Venice urban glossary

VAPORETTO it means WATER BUS it is a public transport

similar to the metro

FERRY GONDOLA a very large boat and connects only from one side
of the Grand Canal  

GONDOLA it is a small typical Venetian boat for exclusive tourist use for a set tour

WATER TAXI has the same function as the taxi with the wheels of the mainland for a fee



How to reach from and to Venice by taxi or  transfer at convenient prices:


The history of the  Ferry Gondola


When Venice was still many separate islands and a few makeshift bridges as simple tables on one side and the other, it had been uncomfortable when you had to move goods, the gondola appeared so called because of the sway of the curved keel that was adapted for sailing on the shallows of Venice.


To replace the missing bridges the Gondola took its place so the Gondola ferry was born which still today moves from one bank and the other of the Ganal Grande.

Even today there are few points left in service, it is also called Gondola Parada or Standing because the Venetians remain standing, since the crossing is short between the banks and the other.


Gondola ferry Crossing transports you from one bank to another in the sense of the width longintudinal of the Grand Canal, the journey is short but

you can experience a wonderful feeling like being lulled by the waves you see on the water in a unique perspective.




the Godola Ferry is much longer and is guided by 2 gondoliers to make it turn one on each side, it carries 12 people.


TICKETS Gondola Ferry

You pay directly to the gondolier if possible prepare some coins.



Price varies with IMBOB VENEZIA UNICA card € 0.70

without € 2.00 running.


How do you recognize the pier?

They have a green panel with writing Ferry gondola and name of the bank.


Points are called with the name of the place for each bank but with the addition of the neighborhood if they are different or of the shore.


How long does the crossing take?

The crossing takes a few minutes to reach diagonally the other side of the Grand Canal.



You can see my video series routes to visit Venice using the gondola ferry.









What are the points and times hours Gondola Ferry


Each point has different times and to find out if the service is active you will find how this sheet (as photo) indicating they are active.


Santa Sofia  to bank

Pescheria Mercato di Rialto
from 1st October to 31st March from 7.30 to 18.30 from April 1st to September 30th from 7.30 to 19.00


San Tomà - Sant'Angelo



Santa Maria del Giglio - San Gregorio
from 1st October to 31st March from 9:00 to 17:00 from April 1st to September 30th from 9:00 to 18:00


Riva del Carbon – Riva del Vin
Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 12


Punta della Dogana - Calle Vallaresso
Monday to Sunday, from 9:00 to 12:30


Closed for holidays on December 25th and 26th, January 1st and August 15th; on 24 and 31 December the service will end at 13:00.














Gondola for turist tour

What differentiates it from the Gondola Ferry?

Smaller and has the famous iron comb and has seats with red velvet chairs and armchairs, and it's just a gondolier rowing.


Where are?

At any point of tourist interest, for example Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, Railway Station, along the internal streets.

How do I recognize them?

There are plaques with the word SERVICE GONDOLA and you will notice gondoliers wearing a striped black or white or red and white sciapra shirt, 
you can notice them because they call out loud and playful:




How many people does it bring and how much does it cost?

You can take a maximum of 6 people. the cost is for ride

80 euros per day

100 euro night tour

both last about 35 minutes.

Or you are single or two and you want to save money you can share with other people a beautiful ride along the grand canal with its beautiful buildings towards the most beautiful point of Venice towards the church Santa Maria Salute, near Piazza San Marco and delicious and romantic internal channels to the Teatro della Fenice

for only 33 Euros, here for online reservations.





I have wheelchair can I go

on a gondola?

Of course I am there is a special pier with a wooden gazebo they have the inscription

GONDOLA 4 ALL at the exit of Piazzale Roma.

you can find all the

information here web site









It is the public transport that transports only people, wheelchairs, not bicycles.

Which lines cross the Grand Canal?

line 1 and line 2


What's the difference?

Line 1 larger ferry 18 stops

travel time 49 minutes slower.

Line 2 small ferry 18 stops travel time 25 minutes faster







For FERRY the cost is single ticket € 7.50 for a 75-minute ride.


All trips with the ferry boat cost the same, 1 ticket for a single ride lasts 75 minutes, within this time you can go out and take other vaporetti with different directions.

Attention TICKET times, checks of staff dressed as normal passengers random checks the fine varies if the ticket has not been electronically obliterated, the time has expired, if you do not have the ticket, if your subscription has loaded trips but you have not obliterated , if your subscription is empty and you wanted to be smart, this rate costs between 60/75 euros.



A way to visit Venice quickly without getting tired and reaching the different districts and discovering its islands, I recommend the daily water bus or more days, to visit Venice with the vaporetto.

you can watch my video walk tour where I have made classic routes and also in Venice of the Venetians.


If you are in a hurry you can skip the online book here  online your day ticket with water bus


Please note that there are no additional costs for you, but I earn a small commission if you make the direct purchase on the proposed links, so you help me to support me and continue to offer you new content.

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