Venice's entry fee launches in April — here's what you should know
Editor's Note
After lengthy delays, Venice, Italy's daytripper tourist tax will finally come into force April 25.
This tourism tax has been in talks for several years. It will be followed by a cap of 25 people for tour groups in the summer.
Here's what you need to know about each regulation.
5-euro daily tourism tax
On April 25, Venice will begin a pilot run of its daytripper tourism tax after it was previously delayed by the city council.
Initially, the "entry fee" is due to only be in place on certain days between April 25 and July 14 and will cost 5 euros (about $5.45). The tax can be paid prior to entry by visiting the online booking platform.
Currently, the Venice tourism tax won't apply to hotel guests or the city's many workers, commuters and students. Visitors traveling to Venice's lagoon islands — including Murano and Burano — will also be exempt. However, if you're arriving at these locations via vaporetto ferries from the city center, you will still be required to pay the fee.
Children under 14 will also not be required to pay the tax, nor will those visiting residents of the "Old City" historic center of Venice.
Those transiting through the Piazzale Roma bus terminal, Tronchetto or Stazione Marittima dock will also be exempt if they're not passing into the Old City.
Additionally, visitors with certified disabilities (along with any caregivers) or those traveling to the city for a sporting event or medical treatment will also be exempt.
Eligible visitors will need to register for exemption on the same website linked above.
What dates will the Venice tourist tax be in force?
In 2024, visitors will be required to pay the fee on the following dates between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.:
- April 25-30
- May 1-5
- May 11-12
- May 18-19
- May 25-26
- June 8-9
- June 15-16
- June 22-23
- June 29-30
- July 6-7
- July 13-14
How to prepay the daytripper tourist tax if you're visiting Venice
You must book your visit via the Venice city council's online booking platform.
Once you're on the site, you need to click "Pay the Access Fee," which will take you to a site signposted by Venezia Unica. This is the official tourism site for Venice, and you should not pay this fee anywhere else.
Once you've accessed this area of the website, you'll be able to select your travel dates and the number of people you are traveling with, including children — though, as noted above, kids younger than 14 won't be charged.
You'll then be asked to enter the names of any travelers who are not exempt before paying the fee. Once paid, you'll receive an email with your booking details and also a QR code to show authorities should you be asked during your visit.
In "exceptional" circumstances, you will also be able to pay on arrival at the Piazzale Roma bus terminal or the Venezia Santa Lucia train station. However, you're advised to pay prior to your visit.
Should you need to cancel your visit, you can do so up to 11:59 p.m. the day before you're due to arrive.
How to register for exemption from the Venice daytripper tourist tax
Those staying overnight in Venice, as opposed to visiting as part of a daytrip, will not have to pay the entry fee provided they have a confirmed reservation. They will instead pay an overnight tax as part of their hotel or rental costs.
Visitors can register for an exemption on the city council website. It'll ask you for an exemption reason before you give the dates of your visit, personal details and contact information.
If successful, you will receive a QR code to show to authorities if asked during your visit.
25-person tour group cap
The aforementioned tax for daytrippers is just one of several fees and other measures the city plans to implement to curb the effects of immense tourism.
A new municipal resolution will cap tour groups at 25 people (i.e., half the passengers on a tourist bus). It'll also ban loudspeakers "that may cause confusion and disturbance." Both rules are effective June 1. This measure will also apply to groups in Murano, Burano and Torcello.
"It is a provision that is part of a broader framework of interventions aimed at improving and better managing tourism in Venice," tourism councilor Simone Venturini said in a statement Dec. 30, 2023. "A limit was therefore introduced on the number of participants in tourist groups and the use of amplifiers and parking in narrow streets, bridges or places of passage was prohibited. The number of 25 people was also decided to give homogeneity to what already happens for visits to the city's civic museums."
Bottom line
Venice is the latest popular tourist destination to add or bolster tourism-related fees in recent years. From Europe to New Zealand, leaders have grappled with the dual effects of immense tourism spending and tourists' toll on the environment and infrastructure. These impacts have been particularly potent as travel surged leading up to the pandemic and in the most recent couple of years.
Last summer, UNESCO recommended putting Venice on its list of endangered heritage sites, citing — among other factors — the impacts of tourism, severe weather and climate change.
Related reading:
- The best travel credit cards
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- Everyone is going to Sicily — try these 7 underrated places in Italy instead
- Inside Six Senses Rome, a wellness sanctuary in the heart of Italy's capital city
- Insider tips for eating and drinking your way through Italy
- United will send its poshest plane on a new flight to Italy
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees