I am taking my 4 granddaughters to Venice and they want to take a gondola ride. Does anyone know an approximate price?

If memory serves, I read last night in Frommers 2004 that the "official" rate is 60 Euro but it's usually more, closer to 80. They'll ask for more than that, but you can bargain with them.

Does this sound right to those who've recently been?

The information below is from the Web site of the Gondoliers' Association, to which the Web site of the city of Venice sends you for the information:

DAYTIME PERSONALISED AND STANDARD TOUR
(50 minutes - maximum 6 people per gondola): 62 Euros
for each additional 25 minutes: 31 Euros

NIGHT-TIME PERSONALISED AND STANDARD TOUR
(from 20.00 to 8.00, 50 minutes, maximum 6 people per gondola): 77.45 Euros
for each additional 25 minutes: 38.75 Euros

From all that I have heard, however, the gondoliers will ask for much more than that, and if you point out the official tariff, they will either take you for less than the 50 minutes or go over by a few minutes to charge you the additional 25-minute charge.

Other than that, though, I love Venice.

Yeah, 60 Euro is about right. Here's a hint though. I think I paid 9 euro for a day pass on the vaporetta (basically the venetian version of a bus/boat). A gondola is great for the experience, but for transportation, this is the way to go. Unlimited on and off for 24 hours.

Hi,

I also go with the vaporetto. In addition, there are traghetti stops along the grand canal, where you can take a gondola across; standing up like the Venetians do, for about 1E or less.

Yes, the vaporetto is a great, practical way of communiting in Venice, it is not the same as a gondola. I don't think anyone, or at least I hope, that no one thinks you commute with a gondola. Gondolas are a unique way of seeing Venice that you do once when you are there and from that point on, you use the vaporetto. The two are not comparable, they are TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS.

Some people might prefer to ride a traghettis and the vaporetta early in thier visit and then decide later if they still felt a need to spend 80E on a gondola.

Now I say that at the risk of appearing cheap! Of course, if the "little wife" was with me, I'd arrange for a gondola right quick. But if it were for some other family members, well, ..... .

Buon Giorno,

Last September we paid 80 Euro for 30 minutes rides for 2 persons.

The FIRST THING someone will ask you when you mention you went to Venice is "Did you ride a gondola?".

Do not listen to the cheapies telling you to use the Vaporetto. You MUST do a gondola if in Venice or you will regret it long after the cost is forgotton. Why fly all that way and not do the one main thing you think of when you think of Venice? Sorta stupid, huh?

Bob1,

Right on!!!!

My family went to Venice last summer and I thought we would really want to do a Gondola ride. We stood on many bridges and watched them glide by but we decided not to spend the 80 Euros to ride one.

I don't regret it.
We spent our money on other experiences and souveniers and I am glad we did. But, if this is something you really want to experience, then do it!!

I was interested in hearing one poster suggest bargaining. Friends tried to do that a few years ago with several gondoliers. They said they stopped because they got very nasty reactions. Eloise--that's exactly what happened to friends of ours. They were asking for a 30 minute ride for a lesser price. They ended up getting a 30 minute ride for the cost of a 50 minute ride. The gondolier started screaming at them in Italian when they tried to point this out.

Always beware of people who tell you you that you MUST do something or your trip will just not be complete. Each traveler has a different situation based on budget, expectations, and values.

If you really want to ride one, then by all means do so, but please don't feel bad if you don't. Plenty of people go to Venice and have great trips without riding one. If it was a mandatory action by all visitors, then why do you see so many gondola drivers standing around without customers?

And remember, you travel to please and amuse yourself, not people back home.

I just knew I was going to get called a
cheapo by providing an alternative that SOME people might like to explore.

And the first thing I think of when somebody mentions Venice is St. Mark's Square at night with violin music playing.

I didn't want to spend money on a gondola at first, but when I finally did it I was blown away. I think everyone should do it, just to see what Venice was like before vaporetti, before water taxis.

Now if you have 4 grandaughters, chances are VERY good that you will get a longer ride than advertised

I will say it one more time and then fade away: If your granddaughters want to rice the gondola they think it is important. It is part of the allure of Venice. Just ride one and then you can talk about it. The cheapos on this site will kill your trip if you allow them. They can also tell you where the McDonalds are and where to get bad wine.

Hey, little bobby1, I can tell you where to go and its not to Mcdonalds.

We were in Venice last August and in a heat-induced fit of stupidity my husband decided we had to ride a gondola NOW (I think the kids had gotten to him). So, he asked the nearest gondolier (not at a regular stand), how much and then we all jumped in despite the response - 90 euros!!!! We might as well have had "Stupid American" stamped on our foreheads! He was a nice guy and clearly had rank - one of the older guys who all the younger ones gave way to. He talked about the city and historical sites and it was wonderful! I would have preferred not to be ripped off, but that happens sometimes! Take the girls - there is nothing like it!!! And go to one of the official stands.

How can anyone call whatever the gondola rate may be a rip off when you're told in advance what the cost is? The only way it could be a rip off is if you weren't told how much until AFTER the ride OR if you were told it would be one hour long and it is less.

Anytime you pay for something in advance and you are given what you paid for, it is NOT rip off. It is a decision you make to pay that much. Let's look at it this way, gondolier have a business. Would your employer think that the salary he/she is paying you is a rip off?

lyb, I'm not sure I'd agree with your views on getting ripped off.

If I went to a nice restaurant and saw the Prime Rib was $25 and ordered it, but it came out razor thin, I'd still say I was ripped off even though I agreed to pay their price.

If I arrived in a strange foreign city and the taxi driver said he'd charge me the usual 30 euro to get to my hotel and I agreed, but then the hotel ended up being only a block away and they told me there it should have been 3 euro, I'd say I was ripped off.

If I had never been to Venice and was told that the usual price for a gondola was $100 and agreed to that price, but then found out all other companies only charged $10, I'd still say I was ripped off.

I could give a lot more examples. Agreeing to pay a certain amount for something doesn't mean you're not going to get "ripped off". At least not in my book.