More Travel Fees! 14 Destinations Where Tourists Pay More

Gabrielle Reeder

Published:

Amazed couple of tourists
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Tourism drives up revenue, providing funds for cities and countries that otherwise may suffer financially. However, tourism increases carbon footprint and foot traffic to the select country or city, driving up pollution and weathering the location. Different countries try to counteract the uptick in pollution and visitation with tourist fees to offset the damage. At the same time, this method increases revenue to the city or country. Below, we’ve researched popular destinations featuring tourist taxes or fees demanded from visitors. 

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Channel in Amsterdam Netherlands houses river Amstel landmark old european city spring landscape.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Dutch paradise charges 12.5% of the nightly hotel rate per room for out-of-town visitors. The same price applies to campsites, bed and breakfasts, and rental stays. Amsterdam currently holds the rate for the highest tourist tax charged in all of Europe. Allegedly, this tax aims to improve locals’ quality of life and decrease disruptive tourism activity. 

2. Venice, Italy

Venice
credit: depositphotos

In Venice, Italy, the city dictates a scale ranging from 1 euro to 5 euros per person per night staying in lodging. The exact amount taxed depends on the season and the kind of location providing accommodations. People under 10 and people with disabilities do not pay the tourist tax, and pre-teens and teenagers aged 10-16 see a 50% discount in the tax. Venice believes tourist taxes will help protect the city (canals, too) while prioritizing the environment. The city further claims that the tourist tax improves the tourist experience. 

3. Thailand

Phi Phi Island Thailand
Credit: kasto/Depositphotos

Thailand’s change in government brings a new tourist tax to travelers. Thailand’s tourist tax, expected in mid-2025, will ask $8.75 per person arriving via aircraft and around $4.38 for travelers arriving by boat. According to The Straits Times, the tourist tax aims to improve accessibility measures and public restrooms for out-of-towners. 

4. Bhutan

Iron Chain Bridge of Tamchog Lhakhang Monastery, Paro River, Bhutan
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The south Asian country of Bhutan shuttered borders during COVID-19 lockdown, reopening in 2022 with a $200 nightly tourist fee. The SDF, or Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee, underwent a significant discount, charging tourists $100 per night through August 2027. The tourism fee hopes to preserve the South Asian delight’s vibrant community and culture. The country strives to maintain its sustainable image through heavier (though halved) tourism fees. 

5. Bali, Indonesia

Bali, Indonesia
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Once you arrive at the Indonesian airport, you need to fill out several pieces of paper verifying your ability to enter Bali. After completing these crucial documents, you advance to a counter where you pay $10 per person. Pay in person at the airport to avoid the online upcharge. Since Bali is a heavily explored destination, the small tourism fee helps preserve the gorgeous location, better the environmental aspect, and contribute to conservation efforts within the local communities. 

6. Brussels, Belgium

A beautiful young woman is standing on the square Grand Place in Brussels and is going to eat a delicious waffle - the national sweetness of Belgium.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Brussels officials charge a few kinds of tourist taxes to their annual visitors. For people looking at campsite arrangements, the tax is $3.12 per night, hosting the lowest tax for explorers. Bed and breakfast type lodgings charge an additional $4.16 per room per night in Brussels. Hotels tax globe trotters $5.20 per night per room. Each tax aims to build back lost business from the lockdown and account for inflation.  

7. Vienna, Austria

Church Heiliger Franz of Assisi at Mexikoplatz, Vienna, Austria
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Vienna’s tourism campaign puts the tourism tax back toward the tourists. “Visiting Vienna” comments that the Orstaxe tourist tax pulls 3.2% of lodging costs (per night) following the removal of sales tax, breakfast prices, and 11% of the hotel cost. The numbers seem difficult, but don’t fret because the estimated hotel cost includes tax pre-booking. The amount funds advertising, websites, everything regarding tourism in Vienna. 

8. Prague, Czech Republic 

Prague, Czech Republic
Credit: Depositphotos

The first 60 days in storybook land cost tourists $2.07 per night if spent in Prague. Although officials have met to discuss ways to raise the tax to resemble other European countries’ tourist tax prices, right now, the council thinks the heightened prices would raise Prague’s revenue along with the city’s cleanliness. Additionally, city leaders believe the upped tax will regulate waste and transportation measures and conserve Czech infrastructure. 

9. Paris, France

Eiffel Tower
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Paris’ spectrum of tourist tax spans from $0.68 to $15.56 per person, per night, hinging on the type of accommodation. Boujee stays in palaces charge the most per person, per night, at $15.56. Three-star hotels and rentals drop the price to $5.41 per person, per night. The cheapest option, of course, is a one to two-star campground for $0.68 per person, per night. Parisian people want the tourist tax to safeguard sights and nature within their city. 

10. Berlin, Germany

Berlin, Germany
credit: depositphotos

Berlin’s rules surrounding tourist tax require 5% of the nightly hotel price for each night spent in the lodge. This year, Berlin shifted opinion on business trips, thus demanding the tourist tax from business workers, too. On January 1, 2025, the 5% rate will jump to 7.5% per night. Berlin’s reasoning for the tourist tax suggests a political motive, “ensuring the long-term quality of your Berlin experience,” spurred by the Berlin Senate Department for Finance. 

11. Iceland 

Beautiful icelandic girl enjoying the landscape in Iceland
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Iceland stuns as one of the ecological, environmental forefronts in the world. Nonetheless, the gorgeous land of fire and ice is not immune to the changing climate. The country witnessed numerous volcanic eruptions over the past year, threatening local regions and tourist hotspots like The Blue Lagoon. Tourists won’t ever stop exploring, so why not set forth means to counteract their damage? Tourists spending nights in hotels add on an extra $4.80 per night in Iceland. Campsite tourists witness an extra $2.40 per night. Finally, cruise ship passengers pay $7.20 per night on top of their fare. 

12. Dubrovnik, Croatia

woman on the wall of Dubrovnik
credit: depositphotos

Out of all the countries and cities on this list, Dubrovnik, Croatia, charges on the lower side of the tourist tax pendulum. During the high season (April to September), travelers donate $2.76 per night and $1.93 during the off-season (October to March), per night. The southern Croatian city uses the tourist tax for preservation and business purposes. 

13. Budapest, Hungary

Christmas Tram in Budapest
credit: depositphotos

The sole tourist tax in Hungary stems from the country’s capital. Budapest enforces a tourist tax on travelers staying a maximum of six days with a minimum of four people. Here’s a scenario: two people travel to Hungary for four days. Each person owes 1000 HUF (Hungarian forint), or $2.52 per night, so this group owes a grand total of 8,000 HUF, or $20.19 plus the base fare. The tourism tax fights over-tourism and feeds the municipal budget. 

14. Manchester, England 

Manchester, England
credit: depositphotos

Manchester, England, boarded the tourist tax bandwagon in the spring of 2023, introducing a $1.04 tax per person per night. Over the past year, the city collected almost three million dollars in tourism tax, circling that money into marketing measures, street cleaning, and business conferences. The city also plans to host several festivals with the increased cash flow. 

Leave a Comment

Flipboard