Travel: How international locations around the globe cost vacationers with surcharges | EUROtoday

Travelers to Thailand have recognized this all too properly for years. The common journey vacation spot has perfected the twin pricing system for tourism. Almost in all places there’s a distinction between locals and foreigners in relation to cash and subsequently revenue.

Whether in Bangkok, Phuket or Koh Samui: those that look or behave like vacationers pay greater than others, usually ten occasions as a lot. Western worldwide guests, normally known as farang, earn greater than others within the nationwide parks, museums and even the royal palace in Bangkok.

Expensive Thailand

But additionally when buying, at markets, in scooter taxis, in eating places and bars and in lodges. The derisive time period “farang tax” for the twin pricing system is now a family phrase in Thailand: in case you don’t look Thai, you simply pay extra. One attraction, two prizes. The move makes the distinction on the checkout.

That’s not all: From mid-2026, worldwide vacationers pays an entry price: Foreign passengers who keep in Thailand for greater than 24 hours will then must pay 300 baht (round 8.15 euros) per individual upon entry.

Many holidaymakers usually contemplate such a differentiation to be utterly respectable and justified in rising international locations. According to the motto: If you may have lots, you give lots. International vacationers are already paying a hefty surcharge for issues just like the Taj Mahal in India, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and safaris in Kenya.

Trend: surcharge for foreigners

But now industrialized nations such because the USA, Japan, France and New Zealand, which one would assume might afford a little bit of tradition for everybody, have found the profitable surcharge for foreigners.

Since the start of 2026, worldwide guests to the USA have been paying a hefty further price in the event that they need to go to one of many eleven hottest nationwide parks within the nation, together with specifically the Grand Canyon, the Everglades, Yosemite and Yellowstone National Park. There is a $100 surcharge per individual ages 16 and older, along with the traditional admission worth of about $20. That provides up!

Alternatively, in case you purchase an annual move for a number of US nationwide parks since you are touring for a number of weeks, you’ll now pay $250 per automotive with 4 folks as an alternative of the common $80. The purpose for that is that overseas guests ought to take part extra in financing pure beauties.

Japan: Dual pricing allowed

Japan additionally depends on totally different entry costs for home and overseas company, for instance on the Junglia theme park on Okinawa or on the Nanzoin Temple in Fukuoka Prefecture. From March 2026, overseas guests pays a surcharge for one of many nation’s most visited sights, Himeji Castle. In the longer term, all state museums may even be allowed to distinguish between Japanese and overseas company by way of worth.

France’s particular route

Our neighboring nation France would have preferred to comply with the identical path because the USA, Thailand or Japan, however as an EU member it’s legally way more sophisticated. Since mid-January 2026, solely residents of nations exterior the European Economic Area – which incorporates the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – have needed to pay as much as 45 % extra admission.

This applies to the Louvre, the National Opera and the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, but in addition to Versailles and the magnificent Chambord Castle within the Loire. More museums and sights are prone to comply with.

Holidaymakers around the globe must be ready for the truth that nationality is more and more figuring out the value. And certainly: New Zealand is following swimsuit and is planning an additional price for prime sights equivalent to Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Cathedral Cove from 2027 – and this solely applies to overseas guests.