We have booked our rooms in Florence, Venice and Rome through Airbnb. All of these locations mention that there is a city tax per person per night (for adults only) that must be paid in cash upon check in. Does anyone know if this is accurate? In Rome, they tell me that they will even give me a receipt after I pay. I just want to make sure it really exists. Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17600 posts
We have paid city tax on apartments in Venice and Rome, although they were not rented through AirBandB. It is paid in cash to the person checking us in upon arrival. It is a couple of euros per person per day, up to a maximum of 5 days ( in Venice anyway). We did get a receipt in each case.
Posted by
Washington DC
28477 posts
I paid that tax many times while traveling in Italy last year. The amount varies by city, and I was always asked to pay it separately and in cash--I guess so the hotel doesn't have to pay credit card fees on money they are simply going to pass through to the city tax authorities.
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
712 posts
Yes these fees are quite normal, completely independent of the cost of the accommodations (be it an apartment rental or hotel) and must be paid in cash. It's actual quite nice that the owners are letting you know ahead of time that this amount is due.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16752 posts
Yep, it's legit. We've had to pay extra city taxes in cash at any number of hotels in Italy so I would assume the same applies to other sorts of accommodations as well.
Posted by
24 posts
We paid it in most places. Booked with VBRO, Airbnb and some R.S. suggested places. It was all small amounts. Rome was the most each night but still just a few eruos. 2.20 per adult in Orvieto I think.
Posted by
Seattle
83 posts
We will soon be on our first Europe trip so I did look into this a little bit. The following link may be helpful to you: https://www.expertoitaly.com/expertoitaly-blog/the-inside-track/italy-tourist-tax-2016.html https://www.italyvacations.com/tourist-taxes-italy-per-city Also, just FYI.. there is a VAT tax on goods - it's built into the sticker price - but visitors can request a refund - it may be worth it if you are making a significant purchase as there are restrictions and it is a process but here's some info. on it: http://www.reidsguides.com/t_mo/t_mo_vat.html OR http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/travellers/leave_eu/vat_refund_index_en.htm
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all for your help!
Posted by
Dallas, TX, USA
25 posts
Tax is legit. Make it easy on yourself. Photocopy your passports for the owner(s) as they will either need you passports or will need to make a copy...just saves time.
Keith