Travel will be more expensive this year, but it’s not only airline tickets and hotel stays that travelers will need to shell out for.
New tourist taxes and fees are going into effect across entire countries, states and cities, as well as specific sites like museums and monuments.
Many of the new fees are aimed at helping control crowds and ensure the local population benefits from tourism. In some cases, the levies are for helping shore up destinations’ environmental protections and make tourism more sustainable.
Here’s a rundown of some of the major tourist taxes and fees going into effect:
United Kingdom ETA
U.S. travelers visiting the United Kingdom for short stays will need a new Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA, to enter the country. The ETA costs £16, or about $22, and travelers can apply online through the official government website (www.gov.uk/eta/apply) or on the UK ETA app. To apply, you’ll need the passport you’ll travel with, an email address and a credit card or debit card. You’ll also need to upload a photo of the applicant.
Approval could take up to three working days but might arrive sooner. The ETA will be linked to the traveler’s passport and is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is first.
European Union ETIAS
Starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, U.S. tourists making short trips (of about 90 days or less) to any of 30 European countries will need to apply for a new travel authorization from the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS. The authorization costs €20, or about $24, but travelers younger than 18 or older than 70 years old do not have to pay. The ETIAS authorization is linked directly to travelers’ passports and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
You can apply for the ETIAS on the official website (travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias) or ETIAS mobile app. The application asks travelers to share details about their level of education and current occupation, travel plans, past criminal convictions and more. You’ll also need a passport with at least three months of validity.
Most travelers will receive a decision within minutes, but it can take up to four days to receive the authorization. The process could stretch to as long as 14 days if travelers are asked to provide additional documentation or as much as 30 days if they are required to show up to an interview.
Visitors to Edinburgh, Scotland, will pay a new 5% tax for hotel accommodations beginning July 24.
Tourist taxes
Kyoto: The Japanese city raised its tourist tax by 900%. As of March 1, travelers will pay the tax through their accommodation with a fee of about $6 to $66 per night added onto their bill, based on the nightly cost of their room.
Hawaii’s Green Fee: As of January, travelers visiting the Hawaiian islands must pay a 10% tax on hotel stays and vacation rentals, which is 0.75% higher than the state’s former tourist tax. A separate levy on cruise ship passengers — that would charge an 11% tax per cabin fare — is currently being challenged by the cruise industry in court and is not yet in effect.
Edinburgh, Scotland: Starting on July 24, visitors to Edinburgh will have to pay a new 5% levy on overnight accommodations. The tax will be added to travelers’ accommodation bills and only charged on room rates, not add-ons such as room service. The fee is to help support city infrastructure, cultural programs and other public services.
Norway: Some of Norway’s most popular tourist regions will begin charging a tax of up to 3% to overnight accommodations, starting this summer. The new levy isn’t a nationwide policy, but rather one that regions can opt into. The island of Lofoten and the popular aurora-chasing destination Tromso, for example, said they will charge the tax.
Netherlands: Tax on overnight accommodations across the Netherlands increased from 9% to 21% of the overall stay as of Jan. 1. The levy applies to most types of accommodations for tourists, including hotels, rentals through online platforms, bed and breakfasts, hostels and guesthouses.
Increased fees at major landmarks
Trevi Fountain: Tourists who want to toss a coin into Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain — or at least see the landmark up close — will need to pay a new €2 fee, or about $2.40. Proceeds from the new fee will go to the city government to help manage Rome’s tourism. Travelers will still be able to see the fountain from a distance for free.
The Louvre: Paris’ Louvre Museum is increasing its entrance fee by 45% for non-European visitors. The new ticket price for visitors from outside of Europe is €32 per person, or about $38.
Palace of Versailles: Another popular tourist site just outside Paris raised its entrance fees for tourists this year. Tickets to the Palace of Versailles now cost €25 ($30) for non-European visitors.
