Will Venice implement the entry fee in 2023?
It is one of the most searched questions by visitors preparing for a trip to Venice: do I have to pay an entry fee?
The confusion surrounding the topic is understandable. Venice’s city council has repeatedly confirmed the introduction of an entry ticket, only to announce a postponement weeks later.
The scheme was first mooted several years ago, but the dearth of visitors during the pandemic naturally meant the fee became redundant.
But since then, tourist numbers have soared to pre-covid levels and the city has revived the ticket proposal. So will Venice implement the entry fee in 2023?
Why is Venice introducing an entry fee?
The introduction of an entry fee was proposed to ease the problems of overtourism plaguing Venice.
Before the pandemic, the number of day trippers to the visitor hotspot was frequently double the resident population.
As such, the paid ticket was proposed for visitors not staying the night in the historic center (those sleeping in accommodation on the island already pay a tourist tax.)
The profits from the ticket fee would go towards services that benefit Venice’s residents including maintenance, cleaning and reducing living costs.
Who has to pay the entry fee to visit Venice?
Under the proposed system, all visitors to Venice will need to register their visit. However, only those making a day trip to the floating city will need to pay the entry fee.
Travelers arriving by either public transport or private methods must pre-book their visit.
Some day visitors are not required to pay, including residents of the Veneto region, students and those visiting family members residing in the city.
The entry ticket will cost between €3 to €10 depending on the season.
When will you have to pay to visit Venice?
Last year, Venice authorities announced the introduction of the entry fee was set for January 16th, 2023.
However, the city council has now said the scheme will be postponed again.
It has not given a time scale for the introduction of the fee, but it looks likely that tourists won’t have to pay in 2023.
Travelers will have to pay a fee to depart from Venice airport next year
While the introduction of the entry ticket to Venice remains uncertain, the council has announced a fee for air passengers boarding planes at the city’s airport.
Travelers departing from Marco Polo di Tessera, the nearest airport to Venice, will have to pay a €2.50 surcharge.
The fee will come into effect on April 1, 2024.
