How to ride a gondola in Venice for only 2 euros
If you're planning a trip to Venice and want to experience a gondola ride without spending a fortune, there's a great option that lets you enjoy it for less than two euros.
Venice is a city that instantly transports you to another time. With its cobbled streets, bridges connecting small squares, and canals replacing roads throughout the city, this magical lagoon breathes differently.
And when Venice is mentioned, the first thing many people think of is gondolas. Those elegant black boats with a striped-shirt rower have always been a symbol of romantic travel—but also a serious blow to the budget for anyone wanting the experience. In fact, a private gondola ride often costs more than 80 euros for just half an hour, according to Punkufer.hr.
How to Ride a Gondola for a Symbolic Price
But if you've ever scrolled through reels and stories from travelers and influencers on social media, you may have noticed more and more of them discovering a little Venetian trick. Instead of a typical tourist ride, they opt for an alternative that offers a similar experience – but for under two euros!
We're talking about the so-called “public” gondolas that Venetians use daily to cross from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. This affordable water taxi is called a Traghetto, and it's just what you need if you want a short but authentic gondola ride – without luxury, and without crazy prices.
No Serenades, but…
The Traghetto is a larger and simpler version of the classic gondola, without decorations, cushions, or serenades, but still elegant, stable, and guided by the skilled hand of a gondolier. Instead of a panoramic city tour, this ride lasts just a few minutes – just enough to feel what it’s like to see Venice from the water’s surface. The best part is its spontaneity – you stand by the canal edge, wait for the gondola, hop on, pay a symbolic two euros, and before you can say *che bella Venezia*, you're already on the other side.
What’s important to know is that the Traghetto operates between seven points along the Grand Canal, so you can hop on near the train station, by the famous Rialto market, or even close to St. Mark’s Square. Some “stations” are particularly popular among tourists, such as the one at Santa Maria del Giglio Square, offering a beautiful view toward the Salute Church. During religious holidays like the Madonna della Salute celebration, a temporary floating bridge is even set up here, allowing thousands to cross the canal – adding an extra layer of charm.
The Traghetto operates every day – from early morning to evening, with a slightly reduced schedule during holidays, and no service on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Payment is made in cash, directly to the rower, on the spot. No reservations, no long waits – everything is relaxed, simple, and just the way Venice should be – unhurried, quiet, with a touch of charm and old-world order.
In the end, if you want to say you've ridden a gondola without risking a lot of money, the Traghetto is the perfect choice. Though brief, this ride carries the special magic that only Venice can offer – a city that doesn’t need much to enchant you.
