Venice introduced a paid-entry scheme for day visitors in 2024, making it the first major city in the world to charge a tourist access fee. Known as the Contributo di Accesso, the charge applies on designated busy days during the spring and summer season. The fee does not affect overnight guests, and there are several other exemptions.
Below is everything you need to know about rates, who is exempt, how to pay, and what is expected for 2027.
What is the Venice entry fee?
The Contributo di Accesso is a crowd-management charge applied to day visitors entering Venice’s historic island centre on selected high-pressure dates. The aim is to shift some arrivals toward quieter times, reduce peak-hour congestion in the narrow calli around San Marco and Rialto, and raise funds for canal maintenance and public-space upkeep.
The scheme launched as a pilot in April 2024, ran for a full season in 2025, and completed its third season in 2026, having operated on approximately 54–60 designated dates between early April and late July. Revenue across all three seasons exceeded €5 million.
Current rates (2026)
During the 2026 season, the fee was:
| Booking timing | Fee |
|---|---|
| 4 or more days before your visit | €5 per person |
| Within 3 days of your visit | €10 per person |
| Children under 14 | Free |
| Overnight hotel guests | Free (exempt) |
The fee applied between 08:30 and 16:00 on designated days. Visitors arriving before 08:30 or after 16:00 entered at no charge, regardless of the day.
What to expect in 2027
In late September 2026, Venice city councillor Michele Zuin announced a proposal to raise the access fee substantially for 2027, with figures of €30–50 per person cited publicly. The increase would represent a major change from the €5 rate that ran through 2024–2026.
The Italian government must approve any change before it takes effect. No formal decision has been made as of October 2026. We will update this page once the 2027 schedule and rates are confirmed.
What is clear is that the fee is now a permanent part of visiting Venice as a day-tripper. City officials have moved well beyond pilot status and are planning to extend coverage, potentially including autumn weekends from 2027 onward.
Which days does the fee apply?
The scheme covers weekends and Italian public holidays during the peak visitor season — roughly early April through late July. The specific dates are published each year on the Venezia Unica website before the season opens. In 2026, the dates were announced in March.
Dates outside this window — including all of October through March — have historically not been subject to any charge. Venice in autumn and winter remains free to enter as a day visitor.
Who is exempt?
You do not need to pay or register if you are:
- Staying overnight in Venice — your booking confirms your status automatically
- A resident of Venice
- A worker or student based in Venice
- A child under 14
- A person with a disability
- Visiting a Venice resident (the resident must provide documentation)
- A cruise passenger transiting directly to or from the cruise terminal
- A driver heading to the Piazzale Roma car parks
If you are staying in a hotel, B&B, apartment, or any registered accommodation within the historic centre, you are not a day-tripper and the fee does not apply to you.
How to register and pay
Registration is done online through the Venezia Unica platform:
- Go to the Venezia Unica website or download the app
- Enter your visit date and number of people
- Pay online — book at least four days ahead to secure the lower rate
- You receive a QR code by email
- Present the QR code at access points near Ponte della Libertà (the road bridge from the mainland) or Venice–Santa Lucia railway station
You can also buy a pass at the station ticket office or at selected tabaccherie (tobacconists) in the city, but availability varies and prices may reflect the last-minute rate.
Practical advice
Book early if you can. Under the 2026 structure, waiting until the last three days doubled the price from €5 to €10. If 2027 fees increase significantly, the gap between early and late booking could be wider still.
Arrive before 08:30. The fee window opens at 08:30. Arriving on an early train means you can reach San Marco, the Rialto, and the Dorsoduro neighbourhood before the fee kicks in and before the main crowds arrive — an arrangement that suits any visitor, not just those trying to save money.
Stay overnight to avoid the charge entirely. An overnight stay exempts you from the fee and gives you access to Venice in the evening and early morning when the calli are quietest. Our Venice hotels guide covers options across all budgets.
Check the calendar before you book day trains. Fee days are published well in advance on the Venezia Unica site. If your chosen date is a fee day and costs are a concern, the alternative is arriving outside the 08:30–16:00 window, which is free even on a designated day.
Further reading
- Venice city guide — itineraries, transport, and neighbourhoods
- Venice day trips — Murano, Burano, and Torcello
- Venice hotels guide — where to stay and what to budget
- Guided tours of Venice — walking tours, canal tours, and museum visits
For the timeline of announcements, see our news coverage: Venice fee active through July 2026, fee ended for 2026, and 2027 increase proposed.
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