Gondola Rides at The Venetian (Price, Hours, Worth It?)
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Venice, Italy, is world-famous for its sightseeing gondola rides. However, you don’t have to go overseas to get a taste of this experience. You can enjoy an amazing Gondola Ride at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas more easily and for a whole lot less money.
How much does The Venetian gondola ride cost?
Gondola rides at The Venetian cost $34 per person Monday – Thursday and $39 per person Friday – Sun. You will also want to include a $5-$10 tip per couple for your singing gondolier.
In this article, we will take a look at the average Venetian gondola ride price and see if it’s worth the money. I also have a few important tips to share so that you get the most out of your gondola experience at The Venetian.
Book your combination gondola ride and Madame Tussauds at The Venetian today! (TripAdvisor)
The Venetian Gondola Experience: What To Expect + Tips
If you’ve always wanted to ride a gondola in Venice but never had the chance, The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas will let you live out your dream without even needing a passport. The Venetian has gone to incredible lengths to recreate the feel and atmosphere of Venice, Italy throughout the property.
When you enter the resort, you will find yourself in the Grand Canal Shoppes. Inside this area, you will get to experience the look and feel of Italy while passing upscale stores, restaurants run by celebrity chefs, and all the amazing details of this Venetian paradise.
The interior of the property is designed to give you the look and feel of walking down old Italian streets. The architecture of Venice has been recreated beautifully and is incredibly authentic looking. In addition, the weather is always perfect with the bright blue, partly cloudy sky painted on the ceiling.
Don’t be alarmed if you hear singing. The staff at The Venetian Las Vegas are fully committed to the Italian theme and can often be found serenading guests in Italian. This is particularly the case as you near the Gondolas and the Grand Canal waterway itself.
Your authentic Venetian gondola ride not only includes a trip down the canal, but your personal gondolier will likely serenade you along the way creating a fun and potentially romantic experience. Wink, wink!
This is truly one of the most unique Las Vegas attractions, and that’s saying a lot!
(Do you have any idea how many couples get engaged or married in a gondola in Las Vegas? I actually have no idea what the number is but I know it’s ALOT! It happens every day.)
At The Venetian, you have your choice between an indoor gondola ride or an outdoor one. They both last for the same amount of time (more on that below) and are the same price. Many people choose the indoor experience because it is the more immersive of the two and is more comfortable depending on the outside weather.
Since the indoor canal looks and feels like a bright sunny day in Venice from the floor to the ceiling, you can really lose yourself in the experience. If you choose the outdoor gondola ride, you’ll benefit from the fresh air but you may not feel fully immersed since you will have the sights and sounds of Vegas all around you.
At night, either choice is spectacular. If you choose the inside route, you will be able to admire the detail of the resort’s commitment to the Italian theme in regard to its decor. Plus the painted blue sky will still give you an illusion of a warm, sunny day in Italy.
However, if you choose the outside option, you will have a unique way to enjoy the stunning sights of the Las Vegas Strip from the canal. You will also get to enjoy the illuminated and remarkable exterior of The Venetian at night.
Check room rates at The Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Venetian Gondola Ride Price (How Much?)
Depending on the day of the week you go for your ride, the price changes slightly. If you choose to go from Monday through Thursday, you can expect to pay $34 (€28.99) per person. Weekend prices, from Friday through Sunday, will run you $39 (€33.26) per person.
Note: On holidays, the cost is $39 regardless of the day.
The Las Vegas gondola ride price is currently the same for both indoor and outdoor rides. If you are looking to commemorate the occasion with an optional photo package, that will cost an additional $32 (€27.29).
To get more detailed information about pricing, you can visit The Venetian’s official website here.
How Much To Tip Your Las Vegas Gondolier
Additionally, it is customary to tip your singing gondolier. On average, a couple might tip somewhere between $5 – 10 (€4.26 – €8.53) depending on their satisfaction and budget. A small group might leave a tip somewhere between $10 – 20 (€8.53 – €17.06).
You may also want to take a look at our comprehensive Las Vegas tipping guide. It will guide you as to who, when, where, and how much to tip for services throughout Las Vegas.
The Venetian Gondola Hours (Las Vegas)
While The Venetian is open and accessible 24/7, gondola rides are only available during certain hours:
| Location | Monday to Thursday, & Sunday | Friday & Saturday |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor Gondola | 10 AM – 11 PM | 10 AM – 12 AM |
| Outdoor Gondola | 10 AM – 10 PM | 10 AM – 10 PM |
The last gondola ride of the day is 15 minutes before closing time, so don’t wait until the last minute. Also, it is important to note that the outside gondola ride is subject to weather conditions. While the weather isn’t usually a big problem in Sin City, the outdoor ride may be paused due to wind, rain, or lightning.
How Many People Per Gondola Ride Las Vegas?
Each ride is on a shared gondola that holds up to four people, so you may be paired with other people.
If you’d prefer a private gondola for a more romantic ride, your best bet is to go when it’s not busy. You’ve got a better shot at a private gondola tour in the morning and/or on a weekday but you’ll need to time it just right.
Alternatively, The Venetian also has an option for a private gondola voucher that comes beautifully packaged with a rose that will assure you of some privacy. This is a great way to go if you’re looking to surprise someone special.
The Gondolier March at The Venetian: Don’t Miss It!
No matter when you go, you will want to try and catch the gondoliers’ crowd-pleasing event known as the Gondolier March. Twice a day, the talented, singing gondoliers march together along the streets of the canal in song and serenade the crowds in the Grand Canal Shops.
You can catch this special display of songs once in the morning (around 9:50 am) and once in the afternoon (approx 4:20 pm). It is a true treat to hear so many robust voices singing traditional Italian songs in unison.
Gondola rides can be the ultimate romantic adventure or can be a fun activity for the whole family. Everyone will enjoy floating down the canal in one of Vegas’s most iconic themed resorts.
To get an up-close and personal view of the experience, you can check out this video below:
How Long is the Gondola Ride at The Venetian
Now let’s take a look at how long a gondola ride at The Venetian lasts.
While there is no official stated length of the ride, visitors typically report it lasts between 5 and 15 minutes, with an average of around 12 – 13 minutes.
I’d say that’s pretty accurate based on the ride Bryan and I took on the gondola. You will always go from one end of the canal to the other but my guess is that when it’s busy the gondolas make the round-trip just a little bit faster.
The best way to get a feel for the exact duration would be to head to the Venetian and have a walk around first. You can sit at a cafe, watch the gondolas go by, and get a sense of how long the ride lasts.
If it seems worth it for you, you can easily buy a ticket and get in line. If it feels too quick for you, you could choose to walk along the Grand Canal instead.
Is the Gondola Ride at The Venetian Worth It?
To decide if the gondola rides at The Venetian are worth it, we should consider a few additional factors. These factors would be your budget and overall level of interest.
If you can easily spare the expense and it has always been your dream to take a gondola ride, then it is a very worthwhile experience.
If you are on a budget, you may want to skip the ride and stroll along the side of the canal for free. This way you can enjoy much of The Venetian gondola experience without the cost.
Do You Have to Stay at The Venetian to Ride The Gondolas?
There is no need to stay at The Venetian in order to ride the gondolas. The gondolas and Grand Canal are located in The Venetian shopping center area and are open and available to any and all visitors.
Book your combination gondola ride and Madame Tussauds at The Venetian today! (TripAdvisor)
Gondola Rides at The Venetian (Price, Hours, Worth It?) – Final Thoughts
Thanks to The Venetian Resort, gondola boat rides can be found outside of Italy.
If you’ve always dreamed of taking a romantic gondola ride through the canals of Venice, you can get pretty close to it by visiting the gondola ride in Las Vegas. The Venetian gondola ride price is $34-$39 per person, depending on if it’s a weekend or not.
If a gondola ride is within your budget, it is a very worthwhile experience.
If you’re on a tighter budget for this trip, however, you can still enjoy the experience of the singing gondoliers and the stunning attention to detail of the resort as you walk along the canal under its painted blue skies.
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