Which major destinations charge a tourist tax (or are planning to soon)?
When traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to account for any tourism taxes you must pay during your stay.
Some are a small extra cost added to what you pay for your accommodation per night. Others may be a one-and-done (or even daily) fee, such as Thailand’s tourist tax. In some places like Bhutan, these fees can be quite costly.
You might find your vacation spot has implemented this kind of tax for several reasons. It could be a response to overtourism and concerns about sustainability and the environment (case in point: Venice, Italy), or it could simply be a way to help the local economy put funds back into tourism infrastructure.
Here, we’ll look at top tourist destinations that charge a tourism tax and how much each will cost you.
Europe
Amsterdam
After increasing its tourist tax in 2024, Amsterdam now has the highest tourist levy in Europe, with hotels, vacation rentals (including Airbnbs) and camping sites all charging guests an additional 12.5% of their overnight rate (excluding value-added tax).
Meanwhile, cruise travelers are charged 14 euros (around $15) as part of the "day tripper tax" for every day spent in Amsterdam. The charge, however, excludes passengers who start or end their cruise in Amsterdam and those living in Amsterdam.
Find out more about the various kinds of taxes on Amsterdam’s official website.
Balearic Islands, Spain
Fees on the islands vary from 1 to 4 euros per night, depending on the accommodation type, as follows:
- 4 euros (around $4.30) for those staying in luxury hotels
- 3 euros (around $3.20) for those staying in midrange hotels
- 2 euros (around $2.15) for cruise passengers and those staying in cheaper hotels and apartments
- 1 euro (around $1) for campers and hostel guests
This sustainable tourism tax applies to Minorca, Mallorca, Formentera and Ibiza. Travelers under the age of 16 are exempt.
Germany
Germany charges tourists both a culture tax, known as "kulturforderabgabe," and a bed tax, known as "bettensteuer," in several of its more popular cities, including Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt.
In Berlin, the tourist tax is 5% of the room price. It varies in other cities such as Frankfurt (2 euros per night) and Hamburg (up to 3 euros per night).
Greece
Depending on the accommodation type (either the number of stars the hotel holds or the number of rooms), Greece charges 0.50 euros to 4 euros per night.
Manchester, England
The newly introduced City Visitor Charge costs 1 British pound ($1.25) per room, per night.
France
France's tourist tax varies depending on which city you are visiting but generally costs 0.80 euros to 4 euros per night, depending on the kind of accommodation you choose. Find out more.
This year, however, Paris' tourist tax has been raised in advance of the Summer Olympics. You can now expect to pay between 0.75 and 15 euros per night, depending on your accommodation.
Portugal
The tax is 2 euros per night for the first seven nights in Lisbon, Porto, Faro and nine other municipalities. Other parts of the country that charge a tourist tax usually have lower fees, around 1 euro to 1.50 euros per night.
Prague
In the capital of the Czech Republic, there is a charge of 50 korunas ($2.11) per person, per night for hotel stays.
Rome
In Rome, the tax varies from 3 to 7 euros per night, depending on the star rating of your accommodation.
Spain
In addition to the tourist taxes for Spain's Balearic Islands mentioned above, you'll find a couple of taxes apply when visiting Barcelona.
The city charges two different taxes to tourists. The first is the city tax, which increased in April 2024 to 3.25 euros per night. Visitors must also pay a regional tax depending upon the type of accommodation they're staying in.
- 2.25 euros per night for rental accommodations
- 1.70 euros per night for four-star hotels
- 3.50 euros per night for five-star and luxury hotels
Cruise passengers also pay different amounts depending on the length of their stay. Expect to pay 3 euros for visits less than 12 hours and 2 euros for visits longer than 12 hours.
Venice, Italy
Taxes in this popular tourist destination vary from 1 euro to 5 euros per night and are paid to your accommodation. A separate tax for people visiting on a daytrip during peak times between April and mid-July costs 5 euros.
Other destinations
Additional places in Europe that charge tourist taxes include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Malta, Montenegro, Slovenia and Switzerland. Some locales may only have regional tourist taxes.
Tourist taxes can always be introduced later, so be sure to do your own research before you travel. This is especially true for Edinburgh, Scotland, as the city is on the brink of introducing a tax of 2 euros per night. Potential tourism tax discussions are also underway in Wales.
North America
California
A Transient Occupancy Tax of around 12% to 14% of the room price will appear on California hotel stays, according to Turbotax. There may be other tourism-related taxes as well.
Canada
Rates vary across the country, but Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Quebec are among the areas that add a visitor tax to a hotel’s price.
Hawaii
While Hawaii doesn’t currently have a tourist tax, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green proposed a $25 fee on visitors when they arrive and check in to a hotel or short-term rental; it may pick up speed and become a reality at some point. This isn't the first time a fee on visitors has been suggested in Hawaii, with previous calls for a $50 so-called Green Fee visitor payment also recently put forward.
New York City
New York City charges a hotel room occupancy tax to visitors that costs about 14% of the room price plus up to $2 per room, per night, according to the New York City government website.
Other destinations
In addition to the ones mentioned above, you should expect taxes and fees on hotel stays in most other U.S. states.
Latin America, South America and the Caribbean
Buenos Aires
Tourists will pay $1.50 per room, per night when staying in Argentina’s capital city.
The Caribbean
Taxes vary by country in the Caribbean. For example, Bonaire has a one-off $75 fee that tourists need to pay via its official website, while Aruba adds 12.5% to your room rate plus $3 per room, per night. In Barbados, you’ll pay $2.50 to $10 per room, per night, and there will typically be a $70 departure tax already included in your flight cost.
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also known to apply tourist taxes. Check details before booking or traveling, as there may be a departure tax already included in your airfare.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
In 2024, entry fees for visitors to Galapagos National Park are set to double in cost, with visitors now paying $200 to enter the park from Aug. 1. A reduced fee is set to be available for children under the age of 12, and children younger than 2 will be able to enter for free.
Quintana Roo, Mexico
This region charges a one-off tourist payment of 224 Mexican pesos (around $13) to visit any destination in Quintana Roo. This includes Cancun, Cozumel, Holbox, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. A tourist tax may also be added to hotel stays in these areas and other parts of Mexico.
Asia and the Pacific
Bali, Indonesia
Bali introduced a tourist tax in February 2024. It charges 150,000 rupiahs (around $9.25) in addition to other visa fees. The tax aims to combat overtourism on the popular island.
Bhutan
Until recently, Bhutan charged a whopping $200 fee per day. Known as the Sustainable Development Fee, this tourist tax is designed to assist with paying for infrastructure improvements, environmental efforts and fair wages for locals, among other things.
However, this was recently reduced to around $100 per day to encourage more people to visit. This is the most expensive tourist tax in the world and is paid regardless of your accommodation type.
Japan
There is a charge of 1,000 yen ($6.47) included in all airfare for flights departing Japan. Find out more.
Malaysia
Malaysia’s tourist tax costs 10 Malaysian ringgits ($2.08) per room, per night.
Maldives
The tourism tax in the Maldives ranges from $3 to $6 per day. The Green Tax total varies depending on if you’re staying in a guesthouse, hotel or resort. Find out more.
New Zealand
When you book your New Zealand visa, you’ll usually pay 35 New Zealand dollars ($20.60) for the International Visitor Levy.
Thailand
A one-time fee of 300 baht ($8.14) was introduced in June 2023. All tourists arriving by air will need to pay this tax. For visitors who enter the country via a port or land border, the fee will be 150 baht.
Bottom line
More and more, tourist taxes are becoming a regular part of travel around the world. While these fees are nominal and shouldn't cause too much of a dent in your budget in most cases, they can rack up quite quickly in some destinations if you're not careful. Always research the fees at the destination you plan to visit before you get there, and make sure you budget for it if you don't want a surprise bill.
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Cons
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.