Many countries charge departure taxes, often hidden in airfare. Here’s how they work, where you may need to pay separately, and what travelers should know.
Most destinations around the world charge tourist taxes to travelers. These are often built into accommodation prices, and in some cases, you need to pay extra on arrival. Venice, on the other hand, has a tax on day-trippers that must be paid on its official website. But did you know there are also departure taxes? Before you leave a country, you may need to pay an exit fee—called different things in different places and sometimes built into airline ticket prices.
According to a 2025 report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), passengers globally paid $60 billion in various taxes (including departure taxes) in 2024 for the use of air transport. These taxes were higher in North America than in Asia-Pacific, with Argentina charging the highest at $138 per passenger, followed by Mauritius and Mexico.
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If you closely check your airline ticket, you might notice a departure fee. Passengers don’t usually realize they’re paying this tax because it is included in the ticket price, and destinations are not always forthcoming about how it is implemented. In some cases, however, you may have to pay it separately before you depart.
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What’s also interesting is that each destination may have its own name for it. Australia calls it the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) and charges AUD 70 ($50) to every person leaving the country “regardless of whether the person returns to Australia.” This fee is added to the ticket, and the carrier transfers it to the Department of Home Affairs. The U.K., on the other hand, bases it on the destination, and it can reach $336 for long-haul flights.
In 2019, Japan started charging visitors a “Sayonara Tax” on departure. All departing passengers by sea or air pay 1,000 yen ($6) per person to contribute to infrastructure. The country, which is trying to combat overtourism, is raising this to triple the amount this July, meaning travelers will pay 3,000 yen ($19). However, you don’t need to pay it separately; it is included in your ticket price.
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In Bali, for example, you need to pay a mandatory IDR 150,000 ($9) fee, called the Bali Tourism Tax Levy. Although it has been in effect for two years, few travelers know about it—only 35% pay it—so they are often surprised at the airport when asked for it. It is sometimes included in the ticket, but before you leave, you should double-check. You can pay online through LoveBali and carry the QR code in case you’re asked for it to avoid delays at the airport.
St. Lucia also has a departure tax for everyone older than 12. Fliers have this included in their ticket price, but sea travelers pay $13 at the time of departure.
In Mexico, it’s called the Tarifa de Uso de Aeropuerto (TUA), which airports charge passengers for using the facilities. However, each airport is allowed to set its own tax. The state of Quintana Roo charges 283 Mexican pesos ($16), which must be paid online before departure to avoid delays at the airport, while other states include it in the ticket price.
Most destinations use these taxes to maintain tourism infrastructure, such as airports. However, they are not always transparent for travelers. IATA considers these taxes regressive and believes they do not contribute meaningfully to government budgets.
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