I knew from this site that gondoliers are not the most frank when it comes to prices. On the waterfront by the Campanile at St Mark's, I asked what the price was for 50 mins. I was quoted 200 Euros. I laughed, and walked away. Within five paces two more gondoliers accosted me "No! he has got it wrong! 100 Euros!" I asked "What is the official rate?", but they just mumbled and went away. No gondolier I spoke to would state the official rate.
There is a very good free weely listings booklet issued by the Federation of Venice Hotel Concierges (get it fom any hotel) where the Society of Gondoliers has a page. It clearly states the Venice City Council regulation rate: 40 minutes ride 80 €, maximun 6 people per gondola
For each additional 20 minutes € 40 . Higher charges after 8.00 p.m. Visit the official Venice Tourist Board Site www.tourismovenezia.it (English version).
We were based near San Toma vaporetto stage, and there is a gondola station there. It is off the main tourist route, so we turned up, I said "Per favore, 80 euros for 40 minutes? " and we were away - no haggling, no outrageous try-on, and a very interesting trip on the Grande Canale and backwaters.
The other thing to do is to take a traghetto - these are gondolas which act like bridges. There are about 6 crossing points over the Grande Canale - and costs only 50 cents. Saves walking to either fixed bridge, or getting a vaporetto.
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on Jul 31, 2007
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