Venice Introduces Day Tripper Fee for Peak Season as Crowding Measure

The long-discussed entry fee for day trippers visiting Venice has finally been implemented as part of a pilot program starting April 25th during peak tourist season through July 14th. While it won’t cost more than €5 ($5.45) per person, the city is hoping to curb overcrowding and raise awareness about busy times by expanding the fee in future years with a sliding scale based on visitor numbers. Exemptions are available for overnight guests staying at registered accommodations or those visiting residents of Venice’s historic center; children under 14 do not need to pay, nor will passengers transiting through certain areas like Piazzale Roma and Tronchetto as long as they don’t enter the Old City. Visitors claiming exemptions must still register for a QR code that can be used during spot checks. Failure to adhere could result in fines ranging from €50-€327 ($54-$361) plus an additional €10 ($10.98). While the fee isn’t intended as a deterrent, Venice has experienced more than 30 million tourists annually – overwhelming its population of less than 50,000 residents – and hopes that visitors will consider alternative dates to avoid peak times in future years when fees may be higher based on visitor numbers.