Prices for Taking a Gondola Around Venice
Dreaming of riding a gondola through the canals of Venice? To get tickets at the best price, read on!
Gondola ride in Venice | ©Chait Goli
Yes, taking a gondola ride in Venice is one of the must-do things to do during your trip. However, many visitors think that it is a whim available to very few, as rumours circulate that its prices are prohibitive.
If taking a gondola ride through the canals of Venice is one of your dreams and you want to know how much budget you might need to fulfil it, don't miss this post.
Venice Gondola Ride
Gondola ride along the Grand Canal in Venice
You will discover the city of canals with a professional guide who will give you all the details about the most emblematic architecture and buildings along the tour.
With this gondola ride along the Grand Canal, you'll have the chance to discover Venice in the most authentic way possible, with a live guide who will give you all the details about the architecture, palaces and churches.
You will pass under centuries-old bridges and see emblematic buildings such as the Gothic Palazzo Ca Giustinian, the Punta Della Dogana, St. Mark's Square, the Fenice Theatre, the Church of Santa Maria della Salute and the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Moreover, depending on your preferences, you will have the possibility to choose between a daytime or evening tour, as well as a private or shared tour.
Recommended if... you want to discover Venice in the most authentic way possible.
How much does it cost to ride a gondola in Venice?
Enjoying the Venetian canals on one of these beautiful traditional boats is a once in a lifetime experience. The price for a gondola ride in Venice, lasting approximately 30 to 50 minutes, is around £31, both with and without commentary.
Choose the private option if you want privacy
You can choose between a shared gondola ride, with a maximum of 5 people per gondola, or the more romantic ones will also have the option to book a private evening ride, starting at 8pm, for a unique and exclusive experience. In this case, the price starts at 165 € and the time will also be 50 minutes. Services to liven up the gondola ride, such as singing or music, are not included in the price and must be paid for separately.
In practice, in periods of high demand or high tourist traffic, gondoliers may ask for more money, making it difficult for them to work at the official rates. For this reason, a good option to enjoy a gondola ride in Venice without spending more than expected is to book the service in advance of your trip or even combine it with another activity in the "Queen of the Adriatic".
How much does a gondola ride in Venice with a walking tour of the city cost?
On your trip to Venice you can also combine a gondola ride in Venice with another activity such as a walking tour of the historic centre.
On the one hand, you will experience a very special moment gliding over the water of the Grand Canal and other smaller canals discovering many of the architectural gems that have made this city world famous such as the Rialto Bridge, Marco Polo's House, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute or the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, among others.
On the other hand, you can take a walking tour of Venice accompanied by a guide to see some of its most emblematic sites starting near the imposing St. Mark's Square, where you will hear fascinating stories about the city!
What do these tickets usually include?
- Gondola ride along the Grand Canal and other canals of Venice.
- Guided walking tour through the streets of Venice.
- Professional guide.
Which is better in the morning or in the afternoon?
Any time is a good time to take a gondola ride in a city as beautiful as Venice, but depending on the atmosphere you want to enjoy during the activity, it will be better to opt for the morning or the afternoon.
For example, taking a gondola ride in the early morning is ideal if you want to contemplate the city in calm, something that at certain times of the day is a bit difficult in Venice and therefore becomes a unique and special moment.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a romantic atmosphere to contemplate the sunset and the monumental buildings of Venice from the canals, the best time to ride a gondola is in the afternoon from 3 PM onwards. However, this is also the busiest time on the canals because it is the time of day most tourists choose.
How much does a gondola ride with walking tour of Venice and entrance to monuments cost?
You can also do several of the essential things to do in Venice in just one: take a gondola ride along the mythical canals, explore the wonders of the city on foot with a guide and visit some of its most iconic monuments such as the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica. As you read!
As well as being a super-appetizing plan, you'll also save money and time as in just 3 or 4 hours you'll be able to enjoy the charm of Venice and many of its tourist attractions in one sitting. This leaves you free for the rest of the day to enjoy other experiences in Venice.
It is a perfect plan if you are only going to spend a few days in the "City of Canals" (between 1 day in Venice and 3 days in Venice) but you don't want to miss the opportunity to feel the essence of Venice for yourself.
What do these tickets usually include?
- Gondola ride on the Grand Canal and other canals of Venice.
- Guided walking tour through the streets of Venice.
- Self-guided entrance to St. Mark's Basilica and/or Doge's Palace.
- Professional guide.
How much does a private gondola ride in Venice cost?
Taking a gondola ride through the canals of Venice is magical! That is why, if you want to enjoy this special experience exclusively with your partner or your family, from 165 euros in Hellotickets you can opt for a private gondola ride without sharing it with anyone else.
Just you, the gondolier and the local guide who will show you from this traditional boat all the secrets of Venice so that you will not miss any detail of this beautiful city during your visit and you will be able to take sensational pictures from a unique perspective. It will be one of the most memorable memories of your trip!
What do these tickets usually include?
- Gondola ride on the Grand Canal and other canals of Venice.
- Professional guide.
Cheaper ways to enjoy the canals of Venice
If you're planning to visit Venice on a budget, riding the gondola may be unaffordable as it's one of the most expensive things to do in the city.
But don't worry! Fortunately, there are other alternatives to cruise the canals of Venice for less money.
The vaporetti
One of them is the vaporetti, Venice's water buses. From 5 € you can buy a ticket to cross the Grand Canal (line 1) and enjoy the beautiful views of the city while you move from one place to another because they have stops at certain places of interest such as the Rialto Bridge, St. Mark's Square or Ca' Rezzonico.
Transport card
Another option for riding Venice' s vaporetti is to use the Venice Transport Card, which includes public water transport and buses. You can choose between 75 minutes, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours or up to 7 days.
The traghettis
And the cheapest of all is to use the traghettis to cruise the Venetian canals. From €0.50 you can buy a ticket to ride these inexpensive gondolas that are normally used by Venetian workers to get around the "Queen of the Adriatic".
However, the traghettis don't run every day or every hour of the day, so keep this in mind when planning your route around the city!
Transport pass
If you want to move freely around Venice on any of the three water transport company lines, you can do so with a 72-hour Venice Transport Pass.
These lines make a large number of stops from Marco Polo airport to the cruise terminal so you can get around Venice quickly and conveniently. You can also get to other nearby islands such as Murano and Lido Island, known for its beach.