This year, travel will be more expensive. But it’s not only airline tickets and hotel stays that travelers will need to shell out for.
In 2026, a surge of new tourist taxes and fees are going into effect, across entire countries, states, and cities, as well as specific sites like museums and monuments.
The idea behind charging the new fees is to help control crowds and ensure the local population benefits from tourism. In some cases, the levies are also going into place to help shore up destinations’ environmental protections and make tourism more sustainable.
Here’s a rundown of some of the major tourist taxes and fees going into effect this in 2026 that will affect U.S. tourists:
United Kingdom ETA
U.S. travelers visiting the U.K. for short stays in 2026 and beyond will need a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in order to enter the country. The ETA costs £16 (about $22), and travelers can apply online through the official government website or on the UK ETA app. To apply, you’ll need the passport you’ll travel with an email address, and a credit card or debit card. You’ll also need to upload a photo of the person applying.
Approval could take up to three working days but might arrive much sooner. The ETA will be linked to the traveler’s passport and valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever is first. Travelers can use the same ETA to enter the UK as many times as they want during that timeframe, and they only need to show their passport upon arrival at a U.K. airport.
European Union ETIAS
Starting in the fourth quarter of 2026, U.S. tourists making short trips (of about 90 days or less) to any of 30 European countries will need to apply for a new travel authorization from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). The authorization costs €20 (about $24), but travelers under 18 or above 70 years old do not have to pay. ETIAS is linked directly to travelers’ passports and valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
You can apply for the ETIAS on the official website or ETIAS mobile app. The application asks travelers to share details about their level of education and current occupation, travel plans, past criminal convictions, and more. You’ll also need a passport with at least three months of validity.
Most travelers will receive a decision within minutes, however, it can take up to four days to receive the authorization, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time. The process could stretch to as long as 14 days if travelers are asked to provide additional information or documentation or even as long as 30 days if they are required to show up to an interview.
Tourist taxes for cities, states, and countries
Kyoto
The Japanese city will hike its existing tourist tax by 900% beginning on March 1, 2026. Travelers will pay the tax through their accommodation with a fee of about $6 to $66 per night added onto their bill, based on the nightly cost of their room.
Hawaii’s Green Fee
As of January 2026, travelers visiting the Hawaiian islands must pay a 10% tax on hotel stays and vacation rentals, which is 0.75% higher than the state’s former tourist tax. A separate levy on cruise ship passengers—that would charge an 11% tax per cabin fare—is currently being challenged by the cruise industry in court and is not yet in effect.
Edinburgh
Starting on July 24, 2026, Edinburgh, Scotland, will begin charging a new 5% levy on overnight accommodations. The tax will be added to travelers’ accommodation bills and only charged on room rates, not add-ons like room service. The fee is projected to raise more than £100 million by 2030 to support city infrastructure, cultural programs, and other public services.
Norway
Some of Norway’s most popular tourist regions will begin charging a tax of up to 3% to overnight accommodations, starting in summer 2026. The new levy isn’t a nationwide policy, but rather one that regions can opt into. The island of Lofoten and the popular aurora-chasing destination Tromsø are two regions that have already said they will charge the tax.
Netherlands
Tax on overnight accommodations across the Netherlands has increased from 9% to 21% of the overall stay as of January 1, 2026. The increased levy applies to most types of accommodations for tourists, including hotels, rentals through online platforms, bed and breakfasts, hostels, and guesthouses.
New or more expensive fees to visit specific sites
Trevi Fountain
Tourists who want to toss a coin into Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain—or at least see the landmark up close—will need to pay a new €2 (about $2.40) fee starting February 1, 2026. Officials say they expect to make about €6.5 million from the new levy, which will go to the city government to help manage Rome’s tourism. Travelers will still be able to see the fountain from a distance for free.
Louvre
Paris’s Louvre Museum is increasing its entrance fee by 45% for non-European visitors. Starting January 14, 2026, visitors from outside of Europe, including tourists from the U.S., will need to pay €32 (about $38) to visit the museum. That’s an increase of €10 from the previous admission fee, which was €22. Visitors in groups of up to 20 will need to pay €28 to enter the Louvre.
Palace of Versailles
Another popular tourist site just outside Paris is hiking its entrance fees for tourists this year. Starting January 14, 2026, the Palace of Versailles will raise its admission prices to €25 ($30) for non-European visitors.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
