Whether you’re traversing the city of Venice or embracing a romantic kind of date night, a gondola ride is the perfect solution to both. In today’s post, we’ll be inspecting the crucial elements in hiring a gondola: what a gondola and gondolier are, where to pick one up, pricing, whether you should tip, and so on. After a read of this post, we can guarantee that you’ll be somewhat of an expert on gondolas and the Venetian canals!
So. What’s a Gondola?
A gondola is a flat-bottomed boat that’s used to travel the canals in Venice. On average, they’re 11 meters long, and are hand-crafted in workshops called squeri, which still exist in low numbers to this day. At either end, the gondola features a high point, and is controlled with a single oar at the stern. It is propelled and steered by a gondolier, the “driver” if you will of the gondola.
Gondolas are used as the main form of transport is Venice, as the roadways consist of deep pools of water. Back in the day, they were more common amongst the upper classes, but nowadays they’re used as an everyday form of transport. They once existed in their thousands, but as of recently there are only around 500 gondolas in Venice.
When/Where to Start a Gondola Ride
Whatever route that you take, be aware that the gondola ride will take you back to your initial starting point once over. You have two main options when it comes to taking a gondola ride, the Grand Canal route or the quiet back canals. Most recommend taking the latter route, as the Grand Canal is forever crowded. The back canals will make for a nice alternative, as there will be less traffic, and you’ll get to see a different view of Venice than the norm.
If you’d like to take the back canal route, walk away from San Marco and the main street. For the Grand Canal route, there’s an established gondola stop that will be hard to miss. It’s good to note that the gondolas aren’t designed to journey to the major landmarks in Venice. You’ll see plenty of sights, but there’s no guarantee that the famous ones will be included in your gondola ride.
Pricing
As they’re a novelty form of transport on a global scale, Gondola rides tend to be quite expensive. Around 40 minutes will cost you about €80, but this is up for negotiation with your gondolier. You can also add time onto your gondola ride in blocks of 20 minutes for an additional fee. Extra services such as singing and guided tours are an enjoyable aspect, but also add additional cost to your gondola ride. It’s also good to note that traveling on a gondola after 7PM is more expensive than during the day.
If spending indulgently isn’t exactly your style, you can opt for a traghetto ride. Costing just a few euros, you’ll glide through the canals for shorter distances in a smaller, gondola-style ferry. In relation to tipping your gondolier, if the service is good, a tip is obviously appreciated. Also, if you’re taking a gondola ride in a group of more than four, a tip is usually expected. Think of it like a service charge in a restaurant. And just for reference, around the 10% mark is the norm.
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FAQs
Gondolas are part of the history and tradition in Venice. Most people find gondolas worth it because it's something different to do and it's an iconic way to explore Venice.
Should you tip gondola drivers in Venice? ›
(While not required or even expected, if your gondolier does the full 35 minutes and entertains you en route, a 5–10 percent tip is appreciated; if he's surly or rushes through the trip, skip it.)
What do you wear on a gondola in Venice? ›
In both hot and rainy months, carrying an umbrella is advisable. Given that the gondolas have no shade, go for a ride before or after the sun's out so you can have a pleasant experience. While there is no strict dress code for a gondola ride, you can opt for a more formal attire if you're going after sunset.
Do you need to book a gondola ride in advance in Venice? ›
Make sure to do it in advance, before you get on the boat, and don't count on it. Good to know: Unless you pre-book a gondola tour, you'll have to pay cash for your gondola ride.
How much is a 30 minute gondola ride in Venice? ›
How much does a gondola ride in Venice cost? Standard gondola rides in Venice have a fixed cost of 80 euros for a private 25-30 minutes tour. At night, however, the cost of a gondola ride is 120 euros for a private 25-30 minutes tour.
Where is the best place to start a gondola ride in Venice? ›
The most popular boarding points for your Venice gondola ride are near St. Marks Basilica and the Grand Canal. However, there are also less crowded ones like the Jewish Ghetto and Campo San Barnaba.
Is it better to ride a gondola in morning or evening in Venice? ›
Venice gondola rides are best enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon of a weekday, specially during the lean season (from October to April). This ensures lesser crowds at the boarding points and a more relaxed ride experience.
Do gondoliers take credit cards? ›
The water taxis take credit cards but the gondoliers don't AFAIK.
What is the average salary of a gondolier? ›
$31,500 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $64,000 is the 75th percentile.
Can I wear jeans in Venice? ›
Do people wear jeans in Venice? Yes, they do. Most of the places in Venice are fine with casual attire. In summer it's a bit too hot to wear jeans, so I'd rather wear linen trousers, skirts and shorts.
As a gondoliere comes to a bend in the canal or a corner he must yell OY to call attention to himself. Then he must yell to signal the direction he is taking, shouting Premando if he is turning left and Stagando if turning right.
How many people fit in a gondola Venice? ›
How many people can fit in a gondola? The gondola can carry a maximum of 5 people, including children.
Do you tip gondola drivers in Venice? ›
In relation to tipping your gondolier, if the service is good, a tip is obviously appreciated. Also, if you're taking a gondola ride in a group of more than four, a tip is usually expected. Think of it like a service charge in a restaurant. And just for reference, around the 10% mark is the norm.
Are gondola rides in Venice worth it? ›
I'll never go to Venice again without riding in a gondola. That I can say for sure.
How long is the wait for the Venetian gondola ride? ›
Waiting time depends what month,day,time and if it is an inside or outside ride you want, a more or less 15-30 minutes time including buying your tickets at their nearby stall/office near the queuing area. Gondola ride takes 14-15 minutes. Reserve time will be 30-40 minutes to an hour atleast.
How much should I pay for a gondola in Venice? ›
The price of a gondola ride in Venice is 90 euros during the day (from 9am to 7pm) and 110 euros at night time (from 7pm to 3am).
Is gondola ride better during day or night? ›
Know before you go on a night gondola ride in Venice
While night rides offer a calmer and less-crowded experience, they are also costlier. Prices post 7pm are at a surcharge of €20 i.e. €100.
How do I get a cheap gondola ride in Venice? ›
You can book a shared gondola ride or take a traghetto to enjoy a budget ride. Taking a gondola before 7 PM also helps you save on the after-hours cost. How much does a budget gondola ride cost? A 30-minute budget ride starts from €30 per head.
Can you negotiate gondola? ›
What you can negotiate is the duration of your gondola ride. If you'd like a lengthier trip, just ask your gondolier if they would be willing to take you around the canals a bit longer.
