Venice doubles entry fee for day-trippers

Observer

23-04-2025

Starting last Friday, visitors to Venice once again were required to pay an entry fee of up to €10 (£8.75) for a day's visit, marking a significant increase from the €5 (£4.37) charge implemented last year when the scheme was first introduced.
Originally brought into effect in 2024, this initiative, known as the 'Access Fee,' aims to manage the overwhelming number of tourists flocking to the Italian lagoon city. Visitors planning to arrive within three days will face a doubled fee of €10, as confirmed by the municipality on its official website.
'Our goal is to encourage quality tourism — overnight stays — that respects the city and seeks to engage with it on a deeper level, embracing its unique character and rhythm,' remarked Simone Venturini, Venice's councillor for tourism.
Despite last year's experiment not significantly reducing visitor numbers, it did generate approximately €2.5 million (£2.2 million) for the city, indicating a potential benefit amidst the persistent issue of overcrowding.
Notably, tourists booking accommodations for one night or longer will be exempt from the entry fee. Similarly, local residents, workers, and students are also not required to pay, thus alleviating the burden on those who contribute to the city's fabric.
Venice, renowned for its picturesque canals, welcomes about 30 million tourists each year, with around 70% opting for day trips. To address this surge, the fee will be applicable on 54 specific days throughout 2025, including all weekends from Friday to Sunday until the end of July, and up until the first weekend in May.
Visitors must secure a QR code online prior to their arrival and present it on their mobile devices. Those failing to obtain the necessary entry ticket risk facing a fine of up to €300 (£261).
The entry fee system remains largely unchanged since last year; however, the frequency of payments and the increased rate indicate Venice's ongoing commitment to managing its visitor influx while promoting a more sustainable tourism model.