Venice’s Entry Fee Returns with New Rules for 2025

Venice is once again implementing its day visitor entry fee, and this time, it’s increasing both in cost and coverage. Daytrippers to the city will now be charged €10 instead of €5, and the fee will apply on nearly twice as many days as last year.

Starting April 18 and running continuously until May 4, the fee will be in effect, followed by every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May through July. As before, it applies to visitors who enter the city between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. without an overnight reservation.

Those who book at least four days in advance will still be able to pay a reduced fee of €5, encouraging visitors to plan ahead rather than making last-minute trips.

Why Venice is Expanding the Entry Fee

Venice first introduced the world’s first entry fee for day visitors in 2024 as part of an effort to control overwhelming tourism. According to Simone Venturini, the city’s tourism councillor, the pilot program was successful in managing visitor flow and reducing the number of daytrippers in certain periods.

Authorities hope the expanded policy will continue to protect the delicate city, which struggles with mass tourism. Several other destinations, including Kyoto, Japan, and Formentera, Spain, have inquired about the system as they consider similar measures.

How the Fee Impacted Tourism in 2024

Last year, visitors from 194 different countries entered Venice. While Italians made up the largest group, the next biggest numbers came from the United States, Germany, and France.

In total, nearly half a million visitors (485,062) paid the entry fee, generating €2.4 million in revenue. However, officials have not disclosed how much it cost to operate the system or how the funds have been allocated.

City officials emphasized that while the entry fee alone cannot fully regulate tourism, it serves as a foundation for future management strategies. They also noted a slight decrease in the number of day visitors from the Veneto region, though exact figures were not provided.

Who Needs to Pay and How to Register

The fee does not apply to those staying overnight in Venice, but these visitors must register online for an exemption at cda.ve.it.

Additionally, visitors transiting through Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, or Stazione Marittima (the city’s main port) without entering the city center are exempt from the charge. Travelers heading to the outer lagoon islands—Lido, Murano, and Burano—also do not need to pay, unless they pass through central Venice.

Looking Ahead

As Venice continues to refine its approach to tourism, officials stress that the entry fee is just one piece of a broader plan to protect the city’s historic and cultural heritage. While visitor numbers remain high, authorities hope that better regulation will lead to a more sustainable future for one of the world’s most treasured destinations.