cobbie2

I know a gondola ride is for tourists but I Am one so am interested. I have read that is is 80 Euros for a gondola ride. Is that per person or for the whole gondola? I understand it holds 6. We will be four. We are staying at the Hotel Papadolopi and would like to cruise around that area, not on the Grand Canal.

Any help is appreciated. This is in early September.

bvlenci

The price is for the whole gondola. I've never taken the gondola, so I can't tell you where they will or won't go.

Sassafrass

Water level will determine where the gondola can go at any given time, so check that once you are there. At high tide, there are many bridges a gondola can not go under. Just ask the best time of day to do what you want.

The price is for total trip, not per person. It always seems short, so if there is a choice, take a longer trip.

I don't care if it is touristy and costly. Venice is all about water! By gondola is a wonderful way to see the back canals of Venice where you can't even go on foot. It is so quiet and lovely. I have been to Venice at least a half dozen times over the years, taken a gondola ride four times, and would do it again.

A vaporetto out in the lagoon to the islands is also wonderful.

The Grand Canal is beautiful. Take a vaporetto once during the day and once late at night. It is incredible to see lights through the windows of the palaces at night.

StCirq

I think a gondola ride is something one must do once (and only ONCE) in a lifetime.Where you go will depend on the water table - I don't think you can direct it. The price is for whole gondola.I'm surprised it's only 80 €. That's what it was in the early 2000s, the last time I took a gondola ride - and I thought it was a fortune at the time.

KTtravel

I think we paid 100 euros for 4 of us quite some time ago but I may be wrong. I think there are some different routes. Your hotel will likely know of the options.

annhig

you can economise by taking a traghetto across the grand canal - they are a bit like ferries that ply their trade to take people from one side to the other except that they are gondolas.

they were €1.50 pp last time I was there.

mjs

My recollection is that it was about 75 Euros around 1998 so I too am surprised it would only be 80 Euros now. Have been to Venice about 6 times but only one gondola ride. Did not think the price was too bad for four people when we did it.
I should also note that the ride was not that long.

vincenzo32951

As long as you've decided that you must do a gondola ride, I suggest that instead of hiring a gondola for a brief ride, go to one of the local travel agencies and sign on to a gondola group tour, which includes several gondolas.

I wasn't really interested in it, but we got a tour ride as a gift, and so we went, and enjoyed it.

I'm going to disagree with ann about taking the traghetto as a low-price substitute. Yes, it's a boat on water. That's where the comparison ends.

cobbie2

Thanks everyone.

rialtogrl

It is 80 euros for 30 minutes during the day. After 7pm the price goes to 100 euros, but they add 5 minutes. You might consider, taking a gondola as a mode of transportation rather than the cattle train of boats, for instance from your lodging to dinner. You can get a quote from any gondolier. It will cost a little more, but you won't be on the same ride as the other gazillion people in town.

The traghetto is NOT a cheap gondola ride, it costs 2 euros just to cross the Grand Canal and the ride takes sixty seconds. (Seriously,) you do the math.

Dogeared

I would agree that a gondola ride when in Venice is a must. But! I would say it is a must for a couple, not a crowd. Where is the romance of a gondola ride with other people?

What's more, timing and route travelled matter because, if lovers kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs as the bells of St Mark’s Campanile toll, the lovers will be given eternal love.

If you are going to do something, do it right, what price can you put on a guarantee of eternal love?

As for suggesting alternatives, obviously those doing so are not someone anyone would hope to be in a gondola with.

Sassafrass

People spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to get to Europe, then hesitate for cost of entrance to a museum or a special experience. Yes, I understand many do not think a gondola ride is worth it, and some may be on such a tight budget, they simply can't, but you seem to want to do it and may be sorry if you skip it. You might not have another chance for awhile. Don't look at the total cost. Honestly, there are four of you. That is only about 20 euro each!

Since I have done it, DH and I might not do it again on our own (although DH says he would), but you can bet I would take my Granddaughter, Daughter or friends.

I did the group thing with students. It was OK, but cost was actually more per person. Since you have a small group, just do it when you want to do it. Talk with the gondolier a bit. Make sure he is friendly.

xcountry

We paid 80 euros for six of us in 2011. The guy started singing like Engleburt Humperdinck or whatever his name was/is. It was incredibly romantic. Unfortunately I was sitting beside my sister in law.

Find a singer.

bladepro

It was 80 euros (2015) and if you are lucky the gondolier will sing to you. I don't know are there more than two routes around the canals. But definitely worth visiting.

I hope you will have a great time.

Small tip: pick the best place on the gondola that you want, after that there are no changing places with your friends

annhig

Engelbert Humperdink.

Peter_S_Aus

Ann, surely Volare .......

vincenzo32951

>>If you are going to do something, do it right, what price can you put on a guarantee of eternal love?<<

100 euros, apparently.

elnap29

A gondola ride is not something you need to decide ahead of time. When you arrive, you'll see plenty of them. We will be visiting Venice for our third time soon, and I am 90% sure we will not ride a gondola. It did not appeal to us at all during our previous visits. We really enjoyed our splurge on a water taxi from the airport to our hotel. While not the same as a gondola, we did cruise quietly on the Grand canal as well as some smaller canals and also passed by many tourists in gondolas with the gondolier singing. It seemed to be quite a circus at times. So...you will be able to make the call once there if you feel the gondola ride is something you'd like to experience.

Sassafrass

Good advice from elnap29.

janisj

If you really want a gondola ride but it doesn't fit in your budget, there are 'group' gondola tours. They take 6 people, and you can book as a single, couple, or any number. They cost approx €25-€30 pp and last about 35 or 40 mins. They leave from just west of St Marks. Not as 'romantic' as a private gondola, but a very nice experience.