- The access fee for day-trippers is not charged for the rest of 2026, as the trial ended on 26 July
- It returns in 2027 on set dates from late March, with details due by 31 December 2026
- A single vaporetto ride costs €9.50, so a 24-hour pass at €25 pays off from the third trip
- Stay in Cannaregio, Castello or Mestre for better-value rooms
- Eat cicchetti standing at the bar and drink from the free fountains
Venice has a reputation as one of Europe's most expensive cities, and if you drink coffee on St Mark's Square and take a gondola every day, it is. But the city's greatest pleasures cost little or nothing: getting lost in the backstreets, hopping between bars for cicchetti, and riding the water bus down the Grand Canal at dusk. With a bit of planning, Venice can be a surprisingly affordable city break.
Flights from London to Venice Marco Polo or Treviso take about two hours. Here's how to keep costs down once you're there.
The Venice access fee: what you need to know
Venice charges day visitors an access fee (contributo di accesso) to enter the historic centre on selected busy days. Here's where things stand as of October 2026:
- No fee for the rest of 2026. The City of Venice says the 2026 trial period ended on 26 July. From 27 July 2026, you can visit without paying or registering for an exemption.
- How it worked in 2026. The fee applied on 60 days between 3 April and 26 July, mainly weekends and holidays, from 8.30am to 4pm. It cost €5 if you paid at least four days ahead and €10 after that. Children under 14 were exempt. So were people staying overnight in the municipality, though they had to request an exemption. The lagoon islands such as Murano, Burano and Lido were excluded. Visitors without a ticket or exemption faced fines.
- It's coming back in 2027. The city has published 2027 dates, starting on 26 March and running on selected days to mid-August, from 8.30am to 4.30pm. Prices and arrangements are due to be announced by 31 December 2026.
Check the official City of Venice access fee website before you travel in 2027. Only pay through the official portal.
Staying overnight is the simplest way to avoid the fee in future, and you get Venice early and late, when the day-trippers have gone. Just remember to register for your exemption if your visit falls on a fee day.
Where to stay for less
- Cannaregio and Castello: These residential districts in the historic centre are quieter and usually cheaper than San Marco, with plenty of local bars. Cannaregio is close to the railway station.
- Mestre: Hotels on the mainland are much cheaper. Trains and buses reach Venice in about ten minutes. You lose the magic of waking up in the city, but save a lot, especially at weekends.
- Go midweek or off-season. November to March (outside Carnival) and midweek stays are the cheapest. Venice in winter mist is beautiful, though you may get acqua alta (high water) flooding.
All accommodation in Venice, including Mestre, charges a tourist tax per person per night. Rates vary by season, area and type of accommodation.
Getting around: walk first, then buy the right pass
The best way to see Venice is on foot. The city is compact and you can cross it in about an hour. But the vaporetto (water bus) is expensive per trip, so choose your ticket carefully. The 2026 ACTV fares are:
| Ticket | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Single journey, valid 75 minutes | €9.50 |
| 24-hour pass | €25 |
| 48-hour pass | €35 |
| 72-hour pass | €45 |
| 7-day pass | €65 |
| Traghetto (gondola ferry across the Grand Canal) | €2 |
From the third ride in a day, the 24-hour pass is cheaper. If you're aged 6 to 29, the Rolling Venice card (about €6) gets you a 72-hour pass for about €27. Check current fares on the ACTV or Venezia Unica sites.
- Cheapest Grand Canal "cruise": Ride line 1 from Piazzale Roma or the station to San Marco. It's slow and stops everywhere, which is exactly the point.
- Cheapest gondola experience: A traghetto is a gondola ferry that crosses the Grand Canal at a few points for €2. Locals stand, but you can sit.
- From the airport: Buses from Marco Polo to Piazzale Roma are much cheaper than the Alilaguna boat or a water taxi.
Eating and drinking cheaply
- Cicchetti: Venice's answer to tapas. Small bites such as crostini with creamy salt cod, polpette (meatballs) and fried seafood are sold for a few euros each at bàcari, traditional wine bars. Go on a giro di ombre, a bar crawl with a small glass of wine (an ombra) at each stop. Cannaregio's Fondamenta della Misericordia and the streets near the Rialto Market are good places to start.
- Stand at the bar. Coffee drunk standing at the counter costs far less than the same coffee served at a table, especially on St Mark's Square.
- Picnic. Buy bread, cheese and fruit at the Rialto Market (mornings; the fish market is closed on Sundays and Mondays) or a supermarket, and eat by a canal. Don't sit on bridges or monument steps, though: it's banned and fines are enforced.
- Drink from the fountains. Venice's public drinking fountains run with clean, cold water. Bring a refillable bottle.
- Check the bill. A coperto (cover charge) is normal in Italy. Look for prices on the menu before you sit down.
Free and cheap things to do
- Get lost. The backstreets of Cannaregio, Castello and Dorsoduro are free, and often empty even in summer.
- St Mark's Square and the outside of the Basilica. Visiting St Mark's Basilica costs a small fee, and booking a timed slot online saves queuing. Dress modestly and leave large bags behind.
- The Rialto Bridge and market. The bridge is free. The fish market is liveliest early in the morning.
- Churches. Many churches have masterpieces by Titian, Tintoretto and Bellini. Some are free and some charge a small entry fee. The Chorus Pass covers several churches if you plan to see a few.
- Zattere promenade. A long, sunny waterfront in Dorsoduro, perfect for an evening stroll and a gelato.
- The islands. With a vaporetto pass, visit Murano for glassblowing, colourful Burano and quiet Torcello. They make an easy, inexpensive day out.
A budget day in Venice
| Time | What to do | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Rialto Market, then walk through San Polo to the Frari church | Free to small church fee |
| Lunch | Cicchetti and an ombra at a bàcaro | A few euros per bite |
| Afternoon | 24-hour pass: line 1 down the Grand Canal, then Burano | €25 for the day |
| Evening | Sunset on the Zattere, dinner in Cannaregio | Your choice |
When to go
Late autumn, winter (outside Carnival) and early spring are the cheapest seasons, with the fewest crowds. Summer is hot, crowded and expensive. If you're travelling in February, check the Carnival dates, as prices rise sharply then.
For more Italy ideas, see our Italy guide, Florence in 2 days and Rome in 48 hours. Looking for more savings? Read Barcelona on a budget and our guide to the cheapest time to fly from the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to enter Venice in 2026?
Not for the rest of 2026. The city says the 2026 trial of the access fee ended on 26 July. From 27 July 2026, you can visit without paying or requesting an exemption.
Will the Venice access fee return in 2027?
Yes. The City of Venice has published 2027 dates, starting on 26 March and running on selected days to mid-August, from 8.30am to 4.30pm. It says arrangements will be announced by 31 December 2026, so check the official site before you travel.
How much was the Venice day-tripper fee?
In 2026, it cost €5 if paid at least four days in advance and €10 after that, on 60 set days between April and July. Under-14s and overnight guests were exempt.
Is a vaporetto pass worth it?
Usually, yes. A single ride costs €9.50, so the €25 24-hour pass pays off from the third journey. Passes also cover trips to Murano, Burano and Lido.
Is it cheaper to stay in Mestre?
Yes, hotels in Mestre are usually much cheaper than in the historic centre, and trains and buses reach Venice in about ten minutes. You still pay a tourist tax, and you'll miss Venice at its quietest, early and late in the day.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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