Gondolas in Venice

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Hopefully the above Search will help. I think that the rates are standard now.
One option to consider is Row Venice, which is small group rowing lessons on the back canals, about 100 euros total, about 90 minutes. Maybe not as romantic, but it was so much fun and the experience lasted longer. Row Venice actually offers a happy hours experience.

In either case, have a great trip!

Prices are standard, 90 euro for half an hour in daytimes. No need to book, gondolas are everywhere. Just choose one when the mood grabs you.
Avoid the Bacini Orseolo behind the Piazza. Very crowded, so your gondola excursion would be more like a procession.

Thanks, Pat & Aussie. Looks like I'll be negotiating as if buying a car. Saw this blurb on another site I'll call ET: "The city of Venice sets the rate at €90 per 40 minutes (€110 after 7 pm) but that doesn’t mean that’s the rate you will get. You will have to negotiate with your gondolier before you ride. Make sure you agree on the price and the length of time you will ride before you get in the gondola."

They only take cash.

An alternative is to book a shared gondola ride on any travel booking platform. No cash needed and it can be cheaper if you accept others with you in the gondola.

We were in Venice last fall and the prices are a set fee of 90 euro, or 110 euro after 7:00 pm. There is no negotiating. We just walked up to a gondola ride site, there was no line, climbed onboard and had a wonderful 30-minute ride that began on the main Grand Canal, then turned and went down side canals. We had a very friendly gondolier who pointed out sites along the way. When he returned us to the starting point, we paid in cash. That was the only form of payment they took.

Thanks for the info, Gelato girl. I'll make sure I have the euros to pay the gondolier. You must have a gelato favorite in Rome or that wouldn't be your handle.

😋 Actually, my favorite gelato was in Cortona! Dark chocolate with bits of candied orange peel. I have had this flavor in other cities/villages, but the best was in Cortona. Enjoy your trip to Venice and the gondola ride.

hey hey jhilleryATX
no negotiating, set costs (less before sundown, more for evening) as Gelato girl mentions.
stay away from the touristy areas (rialto bridge, st marks square, train station), can be really crazy busy/crowded with follow the leader, the grand canal is a busy commuter "hiway" with all and every kinda boats on it. look in the back canals, less crowded and they do cross the grand canal then back down another small canal.
everyone has their own ideas and options to them, some say it's "too touristy" i am a tourist HAHA. don't know how to tell who's better and who's not, some we saw had "sourpuss" looks, passed them right by. others looked so friendly with smiles and neatly dressed in their designated uniform
years back we heard about the singing gondolier luca ([email protected])
emailed him (answers quickly), gave us days available & we reserved. met us (4 friends) near the jewish ghetto in a gorgeous shiny/clean gondola plus he serenaded us up and down the narrow canals, we brought a bottle prosecco/plastic glasses from a store before hand. two friends never been to venice so was a special ride to celebrate. we all loved it especially the newbies.
how many days and dates of this trip? so many fun things to see and do, got other questions just ask. happy travels
aloha

Thank you, Princess, for the guidance. Going to be in Venice for three days. Crazy question about the gondola ride, but is there someone who snaps you pic as you're sitting down with the gondolier standing behind you? I know, dumb touristy question-- but kinda important. (Maybe I have to invest in a goofy selfie stick?) I went to Venice High in L.A. -- the Gondoliers! For real. Grazie.

hey hey jhilleryATX
no question is dumb, you don't ask you don't get an answer
if i remember right, us 4 friends squeezed together and luca was on one side and took the "selfie" picture of all of us, just ask him
aloha