Venezia Unica City Pass

Venice is a city that leaves an indelible mark in the hearts of all visitors, and unfortunately also in their wallets. To keep museum and transport costs under control, two items that weigh heavily on the cost of a holiday in Venice, you can buy the Venezia Unica City Pass, the lagoon city’s official tourist card.

The card includes entry to the city’s most beautiful museums and unlimited use of the local public transport company ACTV. You can move from one area to another in the centre of Venice on board the legendary vaporettos with unlimited rides, but also take a bus from Venezia Mestre to Piazzale Roma (a very useful option for those arriving by car and wishing to leave it on the mainland to avoid the expensive car parks in the centre) or even reach the most beautiful islands in the lagoon including Murano, Burano and the Lido.

The advantages of the Venice city card are considerable. The economic saving is the most obvious (about 30% less), but equally interesting is the time saving. In practice, Venezia Unica is a skip-the-line ticket that allows you to go straight into museums without having to go to the ticket office: no mean feat in a city whose attractions attract millions of visitors every year…

What is included in the Venezia Unica City Pass card

The standard version of the Venezia Unica City Pass tourist card includes:

• Free entrance to Doge’s Palace (includes the interior of the Bridge of Sighs)
• Free entrance to Museo Correr
• Free entrance to the National Archaeological Museum
• Free admission to Marciana Library
• Unlimited rides on waterbuses and other public transport of the ACTV urban network
• Chorus Pass (entrance to 16 churches)

You can add the Alilaguna option to have also the boat transfer from/to Marco Polo airport.

What is not included in the Venezia Unica City Pass card

The attractions included in the card are only those specified. Entrance to the paid areas of St Mark’s Basilica is therefore not included: these tickets are on sale only inside the church.

Transportation does not include private water taxis, boat tours, gondolas and transfers to/from the airport other than Alilaguna lines. Alilaguna transfers are included in the card only by selecting the appropriate option.

How much does the Venezia Unica City Pass card cost

The price of Venezia Unica City Pass varies according to the duration and the services included. The card is available in three versions and for each of these you can choose whether or not to include the Alilaguna lines option.

The cost of the standard card (without Alilaguna lines) for adults is 51 euros for 24 hours, 61 euros for 48 hours and 71 euros for 72 hours.

To whom the Venezia Unica City Pass is worthwhile

The official Venice City Card is worthwhile for all tourists who want to use the vaporetto during their holiday, even if only for a few rides and to enter the Doge’s Palace.

To get yours right, you should know that if you only want to visit the Doge’s Palace you will have to buy a cumulative ticket called Musei di San Marco, which alone costs more than half the price of the card.

If you then consider that the cost of a single vaporetto ride, regardless of the number of stops and for a maximum duration of 75 minutes, is 7.50 euro, you will easily realise that the purchase of the card is worthwhile even for a short stay of just one night.

Where to buy the Venezia Unica City Pass card

It is strongly recommended to buy the Venezia Unica City Pass card online: this allows you to have it with you when you arrive in the city and to start using it immediately.

Bear in mind that it is very convenient to use the vaporetto to get to your hotel because going up and down the bridges with your luggage is very tiring; if you then chose the option with the Alilaguna transfer you can arrive by boat directly from the airport.

The alternative is to buy the city card at authorised points of sale scattered around the city. You can find them at all tourist attractions, including the Venice Santa Lucia train station, Tronchetto, Piazzale Roma, San Marco and the Rialto bridge.

The queues at the counters authorised to issue Venezia Unica cards are often long and stressful. These offices are used not only by tourists, but also by Venetian citizens who need to renew their public transport passes.

The ‘hot’ days for renewing season tickets are the last and first days of the month: it is best to avoid getting your card in Venice on these dates so as not to risk spending half your holiday in a queue. Much better to have it already in your pocket.

How to activate the Venezia Unica City Pass card

When you buy the Venezia Unica City Pass card online you will receive an electronic voucher by email containing all the instructions on how to use the card and your personal PNR, i.e. a numeric code that you will need to access some of the services of your card.

To use Venezia Unica City Pass in museums you don’t need to do anything, just show up at the entrance with the voucher. It is usually accepted in electronic format, but it is advisable to have a printed copy.

To use the card on public transport, on the other hand, it is necessary to collect the regular ticket, i.e. an electronic card to be validated each time you travel. You can do this at the ticket machines at all the main vaporetto and public transport stops or by going to one of the authorised Venezia Unica sales points. We recommend using the ticket machines to avoid queues at the ticket counters.

Other city cards in Venice

In addition to the Venezia Unica City Pass there are other cumulative cards for transport, museums and attractions, each with its own characteristics. Choose the one that best suits you and your holiday.