It was one of the last well-kept secrets of the locals, but now it has exploded on social networks: the possibility of a gondola ride in Venice for just two euros. This viral "travel hack" is currently leading to a massive run on the so-called "Traghetti da Parada" and is causing a new conflict between tourists and Venetians.
The "Traghetto Gondola" is a public service provided by the city that allows you to cross the Grand Canal quickly at points where there are no bridges. The journey takes just a few minutes and has always cost just two euros for non-residents and as little as 70 cents for Venetians. For a long time, this service was used almost exclusively by the city's residents.
From insider tip to viral nuisance
Since travel influencers and social media users discovered and shared this cheap way to enjoy a short gondola experience, the situation has changed drastically. Tourists now stand in long queues at the landing stages to experience the feeling of floating on water, at least for a moment, for a fraction of the price of a classic gondola tour.
This onslaught causes frustration and protest among the locals. They see it as another "invasion" that makes their everyday lives more difficult and makes them wait a long time at the landing stages. However, the gondoliers and the city council counter this: it is a public service that - just like the "vaporetti" water buses - is available to everyone. This means that tourism in Venice has a new, virally fueled point of contention.
