Venice Kayak

Venice Kayak is based at the Vento di Venezia, on the Certosa island in the lagoon, just east of Venice city.

The Certosa island is served by vaporetto lines 4.1 and 4.2 (formerly lines 41 and 42), which are circular lines spanning most of Venice and Murano. These lines connect the island to the bus terminal and parking facilities at Piazzale Roma, to the railway station, and to many central vaporetto stops like San Marco, Fondamente Nove and Murano.

The Certosa stop is on request. When boarding, tell the sailor on the vaporetto that you need to get off on the Certosa.

(the route of the lines 4.1 and 4.2 is indicated in colour on this map)

Official ACTV time tables for vaporetto line 4.1 and line 4.2.

Here are the departure times from various places around Venice, which will get you to the Certosa island for 10am for a day tour. Since most vaporettos run on a 20 minutes schedule or more often, you can adjust the times easily for 9am, 2pm, 5pm or other times.

Depending on your point of departure more than one of these options might work for you.

From Piazzale Roma or the railway station

For arrival at 10: take vaporetto line 4.1 at 9:15 (station) and 9:18 (P.Roma) which arrives at the Certosa at 9:56; the previous departs 20 minutes earlier.

From along the Canal Grande (Rialto, Accademia, etc.)

For arrival at 10: take vaporetto line 1 at 9:10 (Rialto), 9:22 (Accademia) to S.Elena (9:44), and from there vaporetto line 4.1 at 9:50 for just one stop to the Certosa at 9:56; the previous connection is 8:50 (Rialto), 9:02 (Accademia) to S.Elena (9:24), then line 41 at 9:30 for one stop to the Certosa at 9:36.

From the San Marco and Riva degli Schiavoni area

For arrival at 10: take vaporetto line 4.1 at 9:41 (San Zaccaria), 9:44 (Arsenale), 9:47 (Giardini), 9:50 (S.Elena) which arrives at the Certosa at 9:56; the previous departs 20 minutes earlier.

From Cannareggio and central Castello

For arrival at 10: walk to Fondamente Nove and take the vaporetto line 4.2 at 9:41 which arrives at the Certosa at 9:58. The previous departure is 20 minutes earlier.

Fondamente Nove is the main vaporetto stop on the northern side of Venice, and it serves a lot of vaporetto lines.

From Murano

For arrival at 10: take the vaporetto line 4.2 at 9:23 (Murano Museo), 9:26 (Murano Navagero), 9:29 (Murano Faro), 9:32 (Murano Colonna), which arrives at the Certosa at 9:58. The previous departure is 20 minutes earlier.

From the Lido di Venezia

For arrival at 10: take vaporetto line 1 at 9:36 to S.Elena (9:41), and from there vaporetto line 4.1 at 9:50 for just one stop to the Certosa at 9:56; the previous connection is 9:16 to S.Elena (9:21), then line 4.1 at 9:30 for one stop to the Certosa at 9:36.

At the S.Elena stop you need to walk on to the other platform to board the connecting vaporetto. Be careful as many other lines than the 4.1 use that platform.

From the Camping San Nicolò, take the bus line V at 9.25 (16.25) to which arrives at Lido S.M.E. at 9.29 (16.29) in time for the vaporetto at 9.36 (16.36).

By foot as far as possible

If you’re staying in the eastern part of the sestiere Castello, or if you just prefer to walk — after all, walking is often faster than taking the vaporetto and Venice is not a large city — then walk to either the S.Elena stop or the S.Pietro stop, both located on the extreme east end of Venice, and take the vaporetto for just one stop.

From S.Elena take the line 4.1 at 9:50.

From S.Pietro take the line 4.2 at 9:55.

Generel notes

Depending on your point of departure there will be other possibilities. If taking other routes, please note the following.

Don’t take the vaporetto line 42 towards the Certosa from any stop before Fondamente Nove, as that will take you to Murano first. It is in practice faster going the apparently longer way south around Venice with the line 41, rather than taking the 42 to Murano and back.

Both line 41 and line 42 run on a 20 minute schedule. Line 1 runs on a 10 minute schedule.

Don’t forget to tell the sailor to let you off on the Certosa. The vaporetto only stops there on request.

Once on the Certosa island

We usually use the bar in the Certosa Hotel as our meeting point. That way, if you come early, you can get a cup of coffee or a snack while waiting.

The launch spot is further down the island, past the hotel and the toilet facilities.