Venice Discount Cards and Passes
Venice Discount Cards and Passes. The smart way for tourists to explore the city’s treasures, while saving money, time, and convenience. A comprehensive and up-to-date guide – ideal for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.
Venice isn’t cheap. The city still has its peak seasons, but it has essentially become a year-round tourist spot. So, finding ways to save money, time, and gain extra perks while avoiding the possibility of long queues is definitely worth considering.
Whether you’re planning to explore Venice for a few days or an extended stay, this post will help you confidently choose the right card or pass for your needs and the extra perks it offers.
I have attepted to give accurate current pricing. However, the curse of inflation means rising prices for tourist attractions – do check the official sites for all purchasing details, as many Venetian websites are slow to update information (and hence often AI searches)
If you’d like to enhance your experience with digital tools, check out the post “Useful Apps for Venice” in the links section below.
Choosing the Right Card or Passes
Main Venice Cards and Passes
Links (internal-external)
“View from the Campanile on San Giorgio di Maggiore, overlooking St Mark’s Square, Venice“.
Choosing the Right Card or Passes Venice Discount Cards and Passes
If you’re planning to see more than two major sites or use public transport frequently, a pass can pay for itself quickly.
Choosing the right Card or Pass depends on:
The length of stay.
Your list of “must-see” attractions and transport needs.
A comparison of inclusions versus solo ticket costs.
Factoring in any extras (audio guides, tours, gondola ride)
Here’s a full rundown of the advantages:
Financial Savings
- Bundled pricing: Passes often cost less than buying individual tickets for each attraction.
- Transport discounts: Vaporetto (water bus) passes offer unlimited rides at a fraction of the cost.
- Free or reduced entry: Many passes include free or reduced price access to museums, churches, and guided tours.
Time Efficiency
- Skip-the-line access: Help avoid long queues at popular sites like Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica.
- Pre-booked entry: Some passes include timed reservations, streamlining your itinerary.
Convenience
- All-in-one access: One pass covers multiple attractions, transport, and sometimes even guided tours.
- Digital format: Many passes are available as mobile tickets, so no need to print or pick up in person.
- Easy planning: Passes often come with maps, audio guides, or suggested itineraries.
Extra Perks
- Gondola rides: Some passes include a shared gondola experience or discounted private rides.
- Audio guides: Multilingual commentary enhances your understanding of Venice’s history and art.
- Shopping & dining discounts: Select passes offer deals at local restaurants, cafés, and boutiques.
Cultural Access
- Exclusive entry: Gain access to lesser-known gems like the Correr Museum or historic churches.
- Special exhibitions: Some passes include temporary exhibits or seasonal events.
Flexibility
- Multiple durations: Choose from 1-day to 7-day passes depending on your stay.
- Customizable options: Some passes let you pick the attractions that interest you most.
“View from the Campanile on San Giorgio di Maggiore, overlooking the southern entrance to the Grand Canal, Venice“.
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Main Venice Cards and Passes
1. Venezia Unica City Pass
The official city pass offered by the City of Venice. If you’re planning to explore Venice deeply, especially across multiple days or islands; the Venezia Unica Pass can be a smart, time-saving investment. You can explore package options and book directly on the official Venezia Unica site, main vaporetto stations, airport and train stations. Probably the best option for travelers who want flexibility and access to cultural sites and transport.
Advantages of the Venezia Unica City Pass
- All-in-One Convenience: Combines public transport, museum entries, church visits, and cultural events into one pass.
- Customizable Packages: You can tailor your pass to include only what you need – transport, culture, or both.
- Skip-the-Line Access: While not universal, some attractions allow direct entry with the pass (check specific sites for details).
- Online Purchase & Easy Collection: Buy online and collect via ticket machines or sales points using your booking code.
- Savings: Bundling services can be cheaper than buying individual tickets, especially if you plan to explore widely.
- Transport Coverage: Includes unlimited use of Vaporetto water buses and city land buses – ideal for visiting islands like Murano and Burano.
- Cultural Access: Entry to major sites like Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Correr Museum.
Current Costs (2025 Overview) The pass is highly customizable, so prices vary depending on what you include. Here’s a general idea:
| Package Type | Estimated Cost Range | Includes |
| Transport Only | €20–€35 | Unlimited Vaporetto + bus travel for 1–3 days |
| Culture Only | €25–€50 | Entry to selected museums, churches, and cultural sites |
| Full City Pass | €50–€90+ | Transport + major attractions (e.g., Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s, museums) |
NOTE:
- Special versions called the “Rolling Venice card” are available of the VU pass unlock discounts for ages 6–29, and family bundles.
- A 5-year VU City Pass is available for frequent travellers to Venice. The card is designed for residents, commutors and frequent visitors at a greatly reduced rate, rather than the tourist one. The cost is Euro 100 for non-residents (Euro 10 for residents) With it, a single waterbus journey is Euro 1.50, instead of Euro 9.50. You need to apply in person with an ID and a passport photo at an ACTV office, and the card is tied to your name. Top-up at ACTV stations.
Venezia Unica Website – English
2. Venice Cards
These companies bundle popular attractions – like Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica, gondola rides, and sometimes ACTV transport; into one convenient package. They’re designed for ease and fast-track access, It suits those who like to plan ahead and don’t mind prebooking
This is where a degree of confusion sets in. The Venice Card is not an official product of the City of Venice or the Venezia Unica platform. Instead, it’s a commercial tourist pass offered by third-party travel companies, often under names like:
Venice City Pass by Turbopass Turbopass Venice City Pass Website.
Venice Pass by MegaPass Venice City Pass | Mega Savings. Mega Value.
St. Mark’s City Pass St. Mark’s Square Pass
Others sold via sites like venice-citypass.com Venice City Pass Comparison 2025: What is the best Venice Pass?
If you’re looking for flexibility and local pricing, Venezia Unica is your go-to. If you want a ready-made sightseeing bundle, The Venice Card might be more convenient.
Here’s an example: The Turbopass Venice City Pass
- Skip-the-line entry to Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica
- Gondola ride or Murano & Burano boat tour
- Optional public transport
- Audio guide app
- 10% discount on other attractions
“View from the the boat moorings on San Giorgio di Maggiore, towards St Mark’s Square, Venice”
3. ACTV Multiday Tickets.
Unlimited Travel Across Venice (excluding some lines like Alilaguna). Covers water buses (vaporetti) and, including routes to Murano, Burano, Lido, and Torcello and land buses, and is ideal for exploring Venice’s lagoon and outer islands without buying separate tickets.
Big Savings for Tourists. Multiday passes offer flat-rate unlimited rides, saving you money and hassle. A single ride costs €9.50 and is valid for only 75 minutes, so even just three rides in a day makes a multiday pass worthwhile.
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Day | €25 |
| 2 Days | €35 |
| 3 Days | €45 |
| 7 Days | €65 |
| 3-Day Youth Pass (ages 6–29, with Rolling Venice Card) | €28 (€6 for the card + €22 for the pass) |
Easy to Buy & Use
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Available at ACTV ticket counters, vending machines, and online.
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Works with electronic readers – just validate once and enjoy unlimited travel.
Stress-Free Exploration
- No need to queue or calculate fares – just tap and go.
- Great for spontaneous detours and scenic rides like the Grand Canal Line 1 vaporetto.
Ideal for Island-Hopping & Sightseeing
- Encourages visits to lesser-known gems like Torcello’s cathedral or Lido’s beaches.
- Lets you ride as often as you like, so you can treat the vaporetto like a floating tour bus.
Child Discounts
ACTV doesn’t offer standard family or group discounts on its multiday tickets, but there are a few clever ways to save if you’re traveling with kids or younger companions:
- Children under 6 years old travel free on ACTV services.
- For kids aged 6–29, you can buy a Rolling Venice Card for €6, which unlocks a 3-day youth pass for just €22 – a total of €28 for three days of unlimited travel. That’s a solid deal compared to the regular €45 price.
4. MUVE Friend Card
The MUVE Friend Card is a fantastic option for museum lovers who want to dive deep into Venice’s rich cultural heritage. It’s a year-long membership offered by the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE), granting unlimited access to a wide array of civic museums and exclusive perks.
What the MUVE Friend Card Includes
Unlimited entry to all permanent collections of the Civic Museums of Venice:
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- Doge’s Palace
- Museo Correr
- National Archaeological Museum
- Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Marciana
- Ca’ Rezzonico (18th-century Venice)
- Palazzo Mocenigo (Costume and Perfume)
- Ca’ Pesaro (Modern Art + Orient*l Art)
- Murano Glass Museum
- Burano Lace Museum
- Natural History Museum
- Carlo Goldoni’s House
- Fortuny Palace
- MUVE exhibitions at the Centro Culturale Candiani in Mestre and Fort Marghera.
Reduced entry to temporary exhibitions
Invitations to exhibition openings and special events
Exclusive promotions and initiatives for cardholders
E-newsletters with updates on MUVE activities
Card Options & Prices
| Card Type | Price | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| MUVE Friend Card Blue | €50 | Standard price for general public |
| MUVE Friend Card Red | €30 | Discounted for: students under 26, teachers, Venice residents or natives |
- Buy from MUVE website or participating museum ticket offices.
- Valid for 12 months from the date of purchase
- Nominal and non-transferable (ID may be required at museum entry)
- Available for purchase online or at museum ticket offices
- Renewing members receive a special gift
- Venice residents can bring one guest for free
5. MUVE Combined Tickets
If you only want to vist each MUVE Museum once – a combined ticket may be more practical It is the most complete option and is valid for 6 months and allows only one visit per museum.The cost is 40 Euros to cover most of the main museums There are smaller thematic passes valid for 3 months. Buy them through the MUVE website or at participating Museum ticket offices.
St Mark’s Square Museums – Doge’s Palance, Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale Marciana. 25 Euros.
!8th Century Venice. Ca’ Rezzonico, Palazzo Mocenigo, Carlo Goldoni’s House. 15 Euros.
Modern and Contemporary Art. Ca’pesaro, Fortuny Museum. 15 Euros.
Island Museums. Murano Glass Museum, Burano lace Museum, 12 Euros.
“View from the Rialto Bridge after Sunset“
6. The Dorsoduro Museum Mile
You can connect four major museums in a beautiful part of the northern Dorsoduro district with a small reduction – Gallerie dell’ Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Palazzo Cini and the Pinault Collection (Palazzo Grassi and the Punta della Dogana).
If you show a ticket from one of these museums, you can access the others for a 10% discount. The reduction is for 7 days from your first visit, so make sure to keep your first ticket.
One of our popolar illustrated posts, covers in detail a walking tour of both private and public galleries in this beautiful neighbourhood: Galleries of the Dorsoduro
7. Pinault Collection Membership
For contemporary art lovers,this memebership offers unlimited entry to Palzzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana.
- Invitations to previews, special events and discounts in the bookshop and cafes.
- The standard cost for one year is 39 Euros, whilst the Duo membership (valid for you and a guest that can be different each visit) is 64 Euros
- Purchase through the website or from the museum ticket office. Pinault Collection Venice /Membership
8. Chorus Pass – Association for the Churches of the Patriarchate of Venice
The churches of Venice contain one of the most extraordinary treasures of art in the world. One thousand years of history and faith speak though their walls, and through the paintings, sculptures, goldsmith’s works and precious fabrics preserved in these fascinating edifices.
Statement: Chorus strives to protect, preserve, restore, and promote the architectural and artistic heritage of Venice’s churches, as well as those of the Patriarchy.
NOTE. One reputable Venetian website has reported in their post that from summer 2025, the card has been discontinued. However, the official website does not appear to indicate this, so I will include full contact details of the service it offers. Please before booking, check this yourself to avoid any confusion. An additional AI search produced this note: “Venice has introduced an access fee for visitors on certain days between April and July, so you’ll want to check the official Venice Access Fee site before planning your trip”. However, that’s unrelated to the Chorus Pass itself. The Venezia Unica City Pass does allow access to the Chorus churches in Venice – but only if you specifically include the Chorus Pass option when customizing your package.
All the participating churches (currently 18 on their website) can be accessed with a single pass. Prices range from €10 to €30, depending on whether you choose a reduced, full, or family pass valid for a period of one year. This compares with: Entry for a single church: 3.50 €. Student entry for a single church: 2.50 € (up to 25 years old students, provided with ID card)
Churches opening hours: from Monday to Saturday 10.30 am to 5 pm, (last entrance 4.45 pm). Check website for the list of participating churches and possible closures at certain dates of the year and for list of free-access exceptions
Chorus – Associazione per le Chiese del Patriarcato di Venezia
San Polo, 2986 – 30125 Venezia
Tel: +39 041 2750462
Email: [email protected]
Chorus Pass Website – Association for the Churches of the Patriarchate of Venice
“Return of the Gondolas at Sunset, Venice“. R to L. Santa Maria della Salute, Seminario Patriarcale and Punta della Dogana.
9. Biennale Cards 2025
Here’s a breakdown of the Biennale Cards 2025 offered by La Biennale di Venezia, designed for art lovers and professionals to enjoy exclusive access and support cultural initiatives:
Dedicated to professionals and art lovers interested in the initiatives organized by La Biennale di Venezia, the Card will enable holder to take advantage of a series of benefits covering all of the Biennale’s activities. La Biennale offers 5 different types of Cards (Young Adult, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond); the Biennale Diamond Card – the most prestigious one available – is a kind of “mini donour” of La Biennale di Venezia.
The revenue from the sale of Biennale Cards 2025 will be used to support the activities of the Historical Archives of Contemporary Arts. In this way, all Card holders will greatly contribute to collect, catalogue and digitize the valuable heritage which includes works, documents and images stored in the Archives. A part of this revenue will be allocated to the Carbon Neutrality project undertaken by La Biennale di Venezia in 2021.
Biennale Card website – English
| Card Type | Price (€) | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Young Adult | €65 | For under-30s: full access to Architecture Exhibition, 1 free show ticket, discounts on other shows, and reduced-price Cinema Accreditation |
| Silver | Not listed | Includes benefits across Biennale events; details available on request |
| Gold | Not listed | Enhanced access and perks; includes pre-opening access to Biennale Architettura |
| Platinum | Not listed | Premium benefits including multiple pre-opening entries and exclusive access |
| Diamond | Not listed | Highest tier; considered a “mini donor” with top-tier access and privileges |
“Last rays of light over San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice“.
Links (internal–external)
Getting Around – Basic Terminology
This post contains my “Top 25 Recommendations to the city’s finest museums” and is one of the most comprehensive guidess. This introductory guide features a direct link, to each of my 25 Individual museum posts. Venice Museum Guide
For Gallery-lovers – here are two popular “Walking-Tour” posts: Private Art Galleries of San Marco Galleries of the Dorsoduro
VIDEO 10 mins: Experience Venice Like a Local: 15 Tips to Save Money and Discover Hidden Gems
Venice Discount Cards and Passes Venice Discount Cards and Passes Venice Discount Cards and Passes