Venice Has a Day-Tripper Tax Now — What Else Are You Paying For?

Europe is getting creative with its travel fees.

This post dives into the new charges popping up in cities across the continent — and the small-print surprises that first-time travellers keep missing.

So, here’s a quick heads-up on the hidden costs that can take you by surprise — and what to do about them.

💳 ATM Fees

Cash is still king in plenty of places — especially cafés, kiosks, and public toilets. But foreign ATMs love to pile on charges: one from your bank, one from theirs, and sometimes a cheeky “conversion” to your home currency at a terrible exchange rate.

What to do: Use official bank machines and always opt for local currency. Travel cards like Monzo or Revolut are great for avoiding fees and tracking spending without the nasty exchange rate surprise.

🚽 Paying for Toilets

Public loos often charge €0.50–€1, even in big train stations or shopping centres — and no, they rarely take card. It’s annoying when you’ve just overpaid for a drink and still get asked for coins at the bathroom door.

What to do: Combine your toilet break with a coffee or lunch stop — but always check first. I once paid €9 for a milkshake in Milan- in a desperate situation shall we say -and still had to cough up for the loo.

🏨 City Taxes (and Day-Tripper Fees)

Most cities in Europe charge a per-night tourist tax. Rome is €4–10, Lisbon is €2–4, and Venice now charges day-trippers €5–10 on select dates. You need to register online, even if you’re exempt as an overnight guest.

What to do: Google the local rates (they’re usually based on hotel star rating) and set the cash aside. In places like Prague, it’s charged at checkout — so don’t assume you got away without paying.

🧭 “Free” Walking Tours

I love these and recommend them often — but if you think “free” means you can slip away unnoticed, think again. These tours run on tips, and I’ve seen more than one awkward moment when someone tried to leave without paying.

What to do: Bring cash and plan to tip around €5–€10 per person for a group tour. If money’s tight that day, it’s better to skip it than put the guide in a tough spot.

🚊 Transport Fines

Buying a ticket isn’t enough in some cities. In Budapest, you need to validate it once on board — and if you don’t (or you validate the wrong side of the ticket) you can be fined on the spot. No warning, no mercy.

What to do: Many cities now offer official transport apps with digital tickets that auto-validate. If not, Google how it works before hopping on. It’ll save you from a €100 lecture in broken English from a ticket inspector.

🍽 Tipping Traps

Tipping isn’t huge across Europe, but that doesn’t mean it’s always included. In Italy, Greece, and some parts of Spain, you’re expected to leave 5–10%. On top of that, you might see a “coperto” (cover charge) — which is for bread and table settings, not a tip.

I’m Budapest, if you say “thank you” as you are handing cash over, they may take this as “keep the change”. My Dad learned this the hard way and the bartender got quite a hefty tip!

What to do: Check the bill. If it says “service included,” you’re good. If not, leave a couple of euros unless the service was a disaster. And don’t confuse the coperto with gratuity — they’re not the same.

📱 Roaming Charges

Roaming isn’t free for UK travellers anymore. Your provider might charge for calls, texts, or data — and it adds up quickly. I’m with Vodafone, which offers 25GB in select EU countries, but that’s not standard.

What to do: Download maps and translation tools over Wi-Fi at your hotel. Plan café breaks with free Wi-Fi if you need to check directions or booking confirmations on the go.

🧳 Luggage Storage

Got a late flight and nowhere to stash your bag? Most major train stations have lockers, but they’re not cheap — especially in cities like Paris. Dragging your suitcase around cobbles and metro stairs is not the one.

What to do: Budget €5–€10 for a locker if your hotel doesn’t offer storage. Check before you book, or plan your final day somewhere luggage-friendly (ideally near snacks and toilets, let’s be honest).

✈️ Internal Flight Luggage Fees

A £9 Ryanair flight sounds great — until you get stung for your bag. If you don’t pay for priority boarding or a cabin bag upgrade, even a backpacker’s backpack can cost €70 at the gate. Brutal.

What to do: Add bags during booking — it’s always cheaper. Read the fine print on dimensions (yes, they check), and don’t assume a backpack automatically counts as your personal item.

🎯 Final Thoughts

None of these are massive expenses — but when they sneak up on you, they’re frustrating.

A bit of planning goes a long way. Knowing about these little extras won’t ruin the magic of the trip — it just gives you more room (and budget) to enjoy the good stuff: a better hotel room, an extra gelato, or that spontaneous boat tour you didn’t think you could afford.

So, if this is your first time in Europe — or just your first time reading the fine print — I hope this saves you a few euros and a lot of eye rolls. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably still overpay for a novelty dessert at some point. Worth it.