Given that Venice is one of the most expensive destinations in Italy, and gondola rides are among the priciest experiences you can have in the city, this article offers the only solution I’ve found to enjoy a gondola ride without breaking the bank.
This method is perfect if you’re traveling solo, and it also can provide some savings for couples.
Instead if you’re a family of two adults with two or three children, or a group of 4-5 friends, your preferred approach should be negotiate with gondoliers directly face-to-face: the prices for gondola rides are the same regardless of the number of passengers up to the maximum number that a gondola can accommodate. See current prices in the following paragraph.
My Experience and Current Rates
Despite the fact that gondola ride prices in Venice have been fixed and regulated for many years, from my various trips over time I have unpleasant memories of being quoted different prices by different gondoliers. Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me, but it seems odd.
However, I’m certain about the annoyance I felt due to the arrogance and lack of professionalism with which I was always responded to: gondoliers are much more courteous with wealthy American tourists (I’ve seen this firsthand several times), but as a Roman, I’ve always been treated quite poorly. The exception was during my visit to Venice in the COVID time: the city was practically deserted, and oddly enough, all the gondoliers had become extremely friendly and cordial, offering me longer-than-usual gondola rides at half the price. This is proof that the prices aren’t really “fixed”.
The current rates for a gondola ride during the day (from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM) are 90€ for 30 minutes, which increases to 110€ in the evening (from 7:00 PM to 4:00 AM). Prices, rules, and a list of departure points (stazi) can be found on this official page of the Municipality of Venice. Up to 5 passengers can board a gondola, and the price remains the same regardless of the number of participants in the ride. Even a small child counts as a passenger. It seems to me that even an infant in a mother’s arms is counted as a passenger, though in the case of infants the assessment might be at the discretion of the gondolier.
For a family or a group of 4-5 friends, it’s actually a fairly reasonable expense for a typical experience: during the day, it works out to 22.50€ per person for a group of four and 18€ per person for a group of five. However, if you are alone or a couple it is noticeably more expensive.
Booking Online to Save Money
If you’re traveling alone the only way to save money is by booking online in advance.
Consider one of these deals on Civitatis:
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Civitatis is one of the most reliable websites to book this type of activity: I have often used it to book various activities and guided tours in different cities around the world and I have always had a good experience.
Of course, satisfaction with the booked activity depends on various factors, first and foremost personal expectations.
Note that the ratings of reviews for these gondola rides are quite low, much lower than free tours in Venice. From my analysis, this is essentially due to two factors: several families or groups of more than 2 people booked online in this way, only to find on the spot that it is not at all convenient (it’s what I explained at the beginning); and the low satisfaction may also depend on the lack of professionalism of individual gondoliers.
Is it Worth It?
These “budget” gondola rides are typically shorter, about 20 minutes, compared to the 30-minute rides for 100€. But let’s be honest, once you’ve sailed under the Bridge of Sighs or admired Venice’s stunning palaces from the canals, you’ve anyway truly experienced the city.
For solo travelers, this is definitely the best option I recommend.
For couples it’s a bit more complex: true, you save a bit compared to the 100€ ride, but you’ll have to share the gondola with others (and you might not get your preferred seat), it’s less romantic, and shorter. n essence, if you’re seeking a truly personalized and memorable gondola experience, it’s worth spending a little more to customize your time, location, and gondolier. Therefore, for couples, I recommend exploring the option of negotiating directly with a gondolier in Venice. You may find that you can have a more personalized and affordable experience without the restrictions of an online booking.
Tips and Precautions
Monitor the weather forecast carefully, and if you see a downpour forecast for your scheduled time, cancel your booking as soon as possible, even up to 24 hours beforehand, to avoid any penalties.
Make sure to always verify the departure location and time. Plan to arrive early, and remember that navigating Venice often takes much longer than you might expect (or what Google Maps indicates). And while you’re at it, thoroughly read ALL the additional information provided on the booking page.
more in Venice
Here are the different boat transfer options in Venice:
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Check out all the other activities that can be booked in Venice:
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Cover Photocredit: LunarSeaArt, Pixabay