permit to visit venice

Venice launches its experimental entry fee today. Here's what visitors need to know

Apr 25, 2024 • 5 min read

A tourist shows a card with the days the Venice Access Fee is implemented highlighted in red © Christoph Sator/picture alliance/Getty Images

Today marks a big change for Venice as it officially rolls out an entry fee for day trippers. This long-anticipated measure aims to ease the heavy toll of overtourism that the UNESCO-listed city has struggled with for years.

Alongside cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam, Venice has become synonymous with the challenges of overtourism. With a staggering 30 million visitors in 2019,  many of whom stayed for just one day , Venice is desperate to protect its fragile infrastructure and historic charm with the new so-called Venice Access Fee. 

Local officials, including Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, have championed the fee as a "first-of-its-kind" experiment intended to make Venice more livable. However, not everyone's on board. The policy has sparked controversy, with protests from local committees and activists throughout the city on Thursday. Matteo Secchi from the residents group Venessia.com  argues that this fee might turn Venice into a "theme park," stripping away its authenticity and offering little real benefit to the locals.

Speaking to the Guardian today, Secchi said: “You can’t impose an entrance fee to a city; all they’re doing is transforming it into a theme park. This is a bad image for Venice." 

UNESCO has previously expressed serious concerns about irreversible damage and ongoing deterioration in Venice due to human activities, climate change, and mass tourism. The organization has criticized Italy for not making significant progress in addressing these complex issues.

The entry fee is part of Venice's broader strategy to manage tourist numbers and protect its heritage more effectively. Here’s what you need to know about this new tourist fee and other initiatives the city is implementing to control its visitor numbers.

What is the Venice Access Fee in 2024?

It costs €5 and must be paid by day trippers over 14 years old. 

The fee is known as the Venice Access Fee, and according to Simone Venturini , the local councilor responsible for tourism, around 10,000 tickets had been sold by the time the scheme began at 8:30 am on Thursday.

On what days do I have to pay the Venice Access Fee?

Day trippers will need to pay an entry fee on 29 peak days in 2024. This is during the first peak tourism period of 2024 (April 25 to May 5), each weekend in May and June, plus the first two weekends of July.

The Venice Access Fee will only apply during peak hours from 8:30am to 4pm. Those arriving later for dinner or a concert won't have to pay.

One of Venice's most iconic landmarks opens to visitors for the first time in 500 years

Who has to pay to enter Venice?

All day-trippers over the age of 14 must pay the fee. Those staying overnight in Venice accommodation will not have to pay but will still need to register to visit Venice via a new online booking platform .

Residents of Venice and the wider Veneto region (and their relatives) will not have to pay an entry fee. People with disabilities, students enrolled to study in the city, and those visiting the city for the day for health reasons or a sporting event or concert are also exempt.

How do I pay the Venice Access Fee?

Day trippers can pay the fee through the  online booking platform . Upon booking, visitors will receive a QR code that they can then scan at electric turnstiles located at Venice's main access points, including the main train station, to gain access to the city. Officials say they will also check people's QR codes at random.

Authorities say this new system will allow them to understand better how many people will be coming and going and prepare accordingly. They hope to apply more resources in areas like waste management and traffic control on busy days.

Venice's other measures to manage overtourism

The entrance fee is another cog in an ambitious and heavily monitored system that tracks the comings and goings of people in Venice. In 2022, the council installed a network of cameras, sensors, and mobile phone data in the city to keep track of visitor numbers and information.

This tracking system aims to identify areas where crowds gather and temporarily restrict access until the congestion eases, diverting people elsewhere to avoid blocking pedestrian traffic. Officials say the tracking system gives them a clearer picture of the number of people passing through and allows them to predict when specific areas will get busy. They insist it's done with “absolute respect for privacy.”

Furthermore, in response to UNESCO's warnings about the damage caused by cruise ships, Venice officially banned such ships from the historic city center last April. Instead, large ships are now redirected to alternative ports like Fusina and Lombardia, alleviating the pressure on Venice's infrastructure.   

Is Venice restricting tourists?

No, the Venice City Council has previously said that they won't limit the number of visitors. Instead, they plan to raise the entry fee on days when visitor numbers reach a certain threshold. However, they have never revealed any details of what that threshold number is.

Are there any rules in Venice?

Yes. Venice has implemented various rules designed to maintain its cleanliness and heritage. These are enforced by the Venice City Council Municipal Police. Violators face penalties ranging from a €25 to €500 fine or, in some cases, a ban from the city. These rules include the following:

- Do not consume food or drink on St Mark's Square, unless at a bar or restaurant.

- Always walk on the right.

- Do not stop on any bridges.

- Bicycles are banned (even if pushed by hand).

- Only book tours with qualified tourist guides .

- Never buy goods from illegal vendors.

- Picnics are only allowed in public gardens on this map .

- Do not walk around in swimwear.

- Swimming and divining are both banned.

- Do not litter or do graffiti.

- Love locks (and all other types of padlocks) are prohibited.

- Do not feed the pigeons.

This article was first published July 2020 and updated April 2024

Explore related stories

Sustainable Travel

Jan 16, 2024 • 8 min read

Rolling forests, saw-toothed mountains, bridges spanning river gorges - these European train rides put on quite a show.

Jan 2, 2024 • 11 min read

Oct 19, 2023 • 8 min read

Aug 4, 2023 • 3 min read

Jul 5, 2023 • 5 min read

Oct 10, 2022 • 3 min read

Aug 18, 2022 • 15 min read

Apr 6, 2022 • 6 min read

Sep 20, 2021 • 5 min read

Aug 24, 2020 • 5 min read

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Visiting Venice? Make a Reservation and Be Ready to Pay.

City officials are introducing a new fee to visit Venice and its islands, a move, they hope, will limit tourists.

By Elisabetta Povoledo

ROME — Traveling to Venice? Get ready to pay for the privilege of visiting the city, one of the most beautiful on earth. Oh, and be sure to reserve your spot.

Beginning in January 2023, visitors must make a reservation through a new digital system and many will have to pay a daily fee — from 3 to 10 euros depending on how crowded Venice is at the time — as part of a plan to better control the masses of tourists that can overwhelm the fragile city.

The system will allow city officials to know ahead of time how many visitors they can expect on any particular day, and can then deploy staff and services accordingly. Those making early reservations will be charged at lower rates.

The reservation system and entry fee is part of a “revolution” when it comes to visiting Venice and its islands, Simone Venturini, the city councilor in charge of tourism and economic development, told reporters on Friday. He said it aims to balance “the needs of residents, the needs of tourists who sleep in the city and those of the day-trippers, whose rhythms are different.”

Before the pandemic curbed tourism, hordes of day visitors and cruise ship passengers had transformed Venice into a prime example of “ over-tourism ,” its narrow streets so crowded that on some days the police instituted one-way flows. Annual estimates for the numbers of tourists fluctuate wildly, with some as high as 30 million and others at a more modest 12 million.

In a city with a population of just over 50,000, those numbers were overwhelming at times.

Just about everyone visiting the city will have to register their presence, but not everyone will have to pay a fee, including children under 6, guests of Venetian residents and visiting relatives of people held in city jails. The city’s residents, people who work in Venice, students enrolled in city schools and property owners (as long as they’ve paid their taxes) are among those who won’t have to register or pay at all.

But even those who are exempt will have to show proof that they have a right to be in the city. Officials said the verification could come by way of a QR code that reveals whether someone deserves an exemption.

Tourists sleeping in the city won’t pay the daily fee directly because a fee is already tacked onto their hotel stay.

People will be stopped on the streets to make sure that they’ve paid up or have a right to an exemption. Ten to 15 “controllers” will be deployed daily to enforce the rules, said Michele Zuin, the city councilor responsible for the budget and taxes

“Naturally, their attitude won’t be that of a police state — they will be cordial, polite,” Mr. Zuin said. “But there will be controls, just as there will be sanctions for those caught without having made the payment.”

Violators will face hefty fines, ranging from €50 to €300, plus the €10 entry fee. And if someone is found to have lied — claiming, say, that they were visiting a resident in order to avoid a fee — they could face criminal penalties, Mr. Venturini said.

City officials are still fine-tuning some details, like daily pricing and the daily cap on the number of people. They hope that higher costs during high season will encourage people to come at slower times. “But the city of Venice will remain open,” Mr. Zuin said.

The city’s costs for implementing and managing the system are expected to be considerable, so the city doesn’t foresee that the fees will do much more than recover its investment. Should anything be left over, it would be used to offset taxes and service fees for residents.

Mr. Venturini said the new reservation system complements a monitoring system that the Venice City Council introduced last year to track people via phone location data, a system some critics have likened to Big Brother .

Mr. Venturini claimed Venice would be the first city in the world to use such a complex monitoring system. Bumps in the road could be expected, he said.

“It would be foolish, ambitious, arrogant to think that everything will work perfectly, with a snap of our fingers,” he said. “It won’t” he added. “It will be a course that can certainly be improved and we will work constantly.”

A picture caption with an earlier version of this article misidentified the canal and bridge in the photograph. It is a view onto a side canal, not a view from the Rialto Bridge onto the Grand Canal.

How we handle corrections

Elisabetta Povoledo has been writing about Italy for nearly three decades, and has been working for The Times and its affiliates since 1992. More about Elisabetta Povoledo

Home » Blog » Italy Travel Guides » Venice Entry Fee 2024 – Everything You Need to Know

Venice Entry Fee 2024 – Everything You Need to Know

We may earn a small commission from links in this article.

On 25 April 2024, Venice’s Access Fee will come into force. It will impact every visitor who goes to Venice on specific dates in 2024 (even if you’re staying overnight in the city). In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about the fee, including the dates impacted, how to pay the fee, and how to apply for an exemption if you’re staying in the city.

Table of Contents

What is the Venice Access Fee?

The Venice Access Fee is a €5 entrance fee for visiting Venice on a day trip (around $5.50). However, even visitors staying overnight in Venice will have to apply for an exemption before arrival. The program aims to reduce the impact of over-tourism in the city. The funds will be used towards maintaining the city.

Related: Things To Do In Venice | Where To Stay In Venice | Venice Day Trips | To Venice from the Airport

Dates in 2024 when the fee applies

In 2024, the Venice entry fee will be trialed on 29 specific dates during peak season between April and July. Those dates are:

With the exception of a few holidays and events, the dates cover weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). The Access Fee only applies during peak hours – it doesn’t apply if you’re visiting between 4 PM and 8:30 AM, i.e. for an evening visit. These dates are fixed for the 2024 trial period and no more dates will be added.

Related: Italy National Holidays & Events

Day Trippers – How to pay the fee

If you visit Venice on the dates above and are not staying overnight in accommodation in Venice, you have to pay the Access Fee. The charge is €5 per person for anyone over the age of 14.

The official website for paying the fee is Venice Access Fee by Commune di Venezia . The website is in English and it is very easy to use. Simply, select your travel date, add your personal details, and then make payment. You may add multiple people to the same booking, and you can pay by credit card or PayPal.

Once you’ve paid, you’ll be sent a QR code. I suggest taking a screenshot of this in case you don’t have data service in Venice when you arrive and your code doesn’t load in your messages.

There will almost certainly be unofficial websites pop up that charge a service fee for completing the form for you. It’s not necessary. Just go directly to the official site.

Download an eSIM with Airalo if you need cheap data while you travel in Italy.

Everyone else staying in Venice must apply for an exemption

Even if you are visiting Venice and staying in the city overnight in a hotel or paid accommodation, you still need to fill in the Access Fee form, to apply for exemption. Yes, it seems like unnecessary admin that is likely to catch people out, but that’s the rule.

Related: 10 Things NOT To Do In Venice (And 10 To Do Instead)

How to apply for an exemption

You can fill in the exemption form on the same official website – Venice Access Fee .

As a tourist click on ‘go to exemptions’ and then choose ‘I am a guest of an accommodation facility located in the municipality of Venice’ (see image above). Click ‘request exemption’.

The next page includes a lot of technical legal wording. “Subjects staying in the accommodation facilities of the Municipality of Venice located within the municipal territory and providing temporary paid accommodation for any reason, insofar as they are subject to the tourist tax. The exemption is granted from the day of arrival to the day of departure at the accommodation facility. The exemption must be requested for each staying subject.”

That just means you’re staying in paid accommodation overnight. The next pages request personal information including details about your stay.

Frustratingly, applying for an exemption wasn’t as easy as applying to pay the fee. The system is very new and needs a few improvements, which I hope will happen in time. These are the things I found a bit difficult:

• Hotel Name: it was hard to input my hotel name. The system is set up to auto-complete your hotel name as you type but my hotel (a well-known NH brand hotel) wasn’t in the system. There is an option to input your hotel manually, which was tricky but eventually, I got it to work. Be patient with your taps and clicks.
• Privacy Policy: you have to actively click on the Privacy Policy to open the policy in a new page before you can check the ‘accept’ box. It took me a while to figure this out. Clicking on the policy doesn’t interrupt your application, it opens in a new window.
• Date of Birth: adding your date of birth is a chore. Using the calendar, you have to click back every month (you can’t jump through the years). That’s a lot of clicks at my age! You can ‘fudge’ this by inputting the date manually. They don’t want you to do this. In fact, they say “Dates must be entered via calendar and not manually”. But it is possible. Dear American friends, remember that Europe uses the format DAY/MONTH/YEAR. So, 07/04/76 is 7 April 1976, not 4 July 1976. I suspect your details might be checked against your passport, so it’s important to get this right.
• Confirmation by phone: you have to dial a toll-free number to confirm your exemption. You don’t speak to anyone, it’s just a confirmation call but a little unusual.

What’s good – you can fill in the form for your entire family/group. Just add your guest names to the form. You receive a QR code to prove your exemption. Again, take a screenshot in case it doesn’t load while you’re offline.

There are several other categories of exemption for residents, students, workers, and relatives. See the website for details.

Exemption – Santa Lucia Train Station and Piazzale Roma

If you only enter Venice to use Santa Lucia, the main train station, you do not have to pay the Access Fee or fill in the exemption form. You are also allowed to travel from Piazzale Roma to the station provided you take the ‘shortest route’ i.e. no sneaky sightseeing en route.

This is good news if you’re taking a Prosecco tour with us and simply want to drop off a car rental or catch the airport bus to Piazzale Roma, then take the train to the Prosecco region from Santa Lucia train station.

Did you know Italy’s Prosecco wine region is only 1hr from Venice? Find out more about the Prosecco Region and check out our Prosecco Wine Tours here .

Exemption – Stazione Marittima and Tronchetto Cruise Ports

You do not need to pay the Access Fee or apply for an exemption if you arrive in Stazione Marittima or Tronchetto Cruise Ports and don’t go into the Old City.

Where does the fee apply – Venice Old City

Technically, Venice is a city that expands over 126 islands . However, the Access Fee only applies to the main Venice island, which the official website also refers to as Venice City, the Municipality of Venice, and Venice Old City.

Visiting most of the minor islands is exempt from the fee (more below). The Access Fee applies to the Old City as well as the two nearest islands of San Michele and Giudecca . I’ve created a map to help, circling where the Access Fee applies.

Related: Map of the Venice & The Prosecco Region

Visiting the minor island

During the trial period in 2024, the Access Fee only applies to the Municipality of Venice i.e. the Old City. You do not need to pay the Access Fee or apply for an exemption if you are only visiting the minor islands e.g. Murano, Burano, Torcello, and Lido. For the purpose of the fee, the full list of minor islands is:

What happens if I don’t pay or get an exemption

Italy is notorious for issuing fines if you don’t follow the rules. The fine for not paying is quoted as €50 to €300 plus a €10 Access Fee charge.

What happens from 2025 onwards?

What about next year? The idea is that the fee will become permanent after the trial in 2024. But, it is a trial so things might change. I’ll keep this page updated as new information arrives.

Venice Tourist Tax vs Venice Access Fee

Venice Tourist Tax: Venice’s tourist tax (also known as the City Tax) has been in place for a long time and is charged when you book accommodation in the city. The tax is between €1 to €5 per person per night depending on the time of year and type of accommodation you stay in. Most often, it’s included in the price of your hotel booking – check the details and you’ll see it listed. Sometimes, in smaller hotels, you might be asked to pay this tax when you arrive, sometimes in cash. This system hasn’t changed. You do not need to do anything new to pay the tourist tax – just make your hotel booking as normal.

Venice Access Fee: The Venice Access Fee by comparison is for people who visit Venice but don’t stay overnight. It’s a new fee that applies from 25 April 2024. You have to pay the Venice Access Fee in advance before you visit.

Do you have to pay for children? You do not need to pay the Access Fee for children under 14 but you may need to prove their age if requested (e.g. show their passport or other official ID).

Do I have to pay if I’m visiting the minor islands? During the trial period, you do not need to pay the Access Fee if you are only visiting the minor islands e.g. Murano, Burano, Torcello, and Lido. Giudecca is considered part of Venice and the fee does apply. More details above.

Can I transfer, cancel or change my QR Code ? Your QR code is in your name so it cannot be transferred. You also can’t change the date on the QR code. However, you can cancel up to 11:59 PM on the day before your visit. You will get a full refund.

Can I pay on arrival – the city is in the process of putting payment terminals at Piazzale Roma and Santa Lucia Train station for people who don’t have internet access or the ability to pay online in advance. These are for exceptional cases and are not intended to be used as a last-minute option if you simply forget to pay in advance.

More Details – Official Access Fee Website

You can find a full list of questions and answers on the Access Fee FAQs page.

So, that’s everything you need to know about the Venice Access Fee. Leave a comment below if you have any questions.

8 thoughts on “Venice Entry Fee 2024 – Everything You Need to Know”

Do you know if they will likely add more dates for 2024? We will be there for 3 nights in September and just do not want to get “caught” not knowing they have added dates. Grazie

Hi Denise, these dates are fixed for 2024 and no more will be added. Venice is just trialing the fee this year and wants to test it over peak season, in summer and mostly over weekends. Your September trip will be fine! All that said, if there are any unexpected changes, I’ll send a message out via our newsletter and on Facebook. Have an amazing trip!

after filling out the exemption form and verifying info it gives a number to call. that call does not get answered!

the form states it that the call does not generate call traffic. Is that why it is not answered? Am I all set!

Hi Russell, I’ve heard a few reports of the phone number not working the first time but after a few attempts it does work. I would keep trying. Sorry it’s such a hassle!

This was very helpful, thank you! The exemption form for overnight stays was very easy to fill out and confirm.

Hi Melissa, great to hear some positive feedback about the exemption form. And glad my article helped!

Can I apply for my fee exemption when I arrive in Italy. It will be 5 days prior to arriving in Venice? I live in US and my phone service does not allow international calling.

Hi Kim, I have just checked and they have added a ‘pay via Whatsapp’ option for people who can’t pay online. Whatsapp is a free chat app you can download if you have a smartphone. You can then contact a customer service person and pay that way. Hope that helps. Go to the official website, FAQs and under the question about other sales channels, you’ll find instructions. Have a great trip.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Pay to enter: Venice becomes the first city to implement a tourist ticket system

Venice became the first city in the world on Thursday to introduce a payment system for visitors in an experiment aimed at dissuading tourists from arriving during peak periods.

However, it isn't the only place in Italy that has recently introduced new measures aimed at slowing tourist flows.

Here are some of the initiatives currently in force.

Venice tourist tax

The lagoon city has introduced 5 euros (about $5.35) tickets for day trippers, valid from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The experiment came into force on April 25, a national holiday in Italy. Tickets will be needed for the following 10 days and thereafter for most weekends until mid-July.

Venice residents, students, workers, and homeowners are exempt from paying or booking a slot. Visitors aged under 14 and tourists with hotel reservations will need to register, but access for them will be free of charge.

Other cities, such as Como, have said they are considering introducing a similar measure but are waiting to see how the Venice initiative works before deciding.

In addition, Venice has said that from June, it will limit the size of tourist groups to 25 people and ban the use of loudspeakers by tour guides.

Florence tourist measure

Florence announced in October that it was banning new short-term residential lets on platforms such as Airbnb in its historic center. It also offered three years of tax breaks to landlords of short-term holiday lets who start offering ordinary leases for residents.

The city's famous museum, the Uffizi, offers discounts to people who arrive before 8.55 a.m. and lower prices off-season. To spread out crowds, it also closes at 10 p.m. once a week.

Cinque Terrer overtourism

The five villages that make up the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera regularly get swamped with visitors.

To try to reduce the overcrowding at peak periods, the authority which oversees the area said this week it would charge visitors 15 euros (about $16) to walk the most celebrated coastal path. In addition, the path can only be walked in one direction.

Capri tourism measure

The picturesque small island that lies across the bay from the southern city of Naples has doubled its entry fee, which is automatically added to ferry tickets, to 5 euros. The fee will be charged from April 1 to October 1.

Capri, Ischia, Procida, Lampedusa and Linosa changes

These islands have introduced limits, or outright bans, on cars for non-residents during the main tourist season.

• General Information

Plan your trip

Venice travel advice.

Do you need a passport to visit Venice? What nationalities will need a visa? Below you can find some essential information on travel to Venice depending on the nationality of the visitor.

Below you will find information on the necessary documentation to travel to Venice and the rest of Italy depending on the various nationalities: 

US citizens

American citizens  are  not required a visa  to enter Italy if they plan to stay under 90 days. However, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned departure date.

Australian and New Zealand citizens

Australian citizens  planning on staying in Italy or any other EU member country for less than 90 days are  not required a visa . Your passport has to have at least six-month validity from your planned date of return.

New Zealanders   do not require a visa  to enter Italy and can spend up to three months in the country. However, they will need a return ticket and a passport with at least three-month validity from their planned departure date. Currently,  New Zealand has bilateral visa waiver agreements with certain countries  in the Schengen area including Italy, which you might want to check out before traveling:  Safetravel.govt.nz

EU, EEA and Swiss Citizens

As citizens of the European Union and European Economic Area, you will  not need a visa  to enter the country.

Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania and Sweden, Island, Liechtenstein and Norway. 

Citizens of countries that do not require a visa

The following states do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days, but require a valid passport to enter Italy:

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Bermuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, East Timor, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldava, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Salvador, Samoa, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican and Venezuela.

Citizens of states that require a visa

Citizens of countries not previously mentioned  will need to get a Schengen (short-stay) visa to enter Italy  or any other EU country. For more information, we recommend visiting the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy

You may also be interested in

Do you plan on visiting Venice? We'll tell you everything you need to know to make the most of your holidays: necessary documentation, public holidays, festivals, prices...

Medical Insurance

Before heading to Venice you should make sure you're covered against any unfortunate accidents that could occur. Discover how Italian healthcare works, and compare the different kinds of insurance.

• Things to do in Venezia

Museums, Castles, Archaeological Sites...

Typical products, Fashion, Souvenir...

Pizzerias, Restaurants, Street Food, Bakeries...

Discover the wonders of Venezia

Wellness, Cocktail bar, Fun...

• Venice Pass

Discounts, museums and public transport in Venice

• Choose your accommodation

Best hotels in Venezia

Holiday Parks in Venice

Best vacation rentals in Venezia

Book your stay at discounted prices in Venice

• Tips for visiting Venezia

Info, luggage storage, useful numbers...

• Attractions
• Venetianity

Accedi gratis alle principali attrazioni di Venezia ed ottieni sconti nelle migliori attività

• Ingresso gratuito alle principali attrazioni di Venezia
• Trasporti pubblici gratis per tutta Venezia
• Sconti nei migliori Hotel, Ristoranti e Attività commerciali

Venice entry fee in 2024: all you need to know

In spring 2024 , the City of Venice takes a step forward to combat overtourism and move towards a more sustainable and responsible tourism . From 25 April , in fact, there will be a fee for tourist to enter Venice for a trial period that will last until July, in order to support local tourism and preserve the authenticity of the city and its inhabitants by limiting entry on the "black sticker" days of the year.

Here is all the information you need to organise your trip in the best possible way.

How much does the ticket cost and how to pay

Admission to Venice from 25 April will cost €5 per person per day. The fee is the same for everyone and there are currently no reductions. Each ticket is nominal and valid for the entire day , so if you leave the city centre to re-enter during the day you will not need a new ticket, but you will not need to buy one if you enter the city between 4pm and 8.30am.

To purchase the ticket simply go to the official website of the Municipality of Venice and follow the instructions. Once you have made the payment you will be issued with a voucher with a QR-code to take with you and show in case of controls at one of the eight access points.

Venice oentry fee: who has to pay

The dates on which you will have to purchase your ticket

For this trial period, Venice entry fee is limited only to "black-sticker" days , when the overcrowding is greatest.

Here are the days on which you need to purchase an entrance ticket:

- From April 25th to May 5th .

- The remaining weekends of May , namely 11/12, 18/19, 25/26 May.

- All the weekends in June, except the first one , and therefore: 8/9, 15/16, 22/23, 29/30 June.

- The first two weekends of July , i.e. 6/7, 13/14.

This solution implemented by the municipality of Venice is aimed at preserving the heritage and uniqueness of this city , containing daily tourism and making it more sustainable. Moreover, this measure is also intended to give residents some breathing space, allowing them to enjoy their city.

In these "black-sticker" days, the entrance ticket will make the streets and monuments more enjoyable for everyone, but the smartest way to visit Venice remains the Venice Pass , which allows you to skip the queue at the most important attractions and take advantage of discounts and concessions.

Let us all commit to safeguarding Venice's heritage!

Discover the Venice Pass ❯

Is Hotel Not Hotel a hotel? Or is it one of Amsterdam’s newest restaurant and bar hot spots? You decide! Autore della citazione

Los Angeles

LA is always so much fun!

La Pizza migliore del mondo

Ti consigliamo

Lascia un commento.

Scopri subito come risparmiare!

VeneziaUnica.it è il portale ufficiale della Città di Venezia dove trovare tutte le informazioni sull’offerta di mobilità, culturale e turistica del territorio. Su questo sito è inoltre possibile acquistare direttamente in modo semplice e sicuro tutti i servizi offerti.

VeneziaUnica.it è un’iniziativa di Ve.la. Spa, società partecipata dal Comune di Venezia e dall’Azienda Veneziana della Mobilità S.p.A.

• Request new password

Search form

Please, add at least one card

The Official City Pass of the City of Venice   BOOK IN ADVANCE AND SAVE!

MORE iNFORMATION

You can save by booking at least 30 days before arrival

V è nezia nelle tue mani!

CREA LA TUA VENEZIA UNICA

Scegli i servizi, ritira la tessera, you are here, how it works, venezia unica city pass for visitors.

Venezia Unica is the new City Pass for the City of Venice, an all-in-one pass to use for public transportation, admission to tourist attractions and cultural events in the city, and many other useful services. Venezia Unica City Pass is an ideal way to organise your visit to Venice, offering access to public transportation and to the tourist attractions and cultural events throughout the area. Plan your stay in Venice and get your tickets for transfers, waterbuses, museums, churches and much more with just a few clicks. It's easier, faster, and saves you money.

You can buy your Venezia Unica City Pass  online easily and securely, and choose the products you wish to buy. When you have completed the purchase, you will visualize a voucher, which will be sent to you in your confirmation email, complete with the PNR booking code you will need to collect the pass you have purchased, and for direct admission to the museums, churches and other attractions and services you have selected. 

• For public transportation, you can collect your pass by entering your personal PNR booking code at one of the  ACTV automatic ticket machines or by presenting your voucher (with the PNR booking code) at one of the many  Points of Sale and Collection in the city . You will receive your City Pass to use for the public transportation services.
• For admission to the Museums, Churches or other attractions and services you have purchased, all you need to do is present your voucher or City Pass (with the PNR code) directly at the entrance.

We recommend…

Venice Boat Show

Buy the official merchandising of the Venice Boat Show online

Visit the online shop

VENICE ACCESS FEE

from April to July 2024, on some specific days ONLY

ACTV - PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN VENICE

Public Transport Services (vaporetto and buses in the City of Venice)

SCUOLA GRANDE DEI CARMINI

It houses numerous works of art including the ceiling with paintings by G.Tiepolo

Europe Chevron

Italy Chevron

Venice Chevron

What to Know About Venice's Strict Tourism Rules

By Louis Cheslaw

It's no question that overtourism is a growing issue. Destinations like Barcelona , Amsterdam , and Santorini , have all taken measures to combat it, from limiting the number of beds hotels can offer to preventing Airbnb hosts from renting their places out for more than 30 nights per year.

Venice, on the other hand, seems to be constantly creating new rules to manage the tourists themselves. Upwards of 60,000 visitors enter the city each day, overpowering the local population of approximately 55,000. The tensions between city officials and oblivious visitors reached a breaking point last weekend, when two German tourists were expelled from the city and fined $1,050 for making coffee on Venice's Rialto Bridge—which falls under the crime of picnicking in a public space.

The punitive response was welcomed by some travel insiders. “Venice seems to have finally lost their temper with this move," says Emily Fitzroy, a travel specialist with Bellini Travel. "The city [has] hit an all-time low. Five years ago there were still parts of Venice you could go to to escape the crowds, but they've all gone now. The fact they arrested these people is a good thing in a way, it shows they’re finally reacting to the fact the city is being completely sunk by mass tourism."

While another travel specialist, Adamarie King of Connoisseur's Travel, admits her Italian colleagues feel the police "did over-react a bit in this case", a host of seemingly minor offenses could land other travelers in a similar situation. So, as a companion to our beloved what to do in Venice guide , it's time we formally explained what not to do.

Following a May 2019 revision to Venice's existing rules, visitors now risk a fine of $27 to $550 for being caught doing any of the following in public:

• Leaning against storefronts
• Lying down on public benches
• Feeding pigeons
• Buying from street traders
• Standing still on bridges
• Drinking on the street after 8 p.m.
• Swimming in the canals
• Affixing padlocks to bridges
• Wearing a bikini
• Being bare-chested
• Riding a bicycle in the city center
• Walking a bicycle through the city center

And while Venice may currently be among the most crowded places on the planet (that's why day trippers are now subject to a daily tax as well), Fitzroy promises a quiet, leisurely trip is still possible: “With our clients, we do very carefully navigate the city so you can spend a whole weekend there and not see another tourist, but that’s a real art that’s taken 20 years to get right," she says. "It’s a magic trick, but I swear to god we can do it.”

Once you've memorized the above bylaws, it's time to move on to Venice's unofficial (but just as important) cultural rules. Some of our favorites: To start, men must never wear open-toed sandals. Venetians drink martinis, not bellinis. Wheelie suitcases make an annoyingly loud racket on cobbled streets. The better-priced coffee is found at the back of Caffè Florian , not the overpriced tables out front. And finally, never ever ask for parmesan for your spaghetti alla vongole—or risk being pushed into the nearest canal by a fellow diner.

Recommended

Hotel Violino d’Oro: First In

The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice

Venice Travel Guide

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Venice   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Andreas Koch | EyeEm

Why Go To Venice

Venice is enchanting. Yes, that may be cliché to say, but once you see the city on the water for yourself, you'll surely agree. Step out of the Santa Lucia train station and the breathtaking  Grand Canal  will soon greet you. You'll see water taxis coast along, passing underneath the  Ponte degli Scalzi  (Bridge of the Barefoot) and might hear the faintest hint of a serenading violin, or is that your imagination? It might not be all in your head. Romantic gondolas carrying smitten couples glide through the web of the city's many waterways, and gondola drivers are known to sing when the moment feels right. On land, narrow passageways twist past Old World storefronts and residences, and over bridges. You should note that maps aren't all that helpful here and getting lost is the norm – embrace the disorientation, or enlist the help of a local by signing up for one of the best Venice tours . 

This canal-clad city's main draw is its magical atmosphere, but you'll also find quite a few diversions, too: The tour guides at  St. Mark's Basilica  and the  Doge's Palace  give some great historical insight; the  Gallerie dell'Accademia  hangs works by Titian, Veronese and other famed Venetians; and the  Teatro La Fenice  puts on some world-renowned operas. You can also travel to nearby islands like Lido for the beach, Murano for the well-known glass and Burano for its lace. 

Find Flight and Hotel Deals

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

• # 2 in Best Day Trips from Florence
• # 4 in Best Places to Visit in Italy
• # 5 in Best Winter Vacations in Europe

See All 6 Rankings

Best of Venice

Best hotels in venice.

• # 1 in The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice
• # 2 in JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
• # 3 in Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice

Best Things to Do in Venice

• # 1 in St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
• # 2 in Grand Canal
• # 3 in Gondola Rides

Popular Tours

Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

(1807 reviews)

from $ 151.51

Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace

(3862 reviews)

from $ 114.44

Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

(3994 reviews)

from $ 47.96

Venice Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Venice is from September to November when tourists desert the city. Although the temperatures – which range from the upper 30s to mid-70s – necessitate some layers, the lowered hotel rates and the barren canals make it worth it. Winters are cold with temperatures in the 30s and 40s, while spring brings Venice's most beautiful weather. Summertime is peak season and is characterized by high hotel rates, high temperatures and – you guessed it – plenty of crowds. Although acqua alta  (high water) can occur anytime between late September and April, it's most likely to happen in November and December, so make sure to pack a pair of rain boots if you plan on traveling then. 

Weather in Venice

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Budget for the tourist entry fee  Starting Jan. 16, 2023, travelers visiting Venice for the day will have to pay an entry fee ranging from 3 to 10 euros (about $3 to $10) per person 6 years and older. Tickets can be reserved online via the city's booking platform, and prices will be determined by ticket demand. Visitors staying overnight do not have to pay the fee as city accommodations already include a tourist tax in the nightly rate. Fines for not paying the entry fee range from 50 to 300 euros (about $50 to $300). 

Rise with the sun  At least once during your trip, you should wake up early and walk to Piazza San Marco for one of the world's best sunrises.

Coincide with a festival  Carnival (held in January and early February) and the International Film Festival (in August and early September) breathe extra life into this romantic destination.

How to Save Money in Venice

Stick to walking  You can enjoy the Venetian ambiance by walking rather than taking a boat, and you'll save quite a few euros, too.

Stick to the bus  Take an ATVO bus or one of the Alilaguna water buses from the Venice airport into Venice proper instead of a water taxi. You'll pay between 8 and 15 euros (around $10 to $18) for the bus ride instead of more than 100 euros (around $120) for the water taxi.

Book in advance  Gondola rides are a must in Venice, yet they're quite expensive. If you aren't traveling with a group, or don't want to share with strangers to split the cost, tour companies often offer rides for less. Find out more in our guide to the best Venice tours .

Culture & Customs

Unlike  Rome , Venice's economy is largely dependent on its very strong tourism industry. So, keep in mind that you'll likely be sharing your Venice trip with loads of other vacationers.

To Italians, everything from a person's dress to his or her actions and manners should be beautiful, or  bella figura.  First impressions are especially lasting for Italians, who, while warm and helpful, do hold outward appearances in very high regard. Dressing well will sometimes even be rewarded by better and more prompt service.  

Bella figura  does not stop with physical presentation as it extends into a person's manners and conduct. Avoid being obnoxiously loud or ostentatious, as this is greatly looked down on as  brutta figura . Learning some Italian and attempting to use it will win you points with Italians, who are generally patient and happy to help you learn more. In any kind of store or restaurant, it's appropriate to greet and say goodbye to employees – even if you do not buy anything – with a  ciao and  arrivederci , respectively. Wherever you go, remember your manners and don't forget your pleases,  per favore , and thank yous,  grazie .

Residents generally speak Italian with a Venetian dialect, which can be unrecognizable – even to native Italian speakers.  Ca,  a shortened form of the word "casa," is used to describe many private residences and palaces. A street or  calle   in Venice, (pronounced ka-lay), is different from the " via " or " strada " streets elsewhere in Italy.

Similar to the rest of Italy, many Venetian businesses and tourist attractions take Sundays and at least one other day off, though it fluctuates from place to place. During the week, some also take a midday siesta after lunch hours.

Meals in Italy are expected to last long and it's very common for patrons to linger. So don't be surprised when your server does not bring your bill the minute you finish your meal. In fact, you will not get your bill,  il conto , until you ask for it. When you do receive it, remember there is a service charge, or  servizo , included, and sometimes a coperto , or cover charge. Italians don't tip, so you don't have to either. Also keep in mind that water and bread are usually not free at meals. If you ask for water, your server will ask you to specify whether you prefer tap water,  acqua di rubinetto ; flat water,  acqua naturale ; or sparkling water,  acqua frizzante  or  acqua con gas . Also be aware that Venetians tend to eat dinner by 7:30, and many Venice restaurants close their kitchens by 10 p.m. As is the case throughout Italy, Venice's official currency is the euro. Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops.

What to Eat

With such close proximity to the water, it should come as no surprise that fish is the main component of Venetian cuisine. Cuttlefish ( sepia ), clams ( vongole),  and sea bass ( branzino ) are popular ingredients, which can be found in many of the area's most well-known dishes, including  frutti di mare , Venice’s take on a seafood salad.  Tramezzini  is a tasty Venetian street food: These triangular sandwiches, with a range of fillings from cheese to meats, can be found at cafes throughout the city. Wash it all down with  prosecco , a sparkling white wine from the Veneto region. Some of the best Venice tours were designed with foodies in mind. Sign up for a tour if you'd like help navigating the dining scene from a local.

For the best bang for your buck, try to avoid the San Marco area or any establishment that solicits tourists off the street. Instead, try one of the smaller establishments – such as traveler-recommended Ristorante La Caravella – tucked away on one of the many hidden side streets. Locals frequent establishments like Paradiso Perduto, near the Jewish Ghetto , for its long wooden tables and vibrant atmosphere. The farm-to-table Ostaria Boccadoro is another popular haunt. You could also dine at a  bacaro , a smaller wine bar with lower prices, authentic cuisine and more character. Traveler favorites include Cantina Do Spade, Alla Ciurma and Cantina Do Mori.

Venice is considered a very safe destination. However, as is the case with most popular tourist destinations, the city can be a magnet for pickpocket crimes. Keep a watchful eye on your belongings, especially around crowded areas of the city, such as Piazza San Marco and on any of the waterbuses. Travel experts say that you can walk Venice's dark alleys at midnight and still be safe, but you might get lost considering how often street names change. Still, getting lost is part of the allure of a Venice vacation. Keep in mind that there's no way to walk off of Venice: The compilation of islands is surrounded by a lagoon. You should also note that signs with the word "Per," an arrow and an attraction name are pointing you in the right direction. You shouldn't pay attention to graffiti directions, which may or may not have been written to confuse tourists.

Getting Around Venice

The best way to get around Venice is by foot. Although the city's labyrinth of canals and weaving roads can complicate things, getting lost is the best way to discover the city's famed allure. You can traverse the canals by  vaporetto  or water bus/ferry (relatively affordable), water taxi (pretty pricey) or gondola (very expensive). 

To get from the Marco Polo Airport (VCE) to central Venice, you should take an ATVO bus (the Venice Airport Bus Express) or Alilaguna water bus. If you – like many other travelers – choose to take the train from other Italian or European cities, you'll be dropped off at the Venezia Santa Lucia train station, where you can take a  vaporetto to your accommodations . Driving is not an option here – even the police use boats to get around. However, if you'd like to rent a car, there are several companies located at the airport.

Entry & Exit Requirements

A passport with at least six months of remaining validity is required for United States citizens traveling outside the mainland by air or sea, as well as for U.S. citizens trying to re-enter the country. U.S. citizens do not need a visa unless they plan on staying longer than 90 days. Visit the U.S. State Department's  website  for the latest information on foreign exit and entry requirements.

The Basilica di San Marco exudes opulence from every corner.

Explore More of Venice

Things To Do

Best hotels.

You might also like

# 2 in  Best Honeymoons in Europe for 2024

# 5 in  Best Day Trips from Florence

Tuscany, Italy

# 1 in  Best Wine Vacations

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

Holly Johnson December 1, 2023

Venice, Italy, Officially Approves New Entrance Fee for 2024: Here Are the Rules

By Jason Cochran

09/12/2023, 4:00 PM

On September 12, the city council of Venice , Italy, finalized the city's long-postponed plan to battle overcrowding by charging visitors an experimental entry fee in 2024. The final vote of 24-12 was met with protests .

Here's what we know so far.

Venice's entry ticket will not be required every single day in 2024. 

On September 5, Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro posted on social media  that the entry fee will be in force for a total of about 30 days in 2024. After observing how those days go, the council will reassess from there.

The affected days are not expected to be consecutive. Instead, they will be spread out over school breaks, busy holiday weekends, and other moments of peak travel.

"We have decided to act and we are starting an experiment, the first in the world, to safeguard Venice after years of inaction," Brugnaro posted  after the final council vote to implement the tourist tax.

The entry fee will change depending on the day.

In 2022 Venice’s councilor for tourism, Simone Venturini, predicted that the fee will slide between about €3 and €10  (US$3.25 to $10.75), with larger fees imposed on days when more people are expected.

The lowest fee has since been revised to a one-time  €5 ($5.38) . After that, the more tickets are requested, the higher the cost will go, although the city has not announced the threshold for higher charges.

That's right: One of the most elegant and storied civilizations in the world will soon charge for access using dynamic pricing. 

Visitors will be able to pay fees digitally.

A website with translation to multiple languages, including English, will be made available for visitors to prepay access fees and obtain QR codes validating compliance.

Travelers who arrive by train or bus should be able to buy access in advance when purchasing their transportation tickets, much as other common government fees are automatically added to airfare. 

Visitors who arrive without prebooking will have to pay the full €10 charge. Visitors who don't pay and are caught by an inspector will reportedly be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €50 to €300 ($54–$322.50).

Overnight guests at hotels will not need tickets.

The new system is targeted at day-trippers. Travelers who stay in one of Venice's hotels are already subject to a tourist tax, so they will be exempt from what locals are calling the new "contributo di accesso" or "ticket d'ingresso."

Also exempt: children under 15, people visiting relatives, travelers with disabilities, commuters, people who own property in Venice, and people who come to the city because they are attending a sporting event or other major ticketed event.

Tickets will never sell out.

Although Venice is implementing the measure to combat crowds, the tickets will, in fact, be unlimited in quantity. Venetian leaders simply hope that the extra charge will discourage visitors. 

As long as you pay the escalated entry fee on affected days, you can still get into Venice.

"Venezia resterà sempre aperta a tutti," tweeted Brugnaro.  Venice will always remain open to everyone.  If you pay.

The islands of Burano, Murano, Torcello, and the Lido are included in the entry fee.

One access fee covers Venice's islands as well as the main city. You don't have to pay again if you take a boat between them.

Tourists who spend multiple days in Venice will not be required to pay the fee daily. The charge will ony be levied again if a visitor leaves the boundaries of the city and then returns on a day when the charge is back in force.

As homes in the city are converted to short-term leisure rentals, tourists are widely said to  outnumber residents  in Venice. Will the new entry fee stem the stampede of tourists in any way?

I have my doubts whether the fee will work as intended (and so do some Italians , clearly), at least when it comes to American visitors. Most Americans are granted a meager number of annual vacation days, they don't have much flexibility in changing them, and Venice is on a short list of places that must be visited at least once in a lifetime.

A few extra bucks probably aren't going to convince many Americans to shift their bucket-list plans to a different day. 

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024

Venice Launches Tourist Entry Fee: 6 Facts to Know

Dawit Habtemariam , Skift

April 26th, 2024 at 2:33 PM EDT

Venice is likely the first city to charge a fee to access its central area. Using entry fees, Venice is testing a system to manage tourist flows.

Dawit Habtemariam

Day tourists are now charged an entry toll whenever they set foot in Venice’s historic center during peak periods. The city began charging day tourists an entry fee of 5 euros (around $5.30) on Thursday.

Tourists can register and pay the fee on a government website or pay when they enter the city. A QR code will be sent to their phone, which inspectors can spot-check as tourists wander the city.

Why it matter s

Venice is one of the world’s most popular destinations. The city and its surrounding region had over 13 million tourists in 2023, according to the Italian government . 

The fragile city has had problems with overtourism. Last year, UNESCO considered adding Venice to its list of endangered World Heritage sites . 

The city’s mayor said the program is a test of an attempt to curb overtourism. 

Here are six key facts about the new tourist fee:

1. Tourists who don’t pay the fee could be fined

The city has 35 inspectors who will randomly check on tourists who make it past the entrance point without paying the fee. Inspectors will fine those who break the rules. 

On the first day, nearly 14,000 people were checked.

2. Venice is checking tourists at entry points

At the train, bus, and main entrance points, city “stewards” will check tourists’ QR codes and collect fees from tourists if they don’t have one. 

The city has employed 35 steward inspectors in 15 control points, including the train and bus stations. 

3. The entry fee system is a pilot program and makes some exceptions 

The test spans 28 days, through July 14. The fee is charged on peak days in April, May, June and July. 

“The experimentation will be medium-long, we must collect data and information to then calibrate the system,” said the city in a statement .

Residents, tourists staying in hotels, students, commuters , and those born in Venice are exempt from paying the entry fee. 

4. Some locals have protested

According to news outlets, around 300 locals protested the new fee on the first day. Some residents said these protests were smaller than recent ones criticizing the growth of the cruise industry’s impact on the city. 

“I was expecting many more people for yesterday’s bank holiday in Italy, St.Mark’s Day, and in comparison to previous protests,” said Anthony La Salandra, a Venice resident of 20 years and managing director for Riposte Turismo, a tourism research and consulting firm.

“Anyone who thinks there is a silver bullet or a single solution to resolve complex situations in today’s global tourism is wrong,” La Salandra told Skift.

5. The early impact is modest, given the off-season

On day one, less than 16,000 tourists paid the entry fee. So far, 113,000 people have registered, of which 15,700 paid. The other registered people were exempt from paying the fee.

The entry fee is only about $5.30 (€5). So it will be tough to deter some travelers, considering international travelers often have big budgets.

The city is considering other actions. Earlier this year, it started limiting group tour sizes to 25. Overnight tourists already pay a hotel tax.

6. The entry fee may not last

Some critics believe the entry-fee scheme, proposed for years, is more about raising money than combatting overtourism because they question whether it will effectively address the problem. 

A survey by Les Ailes de Venise , a group of self-styled advocates for the city, found that a majority supported the fee only if it helped finance conservation efforts.

However, other efforts to expand Venice tourism are ongoing, such as the possible construction of budget hotels in the Mestre region and the expansion of the nearby Marco Polo airport.

Venice Combats Overtourism: Caps Tour Group Sizes and Bans Loudspeakers

Capping tour group sizes may help mitigate overcrowding in Venice. But the city needs to do more.

The Daily Newsletter

Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: italy , overtourism , tourism , venice

Photo credit: Venice Grand Canal, Italy. Dan Novac on Unsplash Dan Novac / Unsplash

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

Venice Starts Selling Tickets for Day Visitors — Here's When You’ll Need to Buy One

The fee will be implemented on certain dates throughout the year.

aapsky/Getty Images

Venice has started selling tickets for day visitors to access the canal city in a long-planned effort to charge day travelers and limit tourism.

The tickets, which can be purchased online , will be required to visit the city without an overnight stay on certain peak days in the spring and summer. The fee will cost €5 ($5.43) and will be in effect for travelers over 14 years old from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This fee, a first-of-its-kind experiment, aims at managing visitor influx more effectively and preserving the city's unique heritage, discouraging 'hit-and-run' tourism,” according to Venezia Unica , the city’s official tourism site.

The fee will be in effect from:

• April 25-30

Day visitors who pay for the fee in advance will receive a QR code, which they must then show to officials at Venice's main access points. Day travelers who do not pay will be subject to a fine of €50 ($54.29) to €300 ($325.72), plus €10 ($10.86) for the entry fee.

Tourists who are staying overnight will not have to pay the new day fee, but must apply online for an exemption . Overnight guests who book a hotel stay are already subject to a different tax.

The day fee will not apply to travelers visiting smaller islands like Murano or Burano.

The plans to implement a fee , which were first floated in 2019 but postponed several times , come months after UNESCO once again spared Venice from its list of world heritage sites in danger , despite recommendations to add it . Venice has been on UNESCO’s radar for years and was spared the same fate in 2021. 

Over the last several years, the city has undergone preservation efforts, including declaring the waterways around Venice a "national monument" and banning large cruise ships from passing through its canals.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Venice tests a 5-euro fee for day-trippers as the city grapples with overtourism

The Associated Press

Stewards check tourists' QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, on Thursday. Luca Bruno/AP hide caption

Stewards check tourists' QR code access outside the main train station in Venice, Italy, on Thursday.

VENICE, Italy — Under the gaze of the world's media, the fragile lagoon city of Venice launched a pilot program Thursday to charge day-trippers a 5-euro (around $5.35) entry fee that authorities hope will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents.

Visitors arriving at Venice's main train station were greeted with large signs listing the 29 dates through July of the plan's test phase that also designated separate entrances for tourists, and residents, students and workers.

Venice will limit tour groups to 25 people and ban loudspeakers to control tourism

"We need to find a new balance between the tourists and residents,'' said Simone Venturini, the city's top tourism official. "We need to safeguard the spaces of the residents, of course, and we need to discourage the arrival of day-trippers on some particular days."

Not all residents, however, are persuaded of the efficacy of the new system in dissuading mass tourism , insisting that only a resurgence in the population will restore balance to a city where narrow alleyways and water buses are often clogged with tourists.

Hundreds of Venetians protested against the program, marching festively though the city's main bus terminal behind banners reading "No to Tickets, Yes to Services and Housing." Protesters scuffled briefly with police with riot gear who blocked them from entering the city, before changing course and entering over another bridge escorted by plainclothes police. The demonstration wrapped up peacefully in a piazza.

Citizens and activists stage a protest against Venice Tax Fee in Venice on Thursday. Luca Bruno/AP hide caption

Citizens and activists stage a protest against Venice Tax Fee in Venice on Thursday.

Tourists arriving at the main station encountered almost as many journalists as stewards on hand to politely guide anyone unaware of the new requirements through the process of downloading the QR code to pay the fee.

Arianna Cecilia, a tourist from Rome visiting Venice for the first time, said she thought it was "strange" to have to pay to enter a city in her native country, and be funneled through separate entrance ways for tourists. She and her boyfriend were staying in nearby Treviso, and so downloaded the QR code as required, but she was still caught off-guard while soaking in her first view ever of Venice's canals by the sight of the entrance signs and her boyfriend telling her to get out the ticket.

On the other side of the entrance ways, workers in yellow vests carried out random checks at the train station. Transgressors faces fines of 50 to 300 euros ($53 to $320), but officials said "common sense" was being applied for the launch.

With Waters Rising And Its Population Falling, What Is Venice's Future?

The requirement applies only for people arriving between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Outside of those hours, access is free and unchecked.

Venice has long suffered under the pressure of overtourism, and officials hope that the pilot project can help provide more exact figures to better manage the phenomenon.

The city can track the number of hotel visitors, which last year numbered 4.6 million and is down 16% from pre-pandemic highs. But the number of day visitors, which make up the majority of the crowds in Venice, could only be estimated until recently.

Stewards check a tourist's QR code access outside the main train station in Venice. Luca Bruno/AP hide caption

Stewards check a tourist's QR code access outside the main train station in Venice.

A Smart Control Room set up during the pandemic has been tracking arrivals from cellphone data, roughly confirming pre-pandemic estimates of 25 million to 30 million arrivals a year, said Michele Zuin, the city's top economic official. That includes both day-trippers and overnight guests.

But Zuin said the data is incomplete.

"It's clear we will get more reliable data from the contribution" being paid by day-trippers, he said.

Venturini said the city is strained when the number of day-trippers reaches 30,000 to 40,000. On peak days, local police set up one-way traffic for pedestrians to keep the crowds moving.

Residents opposing the day-tripper tax insist that the solution to Venice's woes are to boost the resident population and the services they need, limiting short-term rentals to make available more housing and attract families back from the mainland.

Last year, Venice passed a telling milestone when the number of tourist beds exceeded for the first time the number of official residents, which is now below 50,000 in the historic center with its picturesque canals.

Venice mayor calls out 'imbeciles' surfing Italian city's historic canals

"Putting a ticket to enter a city will not decrease not even by one single unit the number of visitors that are coming,'' said Tommaso Cacciari, an activist who organized a protest Thursday against the measure.

"You pay a ticket to take the metro, to go to a museum, an amusement park. You don't pay a ticket to enter a city. This is the last symbolic step of a project of an idea of this municipal administration to kick residents out of Venice," he said.

Venice officials expected paid day-tripper arrivals Thursday to reach about 10,000. More than 70,000 others had downloaded a QR code denoting an exemption, including to work in Venice or as a resident of the Veneto region. Hotels in Venice, including in mainland districts like Marghera or Mestre, should provide a QR code attesting to their stay, which includes a hotel tax.

Venturini, the tourist official, said that interest in Venice's pilot program has been keen from other places suffering from mass tourism, including other Italian art cities, and municipalities abroad such as Barcelona, Spain, and Amsterdam.

But Marina Rodino, who has lived in Venice for 30 years, doesn't see the fee as the cure-all. Neighboring apartments in her residential building near the famed Rialto Bridge once inhabited by families are now short-term apartment rentals.

The corner butcher shop closed. Yet she noted that the new entrance fee requirement will still allow young people to flood the city in the evening for the traditional aperitivo, which can grow rowdy.

She was passing out mock European Union passports for "Venice, Open City," underlining the irony of the new system, and challenging its legal standing with citations from the Italian Constitution guaranteeing its citizens the right to "move or reside freely in any part of the national territory."

"This is not a natural oasis. This is not a museum. It is not Pompeii. It is a city, where we need to fight so the houses are inhabited by families, and stores reopen. That is what would counter this wild tourism,'' Rodino said.

Students in Gaza protest against the war and for education protection

Pressure mounting on Israel and Hamas to reach deal ahead of possible Israeli attack on Rafah

Third American tourist arrested in three months for bringing bullets to Turks and Caicos

Hamas releases new hostage video, includes American captive

9-year-old boy wins seagull screeching competition

Israeli airstrikes take place in Gaza areas Israel had designated as 'safe zones'

Gaza’s miraculous C-section baby loses her fight to survive

Blinken: Russia would struggle in Ukraine without China’s support

Xi welcomes Blinken as the U.S. and China work to stabilize ties

Major cities in Mexico running out of water as extreme heat continues

Venice introduces world's first tourist entrance fee

Family of American hostage reacts to seeing son in Hamas video

Grieving relatives prepare Gaza airstrike victims for burial

Venice launches 5-euro tourist entry fee to curb overcrowding

Sails fall off the landmark Moulin Rouge's red windmill in Paris

More than 100 pilot whales become stranded off Western Australia

Weeks of flooding in East Africa kills dozens

Hamas releases video of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin

What ‘telltale signs’ will indicate Israel’s military operation in Rafah?

‘It has to be stopped’: Netanyahu condemns U.S. college protests

Nbc news now, venice introduces world's first tourist entrance fee.

Venice, Italy, has launched a five dollar tourist entrance fee to the city to reduce overcrowding on busy days. The fee only applies to visitors who did not book accommodation or on certain holidays.  April 26, 2024

Best of NBC News

‘Shock and awe’: Oklahoma volunteer describes tornado damage

What to expect in week three of Trump’s hush money trial

Israeli officials express concern over potential ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and leaders

NBC News Channel

Witness describes hearing shots break out at florida party.

Pope visits women's prison during trip to Venice