Wondering how much gondola fares in Venice, Italy are and if the price is really worth it? We had the same problem when we were planning our trip.
Don’t worry, there’s light at the end of the canal!
We wrote down everything from our trip and all the mistakes we made to ensure you won’t make the same ones. This post will tell you everything you need to know about how to save on gondola fares in Venice, Italy!
What a Gondola Ride Costs per Person
There are set prices that gondoliers are supposed to follow. Let us stress that they are supposed to follow these guidelines, but not all of them do. These are the set prices that they are legally supposed to be charging. That doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate a lower price if it’s not too busy.
During the Daytime (8:00am-6:59pm)
The gondolas are booked per boat, not per person. During the daytime, the set price is €80 for a 30-minute gondola ride.
Daytime Gondola Fares in Venice, Italy
| Length of Ride | Price per Gondola | Price per Person* |
| 30 Minutes | €80 | €13 |
*based on full six (6) person gondola
During the Evening (7:00pm-7:59am)
Again, the gondolas are booked per boat, not per person. During the evening, the set price is €120 for a 30-minute gondola ride.
Evening Gondola Fares in Venice, Italy
| Length of Ride | Price per Gondola | Price per Person* |
| 30 Minutes | €120 | €20 |
*based on full six (6) person gondola
Tip: To save the most on gondola fares in Venice, Italy, you should know that the maximum amount of people allowed in the gondola is six. If you’re a group of six people or able to find some others to join you, the price would be much less.
We recommend going during the day and trying to find extra people to fill the gondola to save money. Your best option is always to have more people (up to six, of course) if you are looking to save some money. If you are looking for a more romantic, intimate gondola ride, then be prepared to spend more money.
Please keep in mind that many factors can contribute to the price of the gondola. For instance, if you would like to be serenaded by a professional singer, there is an additional price for that. Also, if you would like a specific route, it may be longer, and there could be an additional cost for that. We recommend negotiating with your gondolier first to make sure you and the gondolier know exactly what you are getting and for what price.
Do Gondola Rides Start and End at the Same Place?
Yes – most do! This is because the gondolier usually has a fixed stand that they are required to operate out of.
Where to Hire a Gondola in Venice?
There are gondola stands all over Venice, but not all the stands will have the same routes. If you go to any of the main attractions such as the Rialto Bridge or Piazza San Marco and head to the Grand Canal, you’ll find gondola stands there. However, if you choose to hire a gondola from there, expect that your gondola ride will take you through the Grand Canal. This can be a choppy ride and, in our opinion, less enjoyable.
Your other option is to walk along the interior canals until you find a gondola stand. These gondoliers will take you through the small canals, with some even making a quick trip through the Grand Canal. The best thing is to ask the gondolier where the ride will take you, especially if you want to see something specific!
Where to Go on a Gondola Ride?
Similar to deciding where to hire a gondola, when deciding on where you’d like to go on your gondola ride, there is one main thing to consider: would you like to see the main attractions or have a quieter ride?
- Main Area: If you want to see the Grand Canal and/or Rialto Bridge, we recommend hiring the gondola near the Rialto Bridge or Piazza San Marco. From there, the gondolier will take you through the Grand Canal.
- Interior Canals: This is where the gondolier will take you through the interior canals. We believe this is the more romantic, quieter ride, and we recommend this route.
The Traghetto Gondola
Traghetto means “ferry” in Italian. If you are looking to save money and just want to say you rode through the Grand Canal, this could be an option for you! However, this is not the same experience as your €80 gondola ride. This is a public ferry that shuttles people from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. The price is only €2, but it is a very different experience, crossing the choppy waters with two gondoliers instead of one.
If you choose to try a Traghetto, there are a few spots for you to ride the Traghetto. The two most common and reliable Traghetto points are:
- Traghetto di Santa Sofia
- Traghetto di San Toma
The other popular Traghetto points are not as reliable, as they don’t run every day:
- Riva del Vin
- San Samuele
- Santa Maria del Giglio
Tip: Traghetto routes are clearly marked on some Venice street maps – look for straight lines across the Grand Canal, or use our map below!
Best Gondola Route in Venice
We suggest that you start from Bacino Orseolo. The reason for this is that your gondola will travel along the small canals and eventually pop out into the Grand Canal for you to take in the sights. It then proceeds back into the small canals, taking you back to where you started. In our opinion, this is one of the best gondola routes in Venice!
Is a Gondola Ride in Venice Worth it?
The short answer: YES! It is pretty much a right-of-passage when visiting Venice.
The long answer: it’s all in the eye of the beholder. While some people think that a gondola ride is too touristy and expensive, we disagree. However, we do believe that once you have done it, you probably don’t need to do it again.
If you are willing to spend €80 for a private gondola, it is well worth it, especially if you are looking for a more intimate and romantic gondola ride with your significant other. It is one of, if not the most, romantic thing you can do in Venice, especially at night. If you don’t want to pay €80, we recommend quickly making some new friends, to help cut down the price, and go during the day! Remember, you are in a place that you may never return to, or be able to revisit. So split the price of the gondola with your new friends – hop in, sit back and enjoy!
Shared or Private Gondola Ride
Sharing a ride is a great way to cut down on the price of the gondola fares in Venice, Italy. However, the decision to take a shared or private gondola really depends on how much money you would like to spend, and if you would like the ride to be more intimate. For us, since this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, we wanted the ride to be special so we opted for a private gondola ride. We were also lucky because the gondola in front of us opted for live music, so we were even able to listen to that as we travelled around the canals.
How Long is a Gondola Ride?
A standard gondola ride in Venice is about 25-30 minutes long!
What to Expect from Your Gondolier
There is not much to expect here! The gondolier is there to steer the gondola through the canals and allow you to take in this breathtaking city. If you choose to speak to the gondolier, they are more than willing to tell you all kinds of stories and information about what you’re looking at. Our suggestion is to engage with your gondolier for some of the ride – they can make your experience that much more enjoyable.
Do You Tip the Gondola Drivers in Venice?
It’s not required to tip your gondolier, but as with most cases when travelling, if you are happy with the service and your experience, it is always appreciated. Our gondolier was amazing – it explained some of the history but also gave us our privacy. For this reason, we felt that he was more than deserving of a tip (we gave €5).
Wheelchair Accessible Gondola Rides
In an effort to make Venice more accessible, Gondolas4all was launched in 2016. This project brought a wheelchair-accessible pier and gondola to reality. Located next to the Piazzale Roma, Gondolas4all has a mechanical lift that will pick up and lower the wheelchair into the gondola.
What is a Venetian Gondola?
What used to be the main means of transportation in Venice, there are currently only 400 gondoliers and gondolas in service. The main purpose of a gondola now is strictly for tourists.
The gondolas themselves are all hand-built. Using eight different kinds of wood and 280 separate pieces, it takes about six months to build a gondola from start to finish. The gondola will have a flat bottom to ensure that it can navigate shallow waters. You also may notice that most gondolas are black! This is due to a 17th-century law that requires the boats to be black, to eliminate competition between gondoliers to see who could have the most eye-catching gondola. Also, the final cost is not cheap – a basic gondola will cost €35 000, with more high-end boats costing €50 000.
Should I Buy a Gondola Ticket in Advance?
No! By not purchasing a gondola ticket in advance, this will allow you to save some money. You’ll always be able to barter for a lower gondola fare, in person. While you may not get a lower price, it’s worth the shot! Also, there are tons of gondolas and gondoliers all over Venice and so we don’t think it’s necessary to book in advance. Your best option is to ask at your hotel or the restaurant you are dining at, where the closest gondola stand is, and go from there. There may be a small line, but you should be able to get a gondola with no problems!
How to Save on Gondola Fares in Venice, Italy?
- Share a gondola – make new friends and enjoy the ride!
- Take a ride during the day
- Don’t purchase your ride in advance – barter for lower gondola fare
- Use the public Traghetto ferry to cross the Grand Canal
Looking for more things to do in Venice, Italy?
24 Hours in Venice Itinerary: Top 5 Things You Must Do
Murano, Burano & Torcello Islands | The Complete Guide
27 Instagrammable Places in Venice
How to get a free Murano glass factory tour from Venice
25 Places for the Best Gelato in Venice
