Venice charges a fee to enter the island on certain days, and it only applies to day-trippers. Here’s exactly how it works, current as of July 7, 2026.
What It Is
It’s called the Access Fee, or Contributo di Accesso, and Venice introduced it to manage crowding from day visitors during peak season. If you’re coming into Venice’s historic center for the day on one of the dates listed below, you owe this fee unless you fall into one of a small number of exemptions.
Cost and How to Pay
Registering at least 4 days before your visit costs 5 euros per person. Registering any time after that, including on the day itself, costs 10 euros. Either amount keeps you fully compliant, since what matters is that you register before you enter the historic center, not how far ahead you do it. The only way to risk a fine is to skip registration entirely and enter without it.
To register, go to cda.ve.it, which is available in English, enter your visit date, and pay. You’ll receive a QR code by email. Take a screenshot of it right away so you’re not relying on internet or wifi later. You won’t need to show it anywhere unless an official stops you during a random spot check near Santa Lucia or Piazzale Roma, in which case you simply pull up the screenshot. There’s no printing required and no physical gates to pass through.
Days and Hours It Applies
The fee only applies on 60 specific days a year, not the entire season. For 2026, that window runs from April 3 through July 26, and the remaining July dates are the 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, and 26th. After July 26, the fee stops completely until next year. On those dates, it only applies between 8:30 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon. Check back here at Kim’s Italy for updates on the 2027 season.
Who’s Exempt
For tourists, only two exemptions really matter. Kids under 14 don’t pay, and people with disabilities and their companions don’t pay either, though they still need to request the exemption on the portal.
Arriving With A Group Tour
Being on an organized day tour (from Florence or elsewhere) doesn’t exempt you. The fee applies per person, not per booking, so each traveler needs their own paid or exempt QR code. Some tour operators register and pay on behalf of the group, so check with yours before assuming you need to handle it yourself.
Undecided about a day trip to Venice?
I’ve put together a Viator shop with my favorite day tours into Venice from different locations. The question I get asked most often is whether it’s worth taking a day trip into Venice. If you search online chats or Facebook groups, you’ll always find people insisting no, that Venice deserves a few days at minimum. But that’s just personal opinion, and if a single day is all you have to give Venice, go anyway. Venice is a stunning city, and you don’t need to see everything to fall in love with it. It’s always better to experience Venice for a day than to skip it altogether.
About the Author
Benvenuti! I’m Kim, an Italian travel expert, Italy resident, a Certified Italy Destination Specialist from the Travel Institute (USA) and a Certified Italy Travel Specialist recognized by the National Italian Tourist Board. I bring over three decades of professional travel industry experience to your Italian adventure.
I have created resources to assist you in booking your own trip to Italy. Alternatively, working directly with me is an option as well!