Controversial entry fee set to return for tourists entering Venice this week

Venice’s controversial entry fee is set to return for daytrippers this week.

From 3 April, holidaymakers headed for the historic heart of the Italian canal city will pay up to €10 (£8.70) for the privilege.

In 2026, the levy will be in place for 60 days across peak season, compared to 54 in 2025.

The fee will be applicable on certain dates – mainly weekends – between 3 April and 26 July.

Venice was the first metropolis in the world to charge admission for daytrippers when it introduced the fee on 25 April 2024.

Entry now costs €5 (£4.30) if bought in advance, although if day trippers leave the payment until three days before, the fee increases to €10 (£8.70).

Around 30 million tourists visit Venice annually. Seven out of 10 stay only for the day.

Unesco previously warned that “Venice’s ‘Outstanding Universal Value’, the hallmark of every World Heritage property” is in peril.

When the scheme was first introduced, a leading city transport and tourism official, Arianna Fracasso, told The Independent the aim was “to safeguard the city from overtourism”.

The fee can be paid on the Venezia Unica website, at Venice-Santa Lucia station or in tobacconists. Once paid, visitors are given a QR code that can be scanned at access points between 8.30am and 4pm.

Workers, residents, those with disabilities, those visiting residents and tourists who are staying overnight in Venice are exempt from the fee.

Cruise ships were also banned from docking in the historic centre of Venice in 2021 in response to a request from Unesco.

Venice daytripper fee dates

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