The mayor of Venice has proposed raising the entrance fee for day-trippers from €5 (£4.30) to €50 (£43).

Simone Venturini, Venice mayor as of late May, said an access fee increase would be a “stronger deterrent during periods of peak tourist pressure”.

He has suggested a higher price between €30 (£26) and €50 to the Italian parliament.

Venice was the first city in the world to charge admission for daytrippers when it introduced the fee on 25 April 2024.

Entry now costs €5 (£4.30) if bought in advance, although if day trippers leave the payment until three days before, the fee increases to €10 (£8.70).

In 2026, the levy will be in place for 60 days across peak season, compared to 54 in 2025.

Venturini said in a statement: “Venice is preparing a proposal to put before the Italian government and parliament that would allow the city to raise its access fee for day-trippers on particularly busy days, once certain booking thresholds have been reached.”

He added: “The measure is intended to make the charge a stronger deterrent during periods of peak tourist pressure, especially as visitor numbers are expected to rise further in the coming decades.”

According to the mayor, the access fee is currently the “only practical instrument” Venice has to manage daily visitor flows and support the upkeep and protection of the city.

Daytrippers place “significant strain on Venice, generating additional costs for cleaning, transport and public safety services, while contributing less to the local economy than overnight guests”, he said.

The fee can be paid on the Venezia Unica website, at Venice-Santa Lucia station or in tobacconists. Once paid, visitors are given a QR code that can be scanned at access points between 8.30am and 4pm.

Travellers who book to stay overnight in the Italian canal city are exempt from the charge.

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