EasyTicket As of 2026, first check whether you need to pay Venice’s access fee
Venice’s 2026 access-fee trial ended on July 26, and from July 27 neither payment nor exemption registration is required. If you’re planning a day trip to Venice from Milan or Florence, check before departure whether a new operating notice has been issued.
No payment is required after July 27
After cross-checking the official operations page and FAQ, EasyTicket found that the 2026 trial ended on July 26. So for Venice trips after that date, you don’t need to pay the access fee or register for a QR exemption.
For day trips, whether you stayed overnight was the deciding factor
On the applicable dates in 2026, the fee applied to visitors who didn’t stay in accommodation within the Municipality of Venice and visited the historic center. Overnight guests were covered by the tourist-tax system instead of the access fee, but on applicable dates they still needed an exemption voucher or proof of exemption.
How to compare the applicable dates and amounts
In 2026, it applied on selected dates from April 3 through July 26
The applicable hours were 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Even if you entered the historic center early on an applicable date, you needed to register or pay if you stayed there during the applicable hours.
- April: 3~6, 10~12, 17~19, 24~30
- May: 1~3, 8~10, 15~17, 22~24, 29~31
- June: 1~7, 12~14, 19~21, 26~28
- July: 3~5, 10~12, 17~19, 24~26
The fee was €5 or €10 depending on when you paid
| Payment timing | Venice access fee | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| By 4 days before the visit | €5 | Advance-registration benefit applies |
| From 3 days before the visit through the day of the visit | €10 | Pay before entering the historic center |
| Non-applicable dates and from July 27, 2026 onward | No payment required | Registration and a QR code are also unnecessary |
How to register for a QR code in advance and exemption conditions
Payment QR codes are issued for a specified visit date
On the official Access Fee portal, enter your visit date, the number of paying visitors, and the number of children aged 0~13 to calculate the amount. Then enter the visitor’s name, email address, and phone number, and pay. You can download or receive by email a voucher containing the QR code and booking code.
The QR voucher is valid only on the date you selected, and you need to show it during checks. For a Venice day trip, it’s less confusing to finish the QR registration after confirming your train tickets.
Overnight guests also needed to check their exemption voucher
Travelers staying at accommodation within the Municipality of Venice didn’t pay the access fee. On applicable dates, however, they still needed to obtain an exemption QR voucher or complete the exemption-proof procedure. Children under 14 were also eligible for free entry.
Comparing Burano Island and gondola prices
Days when you visited only Burano Island were treated separately
During the 2026 trial, the access fee applied to Venice’s historic center, while visitors going only to small lagoon islands such as Burano didn’t need to register or pay. If you got off at Santa Lucia Station and also toured the historic center, though, you needed to assess the fee separately for that part of the trip.
Gondola prices are per boat for up to 5 people
According to the official guidance, a gondola cost €90 for 30 minutes during the day and €110 for 35 minutes from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Each boat carried up to 5 people. When planning your Venice budget, it’s better to keep the access fee and gondola fare as separate line items.
Food recommendations at Rialto Market
Start with Rialto Market on a morning itinerary
The Rialto fruit and vegetable market is open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The fish market is open Tuesday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. On a day trip, it’s a good idea to fit the fish market into your morning route before it closes.
Cicchetti at a bacaro are local fare
Around Campo dell’Erberia at Rialto, you’ll find bacari, Venetian wine bars where you can try cicchetti, small snacks served with wine. Rather than choosing one restaurant in advance, it’s a good fit for a Venice day trip to visit the market and then take a light break somewhere in this area.
Pre-departure tips to reduce worries about fines
Check the QR code for your date again
A voucher for an applicable date couldn’t be used on another date. If you’ve paid, save the QR code and booking code on your phone, and keep an image file as a backup in case your battery runs low.
Use this checklist before you leave
- Check whether the Venice access fee applies on your date and during your planned hours.
- Distinguish between visiting the historic center and going only to Burano Island.
- If you’re eligible for the overnight-guest exemption, check the exemption-voucher procedure.
- If you need to pay, do so before entering the historic center.
- Save the QR voucher and booking code so you can show them right away.
Venice Access Fee FAQ
Do I still need QR registration after July 27, 2026?
No. After the 2026 trial ended, payment, exemption applications, and showing a QR code were all unnecessary. For future years, check the Municipality of Venice’s new notices to see whether the program will operate.
Can I avoid the access fee if I arrive at Santa Lucia Station before 8:30 a.m.?
No. On the applicable dates in 2026, you needed to register or pay if you stayed in the historic center between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Arriving early by itself didn’t qualify you for an exemption.
What happens if I return to the historic center after visiting Burano Island?
Visiting only Burano Island wasn’t covered by the 2026 trial. But if your itinerary also takes you into the historic center, you need to check the Venice access-fee conditions for that date and time.
Once you’ve set your Venice travel dates, cross-check the official calendar and whether you’re staying overnight one more time the day before departure. That single check makes planning a day-trip route much easier.