Venice is set to become the first city in the world to charge daytrippers an entry fee, with a trial beginning in spring 2024. The €5 fee will apply on 30 selected dates during peak tourist periods, such as Easter weekend, to discourage overcrowding.
The city, which receives an estimated 30 million visitors annually compared to just 50,000 residents, has struggled with overtourism for decades. The influx has caused erosion of building foundations from boat traffic, a shortage of affordable housing, and threats from UNESCO to list Venice as a World Heritage Site at risk.
Daytrippers will need to register on a forthcoming online portal and pay the fee via credit card, PayPal, or bank transfer. A QR code will be generated for verification, with random checks by local authorities. Those stopped without a code can pay on the spot during the trial.
Exemptions include overnight visitors, residents of Venice and the Veneto region, family members of residents, workers, students, athletes, and children under 14. The fee only applies to the historic city centre, not nearby islands like Murano.
City councillor Simone Venturini said the trial aims to test the system before making it permanent. The measure was originally approved in 2019 but postponed due to the pandemic.
