The Gondola Scam: true price of a Gondola ride and other Venice, Italy Tourist Trap Tips

Lot of people, unfortunately, are victim of the so-called Gondola Scam, that is to say, they are charged much more than they should for a gondola ride. You might be interested in knowing that during the last police control in Venice (2006), approximately 10% of the gondola rides were illegal (...!). So now, few important things you should absolutely know. Gondolas are like taxis, which means they have an *official fare* that is set by the local authority.
The official fare (adjourned Jun 2007, there's been a huge increase wrt 2005...) is:
80.00 euro for the standard 40 minutes ride (max 6 persons) during day time [8am - 7pm]
100.00 euro for the standard 40 minutes ride (max 6 persons) during night time [7pm - 8am]

You can ask for a longer tour, in which case the fare increases as follows:
40.00 euro for each 20 additional minutes (day time) [8am - 7pm]
50.00 euro for each 20 additional minutes (night time) [7pm - 8am]

So, don't be trapped into the Gondola scam: before you ride, be sure that you are getting the proper fare. Of course, you pay the other extras (if you want, say, somebody playing while you ride), so in general just be sure beforehand that you are getting the standard fare.

Be sure they don't play the classic "day/night" trick, ie maybe charging you the night time fare even if it is day time, so check that too (remember daytime is 8am - 7pm, and night time is 7pm - 8am, so it doesn't matter whether it's dark or not!!) . Or the classic "route" trick, where they charge you more because you were asking for a specific route (you can let them drive you along, but in those 50 minutes you can also ask them for a personalized route, just like a taxi!).

Also, remember that by law PRICES HAVE TO BE EXPOSED, both at the gondola boot, and clearly visible on the gondola itself. If it is not the case, then the gondola owner is in trouble. So if he tries to squeeze more money out of you, you know what to do, ask for a police officer to come.

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At Least Do This: If after the ride you think you have been charged more than the above without a reason, don't hesitate ABSOLUTELY NOT TO PAY, and ask for a police officer to come, you'll note how in this case the dishonest gondola owners will suddenly become much more reasonable and charge you what is due and not more! Remember what said above: the official fares (set by law each year) have in any case to be clearly exposed both on the gondola and on the boot.
Alternative: Take a "Traghetto", the cheap gondola rides from one side of the main canal (Canal Grande) to the other side. Quick, but so cheap, at least you'll have tried the experience.
Or take a public boat (esp. the number 1 line, that slowly rides thru the Canal Grande).