VENICE'S ENTRY FEE STRUCTURE: An Overview of the Ticketing System in Venice
Title: Venice's Controversial Tourist Fee: Here's the Scoop
Got a question about Venice's tourist fee? Look no further! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from the who, what, and how, to when, where, and why.
Brace Yourself for Venice's Tourist Fee!
Say hello to the much-talked-about tourist fee in Venice! The city's breaking the ice on its entry charge for day-trippers on April 18, 2025, following a successful trial run last year. Here's the lowdown on this unwelcome addition to your travel budget:
So, Who the Heck Needs to Pay this Fee?!
First things first: the fee applies to folks 14 years and older who visit Venice's cento storico (historic center) on 54 designated dates between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm without staying overnight in an accommodation within the Venice municipality.
Wait a Minute—What's Cento Storico?
Cento storico includes the entire Venice island, excluding the Santa Lucia railway station, Piazzale Roma, and the Tronchetto terminal. If you're not cruisin' through those spots, you're in the clear.
And hey, Who's Exempt from This Malarkey?!
Glad you asked! Besides overnight guests, the following lucky ducks can waltz into Venice fee-free:
- Kiddos under 14
- Venice residents (of course)
- Veneto region residents (it's like the Venice family reunion, but with more canals)
- Students and academics based in Venice
- People earning a livin' in Venice (employees, self-employed, and whatnot)
- Owners of secondary residences in Venice and their kin (as long as they're not tryin' to cramp your style)
- Relatives within three degrees of kinship of people who live in Venice (like your second cousin twice removed)
- Guests of Venice residents (but forget about freeloading—you're still expected to abide by the rules!)
Catching You Up on the Fee's Fine Print
If you snooze on reserving your tiny ticket ahead of time, brace yourself for a heftier fee—a whopping €10 comparative to €5 if you book well in advance. Snag your ticket at least four days before your visit, and watch that cost plummet!
How in Tarnation Do I Pay This Thing?!
In order to enter heavenly Venice without hurting your wallet, first book your visit online. The chosen platform will spit out a delightful little QR code, which you'll need to whip out at the checkpoints. Unlucky saps found groveling without a valid QR code or special case exemption are bound for a jury-rigged fine (that'll cost ya between €50 and €300!).
Mark Your Calendars, Kiddos!
Now that you're an expert in Venice's tourist fee, jot down these crucial dates when the fee applies:
January- No fee days (woohoo!)
February- No fee days (28 total)
March- No fee days (31 total)
April- April 18-May 4 (17 total)
May- May 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 (11 total)
June- June 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 (15 total)
July- July 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 (12 total)
Now that you're all clued up, get ready to make the best of your spectacular Venetian adventure!
- Visitors aged 14 and above who want to explore Venice's historic center without an overnight stay within the Venice municipality will need to pay the tourist fee.
- The tourist fee applies on 54 designated dates between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, with the exemption of no-fee days in January, February, and most of March.
- To pay the fee, visitors should book their visit online in advance to receive a QR code, which is required for entry at checkpoints in Venice. Failing to present a valid QR code could result in a fine ranging from €50 to €300.
