I have been to Venice on two previous occasions. Each time I took a gondola ride. The first time was from the Orseolo Basin, Hotel Cavalletto Gondola Station. The second time was from San Marco Station near Harry's Bar. This September I will again be back in Venice with a group of friends. I am looking for your input on your favorite gondola routes. Neither of the two routes I took actually went under the Rialto Bridge. We are interested in going on a late afternoon sunset to early darkness gondola ride. Any recommendations for pre-booking companies and routes.
Thank You my friends.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
The fares for Gondola rides are fixed and mandatory, 80 € per Gondola for a 30 minutes ride before sunset. 100 € for a 35 minutes ride when it's dark.
Anyone asking more than the fixed fare will give 80 € (or 100) to the Gondolier and then will pocket the difference.
No one has ever come back from Venice saying he couldn't take a Gondola ride because they were all sold out! Oh the other hand, if you book in advance and it rains... You'd pay more for a worse service.
You can ask the Gondolier a specific route, he will either accept or tell you the best Gondola station for that route.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
This may be obvious, but the Rialto Bridge is on the Grand Canal and the traffic there is very busy and the water can be quite choppy. Much more interesting (IMHO) are the side canals. If you just HAVE to go under the Rialto, I suggest finding a gondola near there as your starting point.
Posted by
133 posts
Stay off Grand Canal if you can because it is often so crowded that you may spend your entire time in water traffic.