How do Gondolas work?

In Venice, how does the Gondola system work? This may sound stupid, but are they lack cabs? Do you call to order a ride, or hail them on the waterway? Can you pay by credit card?

There are tree opportunities: take an expensive "gondola" by the railway station or in "piazza San Marco", take a cheaper "gondola" from a "gondololiere" by one of the many bridges or take the cheapest the "traghetto", from one part of Canal Grande to another, the cost of an urban transport.
My USA guests used the first, my Finland's the second, my Friends of Eastern Europe the last.

It is best to agree a price in advanced before relaxing, the fair for daytime trips is around 73 Euro but expect the price to increase slightly in the evening. you usually take a gondola in front of San Marco or near th train station.
However here's a site that might interest you:
http://www.gondolavenezia.it/homeng.asp

Bye, hope i've been helpful:)

ps i don't think you can pay by credit card, you better have some euros with you but you can still ask the gondoliere:)

this website tells you so many things about gonola in venice!

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/arti...

i was on a guided tour when i went but I beleive they are pretty expensive to rent. You pay by the hour and it comes with a driver but no music sadly thats extra. There are water taxis which are much cheaper however a gondola ride is a must.