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If you visit Venice and don’t take a gondola ride, then you haven’t visited Venice. I know, it’s a totally touristy thing to do, but what’s one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about Venice? Gondolas!

 

What Does it Cost to Ride a Gondola in Venice?

Gondola rides can be expensive, whether you take one on the Grand Canal or through the smaller, quieter canals throughout the rest of Venice. The city sets the rates at €90 for 30 minutes (as of February 2025). After 7pm, the rates increase to €110. Ask the gondolier to sing and the rate will go even higher.

Gondola near the Rialto Bridge in Venice, Italy
Gondola near the Rialto Bridge

Do you have to pay the set rates? No. You can negotiate both the rate and the length of the ride. If you’re not comfortable with the price, don’t do it. Also, up to five people can ride a gondola, so splitting the cost with other visitors isn’t out of the question. If you do decide to take a ride, I guarantee it will be a memorable experience and you’ll probably feel it was well worth the time and money.

Gondolas lined up in front of Riva degli Schiavoni in Castello, Venice, Italy
Gondolas lined up in front of Riva degli Schiavoni


 

Our Experience

We were very lucky and found a gondolier who approached us and offered us a 40 minute ride for €40. This was after the crowds from New Year’s had left and the city was a bit empty. We jumped on the offer and started our gondola ride on Rio di San Provolo, just outside of the Church of St. George of the Greeks in the Castello district of the UNESCO World Heritage city.

Rio di San Provolo in Venice, Italy
Rio di San Provolo

The first part of the ride took us down Rio di San Lorenzo and past Campo San Lorenzo and the Church of San Lorenzo.

Starting our gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Starting our gondola ride
Rio di San Lorenzo on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Rio di San Lorenzo
Rio di San Lorenzo
Rio di San Lorenzo
Campo San Lorenzo
Campo San Lorenzo

We then turned down Rio della Tetta and passed by several beautiful buildings. It was interesting to see the buildings from the canals rather than the streets.

Rio della Tetta
Rio della Tetta
Cruising down Rio della Tetta
Cruising down Rio della Tetta

After that, Rio della Tetta merged with Rio di San Giovanni Laterano, where we passed under a couple of bridges before making a left turn down a narrower canal.

Rio di San Giovanni Laterano on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Rio di San Giovanni Laterano
Cruising down Rio di San Giovanni Laterano on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Cruising down Rio di San Giovanni Laterano
Rio di San Giovanni Laterano on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Rio di San Giovanni Laterano
Turning down another canal on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Turning down another canal

We took the next left down Rio del Mondo Novo, passing our hotel and Campo Santa Maria Formosa.

Rio del Mondo Novo
Rio del Mondo Novo

From there, we wound back through the quiet canals of Rio di Santa Maria Formosa and Rio di San Severo to where we started.

Rio di Santa Maria Formosa
Rio di Santa Maria Formosa
Rio di Santa Maria Formosa on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Rio di Santa Maria Formosa
Passing under a bridge on Rio di San Severo on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Passing under a bridge on Rio di San Severo
Rio di San Severo
Rio di San Severo
Rio di San Provolo on a gondola ride in Venice, Italy
Rio di San Provolo


 

Worth the Wait!

In the end, we paid the gondolier a little extra for an excellent experience. He took a few photos for us and explained the history of some of the buildings we passed. Just when we thought we weren’t going to take a gondola ride after five days in Venice, the opportunity presented itself. It was worth waiting for!

 

Map of Our Gondola Ride in Venice

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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