Venice "Gondola" Questions

[FreeSpeech]

I know they're expensive...but what can I expect to pay. Any suggestions on what is an appropriate fare? do we tip also? Is fee set or negotiable? Is there a "Best" place to hire a Gondola? Is there a Gondola route that would offer the best Venice gondola experience?

I know lots of questions...thanks in advance to all of you Venice experts.

[euro cruiser]

Gondola fares are set (see rates and information here: http://www.gondolavenezia.it/history_tariffe.asp?Pag=43), though plenty of people will tell you they have negotiated better rates. I'm sure there are some operators who will, when needy, take less, but I suspect that happens far less often than message board posters would lead you to believe.

As to where to get one, it depends on what you want. If you want more time on the Grand Canal, pick one up there. If you'd prefer smaller canals, go away from the Grand Canal. At any rate, you'll likely have a more enjoyable experience the futher away from San Marco you are.

[mapleleaves]

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/gallivanting_by_gondola.htm has some good info on both pages.
The closest I've gotten to a gondola ride was the traghetto across the Grand Canal at San Toma on my last trip. About 50 cents and you stand. But it was a hoot!
My only advice would be to walk around Venice first and pay attention to the gondola trips you see and decide what kind of trip you would enjoy. As eurocruiser said, you can ride on the Grand Canal or on a small canal. You need to see for yourself how different those rides can be. Some people want to be in the hustle and bustle of the Grand Canal and say they went under the Rialto Bridge. Someone else might enjoy a small canal with several little bridges, planter boxes outside apt windows, and laundry hanging out to dry. Two very different experiences! And I definitely recommend a traghetto for 50 cents!
One of my favorite experiences this visit was when we sat on a window ledge for 2 hrs and watched traffic on the Grand Canal. (below the Rialto Bridge and across from the Post Office). We watched gondolas, water buses, ambulances, police, and even 2 brides. Whatever you do, enjoy !

[chipmaster]

As other said set price, just like taxis but YMMV. Like the cabs in NYC once there you'll find the everywhere.

As to value, only you can decide. A 100 Euros sounds like a lot, but think about the airfare, the cruise and other costs, and if it is what you've always dreamed of do it!

I'd avoid trying to hire either around St Marks. IMHO the best experience includes some time doing the narrow back canals and then a little time in the Grand Canal near Rialto. That part can get a little rough with the larger vaporettes and barges going but still worth doing.

Enjoy Venice.

I know they're expensive...but what can I expect to pay. Any suggestions on what is an appropriate fare? do we tip also? Is fee set or negotiable? Is there a "Best" place to hire a Gondola? Is there a Gondola route that would offer the best Venice gondola experience?

I know lots of questions...thanks in advance to all of you Venice experts.

[travelerjd06]

last summer when my sister and I were in Venice I believe we paid about 65 euros for about a 40 minute ride. We negotiated the price in advance and they started off at a lot higher of a price and we walked away and the guy actually tracked us down and came back with a cheaper price and we finally agreed on 65 euros. We did tip the man because he provided us with information regarding the history of the city and sang a little bit. We caught ours coming out of the Hard Rock Cafe in Venice and we did some of the back streets and also we went into the grand canal for a bit. Its expensive, but well worth the experience.

[BigGuy25]

... they started off at a lot higher of a price and we walked away and the guy actually tracked us down and came back with a cheaper price ...

This is more typical of what you might expect. Rates are set in advance but you may encounter a fellow who is trying for more. Knowing the going rate in advance will help you negotiate an appropriate rate. Fees are more costly in the evening than during the day ... higher yet if you want to be serenaded by the gondolier.

[letsgo39]

last summer when my sister and I were in Venice I believe we paid about 65 euros for about a 40 minute ride. We negotiated the price in advance and they started off at a lot higher of a price and we walked away and the guy actually tracked us down and came back with a cheaper price and we finally agreed on 65 euros. We did tip the man because he provided us with information regarding the history of the city and sang a little bit. We caught ours coming out of the Hard Rock Cafe in Venice and we did some of the back streets and also we went into the grand canal for a bit. Its expensive, but well worth the experience.

There is a Hard Rock Cafe in Venice??? Oh Nooooooo!:mad:

[chipmaster]

Anyone eating or going into a Hardrock in a place like Venice deserves a higher rate, but your appreciation for the value of a Gondolla ride redeems you :D

last summer when my sister and I were in Venice I believe we paid about 65 euros for about a 40 minute ride. We negotiated the price in advance and they started off at a lot higher of a price and we walked away and the guy actually tracked us down and came back with a cheaper price and we finally agreed on 65 euros. We did tip the man because he provided us with information regarding the history of the city and sang a little bit. We caught ours coming out of the Hard Rock Cafe in Venice and we did some of the back streets and also we went into the grand canal for a bit. Its expensive, but well worth the experience.

[rrobynec]

Expedia has a prepurchase of $42 for a 40 min ride with serenade.
This sounds like a good price to me, any thoughts?

[chipmaster]

As a per person that is a good price, but beware you will likely be part of a group of gondollas all packed to capacity with one of the gondollas having the singer. Think a small flotilla sailing the grand canal. If that works for you then good, but if you are looking for a private ride with just your SO and a bottle of wine gliding some back canal in moon light then it won't be the romantic experience you were hoping for.

Good luck!

Expedia has a prepurchase of $42 for a 40 min ride with serenade.
This sounds like a good price to me, any thoughts?

[sultan_sfo]

Still confused -- the standard rate of €80 for 40 minutes is per person? Thanks.

Added: So if there were 4 of us, can we request that no more persons be taken?

[rrobynec]

As a per person that is a good price, but beware you will likely be part of a group of gondollas all packed to capacity with one of the gondollas having the singer. Think a small flotilla sailing the grand canal. If that works for you then good, but if you are looking for a private ride with just your SO and a bottle of wine gliding some back canal in moon light then it won't be the romantic experience you were hoping for.

Good luck!
The info from Expedia says:
Note:
Each gondola holds between four and six passengers; people outside of your party may also be sharing the ride. This service will only run if there are at least four passengers. The price listed is per person. Gondolas do not operate during heavy rain.
Gondolas leave at 3:30 PM (Nov.-March) and at 6.30 and 7:30 PM (April-Oct.).


Since the SO is my 16 yo DD, I think I should be ok. She really wants to do this.
From what I am reading this is a good deal, so I am going to go for it. She won't tolerate shopping around and bargaining with them.

Personally I was going to go for the .50 traghetto.....

[euro cruiser]

The standard rate for a gondola is per boat, not per person. Therefore, if the Expedia rate is per person, it is NOT a good deal, in addition to sounding pretty tacky, if the description above is correct (a group together in a floatiilla).

Generally, if it sounds too good to be true ...

There is no need to "shop around and bargain", there is a set fare, you can print it out from the official web site if you want to, and that's it. It's less than the Expedia rate if you have more than two people in your party, as it seems you do.

[aquilegia]

chipmaster is exactly right about these gondola flotillas with a singer. There are several full boats in a line, with someone singing in just one of them. If you had visions of your very own gondolier serenading you as you lay back on cushions gliding along the canal on your own, you would be bitterly disappointed.

[skisteamboat]

I take one of the Traghetti across the Grand Canal for 0.5 Euro and call it a success. :D

Cheers

[Nanatravel]

This link will take you to and provide information for the Gondola Tour we pre-booked in Venice. It not only was less money than many tours wanted but provided us witht the serenade and tour of the canals at sunset. What a way to experience Venice.

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/gondola-serenade-tour.htm

[CathyCruises]

I believe 80--90 euros for a 45-50 minute ride is standard; if you are paying more, you're paying too much.

[abbygator]

We paid 80E for a 25 min ride. There were 4 of us. It is not per person but per boat. So if you go with others it will be cheaper.

[AlFrank]

A few (maybe 10) years ago we paid 120E for 4 of us to take a ride. Not really what we were looking for. He took us thru small side canals full of garbage and not the Grand Canal. Make sure you know where he is taking you. We then took one of the rides, forget what they call them begins with a 'T', from one side of the canal to the other. Then it only cost us .05 pp I think it's more like .50 now. Lots of fun, stood up and got the gondola effect. Much more fun.

[JLC@SD]

chipmaster is exactly right about these gondola flotillas with a singer. There are several full boats in a line, with someone singing in just one of them. If you had visions of your very own gondolier serenading you as you lay back on cushions gliding along the canal on your own, you would be bitterly disappointed.

....and you could be out there with a big tour group doing the same thing......4 to 6 in each gondola.....;)

[FreeSpeech]

Thanks all...very helpful