Last Updated on October 21, 2025 by Sam
Gondolas may steal the spotlight, but a traghetto is a far more affordable way to traverse Venice’s Grand Canal. Traghetto rides are used by locals for practical canal crossings, whereas traditional gondolas are now primarily used for sightseeing and romantic trips through the city’s iconic waterways. These simple boat crossings are much shorter, typically lasting just a couple of minutes, and offer a gondola-like boat trip for just a few euros. Although rides are brief, you’ll still get to enjoy stunning views of this famous floating city, so it’s definitely worth including on your Venice itinerary. Here’s everything you need to know about traghetto rides in Venice.
What Is a Traghetto?
Traghetti (the plural of traghetto) are traditional Venetian boats used to cross the Grand Canal where there are no bridges nearby. Historically, traghetto rides were the quickest way to cross the canal when there were fewer bridge crossings.
Although there are now four bridges spanning Venice’s Grand Canal, traghetti are still a cheap and convenient way to cross the water in just a few minutes. This affordable form of public transport is used mostly by locals, but it also offers tourists an authentic Venetian experience and a budget-friendly alternative to gondolas.
What Is the Difference Between a Traghetto and a Gondola?
Both gondola and traghetto rides are traditional forms of transport in Venice, but there are a few key differences between them. Gondolas are smaller and more ornate, whereas traghetti are slightly larger with a practical and less fancy design.
As they’re smaller, gondolas can fit a maximum of six passengers, while a traghetto can typically hold up to 12 passengers. Gondola rides are generally more comfortable, with individual seats for each rider, but on a traghetto, you’ll usually share a bench. On busy crossings, you might even have to stand.
Traghetto rides in Venice usually last just one or two minutes, so even if you have to stand, it’s not really an issue on such a short trip. Gondola rides are longer and normally last around 30–40 minutes, so they’re ideal for sightseeing.
Each traghetto runs on a fixed route for efficient canal crossings, whereas gondola routes are more flexible, depending on whether you prefer to focus on major landmarks like the Rialto Bridge or quieter side canals. Another difference is that traghetti are typically rowed by two gondoliers, and gondolas are steered by just one.
And in terms of cost, traghetti trips are far more affordable compared to gondola rides.
What Is the Cost of a Traghetto Ride in Venice?
A one-way traghetto ride in Venice costs €2 for tourists and just €0.70 for Venetian residents. In contrast, the cost of a gondola ride in Venice is €90 for a standard 30-minute trip (as of 2025).
This makes traghetto rides a much cheaper alternative, which is ideal for anyone looking for a gondola-style experience without the high price tag. Traghetto fares are cash only, whereas gondola trips can also be paid for by card on the day or even by booking online in advance.
Are Traghetto Rides Worth It?
We definitely recommend taking a traghetto ride during your time in Venice, especially as it only takes a few minutes to do so. Traghettis are a great option for a boat trip on the Grand Canal if you don’t have the budget for an expensive gondola ride.
Taking a traghetto offers a unique glimpse into local life, so it’s worth doing even if you take a gondola trip too. As well as being an authentic Venetian experience, it’s also a convenient way to cross the canal if you’re not near one of the main bridges.
Traghetto Routes in Venice
Venice used to have more than 30 traghetto routes, but with more bridges now spanning the canals, just seven are still in operation. Even though seven routes exist, traghetti schedules vary, with some only open seasonally and others not every day. On some days, only one or two routes are running.
The remaining traghetto routes in Venice are as follows:
Santa Sofia ↔ Rialto Fish Market (Campo della Pescaria)
San Tomà ↔ Sant’Angelo
Santa Maria del Giglio ↔ Salute
Riva del Carbon ↔ Riva del Vin
Ferrovia ↔ San Simeone
San Samuele ↔ Ca’ Rezzonico
San Marcuola ↔ Fondaco dei Turchi
The most reliable traghetto routes are Santa Sofia ↔ Rialto Fish Market and San Tomà ↔ Sant’Angelo. Both operate weekdays from 8:30 AM–7:00 PM, and on weekends and holidays from 9:00 AM–6:00 PM or 6:30 PM. As they’re the most reliable crossings, we recommend picking either of these routes for your traghetto ride in Venice.
Hours for other routes are more inconsistent, but can be found on the City of Venice website. Closures are hard to predict, so it’s normally best to stick to the reliable routes above.
Traghetto services don’t operate on August 15, December 25–26, and January 1, and end at 1:00 PM on December 24 and December 31.
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