Gondola ride for just a couple of dollars?

While the ‘Official guide price’ may be 80 euros for 40 minutes (up to 6 people) you may have to pay a lot more. Most gondoliers will insist on 90, 100 or more and the ride might only be 30 minutes. Fares are listed on the official website for gondoliers www.gondolavenezia.it 

According to the website, a 40-minute gondola ride should cost 80 euros for a maximum of 6 people. Each additional 20 minutes are 40 euros. Evening gondola rides after 7pm are 100 euros for 40 minutes and 50 euros for every additional 20 minutes.If you can afford it you should definitely go. The ride can be a once in a lifetime experience.

The Traghetto. A ride in a gondola for about 2 or 3 dollars!

If the price is a budget breaker and you just can't do it, there's still a way to at least experience a gondola ride and get a few pictures while you're at it. The answer is called a "Traghetto". You can see a Traghetto stop and some passengers in the video.

The Traghetto is basically a ferry, used mostly by locals to cross the canals. Many stops are located where there are no bridges nearby, although the one in the video is just a short walk from the Rialto bridge.