8 Countries More Expensive for Singaporeans to Travel to in 2026—and Why

You know that pinch when everyday buys suddenly costs more? Last week, my regular yuan yang went from $1.60 to $1.70. Don’t laugh—it may just be 10 cents, but it adds up. 

Big-ticket shocks sting even more. While prepping for my wedding, a bridal studio told me that their 2026 packages would jump by $300–$800. Now that’s a big ouch.

We’re used to these little price hikes on our daily favourites, and we don’t blink when premium services like photography or gown rentals quietly tack on a few hundred dollars to their packages. But there’s another cost, a little further from home, that can really sneak up on you: tourism taxes.

More countries are quietly adding new fees for visitors—maybe a $10 entry charge at the airport, or a few extra dollars tacked onto your hotel bill. For Singaporeans, this means your 2026 holiday might be pricier than you expect, especially if you’re eyeing places like Japan, Thailand, or a summer in Europe.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through which countries are bumping up travel costs, what’s behind these new fees, and a few simple tips to help your holiday money go further.

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TL;DR: Where and when your travel will cost more in 2026

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Thailand—new 300-baht (S$12.30) tourist entry fee

• What’s new: 300-baht (~S$12.30) tourism entry fee
• Who pays: All foreign visitors (including Singaporeans)
• Starting from: Feb 2026

Travelling to Thailand will cost a little more from Feb 2026. The new 300-baht (~S$12.30) entry fee—called “Kha Yeap PanDin”, literally “stepping onto Thai soil”—applies whether you arrive by air, land, or sea. If you’re planning to enter Thailand multiple times, remember you’ll pay this fee each time.

The money isn’t just going into a black hole. About 70 baht (S$2.90) of the fee covers your basic travel insurance, while the rest goes towards upgrades to tourist facilities and infrastructure.

There may be exemptions for those with work visas or who cross the border regularly, but for most holidaymakers, it’s an extra cost to plan for

ALSO READ: A 2D1N Bangkok Shopping Guide: 7 Spots for the Ultimate Retail Fix

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Japan (Kyoto)—higher lodging tax, S$1.62–S$81 per night

• What’s new: Tiered hotel/accommodation tax in Kyoto (¥200–¥10,000 per night, about S$1.62–S$81)
• Who pays: All visitors staying overnight in Kyoto, including Singaporeans
• Starting from: Mar 2026

Staying in Kyoto is set to get pricier from Mar 2026, thanks to a new, tiered lodging tax. Depending on where you stay, the tax ranges from ¥200 (S$1.62) per night for budget accommodation all the way up to ¥10,000 (~S$81) per night for luxury hotels—the highest in the country. 

This move aims to help Kyoto manage overtourism and maintain its historic sites, public transport, and tourist facilities. Authorities expect the new tax to double what’s currently collected, with revenue supporting upgrades and new services like express buses.

For most Singaporean travellers, it means your accommodation bill in Kyoto will be noticeably higher in 2026. Plus, since the tax is tiered, the more you splurge, the higher the nightly tax you’ll pay—definitely something to factor into your budget.

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Norway—new municipal tourist tax of up to 3%

• What’s new: Up to 3% tax on hotel and cruise stays (excludes campers, tents, and private boats)
• Who pays: All overnight visitors and cruise passengers (including Singaporeans)
• Starting from: Summer 2026 (around Jun 2026)

Visiting Norway’s stunning fjords or Arctic towns will come with an extra charge starting in summer 2026. Local municipalities can introduce a tourist tax of up to 3% on hotel bills and cruise ship visits—so your accommodation and cruise costs may be higher than expected.

The goal is to ease the pressure on local infrastructure as tourist numbers surge, especially in hotspots like Bergen, Geiranger, and Tromsø. The extra funds will go towards maintaining public amenities, trails, and facilities for both locals and visitors.

If you’re planning to visit Norway, keep this tax in mind when budgeting for your trip, as it can add up quickly on longer stays or cruises.

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Spain (Barcelona/Catalonia)—higher tourist taxes of up to S$7.50 per night

• What’s increasing: City and regional tourist taxes (up to €5 per night, about S$7.50)
• Who pays: All overnight visitors staying in hotels or rentals (including Singaporeans)
• Starting from: 1 Jan 2026 (with further increases planned, reaching €8/S$12 by 2029)

If Barcelona or other parts of Catalonia are on your 2026 travel list, expect to pay higher nightly tourist taxes. Barcelona’s city surcharge jumps to from €4 (S$6) in 2025 to €5 (S$7.50) per night in 2026, and you’ll also pay a separate regional tax if you’re staying anywhere in Catalonia. Other Spanish regions, like Galicia, the Basque Country, and parts of the Balearic Islands, are introducing or increasing similar levies.

The extra charges are meant to support local infrastructure and promote responsible tourism, but for travellers, it simply means a higher accommodation bill. For longer trips or family holidays, these nightly fees can add up quickly.

Tip: Check if your accommodation lists both the city and regional taxes up front, so there are no surprises at checkout.

ALSO READ: Why Travel Spending Gets Messy—and the Simple Way to Fix It

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Italy (Venice)—expanded day-tripper fee of up to S$15

• What’s increasing: Day entry fee (€5–€10, about S$7.50–S$15) for short visits
• Who pays: All non-residents visiting Venice for the day (including Singaporeans)
• Starting from: More days in 2026, with double fees for last-minute bookings

If you’re planning to visit Venice in 2026, be ready for an expanded day-tripper fee. The standard entry fee remains €5 (S$7.50), but if you book your visit less than 3 days in advance, the cost doubles to €10 (S$15). So if you’re planning on visiting the Floating City this year, you’d best lock in your plans early to avoid paying double for last-minute bookings.

This day-tripper fee also applies on more high-traffic days than before—60 high-traffic days in 2026 vs 54 days in 2025. Overnight guests and local residents are exempt, but must register their stay online. The fees go toward preserving Venice’s historic sites and managing the crowds that flock to the city each year.

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Greece—new cruise passenger fees of S$4.50–S$30

• What’s new: Disembarkation fee for cruise passengers
• Who pays: All cruise visitors arriving at major Greek islands (including Singaporeans)
• Starting from: Already in effect, with peak season hikes in 2026

Cruising to Greece’s famous islands now comes with extra charges, especially for Santorini and Mykonos. Here’s a quick look at the fees:

These fees are meant to help manage tourist crowds and support upgrades to ports, waste management, and local infrastructure. Most of the time, these charges are included in your cruise fare, so you won’t need to pay separately at the port.

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United Kingdom (Edinburgh)—new 5% accommodation levy

• What’s new: 5% accommodation tax on first 5 nights
• Who pays: All visitors staying in hotels, B&Bs, and short-term rentals (including Singaporeans)
• Starting from: 24 July 2026 (with an exception for early bookings)

Heading to Edinburgh in 2026? The city is introducing a new visitor levy: a 5% tax on the cost of your paid overnight accommodation (before VAT), covering your first 5 nights. This charge applies to hotels, B&Bs, and short-term rentals, but not to extras like parking, meals, drinks, or transport.

There’s a special exception if you’re an early planner: stays on or after 24 Jul 2026 that were booked and paid for (in part or full) before 1 Oct 2025 will not be subject to the levy. So if you locked in your accommodation early, you’re in luck!

The goal of this new tax is to support local services as Edinburgh welcomes more tourists every year. Similar levies may roll out in other UK cities, including London, so it’s worth keeping an eye out.

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United States—additional ~S$129 national park fees for foreigners

• What’s increasing: Additional US$100 (~S$129) entry fee for non-residents at 11 major national parks; higher annual pass prices for foreigners
• Who pays: All international visitors (including Singaporeans) to selected US national parks
• Starting from: 2026

If you’re planning to visit America’s iconic national parks—like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or the Everglades—there’s a new fee to budget for in 2026. Foreign visitors will need to pay an extra US$100 (~S$129) per person to enter 11 of the country’s most popular parks. Annual passes for non-residents will also rise to over US$250 (S$322), compared to US$80 (S$102.94) for US citizens and permanent residents.

The extra revenue is meant to support conservation, maintenance, and better visitor management after years of budget cuts and surging attendance.

Tip: Double-check which parks are affected before planning your route, as the extra fee only applies to 11 top sites.

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Why it pays to plan ahead

With all these new travel fees popping up, it’s smart to do a little homework before you book—so you don’t get surprised by extra charges at your destination. Since your trip might cost a bit more anyway, why not make your spending work for you? Use a good miles credit card when you pay for hotels, flights, and even those new tourist taxes, and you’ll rack up rewards or air miles with every transaction.

Not sure which card to use? Check out our picks for the best credit cards for overseas spending and start earning on your next holiday.

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This article was first drafted with the help of AI and later reviewed and refined by the author.

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