Venice Gondola Ride

Are you saying you've been offered a gondola ride for four for a total of $260 that lasts only 35 minutes? If so, you are being taken for a different sort of ride. I believe the going rate is something like 85 euros for an hour ride, regardless of # of passengers, up to 4 or 5. And you know there's no reason to "book" a gondola, right? You just go find one and hop in after confirming the price with the gondolier.

Your friends may have been with a tour group that charged them $65 per person to do the ride. Just do what Michael said. I did this with 4 girlfriends and although I would rather have had my husband with me, I was on a "chick trip", but we still had a blast. Definitely a memorable experience.

That's too much. Wait till you get to Venice. They're all over the place. We paid 60 euro for 4 of us.

I did a group ride (5 of us) this June and we paid less than half the amount each you quote. Can remember exactly but it was less than 20 euros each. We didn't book. just pitched up and we got on a boat within a few minutes.

We were just in Venice and got to watch many many tourists ride the pricey gondolas. They all looked bored to death to me! So we chose not to do it. I chose the Traghetto that simply crosses the grand canal; now that was short and sweet and only cost 1/2 a euro! The locals stand in the middle of the gondola for the crossing. A local old lady pulled my son down to a seat by his shirt tails because she said he was standing in everyones way. Fortunately, my 13 year old thought it was very funny. I think the shorter and cheaper the ride the better.

Here's a word in favor of gondolas: If you get a good gondolier AND if you don't start at St. Marks' you'll get to see parts of Venice that can only be seen from a boat, and for tourists that means only from a gondola. There are amazing little side canals that can't be accessed any other way. Be sure to chat for a while with the gondolier to see if he's what you want (all but one of them are men). If not, just keep walking till you find another one to talk to. And for Pete's sake, avoid the Grand Canal and the outer edge of the island - that's where the heaviest traffic and choppiest waters are.

I'm with Michael. A friendly gondolier taking you through some more hidden away canals is an enjoyable way to spend an hour. It should be about $85 total for the four of you. The traghettos are fun too, but I am always a little worried about my balance-challenged husband landing in the Grand Canal...and taking some Venetians with him!

Here are some good tips on gondola rides: Gondola Rides in Venice It includes pricing info. Looks like it's more like 85 euros, not dollars. And prices go up in the evening, when it's more romantic.