Vacationer charges, rule adjustments and newly-imposed bans — listed below are the brand new journey guidelines that you could know in 2023!
Worldwide journey is again to pre-pandemic instances and we’re excited to go to our favorite locations as soon as once more! However travelling might not be the identical as earlier than, as some common locations have began introducing new journey guidelines to curb the inflow of vacationers 😭
From vacationer charges to scooter bans and new digital purposes, right here’s an inventory of recent journey guidelines all over the world! Take a look to see in case your favorite vacation vacation spot is affected:
1) Thailand: ฿300 (~S$12) entry price from Sep 2023
For these planning to journey to the Land of Smiles, take word that Thailand might be imposing entry charges beginning September 2023 — ฿300 (~S$12) for guests arriving by air, and ฿150 (~S$6) for these coming into by way of land or sea.
However hey, a minimum of it’s for a superb trigger. The proceeds will assist develop native vacationer points of interest and supply insurance coverage protection for travellers.
Learn additionally: 8D Thailand Itinerary — Street Journey from Bangkok Beneath S$900
2) Indonesia: Bali imposes vacationer scooter ban
Photograph credit score: CNN
Foreigners in Bali will quickly be banned from renting scooters after a spate of incidents involving folks breaking visitors legal guidelines.
The proposed ban might be carried out by means of a regional regulation later in 2023, however how it will likely be enforced stays unclear. Don’t fear although, you possibly can nonetheless go for Seize/Gojek or hire a non-public constitution to get round Bali!
Learn additionally: 13 Greatest Issues To Do in Bali in 2022 — Hidden Gems, Should-visits and New Experiences
3) South Korea: Doable tourism price for Jeju Island
Jeju is certainly one of our favorite locations — with distinctive pure landmarks, pristine seashores and scrumptious avenue meals. However, you would possibly quickly have to pay a mean entry price of ₩8,170 per day (~S$8.20) to discover this common vacation island.
The charges embrace ₩1,500 (~S$1.50) for every evening of keep, ₩5,000 (~S$5) per day for a automotive or minivan rental, and 5% of the price of renting a bus.
Native authorities plan to make use of the cash for environmental sustainability — after a tourism increase led to an overload of sewage and rubbish on the “Hawaii of Asia”.
Learn additionally: 17 Thrilling Issues to Do in Jeju — From Bucket Listing Experiences to Lesser-Identified Sights
4) Japan: JR move worth improve; Kyoto to cease promoting 1-day bus passes
The JR move has been some of the inexpensive methods to discover Japan. As an illustration, we saved ~S$72 utilizing the JR move when exploring Osaka and its outskirts!
However touring the Land of the Rising Solar by prepare will quickly come at an extra value, as costs of JR Passes will improve by a mean of 70% beginning October 2023.
Right here’s a breakdown:
| JR Go | Earlier than | After |
| 7-day Strange Automobile JR Go | ¥29,650 (~S$296) | ¥50,000 (~S$500) |
| 14-day Strange Automobile JR Go | ¥47,250 (~S$473) | ¥80,000 (~S$800) |
| 21-day Strange Automobile JR Go | ¥60,450 (~S$604) | ¥100,000 (~S$1000) |
| 7-day Inexperienced Automobile JR Go | ¥39,600 (~S$396) | ¥70,000 (~S$700) |
| 14-day Inexperienced Automobile JR Go | ¥64,120 (~S$640) | ¥110,000 (~S$1100) |
| 21-day Inexperienced Automobile JR Go | ¥83,390 (~S$833) | ¥140,000 (~S$1400) |
On prime of that, Kyoto additionally plans to cease promoting its one-day bus passes from September 2023 to fight overcrowding. A fast reminder — this move offers you limitless rides on metropolis buses for ¥700 (~S$7), in comparison with a typical bus fare which prices ¥230 (~S$2.30) per journey.
Right here’s some excellent news although, if you happen to’ve already bought the bus move, it’ll nonetheless be legitimate till the tip of March 2024!
Learn additionally: JR Go Information — 9 Issues You Want To Know Earlier than Getting Your First Japan Rail Go
5) Nepal: Solo and impartial trekkers banned
Beginning 1 April 2023, the Nepal Tourism Board has banned all impartial and solo trekking within the nation. Beneath new journey guidelines, overseas hikers and cyclists can solely roam the nation when accompanied by a licensed native information 😱.
This transfer goals to enhance security for foreigners, increase employment for locals and improve tourism receipts for the Himalayan nation.
In case you’re seeking to conquer a trek in Nepal and are struggling to search out your crew, be part of us on our 14D Annapurna Circuit Trek, Nepal Expedition! 😉
6) Bhutan: Reopens with US$200/evening (~S$289) vacationer tax
Photograph credit score: The Telegraph
Bhutan lastly reopened its borders in September 2022, however not earlier than elevating its vacationer tax by practically thrice!
The distant Himalayan kingdom now imposes a vacationer tax of U$200/evening (~S$270), a stark improve from U$65/evening (~S$87) previous to the pandemic — making it the nation with the world’s highest tourism tax.
Native authorities cited the quantity as a “sustainable growth tax”, however visiting the self-proclaimed “happiest nation on earth” would possibly quickly be a cheerful afterthought for a lot of.
7) Italy: Selfie ban in Portofino
Photograph credit score: BBC
In case you’re somebody who loves snapping selfies, then assume twice when visiting the well-known Italian city of Portofino.
Native authorities lately launched fines of between €68 (~S$100) and €275 (~S$403) in “no-waiting” zones to discourage vacationers from lingering in common spots. The rule was imposed over the Easter weekend and can stay in place till October.
However if you happen to’re determined for that selfie, the ban is lifted at 6PM each day — simply received to plan your go to on the proper time.
8) Spain: New tourism tax guidelines in Barcelona and Valencia
Photograph credit score: @me_llamo_aki by way of Instagram
The vacationer tax in Barcelona might be raised over the following two years as town seems at fund enhancements for its bus providers, roads and escalators.
Right here’s what you could know — city-wide municipal charges have elevated by €1 (~S$1.50) to €2.75 (~S$4) since 1 April 2023. This price will then rise to €3.25 (~S$4.80) from 1 April 2024.
Aside from that, Valencia will even be imposing a vacationer tax on travellers staying in hostels, flats, accommodations and campsites beginning finish 2023 or early 2024. Relying on the lodging kind, you’ll should fork out between €0.50 (~S$0.70) and €2 (~S$3) per evening, for as much as seven nights.
Learn additionally: 16 Greatest Issues to Do in Barcelona Apart from the La Sagrada Familia
9) United Kingdom: Manchester imposes £1/evening (~S$1.70) vacationer tax
Photograph credit score: Yahoo Information UK
Not so enjoyable reality: Manchester turned the primary metropolis within the United Kingdom to impose a vacationer price since 1 April 2023.
So, if you happen to’re planning to catch your favorite soccer crew in Manchester, be ready to pay the nightly cost of £1 (~S$1.60) per room, per evening if you happen to keep in a lodge, guesthouse or condo within the metropolis centre.
The proceeds might be invested in enhancing avenue cleanliness, cultural initiative, and vacationer expertise.
10) EU: Implementing ETIAS from Nov 2023
From November 2023, these planning to enter the Schengen Space must submit a €7 (~S$10) ETIAS (European Journey Info and Authorization System) utility.
For these questioning, ETIAS is an digital journey authorisation, not a visa — so it applies to guests from nations with visa-free journey to the Schengen zone. However for travellers beneath 18 or over 70, your ETIAS utility price might be waived!
Learn additionally: 5 Funds Europe Itinerary Concepts beneath S$2.3k for Your Subsequent European Journey
What do you consider these new journey guidelines? Tell us within the feedback!
