Venice is once again grappling with the pressures of overtourism. Authorities are considering increasing the cost of local gondola ferries, known as traghetti, after social media influencers revealed them as a cheap alternative to the traditional gondola ride.
The traghetti, which cross the Grand Canal at four main points, have long been a practical and affordable way for residents to move around the city. For locals, the fare is less than €2, while tourists currently pay around €2. In comparison, a classic gondola ride averages €80 for a short trip, making traghetti an increasingly attractive option for cost-conscious travellers.
The social media effect
Travel guides have recommended traghetti for years, but the rise of social media has transformed the crossings into a global trend. Influencers have promoted them as an easy way to snap a gondola selfie without spending a fortune, even suggesting them for solo travellers unable to afford the private gondola experience.
The impact has been immediate. Queues at the traghetto stops have lengthened considerably, leaving residents frustrated. Andrea Morucchio, a Venetian artist, told The Times: “The ferries have become the latest trend for tourists who want to spend little and get in a gondola. Thanks to influencers and bloggers it has become one of the most popular things in Venice and as a result Venetians are suffering.”
@insideoursuitcase €2.00 Gondola ride in Venice 🇮🇹 The Traghetto goes across the Grand Canal on a journey that takes between 60 to 90 seconds. There’s various points you can board the gondola, I just searched on Google Maps for the nearest one to me. This is a cash only service and although the journey is short it’s a great way to save money in Venice since traditional gondola rides typically start at €80. #venice #veniceitaly ♬ original sound – Inside Our Suitcase
A price hike under consideration
To ease the strain, Venice’s councillor for tourism, Simone Venturini, has suggested increasing the fare for visitors. The revenue generated could then be used to finance two new ferry crossings along the Grand Canal, potentially reducing congestion. “An increase would be justified since tourists are using the service as a substitute gondola ride,” Venturini explained.
The idea forms part of broader efforts to balance accessibility with sustainability. Authorities argue that traghetti were never intended to serve mass tourism, but rather to provide residents with an affordable means of transport.
Tourism incidents and growing tensions
This is not the first time gondolas have been at the centre of controversy. In 2024, a group of tourists famously fell overboard after ignoring a gondolier’s warnings to stay seated while passing under a low bridge near St Mark’s Square. Incidents such as these highlight the pressures created by large numbers of visitors seeking the “Venice experience” at any cost.
Venetians have increasingly voiced frustration at the impact of tourism on daily life. Beyond crowded traghetti, there are concerns about rising living costs, noise and the erosion of local traditions. These debates form part of a larger conversation about how to keep Venice both habitable and welcoming.
@abcnewsaus Multiple tourists have ended up in the canals after ignoring the instructions of their gondolier. #Venice #Italy #Europe #Travel #OhNo #ABCNews ♬ original sound – ABC News Australia
A city experimenting with tourism management
Venice has become a testing ground for tourism regulation. In April this year, as reported by Travel Tomorrow, the city reinstated its daytripper tax, requiring visitors who enter between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm to pay a levy of between €5 and €10.
The policy is part of a calendar of measures that Venice has expanded this year. In another report, Venice’s 2025 tourist tax calendar expands with price penalties for last-minute payments. We noted that the city aims to both manage flows and encourage longer stays. Within the first 11 days of the levy in 2025, Venice earned almost €1 million. These measures demonstrate both the demand Venice continues to attract and the scale of the challenge in regulating it.
Local calls for stronger measures
Some business leaders have gone further, proposing an entry fee as high as €100, arguing that Venice is in a “state of calamity.” Critics describe the city as overwhelmed by “rivers of people” who contribute little to the local economy. Such proposals remain controversial, yet they show how urgent the debate has become.
Recent protests have also underlined local concerns. Demonstrations erupted in June during the high-profile wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, with residents accusing the authorities of turning the city into a stage set for mass tourism at the expense of community life.
Balancing heritage and sustainability
Venice continues to walk a fine line between welcoming millions of visitors and safeguarding its fragile ecosystem and community. The possibility of raising the price of traghetti is only the latest measure being considered. Proponents say higher fares would not only discourage casual use by tourists but also provide new resources to expand transport options. Critics warn that increasing costs risk excluding lower-budget visitors while still failing to address the root causes of overcrowding.
Whatever decision is taken, the debate around traghetti highlights the ongoing struggle to preserve Venice’s unique identity. The city’s beauty and cultural heritage will always attract travellers from around the world. The challenge lies in ensuring that residents do not pay the highest price for its global fame.
