A vacation can quickly become expensive once you start adding up hotel costs, food, attractions and other expenses. But some destinations are pricier than others—especially when tourism taxes are factored in. Tourism taxes, often added as daily charges to hotel bills, can vary significantly, with some cities charging much higher rates than others. To shed light on this common fee, U.K.-based financial comparison site Money identified five cities with the highest tourism taxes worldwide, and the number one city is in the U.S.
That's right—when visiting certain cities, you might find yourself paying just for the privilege of being there. While tourism taxes are typically not exorbitant, the amount can add up. Some locations impose a flat nightly fee, while others calculate the tax as a percentage of your hotel bill, so pricier accommodations rack up higher taxes.
Money analyzed some of the world’s most popular tourist spots—relying on data from government websites and news reports—then calculated the tourist taxes in those cities. It turns out the highest tourism taxes can be found right here in the U.S. Honolulu tops the list with a staggering 10.25% tax rate plus a 3% surcharge, translating to an average nightly tourism tax of $51.70. With the average hotel room in Honolulu costing $390, a week-long stay could rack up $361.93 in taxes—and that doesn't even include resort fees.
San Francisco ranks second with a 14% transient occupancy tax for stays under 30 days, averaging nearly $30 per night in taxes. Los Angeles takes third place with a 12% tax on nightly room rates. Amsterdam ranks fourth, charging a 7% tourist tax plus a nightly fee of €3. Rounding out the top five is Orlando, where visitors pay a 6% sales and resort tax.
So there you go: four U.S. cities charge the highest tourist taxes, so plan accordingly when visiting.