New travel rules Australians need to know for 2024 and 2025

Australians heading overseas need to shell out for tickets as Venice desperately tries to reduce crowding. But it’s not the only popular destination changing tourism rules. See the list.

Venice has introduced a €5 daily ticket for visitors on 25 April 2024. Picture: iStock

Australians are incredibly lucky when it comes to travel.

The little blue books we carry in our pockets are the sixth most powerful in the world, and when that’s paired with our dollar’s relatively strong exchange rate, the world is our oyster.

Almost 7.3 million of us travelled overseas in the last financial year, according to Statista. Indonesia recently overtook New Zealand as our favourite overseas destination, followed by the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan, and we’re always looking for new places.

However, some major rule changes are set to keep us on our toes in 2024 and 2025.

VENICE TOURIST TAX NOW IN PLACE

Tourists queue to climb Venice’s famous Rialto Bridge in April 2024. Picture: AFP

Daily visitor numbers have been eclipsing Venice’s population for years and now the famous city has introduced a ticketing system to charge tourists for entry.

From April 2024, day trippers need to book tickets and shell out €5 (A$8.20) if they wish to visit on specific dates listed on the Venezia Unica website.

The City of Venice’s official tourism website states tourists can save by booking tickets at least 30 days in advance and that tickets for children aged 14 and below are free of charge.

“This fee, a first-of-its-kind experiment, aims at managing visitor influx more effectively and preserving the city’s unique heritage, discouraging ‘hit-and-run’ tourism,” the website said.

The new system will be monitored by ticket inspectors who can conduct random spot checks throughout the Ancient City and applicable for visits between 8:30am and 4pm.

It does not apply to smaller islands, including Murano and Burano, and is not payable for visitors who transit through Venice without visiting the Ancient City.

The ticket, called a Venezia Unica Pass, can be purchased online.

INSTANT FLIGHT REFUNDS IN THE US

Travellers will have more rights around flight cancellations in the US. Picture: Getty Images

American Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg this week announced new travel rules that will deliver automatic cash refunds to airline passengers and get rid of “junk fees”.

The new refund rules apply when airlines cancel or significantly delay flights.

“Within seven days they will be required to provide you an automatic refund to the credit card you used to book it – without you having to call or wait on hold, or sort through digital paperwork, or haggle with the airline,” Mr Buttigieg explained.

The rules will also make cash the default refund method, instead of vouchers or credits.

American airlines will also now be required to get rid of hidden costs and show all fees upfront, including those for checked bags, carry-on bags, flight changes, and cancellations.

UK TO SCRAP AIRPORT LIQUID RULES

The UK is changing airport security rules to cut wait times. Picture: Getty Images

The UK is currently implementing a major change to airport security, with all major airports installing high-tech scanners that will allow travellers to bring liquids in carry-on.

The new scanners will also allow passengers to bring up to two litres of liquid on board as well as leaving electronics in their baggage in a bid to slash security wait times.

The UK Government originally stated the rule change would take effect by June 2024, however, it’s currently looking like four of the biggest airports may miss the deadline.

It’s already in place at a number of key airports, including London City, but Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Manchester may be given an extension until 2025.

EUROPE INTRODUCES TRAVEL AUTHORISATION

Australians visiting France will need an ETIAS from 2025. Picture: iStock

The golden age of visa-free travel to Europe is coming to an end.

From the first half of 2025, Australians will be required to have an electronic travel authorisation known as ETIAS to visit 30 European countries including popular destinations such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, and Italy.

The ETIAS will permit Australians to travel for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Applications can be done online via the ETIAS website or via the mobile app and it’s expected that most will be processed within a couple of minutes.

It will cost €7 (A$11.50) and the result will be digitally linked to your passport.

BRAZIL REINTRODUCES TRAVEL VISA

Australians visiting Brazil will need to get a visa from 2025. Picture: Stock

Australians visiting Brazil will need to apply for visas from 10 April 2025.

The changes will take place when Brazil’s current visa waiver program expires, meaning Australians travelling by air, sea, or land will be required to apply for a visitor eVisa.

According to Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visas will be valid for multiple entries over five years and will allow Australian citizens to visit Brazil for up to 90 days at a time.

The visa fee will be US$80.90 (A$124.10).

BALI TOURISM TAX NOW IN PLACE

Bali’s new tourist tax has caused confusion. Picture: iStock

Bali introduced a new tourist tax of IDR150,000 (A$14.20) in February which can be paid online via the Love Bali website or in person at Bali international airport.

The launch initially caused some confusion and random spot checks by tourism police revealed as many as 60 per cent of tourists failed to pay in the first month.

Many tourists were reportedly unsure about how to pay.

However, according to The Bali Sun, Denpasar airport will soon install more payment counters to streamline the process and ensure all visitors pay up.

Originally published as New travel rules Australians need to know for 2024 and 2025