Tourists planning international trips may need to pay closer attention to local accommodation taxes, as several major global cities impose significant levies on hotel stays and holiday rentals.

Tourist taxes, typically charged per night or as a percentage of accommodation costs, are increasingly used by governments and city authorities to fund infrastructure, tourism promotion, and public services required to support large numbers of visitors.

Recent data on global accommodation levies shows that cities across North America and Europe dominate the list of destinations with the highest nightly tourist taxes, according to a report by Holidu.

Below are some of the cities where visitors pay the most in accommodation-related tourist taxes, ranked from the least expensive among the top 10 to the most expensive.

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Milan, Italy

Milan raised its tourist accommodation tax for 2026 to help fund infrastructure for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games. The increase applies only to accommodations within 30km of Olympic venues and is limited to the year 2026.

The levy is charged on the first 14 consecutive nights of a stay and varies depending on the type of accommodation.

Guests in four- and five-star hotels are required to pay up to €10 per night, while those staying in one- to three-star hotels, B&Bs, and holiday rentals pay between €3 and €9.50 per night.

Officials say the revenue from the tax will support city infrastructure improvements related to the Olympics, ensuring that Milan can handle the influx of visitors while maintaining quality services and facilities during the event.

Paris, France

Paris introduced revised tourist taxes in 2025, increasing the levies paid by visitors staying in accommodation across the city.

The French capital applies both regional and municipal tourist taxes, with the total amount varying depending on the type and category of accommodation.

Combined charges currently range from about €1.95 per person per night for campsites to as much as €15.60($18) per person per night for luxury hotels.

Authorities say the tax revenue helps fund tourism infrastructure, public services, and cultural preservation in one of the world’s most visited cities.

Paris continues to attract millions of international travellers annually due to its historic landmarks, museums, and global cultural influence, making tourist taxes a significant source of local government revenue.

Kyoto, Japan 

Kyoto already raised its accommodation tax by up to 900% since March 1, 2026, making it the highest tourist levy in Japan. The updated charges apply per person per night and are collected directly through hotels and other accommodations.

Depending on the nightly cost of a room, travellers now pay between $6 and $66 per night. The tax applies to the cost of the room, excluding meals and consumption tax. Budget hotels under ¥6,000 remain at ¥200 per night, mid-range stays ¥6,000–¥19,999 are ¥400, upscale ¥20,000–¥49,999 are ¥1,000, premium ¥50,000–¥99,999 are ¥4,000, and luxury rooms ¥100,000 and above now carry a ¥10,000 per night levy.

Barcelona, Spain 

Barcelona recently introduced one of the highest tourist taxes in Europe, with visitors potentially paying up to €15 ($17.70) per night as authorities seek to curb overtourism and support affordable housing.

The measure was approved by lawmakers in Catalonia following growing complaints from residents who say rising tourist numbers and short-term holiday rentals are pushing up housing costs in the city.

Under the new law, tourist taxes for holiday rentals will double to a maximum of €12.5 per night, up from €6.25, ahead of plans to ban short-term rental accommodation by 2028.

Hotel guests will now pay between €10 and €15 per night, depending on the hotel category, compared with the previous range of €5 to €7.5.

For instance, a two-night stay for a couple in a four-star hotel could add about €45.60 in tourist taxes. About 25% of the revenue raised will be directed toward addressing the city’s housing crisis.

Montreal, Canada 

Montreal ranks as the least expensive among the top five cities for tourist taxes, though it still imposes a notable levy on visitors.

The Canadian city charges a 3.5% accommodation tax on hotel stays priced above $30 per night. On an average holiday rental costing about £71 per night, this translates to an estimated £20.29 nightly tourist tax.

The tax revenue is directed toward the Tourism Partner Fund, which supports tourism development and promotion across the province of Quebec.

Amsterdam 

Amsterdam remains one of Europe’s most heavily taxed tourist destinations after increasing its accommodation levy in recent years.

The city raised its tourist tax from 7% to 12.5% of accommodation costs, one of the highest percentage-based tourism taxes in Europe.

Under the current structure, a hotel room costing €175 per night would attract about €21.80 in tourist taxes.

The policy forms part of Amsterdam’s broader effort to manage overtourism and maintain quality of life for residents, as visitor numbers continue to rise.

Authorities have also introduced additional restrictions on short-term rentals and cruise ships in an effort to limit tourism pressure on the historic city.

Las Vegas, United States 

Las Vegas, widely regarded as the entertainment capital of the world, takes the fourth spot on the list.

The city imposes an accommodation tax of approximately 13.38%, which adds about £25.56 per night to a typical holiday rental priced at £191 per night.

Revenue generated from the tax helps fund education, tourism marketing, and infrastructure projects that sustain the city’s global reputation as a premier entertainment destination.

Washington, D.C., United States 

The U.S. capital ranks third on the list, with visitors required to pay an accommodation tax of about 14.95%.

For a standard holiday rental priced at £205 per night, tourists typically pay around £30.65 in nightly taxes.

While the tax rate may appear steep, the revenue supports public infrastructure and helps maintain many of the city’s cultural and historical landmarks, including the White House and the Washington Monument, many of which remain free for visitors.

New York City, United States 

New York City ranks as the second-most expensive city globally for tourist taxes.

Visitors to the city are required to pay a combined accommodation tax of 14.75% along with a fixed nightly fee of $3.50 per person.

For an average holiday rental priced at about £195 per night, this results in roughly £31.46 in nightly tourist taxes.

With over 60 million visitors annually, the tax serves as a key revenue source used to maintain city infrastructure and support tourism services.

Los Angeles, United States 

Los Angeles tops the ranking as the most expensive city in the world for tourist accommodation taxes.

The city imposes a 15.5% tax on accommodation bookings, one of the highest rates globally.

For a typical holiday rental costing about £205 per night, tourists pay approximately £31.78 per night in taxes, potentially adding more than £200 to a week-long stay.

Despite the additional cost, the city continues to attract millions of visitors each year, drawn by its beaches, entertainment industry, and vibrant nightlife.