By Stuart Kerr, Travel Correspondent
Published: 14/08/2025 | Updated: 14/08/2025
Contact: editor@holidaymate.com | About the Author
A City at a Crossroads
Venice has long been a symbol of beauty balanced on the edge of fragility. With its labyrinth of canals, grand piazzas, and centuries-old palazzi, the city has faced decades of overtourism. In 2025, the controversial day-tripper entry fee was reintroduced, aimed at easing congestion and protecting the fragile lagoon ecosystem. Now, as of 28 July 2025, city officials have confirmed the trial period has ended, leaving visitors and tourism operators wondering what comes next. The decision has sparked a mix of relief among spontaneous travellers and concern among those who believed the fee offered at least some measure of crowd control.
The Fee’s Rise and Fall
The day-tripper tax, initially set at €5, quickly doubled to €10 for last-minute bookings, as reported by The Guardian and Euronews Travel. It applied to visitors entering on peak days between April and July, with exemptions for residents, overnight guests, and certain workers. Despite raising revenue and reducing entry numbers slightly, the system drew criticism for being cumbersome, punitive for spontaneous trips, and a potential deterrent for lower-budget travellers.
Why the Policy Changed
According to Comune di Venezia, the trial’s end was part of a broader reassessment of how the city manages visitor flow. Local authorities acknowledged that while the fee generated attention, it did not solve deeper issues—such as cruise ship disembarkations, the strain on public transport, and bottlenecks in key tourist corridors. Sources like AP News note that the city is exploring alternative measures, from stricter cruise ship limits to seasonal pedestrian diversions.
What This Means for Travellers
For visitors, the removal of the fee means greater flexibility—no more QR code bookings for day visits or last-minute fines. However, this also means peak-season crowds are likely to return in full force. If you’re travelling during popular events like the Venice Film Festival or Carnival, advanced planning is still essential. Choosing off-peak arrival times, such as mid-week mornings, can make a noticeable difference in your experience.
Smarter Itinerary Planning
Those looking to avoid the heaviest crowds can take cues from our Hidden Gems of Amalfi Coast: How to Explore Without the Crowds guide—many of the principles apply in Venice too. Seek out neighbourhoods beyond San Marco, such as Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, or the island of Giudecca, where local life still thrives. Planning a walking route that starts at lesser-known attractions and ends at major landmarks later in the day can help you experience the city without the crush.
The Bigger Picture on Overtourism
Venice’s experiment feeds into the broader European conversation about how to handle surging visitor numbers, a debate we explored in Is Europe Full? Tourism Surge Sparks Debate. Cities from Barcelona to Dubrovnik are experimenting with entry caps, cruise passenger quotas, and variable pricing for attractions. While fees like Venice’s can discourage casual overcrowding, they also risk creating a perception that cities are commoditising public space.
Lessons from the Trial Period
According to InTrieste, some local businesses saw a slight shift in visitor behaviour, with more tourists booking overnight stays to avoid the fee. This aligns with wider Travel Trends 2025: What’s Hot and What’s Not, which highlight longer, more immersive trips as a growing preference. The fee’s removal could reverse this trend, so local hoteliers may need to focus on added-value offers to keep overnight bookings strong.
Practical Tips for Visiting Venice Post-Fee
With the fee gone, there’s a renewed opportunity for spontaneous day trips—but that doesn’t mean you should turn up unprepared. Wear comfortable shoes for navigating cobblestones and bridges, and factor in extra time for vaporetto (water bus) queues. Consider visiting in shoulder seasons, when accommodation is cheaper, temperatures are milder, and the city’s magic feels less rushed. Keep an eye on announcements from the City of Venice Tourism Portal, as new crowd management measures may be trialled in 2026.
Looking Ahead
The end of the day-tripper fee is not the end of Venice’s struggle with overtourism—it’s a pivot. Policymakers will be watching closely to see if the removal changes congestion patterns, and whether new measures can balance economic needs with preserving the city’s cultural and environmental heritage. Travellers who adapt by seeking lesser-known experiences and supporting local businesses will not only have richer visits but also help ensure Venice remains a living, breathing city rather than an open-air museum.
About the Author
Stuart Kerr writes about travel, tourism, and mobility across Europe for Holidaymate.com. You can reach him at editor@holidaymate.com and read more of his work here.
