Visiting Venice on your next holiday? Get ready to pay more as tourist tax doubles

If Venice is on your travel list, you might want to check your budget! The city has doubled its entry fee for daytrippers who don't plan ahead¡ªso last-minute visitors will now have to pay more to soak in its iconic canals and piazzas.

Venice hikes tourist tax

Venice has announced a significant increase in its tourist entry fee, doubling the charge from €5 (?4.20) to €10 (?8.30) for those who book less than four days in advance.

The city will also expand the number of days the fee applies, increasing from 29 days in 2024 to 54 days in 2025.

The higher fee will take effect during peak travel months¡ªApril, May, June, and July¡ªwhen Venice experiences overwhelming tourist numbers.

Visitors arriving between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM on these designated days must purchase their access pass in advance or risk fines ranging from €50 to €300 during random checks.

However, tourists staying overnight in the city are exempt from this charge.

Those planning a day trip can also avoid the full fee by booking their visit at least four days ahead, reducing the cost back to €5.

Why did Venice hike the tourist tax?

Officials claim the increased fee is part of a broader effort to manage tourism and preserve the city's fragile environment.

Venice has long struggled with overtourism, with narrow streets, historic landmarks, and public transport systems often overwhelmed by day visitors.

In 2024, the city became the first in the world to introduce an ¡°access fee¡± for daytrippers, hoping to curb overcrowding.

Less than a year later, authorities have decided to strengthen the initiative by raising prices and expanding restricted entry days.

While the government insists the measure is about sustainability, some critics argue that it is just another way to extract money from tourists without addressing the deeper issues of mass tourism.

Businesses catering to visitors also worry that the changes might deter travelers, impacting local commerce.

The new rules will be in place from April 18 to May 4 continuously, followed by every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until July 27. Whether this move will ease Venice's congestion or simply frustrate visitors remains to be seen.

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