When looking for the cheapest gondola ride in Venice where do you go?
If you didn’t already know by now, the gondola is a symbol of Venice and one of the best ways to see the city from a different yet unique perspective: its canals!
These traditional boats haven’t always been used for sightseeing tours like today, but rather as a means of transport to move from one side of the city to another.
Even though it’s no longer possible to do that (you can use instead the vaporetto or water taxis), you can experience something similar by getting the cheapest gondola ride in Venice: the gondola traghetto or traghetto da parada.
In this guide, I’m going to not only talk more about this type of gondola (the gondola traghetto) I’m going to show you how and where to ride one just like a local.
Cheapest Gondola ride in Venice
Quick answer: The gondola traghetto is the cheapest gondola ride in Venice. It costs 2 euros for tourists and 0,70 cents for Venice residents.
The gondola traghetto ride lasts approximately 5 minutes and with this type of gondola you’ll literally only cross the Grand Canal to get from one side to the other.
What is a traghetto in Venice?
The gondola traghetto is a means of transport in Venice, like the vaporetto and water taxi. Even though it’s called a ‘gondola’ it has a different purpose than that of the classic gondola used for private sightseeing tours.
First it doesn’t have the lavish ornaments, decorative carvings and red brocaded chairs of the normal gondolas. The gondola traghetto can board up to 10 people compared to the classic gondola that can only have a maximum of 5 people.
Don’t be surprised to see locals standing on it, which it’s much more common when it gets busy. Another difference from the normal gondola is that it’s rowed by 2 oarsmen that go back and forth the Grand Canal.
Its purpose is to allow whoever needs it to get to the other side of the Grand Canal fast, saving you from walking to the closest bridge.
Spoiler Alert: there are only 4 bridges in Venice spanning the Grand Canal!
How much does the traghetto cost in Venice?
The gondola traghetto is the cheapest gondola ride in Venice because it only costs 2 euros for tourists and 0,70 cents for Venetians!
The cost of a gondola ride is usually 90 euros during the day and 110 euros at night. This means that if you’re not willing to pay that amount of money for a 30 minute ride, the gondola traghetto is an alternative to take into consideration.
Obviously, the experience is not the same as riding the classic gondola in Venice but you’ll have enough time to briefly see the city from the water, take a few pictures of the Grand Canal and overlooking palaces and have a fun time on the way!
Where do you get a traghetto in Venice?
There are 5 operating gondola traghetto stazi (gondola piers) in Venice. Just head over the stazio indicated by the sign ‘traghetto’ + the name of the stop.
Wait for the gondoliers to get there or that they board passengers before starting the ride across the Grand Canal.
Here’s the list of the traghetto da parada stops:
- traghetto Dogana;
- traghetto Santa Maria del Giglio;
- traghetto San Tomà;
- traghetto Carbon;
- traghetto Santa Sofia.
I personally enjoyed the ride from the Santa Sofia pier that took from Rialto Market, in the San Polo district to Cannaregio, a few steps away from Strada Nova.
During the ride, I could spot the beautiful Ca’ D’Oro and Ca’ Pesaro palaces.
See the map of the gondola traghetto piers above and their timetables. You can even download and / or save it to your phone to use while you’re in Venice.
How to ride a Gondola traghetto in Venice
Are you still not 100% sure how to ride the gondola traghetto in Venice? I invite you to follow the simple instructions below to find out how so you don’t miss out.
1. Find a traghetto stop
Choose a gondola traghetto stop to leave from to be able to cross the Grand Canal.
Your choice could be based either on the attractions you’d like to see from the water or one of the various neighbourhoods in Venice you would like to get to.
For example, if you get the traghetto from the stazio Dogana, you can expect to see the majestic Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and Doge’s Palace during your ride. Consult the map above to find out each gondola traghetto route.
2. Board the traghetto (carefully)
Once you get to the pier, wait for one of the oarsmen to help you board the traghetto. You can pay 2 euros at this point (only cash!) or wait to get to the other side, before disembarking. Take a seat or stand as locals usually do and get ready to navigate the Grand Canal.
3. Enjoy the views of Venice
Enjoy the beauty of Venice from the Grand Canal calm waters. I recommend getting the gondola at sunset when the play of light and shadows is breathtaking and enhance the unique details of palaces and churches overlooking the canal. Make sure to have your phone or camera in hand and take tons of pictures!
4. Pay your fare (in cash)
Once you reach the other side of the Grand Canal and the traghetto stops, you can pay the oarsman 2 euros in cash, before disembarking. I recommend that you aim to save some of the small change that you receive from buying a coffee in Venice or other small transactions you happen to make so you can use it to pay the gondolier.
5. Disembark the traghetto (carefully)
Once you’ve paid for your ride, carefully disembark the gondola traghetto, with the help of the oarsman if needed, then, walk down the pier and head towards your next destination in Venice! You have just saved yourself a lot of walking.
Cheapest Gondola ride in Venice
With this easy step by step guide about getting the cheapest gondola ride in Venice, I have all the information you need to ride on the gondola traghetto!
I have covered the Venetian gondola in further detail on this site. I have even create a eBook that talks all about Gondolas and gives my best local Gondola tips.
Got more questions? See my guide on how to get around Venice to get more acquainted with the distinctive land and water transportation systems in Venice.
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