Venice gondola

Why would you book a gondola? And if it rains?

Walk around Venice and when you are in an area you like get on the first Gondola you see waiting for passengers.

Nobody has ever returned from Venice saying: "I couldn't ride a Gondola because they were all booked".

Anyone taking your booking will give the Gondolier 80 € (the fare for a 30 minutes ride before sunset) and will pocket the difference.

We did something a little different- we went with Row Venice, which is 90 minutes, 89 Euros total, for up to 4 people, and actually gives you rowing lessons. It's not exactly a gondola ride, but it lasts much longer and is very peaceful. Row Venice meets in the Cannaregio neighborhood. They have a website with their schedule. In the evenings, they have happy hours trips [somewhat more expensive, of course.]
Either way, enjoy!

Just my opinion, but I think its best to go just after sundown, when its dark enough for all the shops, restaurants, and palazzos to be lit up. I would find a "gondola stand" (you'll know) near your hotel during the day while out and about. Ask them the rates and route, and make a reservation for when you want to go.

This info is about a year old, but should be accurate enough.
“Standard gondola rides in Venice have a fixed cost 80 euros for a private 25-30 minutes tour. At night, however, the cost of a gondola ride is 120 euros for a private 25-30 minutes tour. If you desire to stay longer, tell the gondolier and ask for the price before the start of the tour.”

These prices are per gondola, not per person.

I second Pat's suggestion for Row Venice. One of the most enjoyable and informative things I have done in Venice.

I would add that it would be more enjoyable to schedule this ride though the charming side canals. The people we saw in the gondolas on the Grand Canal looked overwhelmed with all the traffic on that main waterway. We never booked a gondola, but there are always gondoliers ready and waiting in the side canals. And yes, the price goes up significantly in the evening.

The above info by Aussie is wrong, It's 100 € for a 35 minutes ride between 19:00 and 08:00.

Daytime tours are 30 minutes long, not 25.

Check https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/gallivanting_by_gondola.htm

The above info is wrong (again) about prices and this:

This means you should negotiate both the rate and the length of the ride

Is Internet rubbish.

There Is an official site, try It.