Venice's city council has announced that its daytripper fee will be reinstated in 2026. This charge, initially introduced in summer 2024, aims to manage the large number of daily visitors to the historic city. The fee will apply for an extended period next year, covering 60 days compared to 54 days in 2025.
The measure targets 'hit-and-run' tourism, which frequently overwhelms Venice during peak seasons. Authorities hope this system will create a better balance between the needs of residents and the influx of tourists.
Key Takeaways
- Venice's daytripper fee will return in 2026 for 60 days.
- The fee applies on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in April, May, June, and July.
- It targets 'hit-and-run' tourism to reduce overcrowding.
- Exemptions include residents, students, workers, and overnight hotel guests.
- Despite the fee, 2025 saw only a slight reduction in day visitor numbers.
Venice Fee Schedule and Specific Dates
In 2026, daytrippers will need to pay the fee on specific days. These days are primarily Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays across four months: April, May, June, and July. The council has published a detailed calendar for these dates.
The system will be active during peak hours, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Access to the city is free outside of these designated hours. The exact cost for 2026 has not yet been determined, but in 2025, the fee was €5, increasing to €10 for those who did not reserve at least four days in advance.
2026 Daytripper Fee Dates
- April: 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
- May: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31
- June: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
- July: 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26
Exemptions and How the System Works
Several groups are exempt from paying the daytripper fee. These include permanent residents of Venice, individuals born in Venice, students, and workers within the city. Tourists who have booked overnight accommodation in Venice are also exempt, as their hotel bill already includes a lodging fee.
Visitors planning a day trip must 'reserve' their visit through a dedicated online platform. Upon successful reservation, they receive a QR code. This code is checked at various access points around the city, including the main train station. Tourists with hotel reservations also obtain a QR code by entering their hotel details, which they can show at checkpoints without needing to pay the day fee.
Addressing Overtourism in Venice
Venice has faced significant challenges from overtourism for many years. The city's small size and delicate infrastructure struggle to accommodate the millions of visitors it receives annually. This pressure affects the quality of life for residents and the preservation of the city's unique heritage.
Activists have highlighted the growing imbalance between tourist numbers and the declining resident population. Last summer, the number of tourist beds officially surpassed the number of permanent residents, which has fallen below 50,000. This trend has been ongoing for decades, leading to concerns about the city's long-term sustainability.
"It represents a useful tool for managing tourist flows and ensuring a better balance between residents and visitors," stated city councillor Michele Zuin. "It remains an experimental measure, which we are carefully evaluating and which has already attracted international interest. Venice is the first city in the world to have undertaken this path."
Impact of Overtourism
The high volume of tourists can strain city services, overcrowd narrow alleyways, and fill water buses, making daily life difficult for residents. This often pushes locals to move to the mainland, further reducing the resident population and altering the city's social fabric.
Effectiveness and Future Outlook
Despite the introduction of the fee, the initial results from 2025 showed only a modest reduction in day visitor numbers. The daily average number of visitors who paid the fee was 13,046 in 2025, a slight decrease from 16,676 in 2024. This change also aligns with a broader, region-wide decline in tourist numbers reported by the Regional Statistics Office.
On its busiest day in 2025, Friday, May 2, Venice recorded 24,951 day visitors who paid the fee. This figure is notable, as it represents more than half of Venice's resident population. This indicates that even with the fee, the city continues to attract a very high number of daily tourists on peak dates.
The city council views the access fee system as a critical component in managing these pressures. They consider it an ongoing experiment, with continuous evaluation to refine its implementation. Venice remains the first city globally to implement such a system, making its progress a point of international observation.
2025 Day Visitor Statistics
- Average daily paying visitors: 13,046
- Compared to 2024 average: 16,676
- Busiest day (May 2): 24,951 paying visitors
- Resident population (approx.): under 50,000
The council's decision to extend the fee to 60 days in 2026 suggests a commitment to this strategy, despite the initial limited impact on overall visitor numbers. The long-term goal is to achieve a sustainable balance between tourism and the needs of the local community.
Future adjustments to the fee amount and specific dates may occur as the city continues to assess the program's effectiveness. The ongoing evaluation will help determine if the measure achieves its goal of reducing overcrowding and improving the daily experience for both residents and visitors.
