Rialto. It adds extra frequency on the busiest stretch of the Grand Canal at peak times — handy if you just need a quick hop from the station or the car park to the Rialto without waiting for the full circular line.

Tip: book your water-bus ticket before you travel — at the same price

Securing the ACTV ticket in advance makes for a more relaxed trip: identical official price, booked at your leisure and with a guaranteed place. You immediately receive a voucher with a barcode that is exchanged for your real ticket at the ACTV machine in seconds — faster than the queue at the staffed counter. Booking ahead pays off especially in high season.

When to use line 2, line 2/ or line 1

You want to reach Tronchetto, the Giudecca or the Lido without changing boats: only line 2 covers all of these in one loop — line 1 stays on the Grand Canal and doesn’t call at Giudecca or Tronchetto.
Quick hop from Piazzale Roma or Ferrovia to Rialto at peak times: look out for line 2/, the short booster — it can be faster than waiting for the full loop.
Full Grand Canal experience: take line 1 — it calls at every pier from Piazzale Roma to San Marco and is the classic sightseeing ride.
Heading to the Lido in spring or summer: line 2’s seasonal extension via Giardini to Lido S.M.E. is a handy direct option from San Zaccaria; check the current timetable, as the Lido extension is seasonal and can change.

Stops line 2 serves that line 1 doesn’t

Because line 2 loops around the Giudecca Canal and Tronchetto before joining the Grand Canal, it serves several piers that line 1 never reaches: San Giorgio Maggiore, Zitelle, Redentore, Giudecca Palanca, Zattere, San Basilio, Sacca Fisola and Tronchetto. On the Grand Canal stretch itself, line 2 skips some of the smaller line-1 stops (such as Rialto Mercato, San Silvestro and San Angelo) in favour of a quicker run via San Marcuola-Casinò and San Tomà.

Journey time and frequency

A full loop of line 2 (San Zaccaria back to San Zaccaria via Giudecca and the Grand Canal) takes roughly an hour depending on traffic and the season; the short Piazzale Roma–Ferrovia–Rialto hop on line 2/ is much quicker, typically under 15 minutes. Daytime frequency on line 2 is generally every 10–20 minutes; line 2/ runs mainly at peak times as an additional booster. Exact current departures, the seasonal Lido extension and frequency are shown in the live timetable widgets above. At night, the night line N (Notturno) covers the Grand Canal.

Practical tips

Missed your boat at Ferrovia? Line 1 runs in parallel along the Grand Canal and calls at more stops — a reliable backup if line 2 or 2/ is full.
Avoid Carnival season crowding: During Carnival (February), boats on the Grand Canal are regularly standing-room only — allow extra time or consider walking part of the route via the Strada Nova in Cannaregio.
Lido connection is seasonal: The line 2 extension to Lido S.M.E. typically runs in spring and summer only — outside that period, use line 1 (via the Grand Canal) or line 5.1/5.2 for the Lido.
Connecting to Tronchetto car park or the People Mover: line 2 is a direct link if you’ve parked at Tronchetto and want to reach San Marco without changing boats.

Frequently asked questions

Is line 2 a loop or a straight line?

Line 2 is a circular route: it starts and ends at San Zaccaria, looping via the Giudecca, Tronchetto, Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia and part of the Grand Canal before returning to San Marco/San Zaccaria. In spring and summer it is extended past Giardini to the Lido.

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

Line 2 is the long circular route described above. Line 2/ (with the slash) is a short rush-hour booster running only between Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia and Rialto — it does not do the Giudecca loop or reach San Marco or the Lido.

Does line 2 stop at the Rialto market?

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

Does line 2 go to the Lido?

Yes, in spring and summer the line is extended from San Zaccaria via Giardini to Lido S.M.E. Outside that season, check the current timetable — the extension may not run, in which case line 1 or line 5.1/5.2 are the alternatives to the Lido.

Does line 2 stop at Tronchetto and the Giudecca?

Yes — these are core stops on the loop. If you’ve parked at Tronchetto or are staying on the Giudecca, line 2 is usually your direct connection to San Marco and the Grand Canal without changing boats.

Does line 2 run at night?

Daytime frequency is roughly every 10–20 minutes; exact first and last departures are shown in the live timetable above. Overnight, the night line N (Notturno) covers the Grand Canal.

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