The short version
St Mark's Square sits at the end of the Grand Canal, and there are no cars in Venice. You arrive on water or on foot. The vaporetto is the water bus run by the city transport company ACTV. Line 1 takes the Grand Canal and stops at San Marco Vallaresso and San Marco San Zaccaria. Walking from the station takes about half an hour through the lanes.
Timetables change with the season. The autumn timetable has applied since 14 September 2026, and the extension of line 2 from San Marco to the Lido has stopped. Do not plan with a summer timetable. For the general transport system in the city, use the Venice getting-around guide. This page covers only the last stretch to the square.
By vaporetto
Which line, which landing stage.
Line 1: the Grand Canal
Line 1 runs along the Grand Canal to San Marco Vallaresso and then to San Marco San Zaccaria. In the autumn timetable one trip leaves Ferrovia at 6:24 a.m., reaches Vallaresso at 7:05 and San Zaccaria at 7:10. That is 41 and 46 minutes on the water. Another operator page names about 25 minutes, so plan with the longer figure and add waiting time.
Line 2: the faster Grand Canal branch
During the day line 2 serves a Grand Canal branch to Giardinetti. A trip from Ferrovia at 9:22 a.m. arrives at 9:51, which is 29 minutes. Line 2/ with the slash ends at Rialto and is not a direct boat to the square. In October 2026 the city announced works at Giardinetti landing stage A, with lines 2 and 10 using Vallaresso A as a replacement. Check the notices at the stop before you rely on it.
San Zaccaria is a different stop
Giardinetti and San Zaccaria are separate landing stages, so do not treat them as one "San Marco" pier. Line 2 also runs from San Zaccaria across to San Giorgio and on to the Giudecca. The first crossing in the plan takes 3 minutes.
San Giorgio Maggiore →Lines 4.1 and 5.1
The Museo Correr names lines 4.1 and 5.1 from the station or Piazzale Roma to San Zaccaria. That is the museum's arrival tip. Check each departure in the current ACTV plan.
| Ticket | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| 75 minutes | €9.50 |
| 24 hours | €25 |
| 48 hours | €35 |
| 72 hours | €45 |
| 7 days | €65 |
Validate your ticket when you board. Airport connections are not generally included in these tickets. For the trip from the airport to the city, use the airport guide.
Guided walks around St Mark's Square
Walking tours and tickets for the square and the buildings around it, with live prices and availability.
On foot
Time to allow from the three usual starting points.
From the station or Piazzale Roma
The regional heritage office gives about 30 minutes from Santa Lucia or Piazzale Roma to the square. That is a planning figure without luggage and without crowds. Another operator page gives 30 to 45 minutes from Piazzale Roma. Allow the upper end with a suitcase.
From Rialto
The walk from Rialto to the square takes about 5 to 10 minutes according to the basilica operator. The lanes are signed toward San Marco. The Rialto bridge itself is covered in the Rialto Bridge guide.
Step-free access
Venice has many bridges with steps. Do not assume a step-free route on any of these walks. If you need one, ask your accommodation for a route and check the vaporetto stops you plan to use.
By car, and the day-visitor fee
Cars stop at the edge of the historic city.
Parking
Piazzale Roma is the car terminal. Tronchetto and Mestre or Marghera are alternatives with a connection onward. One example is the municipal garage at Piazzale Roma: €35 per indivisible 24 hours, a maximum vehicle height of 2.20 m, open around the clock. Reserve by midnight the day before.
The access fee in 2026
The 2026 trial of the city's access fee ran on 60 selected days from 3 April to 26 July, between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. It cost €5 when paid in time and €10 otherwise. It ended on 27 July 2026, and no payment or exemption registration is needed for it now. Any fee for 2027 needs its own decision. It is not a daily fee for the square. Details are in the access fee guide.
High water
When the forecast is high, boat lines and walking routes can change. Read the forecast the day before.
Acqua alta on the square →Plan the rest of your visit
What to look at once you are there.
Getting to St Mark's Square: frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way from the train station?
Take line 1 on the Grand Canal to San Marco Vallaresso or San Zaccaria, or walk for about 30 minutes. The boat example takes 41 to 46 minutes on the water, so the walk can be just as quick once you count waiting time.
Which vaporetto stop is closest to the square?
San Marco Vallaresso and San Marco San Zaccaria are the stops on line 1. Giardinetti is on a different branch. Check which stop your line uses before you board.
How much is a vaporetto ticket?
A 75-minute ticket costs €9.50 in 2026. Passes cost €25 for 24 hours, €35 for 48 hours, €45 for 72 hours and €65 for 7 days. Validate the ticket on boarding.
Can I drive to St Mark's Square?
No. Cars stop at Piazzale Roma, at Tronchetto or on the mainland at Mestre or Marghera. From there you continue by boat or on foot.
Do I have to pay to enter the square?
The open square can be entered without a ticket. Tickets apply to the buildings. The city's access fee trial of 2026 ended on 27 July 2026.