Venice Gandola ride? Updated cost anyone? Is it worth it?

Can't speak to the cost, but I do know that the only person who can say is it worth it, is you. I had been there a number of times and not done it...just did not feel the need, then I took my 9 year old grandson and of course, he could not go home from Venice without a gondola ride (although I could have talked him out of it) so we took an early evening ride to the tune of $125 (Yes, rip off, but it was getting late and I was tired) and that memory is worth more to us now than an expensive dinner and we have beautiful pictures from that ride. Lots of people who have done it will say its not worth it.... but, they did it! If you have always thought you would ride a gondola in Venice, then do it. I definitely do not regret it.

I'm going to Venice early December. Through Expedia I set up a tour that includes a Gandola ride for $57! The tour and the gandola ride is $57 total so that's a good value! I've read that a gandola ride itself with no tour is between $100 to $125!

I think it's definitely worth it. You get to see the canals and buildings from a whole different vantage point. I've heard that if you go to some of the back canals you can negotiate a cheaper ride than if you take one from around St. Mark's Square or the more touristy areas. I would definitely recommend taking one!

Earlier this year I went with 4 friends on a gondola. From memory for 5 of us we paid a little under 20 euros each. Felt we couldn't go to Venice without the experience of going on a gondola - enjoyed it. I liked Venice much more than I thought I would and will go back, but have now "done" the gondola ride.

On a RS tour about 10 years ago our guide hired several gondolas and we rode 6/gondola. We left from a dock near Piazza San Marco, to the clock side and rear of the piazza. Our group of gondolas had a singer; we went out into the Grand Canal and entertained the diners near the Rialto Bridge. It was fun. Unless you need a super-romantic experience, gather a group and share the expense. I think rates can be negotiated.

We got our ride for 60 euro. About a half hour long. I'm happy we did it.....it's part of the Venice experience. I feel no need to do it again though. BTW- try to negotiate. If it's slow you can probably get a reduced price. Our ride went from 80 to 60 in about 30 seconds. There's plenty of places to catch one also. If one doesn't want to go down shop around a bit before hopping on.

We were in Venice two weeks ago and the cost of gondola depends on the time of day you go for the ride and the lenghth of the ride. Day time rides of less than 30 minutes can run around 60 Euro. We took a 45 minute night time ride and it cost us 120 Euros. You can also share the ride with another couple and save by splitting the cost. It is definitely worth it. Venice is a romantic city and you need to experience it the way they did 100's of years ago. It is worth every penny.

We were there a couple weeks ago and were quoted the standardized rate of 80 Euros for a 40 minutes ride – but it ended being closer to 50 minutes by the time it was done. We really enjoyed it, we went during the afternoon and that was a good time for us. We caught the ride on the canal right by the Frari church which ended up being a good choice. We went through small canals, with a quick trip into the Grand Canal just enough to see the Rialto Bridge. We only encountered 1 other gondola which was so much better than the gondola gridlock you will find in the St. Marks area. It was definitely worth the money. At one point while walking on the Rialto Bridge a gondolier offered us a ride for 30 Euros but we were not ready for the trip then. So the price is definitely flexible.

I was sure we would go for a gondola ride when we went to Venice, but after wandering the streets and taking the vaporettoes and traghetti across the canals we just never felt the need to do it when we were there. The current official rate is 80 euros for 40 minutes and then 40 euros for each additional 20 minutes during the day, 100 euros for 40 minutes in the evenings. Always be clear on the route and time and cost before starting off. You will see gondoliers all over the place offering rides. Maybe we'll go for a gondola ride our next trip...

Each time we've gone to Venice (3 times) I've hoped we would run into another couple that would want to share a gondola ride, but it just hasn't happened. It's definitely a splurge. On a gondola you can see parts of Venice that aren't accessible any way other than by boat, but I just can't quite bring myself to fork over that much cash.

I spent 8 nights in Venice this past July and 3 nights back in 1996, on my honeymoon no less, and never felt compelled to take an overly expensive gondola ride. I think I enjoy watching other people riding in them more - and it costs me nothing! You even get to hear the singing Gondoliers if you are lucky. I took a traghetto ride across the Grand Canal, which was funny, because people stand up on these; and the Vaporetto ride around the entire island, at sunset a couple of times, and out to Burano; and the private boat out to the Murano Factory. In addition to all the walking, I think we saw Venice from every possible angle! If taking a Gondola ride is something that excites YOU, then by all means do it; if it does not excite you, why do it? It is expensive. Personally, I'd rather spend the money towards a nice canalside restaurant.

I think some people may say that some of the expensive restaurants in Venice may not be worth it! Some people say the restaurants are not the best in Venice. I can't comment on the current pricing (I was there in Sept 2008) When I went on the gondola ride it was late afternoon in the back canals and we paid 70 euros. I don't remember how long the ride was. We briefly did a little circle in the Grand Canal and spent most of the time in the back canals. That was also were we got on too, not too far from the Rialto. For me, it was a cherished memory that I will always remember. Some of my favorite photos were taken from the gondola. I would stay away from the Grand Canal gondolas. You can "cruize" that on the vaparettos. The commenter above me mentioned canalside dining...We ate dinner at a place called Naranzania that was a little past the Rialto Bridge as you towards the train station direction and away from St. Marks. The food was ok- they have sushi (I had some because that's what you eat in Venice! lol...we also hit up an Irish pub and had some pints of Guinness- another cherished memory but that is a long story). Anyway, Naranzania has some tables outside right along the canal. The view at night was worth a million bucks.

Monique, call me a party pooper, but I thought it was the most overrated experience of all during my trip to Italy.