It’s no secret that going on vacation is an expensive endeavor, but often, it’s made all the more costly by the hidden taxes and fees that tourists frequently end up paying. It’s not just private institutions that charge visitors a bit extra — entire cities and countries will sometimes impose a fee just for you to enter their borders. These costs are largely unavoidable when visiting certain places, but it’s helpful to know what to expect so you can plan and budget ahead. Here are five “hidden” tourist taxes that you may not have realized you were paying.
Destination Taxes
Many cities and countries around the world have imposed a destination tax on visitors, often in an effort to manage overtourism. The purpose of this type of tax can be twofold: First, it creates a financial barrier that may turn off potential visitors. Though such fees are usually modest, they can help keep overall tourism numbers at a more manageable level. Second, these fees generate revenue from those who still decide to visit, which is later reinvested in infrastructure, the local economy, or to help preserve the location’s natural beauty. In many cases, destination taxes are tacked onto the cost of your nightly accommodations, so you may not even realize you’re paying them.
Bhutan has one of the highest destination taxes in the world, charging adult visitors $100 each day. The Bhutanese government uses the money generated from those taxes to preserve the country’s stunning natural sites and Buddhist culture. Venice, Italy, meanwhile, charges visitors between 1 and 5 euros for each night of their stay, and recently implemented a “day-tripper” tourist tax as well. Barcelona, Spain, imposes a nightly tax of 3.25 euros in an effort to quell overtourism and keep local merchants and residents happy. These are just a few of the many cities and countries that impose similar taxes on both day-trippers and those who choose to stay the night.
Visa Application Fees
Often, traveling to another country isn’t as simple as just stepping off the plane and heading to your hotel, as many countries charge a fee for processing visa applications. Beginning in 2025, all countries in the European Union will require a travel visa that can be obtained through a new EITAS program. Visa applications cost 7 euros — a charge that’s mandatory for most tourists — and it allows for free travel through 27 countries over a 90-day period. Be sure to apply for the EITAS visa at least 96 hours before departure.
When visiting the United States as a foreign citizen, get ready to pay a $185 fee for processing a tourist visa, unless you are a resident of a visa-waiver country. In general, you should apply for a tourist visa several months in advance; expect prices and processing times to vary depending on the country you visit.
Money Exchange Surcharges
Carrying local currency is sometimes essential when traveling abroad, but tourists regularly fall victim to predatory surcharges at ATMs and other money exchange terminals. Avoid exchanging money in popular areas such as airports or public squares — these locations sometimes have kiosks looking to take advantage of tourists by imposing as much as a 20% fee per transaction.
Instead of exchanging money abroad, do it before your trip with your bank back home, which is likely to impose a far more modest 1% to 3% transaction fee. At the end of the day, it may be beneficial to use a credit card when traveling, as many no longer charge foreign transaction fees. Be sure to contact your bank or check their website so you’re aware of what they charge on overseas credit card transactions.
Departure Taxes
In addition to tourist taxes and visa application fees, travelers may be subject to departure taxes when leaving the country. These fees are levied by airports or cruise terminals and added directly to the cost of buying your ticket. For example, Australia has one of the highest departure taxes globally, charging 70 Australian dollars (about $46 USD) to anyone leaving the country. Many Caribbean countries also levy a departure tax, including the Bahamas — which charges between $18 and $29 depending on if you leave by boat or plane. Modest departure taxes also exist in several European countries such as Germany and Spain, so be cognizant of these fees before you book your next flight.
Restaurant Service Charges
Many countries, and especially those in the European Union, have strict regulations regarding the price that customers pay at restaurants and when buying goods in general. Customers must be clearly informed of the price beforehand, as additional hidden charges are illegal. But in more touristy regions, some eateries put these service charges in fine print on the menu to cover themselves legally. When the bill arrives, be sure to check carefully to see if there is a service charge — if there is, there’s usually no need to add an extra gratuity.
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