Tourist entry fees are nothing new. In fact, you’ve probably been paying them for years—whether it was an arrival tax added to your international airfare or a nightly fee tacked onto your hotel bill. But with more destinations adding or increasing fees for tourists—e.g., Venice and Amsterdam, respectively—travelers’ budgets are taking a more noticeable hit.
Curious if you’ll be charged a tourist tax on your next trip? Here’s a closer look at what tourist entry fees are, why destinations charge them, plus where you might need to pay them on your upcoming travels.
What are tourist entry fees?
Tourist entry fees, also called tourism fees or tourist taxes, are an additional amount of money charged to tourists for the purpose of generating revenue. Some tourist fees are automatically added to the price of airfare or accommodations. Other times, fees are charged separately, and are payable online or upon arrival at an airport or seaport.
Why do destinations charge tourist entry fees?
Tourist entry fees help generate revenue for destinations, but what does that look like? Here are a few ways they put your tourism dollars to use:
1. Help curb overtourism and protect the environment
Popular destinations face a difficult challenge: balancing the need for tourism revenue with maintaining quality of life for residents and protecting the environment. Tourist fees can help offset the costs of the two latter priorities—while still generating revenue from a more sustainable amount of tourists.
Related reading: How to Travel More Responsibly (and Take Better Care of the Earth)
2. Fund new infrastructure or projects
Tourism revenue is also used to fund local projects that benefit locals and tourists alike.
For example, in Spain, new tourist entry fees will be used to build more affordable housing for locals who live near in-demand tourist destinations, as well as to improve roads and increase bus services. Meanwhile, Italy plans to use its tourist tax money to fund services that support locals, including reducing costs of living.
3. Prepare for events
Destinations might also introduce or increase tourist fees ahead of much-anticipated events. For instance, France increased its tourist tax (upwards of 200%!) to generate greater revenue during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Destinations charging tourist entry fees
Here’s a roundup of destinations charging tourists new or increased entry fees.
Venice, Italy
Starting this year, Venice will introduce a new day-tripper tourist tax. That is, visitors not paying for overnight accommodations (where a separate tourist tax is incurred) will be charged €5 to enter the city. The fee will be collected April to July during peak weekends and events. For exact dates and to pay your fee, visit the official Venice Access Fee site.
Tip: Paid your entry fee ahead of time? Upload your travel documents, including PDFs, photos, boarding passes, and entry fee QR codes to your travel plans so everything is in one place.
Spain
The autonomous region of Valencia, which includes popular destinations like Alicante, Valencia, and Benidorm, has introduced the Valencian Tax on Tourist Stays (IVET) that will be added to the cost of your accommodations. The fee—ranging from 50 cents to €2 per night—varies based on accommodation type, and will go into effect sometime this year. An exact date has not yet been announced.
Travelers visiting Barcelona can also expect to pay an added fee. As of April 1, 2024, a nightly fee of €3.25 (up €0.75 from 2023) is now added to the price of accommodations.
Both fees apply to travelers visiting for up to seven nights.
Bali
As of February 2024, travelers now have to pay a fee of 150,000 Rupiah (a little less than $10) upon arriving in Bali. You can pay in advance on the Love Bali site, or upon arrival at a dedicated airport or harbor kiosk.
Thailand
Planning to check out where the next season of The White Lotus is being filmed? You’d be in good company: a recent TripIt survey found that 40% of Americans are planning a trip inspired by pop culture.
Travelers should be aware that Thailand approved a new tourist tax of 300 Baht (~$8) for those arriving by air and 150-Baht fee for those arriving by sea in 2023. However, an exact start date has yet to be announced.
European Union
Starting in 2025, many non-European citizens will need to apply for and receive approval for a visa waiver—an ETIAS travel authorization—in order to visit any member country of Europe’s Schengen Area.
At the time of publication, the EU's website says the new authorization will start in mid-2025, but no specific date has been set yet. Approved ETIAS visa waivers will be valid for three years, and will allow people to enter the Schengen Area for periods of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
An ETIAS travel authorization will cost €7. Travelers will be required to pay for the cost of ETIAS when they complete their online application form. Note that applicants who are younger than 18 years old or older than 70 are exempt from paying.
Read more: Planning to Visit Europe in 2025? You Might Need an ETIAS Travel Authorization
Right now, Schengen Area countries include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, as well as the microstates of San Marino, Vatican City, and Monaco.
