The absolute cheapest way to get around Venice in 2026 is walking, which is entirely free and often the fastest way to navigate the maze-like streets of the historic center. For crossing the Grand Canal quickly without paying for a full water-bus ticket, the best-kept secret is the Traghetto; these are large gondolas operated by two rowers that shuttle people across the water at designated points for only €2 per trip. If you need to travel longer distances or to islands like Murano, the Vaporetto (water bus) is the main public transport. While a single 75-minute ticket is expensive (~€9.50), the "cheap" way to use them is by purchasing a multi-day pass (e.g., €45 for 2 days), which brings the per-ride cost down significantly. For travelers under 29, the Rolling Venice card offers deep discounts on these transit passes. Avoid "Water Taxis" at all costs if you are on a budget, as a single trip can easily exceed €100, making them the most expensive transport option in the city.