Venice Vaporetto 1

Line 1 is the one to ride when you want Venice to introduce itself slowly. It starts at the road and rail edge, runs through the Grand Canal stops, passes Rialto and San Marco, then keeps going toward Castello and Lido S.M.E..

It is not the fast choice. It stops constantly, the boats can be loud, and the central stops can be packed. That is fine if the ride is the point. It is less fine if you are trying to make a tight dinner reservation or manage luggage.

For a first ride, I would do Piazzale Roma or Ferrovia toward Rialto, San Marco Vallaresso, and San Zaccaria. After that, use the other lines like transportation.