Tourist tax: the hotel charge that wasn't in your booking

You paid the whole booking, but at check-out you are asked for an extra amount per night. It is the tourist tax, a levy some cities charge that is sometimes paid directly at the property.

How it works

It is charged separately and varies by place

The amount depends on the city, the category of the property and the number of nights or guests. In many cases it is not included in the total on the booking site.

It may be in the fine print

It usually appears in the booking conditions or as 'charges payable at the property'. That is why it is worth reading that section before you confirm.

How to avoid the surprise

Read the full confirmation

Look for words like 'tax', 'city tax' or 'payable at the hotel' in the confirmation email and add it to your budget.

Keep the receipt

Ask for a receipt for the amount you paid. If the charge doesn't match what was stated, it is your backup to ask or dispute.

A simpler way to check your trip

To see which charges on your bookings may differ from the total, upload them to AuditorTravel: it compares amounts and flags with a traffic light (🟢 🟡 🔴) what deserves a second look.

You pay once per trip, it's not a subscription you have to remember to cancel.

👉 Check your booking for free at auditortravel.com.

AuditorTravel is an automated information tool; use it as a guide. The final decision is always yours.