Sharon

OK, I know I have to haggle with the Gondola driver. But what do I settle on for a price? There will be my husband and myself, and I do want to do the Gondola thing. What should I start out with and what should I finally agree upon. Also, should I specify where he actually takes us. Heard you can just get a 10 minute ride and pay alot thanks

xxx

The Venitian Official City rates before 8pm start at 60euro for 50 min. Additional 25min increments are 31euro. After 8pm the official rate is 77.50 euro and singing is extra. However, don't expect to get the official rates because the gondoliers don't follow it. 90euros for 50 min is the normal rate. Make sure that you negotiate the price AND the length of the ride and decide where you want to go before finding a gondolier (which are not hard to find!) If you want to go along the Grand Canal, use the gondoliers near the Rialto Bridge or Doge's Palace. If you want something more quieter and romantic, use the gondoliers away from all the water taxis and ferry.

richard j vicek

Good morning, Sharon If you go to the
American Express Office, on teh Salz. San Moise abvout a block west from the Pza. S. Marco, they offer fixed price
gondola... From the normal gondoliers
you get a ride of about 55 mins.,,
Richard of LaGrange Park, Il
PS check with the concierge of your hotel, he may have some other suggestions for you. Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..

bill

Don't go at low tide or high tide--at low tide you're craning your neck to see up and you see a lot of muck on the buildings--thought I guess that could be interesting too. High tide there are canals they can't get into because of low bridges. And don't go on the Grand Canal, you can see it on a vaporetto ride--have them take you on the back canals; much more romantic and less choppy (too many power boats, Japanese tourist gondola fleets, and vaporettos on the Grand Canal).

mr. cautious

If any of your party has a tendency towards getting sea-sick of motion sick, they might want to pop a dramamine before the ride.

The water was pretty rough on the days we were in Venice. I saw more than one person lose their lunch while in a gondola on the Grand Canal.

Steven

I went in the winter and took a gondola ride one morning with my girlfriend. We got a gondola outside of a small restaurant, the gondoliers were having coffee, we stood there for a minute, one fellow came out and we got a good deal. It is an off time (probably not as romantic as at sunset). You might want to try at non-peak times and tell them what sort of things you want to see. My girlfriend wanted to see some of the palaces and the gondolier was very happy to assist. He was great, we gave him a good tip. On another occasion I had the concierge of my hotel arrange it. That worked well also. I paid in Lira both times and I couldn't even tell you how much it was either time. It isn't cheap, but it is very memorable. Enjoy. I wouldn't worry about it being too rough, it will just make you squeeze your significant other all the harder.

Marci Russo

Is there a standard tip rate for gondoliers (i.e, 15%) or is it more like a taxi (a couple of bucks)?

Alice Twain

The gondoliere is already ripping you off, you do not need to tip him at all. Besides, in Italy tipping is not customary. if you want me to say it in plainer English in Italy never leave a tip unless you are treated extra well, all service (every kind of service) is already included in the price.

Melissa

I think my sister tipped our gondolier 10%. But then he took our whole family (5 of us) out for drinks after the gondola ride.