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
Lido S.M.E. "A" - F.te Nove "C"
19 stops
- 11:00 Lido S.M.E. "A"
- 11:10 S. Pietro di Castello
- 11:17 Bacini A RICHIESTA
- 11:19 Celestia A RICHIESTA
- 11:22 Ospedale
- 11:24 F.te Nove "C"
- 11:29 Orto
- 11:31 S. Alvise
- 11:36 Tre Archi
- 11:39 Guglie "B"
- 11:41 Riva de Biasio "A"
- 11:44 Ferrovia "C"
- 11:50 P.le Roma "B"
- 11:54 S. Marta
- 12:01 Zattere "B"
- 12:08 S. Marco-San Zaccaria "F"
- 12:13 Giardini Biennale "B"
- 12:17 S.Elena-Stadio Penzo "C"
- 12:22 Lido S.M.E. "A"
Line 5.2 (anticlockwise) — F.te Nove → Lido
F.te Nove "D" - Lido S.M.E. "A"
19 stops
- 11:12 Lido S.M.E. "B"
- 11:17 S.Elena-Stadio Penzo "B"
- 11:21 Giardini Biennale "A"
- 11:26 S. Marco-San Zaccaria "D"
- 11:32 Zattere "A"
- 11:40 S. Marta
- 11:46 P.le Roma "D"
- 11:50 Ferrovia "D"
- 11:52 Riva de Biasio "A"
- 11:55 Guglie "A"
- 11:58 Tre Archi
- 12:03 S. Alvise
- 12:05 Orto
- 12:10 F.te Nove "D"
- 12:13 Ospedale
- 12:15 Celestia A RICHIESTA
- 12:17 Bacini A RICHIESTA
- 12:24 S. Pietro di Castello
- 12:34 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:
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.
- 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
| Stop | Sestiere/location | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lido S.M.E. | Lido (terminus) | Beach, film festival, Lido hotels |
| Giardini | Castello | Biennale pavilions (May–November) |
| Arsenale | Castello | Naval museum, Biennale pavilions |
| San Zaccaria | Castello | Eastern entrance to St Mark’s Square |
| F.te Nove | Northern Cannaregio | Connection to line 12 (Murano/Burano) |
| Orto | Cannaregio | Madonna dell’Orto (Tintoretto’s church) |
| S. Alvise | Cannaregio | Ghetto Vecchio (synagogues) |
| Guglie / Tre Archi | Cannaregio | Strada Nova, near the station |
| Ferrovia | Cannaregio | Santa Lucia main station |
| P.le Roma | Western Cannaregio | Bus 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.