Latest news with #traghetti
.jpeg%3Ftrim%3D20%2C0%2C20%2C0%26width%3D1200%26height%3D800%26crop%3D1200%3A800&w=3840&q=100)
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Venice reveals latest bid to deter tourists
Venetian authorities are considering raising prices for "secret" cheap gondola rides, known as traghetti (ferries), after social media influencers promoted them to tourists. These ferries, costing €2 for tourists compared to €80 for standard gondola rides, have seen queues lengthen significantly at four Grand Canal crossings. Local residents are complaining that the increased tourist usage of these essential services is causing them inconvenience and disruption. Simone Venturini, Venice 's councillor for tourism, stated that any price increase for tourists would be justified and the funds could be used to open new ferry crossings. This issue highlights Venice's ongoing struggle with overtourism, following previous measures like the introduction of a day-tripper admission fee and proposals for even higher charges.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Venice considers increasing cost of local gondola rides to deter tourists
Authorities in Venice are considering increasing the price of 'secret' cheap gondola rides – usually used by locals – after social media influencers shared tips about the budget-friendly boats. Queues have been getting longer at four crossings at the Grand Canal, Venice 's main waterway, after influencers posted about the large gondolas or traghetti (ferries). The ferries cost around €2 (£1.70) for tourists, and even less for residents, which is a far cry from the €80 (£68) gondola ride that most visitors will pay on average. Locals have complained that they are now suffering as a consequence. 'The ferries have become the latest trend for tourists who want to spend little and get in a gondola,' Andrea Morucchio, a local artist, said in a statement to the Times. 'Thanks to influencers and bloggers it has become one of the most popular things in Venice and as a result Venetians are suffering.' While travel guides have long recommended boarding traghetti to get around the city, the rise of social media has increased their popularity. Influencers have recommended the boat ride to solo travellers who may not be able to afford an individual gondola, plus mooted it as an easy way to snap a selfie without going over budget. Simone Venturini, Venice's councillor for tourism, told The Times that the city was considering increasing the price for tourists, then investing these funds into opening up two new ferry crossings across the Grand Canal. 'An increase would be justified since tourists are using the service as a substitute gondola ride,' he said. Tourists causing havoc on gondolas is not new. In 2024, a group of tourists fell overboard after taking photographs from the vessel. While navigating a low bridge near St. Mark's Square, the gondolier's alleged request for the passengers to remain seated were ignored, causing the incident to occur. The city has a complicated relationship with tourism. Last year, Venice became the first city in the world to charge admission for day trippers. A €5 (£4.30) to €10 (£8.60) levy was trialled between April and July this year. Tourists who make reservations less than four days in advance are charged the higher rate. Day trippers visiting during peak hours – 8.30am to 4pm – have to pay the daily fee, while overnight tourists with hotel reservations are exempt from the charge. However, businessmen in the city have proposed an even larger entry fee at €100 (£86) after they said Venice is in a 'state of calamity'. Setrak Tokatzian, president of St Mark's Square residents' association, called for the charge in order to stem the 'rivers of people' arriving in Venice. 'There's a complete explosion of overtourism like never before, with a type of people wandering around without entering shops or even knowing where they are.'
Times
4 days ago
- Times
Venetians furious as tourists discover ‘secret' €2 gondola rides
Venice residents are protesting after social media influencers tipped off tourists about cheap gondola ferries used by locals to cross the Grand Canal. Long queues have been forming at the four crossings on Venice's main waterway for ferries that allow residents to cross for 70 cents, while tourists pay €2. It is a huge saving on the €80 visitors to Venice usually pay for an official, 30-minute gondola ride along the canals. Influencers have been increasingly recommending large gondolas called traghetti ('ferries') as a quick and cheap alternative for tourists who want a selfie on board. 'The ferries have become the latest trend for tourists who want to spend little and get in a gondola,' Andrea Morucchio, a local artist, said. 'Thanks to influencers and bloggers it has become one of the most popular things in Venice and as a result Venetians are suffering.' As disgruntled locals, laden with shopping, get in line for the traghetti behind phone-touting tourists, they are discovering one more reason to move out and further whittle down the population of Venice's centro storico (or 'historic centre'), which is about 50,000. Travel guides have long alerted readers to the traghetti: Lonely Planet calls them 'one of Venice's great transport secrets' and 'a staple of many Venetians' commutes'. But residents say the recent promotion of the travel hack by influencers has tipped the scales. 'With this gondola, for only €2, in four minutes you can cross the Grand Canal, just the time to take a photo to send to your friends,' said the YouTuber Giovanna Santoro. The Instagrammer 'Eat with Ange' said: 'It is a really quick ride, but it's great for solo travellers or anyone who doesn't want to pay €80-100 to experience a gondola ride.' Traghetti have a different design to Venice's gondolas, which are steered by one gondolier rather than two, but that has done little to deter tourists. Simone Venturini, Venice's councillor for tourism, told The Times the city was considering increasing the price for tourists above €2 and use the funds to open up to two new ferry crossings across the Grand Canal using the proceeds. 'An increase would be justified since tourists are using the service as a substitute gondola ride,' he said. • 24 of the best things to do in Venice Aldo Reato, a city councillor and former head of the association of gondoliers, admitted that with 30 million tourists visiting Venice each year, the lines at the ferry jetties were inevitable. That number may rise again as the Netflix series Emily in Paris plans to film in the city. But Reato said the frequency of crossings was being increased on busy routes. 'We are on the side of Venetians,' he said.
