When mapping out that weekend escape, most think flights, hotels, food—but there’s an increasing expense often missed: tourist taxes. These fees, tacked on by cities worldwide for local infrastructure and tourism support, are seriously impacting trip costs.
A recent Holidu analysis (they looked at 100 popular global spots) shows these taxes can really add up, sometimes hitting 20% of your room rate in major cities. They dug into city taxes, levies, and overnight fees, comparing them to average peak-season prices for decent, three-star hotels.
Amsterdam Tops the European Rankings
Amsterdam tops Europe with its 12.5% accommodation tax. For a couple of nights in a mid-range hotel, expect to pay over €30 extra per room, which adds up. But it’s not alone—other European cities have jumped on the tax bandwagon:
In Greece, Athens, Rhodes, Heraklion (Crete), and Thessaloniki, for instance, the fixed nightly fees are based on the hotel’s category. They aren’t percentage-based, but they quickly accumulate.
Italy’s Milan, Rome, Florence, and Bologna vary their rates. Rome can charge up to €7 a night, per person, depending on accommodation.
Berlin, the highest in Germany, applies a 5% overnight tax on the net room rate, no matter what the hotel class.
These popular spots highlight a trend across Europe: tourist taxes aren’t just revenue streams, they’re tools to manage overtourism and fund sustainability.
Europe’s Metropolises with the Highest Tourist Taxes:
- Amsterdam
- Athens
- Rhodes
- Heraklion
- Thessaloniki
- Berlin
- Milan
- Rome
- Florence
- Bologna
U.S. and Canada Lead Global Tax Burden
Things get pricier outside Europe. The report shows that U.S. cities dominate globally, with taxes and fees hitting 20% on top of room rates.
Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. lead, with Las Vegas, Montreal, and Honolulu close behind. Interestingly, Amsterdam ranks seventh worldwide, showing how high North American fees can be.
These taxes mix city levies, state/provincial taxes, and federal excise taxes, meaning travelers might not see the multiple layers until the final bill.
The Growing Impact on Travelers
Tourist taxes, once minor annoyances, are now key for budget travelers. With accommodation already a huge expense, these fees seriously impact affordability.
Moreover, while cities justify these taxes with promises of reinvestment in public services, cultural preservation, or environmental projects, critics argue the burden falls mainly on visitors, not residents.