Skip to Main Content
Holland America
  • Search
  • Favorites
  • en
    • English
    • Spanish
    • English
    • Spanish
  • Chat
    • 1-855-932-1711
    • or
    • Live Chat
  • My Account
    Hello Credits
    My Account Exclusive Offers Log out
  • Book a Cruise
    Book a Cruise
    Find
    • Search All Cruises
    • Cruises: 1 – 8 Days
    • Cruises: 9+ Days
    • Cruises: 17+ Days
    • Legendary Voyages: 25 – 59 Days
    • Grand Voyages & World Cruises: 60+ Days
    • Transatlantic Cruises
    • Holiday Cruises
    • Solar Eclipse
    • Charters
    Plan
    • City Stays & Overland Packages
    • Flights & Transfers
    • Hotel Packages
    • Cancellation Protection
    Gifts
    • Gift Cards
    • Send a Gift to a Guest
    Learn More
    • Cruise Planning 101
    • Required Travel Documents
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Family Travel
    • Accessibility
    Need free advice? Talk with a Personal Cruise Consultant.
    Celebrating our Anniversary with experiences too good to hurry through
    Savour The Journey
  • Destinations
    Destinations
    North & South America
    • Alaska & Yukon
    • Canada & New England
    • Caribbean
    • Hawaii
    • Mexico
    • California & Pacific Coast
    • Panama Canal
    • South America & Antarctica
    • Bahamas
    Europe & Mediterranean
    • Europe
    • Mediterranean
    • Norway
    • Iceland
    • Scandinavia
    • Transatlantic
    Asia, Australia & New Zealand
    • Asia
    • Australia & New Zealand
    • Tahiti
    See the World
    • Legendary Voyages
    • Grand Voyages
    Holland America Owned
    • Half Moon Cay
    • Holland America Denali Lodge
    Need free advice? Talk with a Personal Cruise Consultant.
    Couple admiring view from ship deck
    Your dream vacation begins here.
    View Cruises
  • Alaska
    Alaska
    Alaska Cruises
    • All Cruises
    • 6 – 8 Days
    • 9 – 16 Days
    • 17+ Days
    • Learn about Alaska Cruises
    Alaska & Yukon Cruisetours
    • All Cruisetours
    • 9 – 16 Days
    • 17+ Days
    • Learn about Cruisetours
    Glacier Viewing
    • Interactive Glacier Map
    • Guide to Glacier Tours
    • Glacier Bay National Park
    • Our Glacier Guarantee
    Wildlife & Wilderness
    • Alaska Wildlife
    • Denali National Park
    • National Parks
    • White Pass Scenic Railway
    Learn More
    • Sustainable Seafood
    • What to Pack
    • Cruisetour Tips
    • Featured Ports
    Holland America Owned
    • Holland America Denali Lodge
    Need free advice? Talk with a Personal Cruise Consultant.
    Brown bear with three cubs
    Cross Denali off your bucket list.
    View Cruisetours
  • Ship Life
    Ship Life
    Our Ships
    • Fleet Overview
    • Suites & Staterooms
    Activities
    • Activities Day & Night
    • Spa & Salon
    • Casino
    • Shopping
    • Kids & Teens
    Dining
    • Destination Dining™ Our Commitment to Fresh
    • Culinary Ambassadors
    • Restaurants
    • Bars & Lounges
    Music & Entertainment
    • Production Shows
    • Live Music & Nightlife
    • Destination Experts
    Shore Excursions
    • Find Shore Excursions
    • Overland Tours
    • Best Price Guarantee
    Other Amenities
    • Club Orange
    • Have It All Package
    • Wi-Fi & Internet Packages
    Women relaxing at the Holland America Spa & Salon
    Treat yourself at sea.
    Go to Spa & Salon
  • Deals
    Deals
    Deals
    • All Cruise Deals
    • All Exclusive Offers & Cruise Deals
    • Anniversary Sale
    • Mother's Day Weekend Sale
    • Top Ten Cruise Deals
    • Refer a Friend, Get $50
    • Community Appreciation Offers
    • AARP Member Offer
    • Grand Voyage Early Booking Bonus
    • Special Offers for Guests 3 & 4
    • Standby Program
    Have It All
    • Have It All Premium Cruise Package
    • Have It All Early Booking Bonus
    Club Orange & Mariner Society
    • Join Club Orange
    • $400 Onboard Credit - Early Booking Bonus
    • Mariner Society
    Get special offers during our Anniversary Sale
    Explore Cruises
  • Manage My Cruise
    Manage My Cruise
    Manage
    • My Cruise
    • Check In
    • Make a Payment
    • Book Flights
    • Book Airport Transfers
    • Book Hotels & Travel Packages
    • Cancellation Protection
    Customize Your Cruise
    • Shore Excursions
    • Spa & Salon
    • Beverage Packages
    • Wi-Fi & Internet Packages
    • Dining Reservations
    Celebrate On Board
    • Gifts & Extras
    • Stateroom Décor Packages
    • Send a Gift to a Guest
    More Info
    • Download Mobile App
    • Know Before You Go
    • Cruise Credits
    • Required Travel Documents
    Airplane flying above clouds
    Book flights the easy way.
    Try Flight Ease®
  • My Account Exclusive Offers
  • Search
  • Log out
  • en
    • English
    • Spanish
  • Chat
  • Chat
  • 1-855-932-1711
  • or
  • Live Chat

Navigating Venice's Canals: Gondolas and the Vaporetto

Read on for tips on the Venice canals. Take a gondola, one of the most popular things to do in Venice, or hop on the Vaporetto and cruise up the Grand Canal.

With all the water flowing through Venice, it’s no wonder that boats are so important to residents and visitors alike. Here’s a rundown of two of the most popular vessels you can climb aboard to experience the canals of Venice.

Learn more about Mediterranean cruises
 

Traditional Venice Gondola Ride

The gondola could be a symbol for Venice. One of the most popular things to do in Venice, Italy, these traditional vessels were once the primary means of navigating the city’s maze of canals — it’s estimated that nearly 10,000 of these boats once plied their way through Venice in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, gondolas (oarsmen) are romantic regalia  of the city’s past. Approximately 350 gondolas remain in Venice, much to the delight of visitors in search of  moonlit rides while the songs of gondoliers echo through the narrow canals.

Note that Venetians regard gondoliers as highly skilled practitioners of a noble trade. This, along with the expense of building a gondola (upwards of €20,000) and the high cost of living in Venice, contributes to the price of their services. Prices are supposed to be fixed by the city (about €80.00 for a 40-minute ride), but it’s not unusual for gondoliers to ask for more. Don’t be afraid to haggle or walk away. Additional services, such as singing or special guided tours, are considered add-ons.

Venice gondola tips:

  • Hiring a gondola is the best, and sometimes only, way to see some of the more hidden areas of the city, as many Venice canals have no roads or walkways along them.
  • Prices are usually higher for nighttime rides, where the rate can be around €100 for a short ride.
  • Stands are located around the city or you can book a gondola ride through a Holland America Line Venice shore excursion.

 

How to Take the Vaporetto (Water Bus)

Water buses are a common sight on Venice canals. Venice is not a large city, so you can reach most points of interest by foot  in a reasonable amount of time. For most Venice visitors, the vaporetto is great for a long ride up and down the Grand Canal while getting a feel for the city. It’s also essential for visiting some of the islands of the lagoon.

For those with mobility issues, or if you don’t feel like walking any more, the vaporetto is a great option. And most  are wheelchair and stroller accessible.

You can find vaporetto tickets throughout Venice. Note that vaporetto is both the name of a specific type of vessel and a catchall term for all water buses running in and around the Venice canals. The main types of water bus are: vaporetto, single-level boats with large, open spaces in the middle commonly found in the city center; motoscafo, narrower vessels with enclosed cabins for travel on more open waters outside the Grand Canal; and the motonave, larger vessels resembling the vaporetto (can be single- or double-decked) used for traveling to more distant points.
 

Vaporetto tips:

  • Single-ride tickets are quite expensive. If you think you’ll use the vaporetto a lot, purchase a Tourist Travel Card — available for durations ranging from 12 hours all the way up to seven days.
  • Another option is the Venezia Unica tourist pass — more expensive but it also includes access to museums and other tourist attractions as well as public toilets.
  • Try to nab a seat within a vaporetto’s outdoor seating area located on the stern —the perfect spot for sightseeing on your ride up the Grand Canal.

 

The canals are just the starting point. There are many more things to do in Venice, Italy. Visit incredible museums, watch Venetian glass blowing, or taste Venetian chocolate. Explore Venice’s canals on a cruise to Europe  with Holland America Line.

Help Widget copy TBD

HAL Home page

Help Widget copy TBD

HAL Home page

Savour the Journey

Experiences With Us Are Too Good To Hurry Through

Explore Cruises

  • Find Cruises
  • Last Minute Cruise Deals
  • Our Cruise Ships
  • Family Cruises
  • Holiday Cruises
  • Cruise Accessibility
  • Cruise Brochures
  • About Holland America
  • Affiliates

Cruise Destinations

  • All Cruise Destinations
  • Alaska Cruises
  • Bahamas Cruises
  • Caribbean Cruises
  • European Cruises
  • Hawaii Cruises
  • Mediterranean Cruises
  • Mexico Cruises
  • Transatlantic Cruises
  • World Cruises & Grand Voyages

Plan & Manage Your Cruise

  • Cruise Check-In
  • Manage Booking
  • Shore Excursions
  • Flights & Transfers
  • Hotel Packages
  • Cruise Cancellation Protection
  • Gift Cards
  • Know Before You Go
  • Holland America Visa® Card

Customer Support

  • Cruising FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Speak to a Cruise Consultant
  • News & Travel Advisories
  • Blog
  • Cruise Fraud Protection
  • Call 1-855-932-1711
  • Sustainability
  • Holland America Team
  • Travel Advisors
White icon devices
Navigator Mobile App
Plan activities, purchase shore excursions, make reservations and more right from your phone while on board.
Google Play button Apple Store Button
  • White icon of Facebook
  • White icon of YouTube
  • White icon of Instagram
  • White icon of Pinterest
  • Site Map
  • Careers
  • Passenger Bill of Rights
  • Cruise Contract
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • Consumer Health Data Privacy Notice
  • Your Privacy Choices