Venice 2024 has finally revealed the details for its entrance day fee, making it the first city in the world to charge daytripper visitors. According to the mayor, Venice authorities have committed to a 30-day “experiment” in charging this fee.
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In 2019, Venice delayed the implementation of a visitor fee for daytrippers. This was in part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The city then looked to implement this fee in 2022, then delayed it again in 2023.
It’s important to note:
- Tourists over the age of 14 will be required to pay the fee
- overnight visitors who book a hotel stay are already subject to a different tax
Looking Ahead – Venice 2024
Starting spring of 2024, this €5-day tax will be implemented. This is in an effort to prevent over-tourism in a city known as one of the top destinations in Italy. It is a true fact that tourists outnumber the residents of Venice. The city has now released a schedule for 2024. Additional dates may be added later in the year. We will update this post as we find new information.
Applicable Dates in 2024
- April 25-30
- May 1-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26
- June 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30
- July 6-7, 13-14
Every person visiting Venice on these days must complete the application process for each day they are in Venice and be able to produce the QR code generated after payment as proof. You can be fined up to €300 if you are stopped and unable to provide your QR code.
You can pay the fee and/or apply for an exemption (available to those staying overnight in Venice and children under the age of 14) by going online to the official website.
Venice 2024: Tourist Group Sizes Being Limited
Venice has also announced new limits on the size of tourist groups allowed. This is the latest move to reduce the pressure of mass tourism on the famous canal city.
A tour group will be limited to 25 people starting in June. These smaller groups should (and I say should) limit the use of loudspeakers necessary by guides to communicate with huge groups. The larger groups generated confusion and disturbance throughout the city. This new policy is aimed at improving the movement of tour groups within the historic center. This also affects the adjacent islands.
The Preservation of Venice 2024
In the last several years, the city of Venice has made great efforts to preserve its city. The most well-known was the announcement of banning large cruise ships from passing through the canals. This controversial law gave Venice a temporary reprieve from the UNESCO World Heritage danger list. However, UNESCO currently is concerned that the efforts were not enough and might indeed add it to this list.
ETIAS in 2024
You should be aware by now that travelers to Europe will also be paying an extra fee when ETIAS, European Travel Information and Authorization System goes into effect. This fee will cost €7 and will be valid for three years. Keep in mind though, that it is either this timeframe (it being valid for three years) or until the expiration date of a person’s travel document.
Venice isn’t alone on this path of charging for day tourists. Amsterdam and Bali are also considering similar fees
Determining the Days of the Week
Authorities will scatter the day charges across the year. They will choose the days that are predicted to be the busiest. As of now, the list above is just the first round presented. It’s a sure bet that holiday weekends and peak Carnival periods will be chosen as “those days.” Again, the intent is to regulate crowds, encourage longer visits, and improve the quality of life for Venice residents. It will be interesting to see how this city looks… “Venice 2024.”
In Conclusion
So… there is quite a bit of chatter about this. What surprises me in a way is people are actually saying the fee could be more. Tourists would be willing to pay up to €10 to help this iconic city stay afloat and preserve its architecture. We shall see what Venice 2024 has in store for us. Will it stop tourists from visiting? Personally, I don’t think so. What’s your opinion? We’d enjoy hearing your thoughts and opinions.
I doubt that the fee will discourage anyone. If you have decided to incur the effort and cost of visiting Venice, the fee will just be a nuisance that you will have to deal with. We’ve visited this amazing city 3 times (1973, 2022 and 2023) and are considering visiting Treviso instead this year, but not because of the fee, rather to explore a new place.
I completly agree Dennis! My perspective is the same. I wonder how the smaller groups will impact the city too. Guess we shall see. Thanks for commenting!
I think the fee is a great idea. We visited the lovely city in 2015 and would gladly pay for the privilege. Can’t wait to visit again!
I agree Kym – I think if the small fee helps the city of Venice with all its issues, I personally don’t see it as a problem. I truly feel that the smaller tour groups will help the city with the chaos too. Time will tell! Thanks for commenting!
I have mixed feelings about this. Having followed the issue now for a few years, it may assist, but only serves to be viewed as “an entry fee” leading more credence to the feeling that Venice is a theme park. Even a 10 Euro (or more) would make it moreso. I believe the good thing is that the money can be used to further preserve the lagoon or help those Venetians who wish to continue to live there do so.
What I think may have more of an impact is the limiting of tour group sizes. It is hard enough getting around, but when you are being jostled or having to wait for 50 people to stream by a 1-person-wide calle makes it even more difficult to visit.
The other thing that may make a difference would be forcing the cruise ships to dock at one of the mainland ports. It would reduce the time that people are in the historical center and maybe spread the crowds out a bit.
We were on a Viking cruise in June 2022 that docked in Chioggia due to the then new prohibition. We were the first cruise ship not permitted to dock in Venice.