How Much Does Venice Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Venice is a premium destination where the logistics of an island city drive daily costs significantly higher than in mainland Italy. Daily budgets range from $147 / €125 for solo budget travelers to over $1,236 / €1,050 for a luxury experience. Because all goods must be transported by boat, even basic items carry a surcharge, making mid-range 3-star hotels in areas like San Polo average around $218 / €185 per night. Visitors should prepare for unique expenses such as water-based transit and mandatory museum bundles. While expensive compared to other European hubs, the absence of cars and the historic lagoon setting provide a high-value experience for those who plan ahead.
Is Venice expensive to visit?
Venice is an expensive island destination — expect to spend between $147 / €125 and $1,236 / €1,050 per day depending on whether you choose a mainland hostel or a Grand Canal palace.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Venice
$147
per person /day
$365
per person /day
$1,236
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $441 | $1,095 | $3,708 |
| 5-Day Trip | $736 | $1,824 | $6,179 |
| 7-Day Trip | $1,030 | $2,554 | $8,651 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
Maintain a 15% budget buffer to account for the 'Coperto' (table cover charge) in restaurants and the $7.06 / €6 music surcharge at St. Mark's Square. This also covers the Venice Access Fee required for day-visitors on peak dates, ensuring unexpected administrative costs don't disrupt your trip.
How Does It Compare?
See how Venice stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Venice
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-range 3-course dinner for two (no drinks) Look for restaurants in Cannaregio or Castello for better value. | $103 €88 |
| Inexpensive restaurant single meal Often includes a pasta dish or pizza and a small water. | $24 €20 |
| Cappuccino at a local cafe bar Price is for 'al banco' (standing at the bar). Sitting at a table can double or triple the price. | $2.32 €1.97 |
Transport (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Vaporetto (Water Bus) 75-minute single ticket Validity begins at the time of validation on the pier. Includes transfers within 75 minutes. | $11 €9.5 |
| ACTV 24-hour Travelcard (unlimited water bus) Most cost-effective if taking more than 2 trips in a day. | $29 €25 |
| Alilaguna Airport Water Shuttle (One Way) Takes ~1 hour to reach San Marco from Marco Polo Airport. | $18 €15 |
| Private Water Taxi (Airport to City Center) Fixed rate for up to 4 passengers with luggage; surcharge applies for more people. | $141 €120 |
| Traghetto (Grand Canal Ferry crossing) Cash only; short standing ride across the canal at specific points. | $2.35 €2 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in a highly-rated hostel (e.g., Anda Venice) Prices for dorms in Mestre (mainland) are usually ~$29–$47 / €25–€40 cheaper than on the island. | $88 €75 |
| Mid-range 3-star hotel in San Polo (per night) Booking 3–4 months in advance is essential to keep rates under $235 / €200. | $218 €185 |
| Luxury 5-star hotel (e.g., Hotel Danieli) nightly rate Grand Canal views often add a $235–$471 / €200–€400 premium per night. | $1,000 €850 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Museums Entrance Mandatory combined ticket for Doge's Palace, Correr Museum, and Archaeology Museum. | $41 €35 |
| St. Mark's Basilica + Pala d'Oro + Museum Bundle Includes the Loggia view over the square and the Golden Altarpiece. | $18 €15 |
| Daytime Gondola Ride (30 mins per boat) Maximum 5 passengers. Price is per boat, not per person. | $106 €90 |
| St. Mark's Campanile (Bell Tower) Elevator Highly recommended for 360-degree views of the lagoon. | $14 €12 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining revolves around 'Cicchetti' (small plates) and lagoon seafood, with a mid-range three-course dinner for two costing approximately $103 / €88. Budget meals can be found for $24 / €20, while a quick $2.32 / €1.97 cappuccino 'al banco' (standing) is the most economical way to enjoy local cafe culture.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Bacareto da Lele
$1.77–$5.89 / €1.5–€5Santa Croce · Local chain
Grab a ~$1.77 / €1.5 panino and eat it on the steps of the nearby church like a local.
Dal Moro's Fresh Pasta To Go
$8.24–$14 / €7–€12Castello · Street food area
They do not have seating; find a nearby bridge to enjoy your pasta for ~$9.42 / €8.
I Tre Mercanti
$5.89–$9.42 / €5–€8Castello · Bakery
The classic tiramisu (~$5.89 / €5) is prepared fresh in the window.
Osteria Al Squero
$2.35–$12 / €2–€10Dorsoduro · Local chain
Order 3–4 cicchetti and a 'spritz' for under ~$14 / €12 total.
Pasticceria Tonolo
$1.77–$4.71 / €1.5–€4Dorsoduro · Bakery
Try the seasonal 'fritelle' (~$2.35 / €2) if visiting during Carnival season.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the canals is essential, with a 75-minute Vaporetto ticket costing $11 / €9.5, or a $29 / €25 24-hour Travelcard for unlimited trips. The $2.35 / €2 Traghetto ferry offers the cheapest way to cross the Grand Canal, while private water taxis from the airport reach up to $141 / €120.
Accommodation Overview
A mid-range 3-star hotel in San Polo typically costs $218 / €185 per night, but staying in a Mestre hostel for $88 / €75 (roughly $29–$47 / €25–€40 cheaper than the island) is a popular budget alternative. For a splurge, luxury icons like Hotel Danieli charge $1,000 / €850 per night, especially for coveted Grand Canal views.
Accommodation Budget in Venice
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Always drink your coffee standing 'al banco' at places like Pasticceria Tonolo to pay $2.32 / €1.97 instead of significantly higher seated prices.
- 2 Cross the Grand Canal using a $2.35 / €2 Traghetto at points like Santa Sofia rather than paying $106 / €90 for a private gondola ride.
- 3 Stay in the Mestre area on the mainland to save $29–$47 / €25–€40 per night on accommodation while remaining a short train ride away.
- 4 Avoid the $11 / €9.5 single Vaporetto fare by purchasing a $29 / €25 24-hour Travelcard if taking more than two boat trips in one day.
- 5 Visit Bacareto da Lele in Santa Croce for inexpensive wine and small sandwiches to keep lunch costs under $12 / €10.
- 6 Eat fresh take-away pasta from Dal Moro’s in Castello for a high-quality $24 / €20 meal without sit-down service fees.
- 7 Refill water bottles at the city's public 'nasoni' (fountains) to avoid paying $3.53 / €3 or more for bottled water at tourist kiosks.
- 8 Book mid-range hotels at least 3–4 months in advance to keep nightly rates below the $235 / €200 mark.
- 9 Dine in the Cannaregio or Castello districts where a three-course dinner for two is closer to $103 / €88 compared to San Marco prices.
- 10 Visit Osteria Al Squero in Dorsoduro for authentic 'Cicchetti' while watching gondolas being repaired for free from across the canal.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Feb, May, Jun, Sep, Dec
+30–50%
Jan, Nov
-25–40%
Mar, Oct
February is exceptionally expensive due to Carnival. Mid-March and October offer temperatures around 15–18°C (59–64°F) with lower accommodation rates (~$165–$188 / €140–€160 for mid-range).
Events to Watch
- ● Carnevale (February): +100% hotel rates
- ● Venice Biennale Opening (May): High demand
- ● Venice Film Festival (Late Aug/Early Sep): Lido prices surge
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Walk across the Rialto Bridge to watch the boat traffic on the Grand Canal.
- 2 Visit the San Pantalon Church in Dorsoduro to see the world's largest ceiling canvas painting for free.
- 3 Explore the historic Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto Nuovo) in the Cannaregio district.
- 4 Wander through the Libreria Acqua Alta, a unique bookstore where books are kept in gondolas and bathtubs.
- 5 Walk the Zattere waterfront at sunset for views across the Giudecca Canal.
- 6 Enter the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (main area is free) to view the Baroque architecture.
- 7 Watch free glass-blowing demonstrations at smaller workshops on Murano island (check for signs outside).
- 8 Explore the public areas of the Giardini della Biennale, a rare green space in the city.
- 9 Visit the exterior of the Scala Contarini del Bovolo to see its famous multi-arch spiral staircase.
- 10 Attend a free evening organ concert at the San Cassiano church (check schedules locally).
- 11 Walk through the Campo Santa Margherita to enjoy the local market and street performer atmosphere.
- 12 Photograph the colorful houses of Burano (the island is free to walk, though the ferry costs money).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Opera at Teatro La Fenice
One of the most beautiful opera houses in the world with incredible acoustics. Seats in the boxes cost ~$141–$294 / €120–€250.
Nighttime Private Gondola Ride
The city is magical at night and the canals are much quieter. A ~$129 / €110 splurge for 5 people (~$26 / €22 each).
Full Day Private Motorboat Lagoon Tour
Avoiding crowded vaporettos to see Burano, Murano, and Torcello in luxury is worth ~$129 / €110 per person in a group of 5.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Venice
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Venice and what they cost
Verona
$25 / €21 by train
$12 / €10
$77 / €65
Padua (Padova)
$14 / €12 by train
$19 / €16
$53 / €45
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in hotels and restaurants, but small 'bacari' (tapas bars) often require cash for purchases under $12 / €10.
Tipping is not mandatory. Rounding up to the nearest $5.89 / €5 or $12 / €10 for excellent restaurant service is appreciated. Do not tip at the bar.
Avoid 'Euronet' ATMs which charge high fees and use poor exchange rates. Use bank-affiliated ATMs (Bancomat) like Intesa Sanpaolo or UniCredit.
Connectivity
eSIM: $20–$37 for 10GB–50GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $29–$35 / €25–€30 for 100GB (TIM/Vodafone) at Venice Santa Lucia station.
WiFi: Limited in public squares; excellent in hotels and most mid-range cafés.
Airalo eSIMs are very reliable in Venice; for heavy users, a 50GB plan for ~$37 / €32 is best.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Venice.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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