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The tourist attractions charging Brits more to visit
From post-Brexit ‘dual pricing’ at museums and galleries to national parks charging hundreds – we report on the higher prices that foreign visitors are being made to pay
An Orwell prize-nominated investigative journalist, Kate lives in Portugal and covers news, travel rules, tourist taxes and visas.
It’s not just city and tourist taxes you’ll need to budget for on your next holiday.
Major attractions are now rolling out ‘differential’ or ‘dual' pricing, which sees new or increased admission fees for foreign visitors.
The Louvre, one of Paris’s most popular tourist attractions, hiked its prices from €22 to €32 last year — but only for British tourists and anyone else from outside the European Economic Area (EEA, which includes the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). Those residing in the EU now pay €10 less to visit the attraction.
It’s not the only attraction in Paris to do so, with the Palace of Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle and others charging more to UK travellers and visitors from outside the EEA.
Where else is dual pricing happening?
Charging new or increased fees at attractions to non-residents is becoming increasingly commonplace, particularly at the most popular tourist attractions.
In Italy, the famous Trevi fountain now charges a fee to those who aren’t residents of the city of Rome. Similarly, Venice charges a €5 day tripper fee to tourists who aren’t staying in the Veneto region overnight during peak season.
It’s not just cultural attractions charging an international visitor fee – you may also spot dual pricing on hiking routes and some private beaches. The island of Madeira has introduced €3 fees for non-residents over the age of 12 at more than 30 popular hiking trails, with a €50 fine for those who don’t pay. Similarly, in Tenerife, you’ll need to buy a permit or pass to walk the most popular trails in Teide National Park, costing €10-€25 per person depending on your route and whether you’re going with a guide. Locals don’t have to pay this, while residents from elsewhere in the Canary Islands pay reduced fees.
Likewise, in the USA, British tourists and other non-residents now face skyrocketing fees. On top of existing entrance fees, non-USA residents must now pay $100 (approximately £75) to visit the 11 most popular parks in the US, including Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, or $250 (approximately £185) for a multi-visit pass.
How save on sightseeing
- A number of European city-break hotspots, such as Florence, Paris and Lisbon, offer free admission to museums on the first Sunday of the month — even for non-residents.
- If the cost of your trip is adding up, it may be worth booking a package tour through a holiday company. With decent holiday providers, the headline price you pay usually includes admission to tourist attractions and any national parks or sites included in the itinerary.
- The card you use to pay when spending abroad has an impact on the final price. Choose a specialist travel debit or credit card with a 0% non-sterling transaction fee. This will help you to avoid getting stung by network exchange rates (usually 3% of your purchase) and other fees, which add up.
Read our full guide to save on the cost of sightseeing on your next trip.
