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Europe’s Most Desired Cities for U.S Tourists (and Their Hidden Costs)
Useful travel tips to tackle hidden costs for travelers
From Venice’s canals to Paris’s boulevards, Europe continues to attract many U.S. travelers. But while these destinations top the list of American favorites, the true cost of visiting often stretches well beyond flights and hotels. Hidden expenses, like city taxes, roaming fees, and service charges, can unknowingly add hundreds of dollars to a family’s budget. Understanding which European cities Americans want to visit the most, and the extra costs that come with them can help you plan smarter and avoid unwelcome surprises.
Key Takeaways
- An American family of four should budget an extra $400–$1,000+ depending on where they travel in Europe.
- Amsterdam is the priciest city in terms of hidden costs, with a family of four paying over $1,000 in a week just in extras.
- Paris, Venice, and Rome have some of the highest city taxes.
- London, Munich, and Madrid are cheaper on hidden costs since they currently don’t charge city tax.
- According to our research, Venice is the most popular European destination among Americans (18 states), followed by Dublin, Rome, Amsterdam, Munich, and Paris.
Where Americans Want to Travel Most in Europe
Before we get into hidden costs, we looked at which destinations Americans are most eager to visit, broken down by state.
Here are the European cities where Americans want to travel to the most:
- Venice - 18 states
- Dublin - 10 states
- Rome - 8 states
- Amsterdam - 6 states
- Munich - 5 states
- Paris - 2 states
- London - 1 state
While these dream destinations top the list for Americans, they’re also among the places where hidden costs can quickly pile up. Understanding the real price tag behind your trip is crucial. Let’s break down the most common hidden expenses you’re likely to face when traveling to Europe
General Hidden Costs in Europe
1. Data Roaming Fees
Using your U.S. mobile plan in Europe without a roaming service could leave you with a massive phone bill. Many carriers offer roaming packages, but even those aren’t cheap. For example, T-Mobile charges $35 for a 10-day Europe pass. For a family of four, that’s $140 just to stay connected for one trip.
- Average cost (per stay): $35
- Average cost (1 week stay): $35
- Family of 4 (1 week stay): $140
2. City Taxes
City taxes (also called “tourist taxes”) are common across Europe and usually paid directly to your hotel or Airbnb upon arrival. They’re charged per night and per person, which means they can build up fast. On average, the tax comes to about $4.66 per person per night. For a family of four staying a week, that’s $130.51.
- Average cost (per day/stay): $4.64
- Average cost (1 week stay): $32.50
- Family of 4 (1 week stay): $129.99
3. Restaurant Service Charges & Tips
Unlike in the U.S., tipping isn’t always expected in Europe, but a 10% service charge is often added to your bill. With an average European dinner costing around $34 per person, that comes to $3.38 extra per meal. For a family of four dining out several times during the week, that’s close to $95 in tips.
- Average cost (per day/stay): $3.36
- Average cost (1 week stay): $23.55
- Family of 4 (1 week stay): $94.20
4. Visa Application Fees (ETIAS, Starting 2026)
From 2026, American travelers will need an ETIAS visa waiver to enter most EU countries. The fee has recently been raised to $23 per adult. Children under 18 and adults over 70 are exempt, but for couples or families with older teens, this will be another cost to consider.
- Average cost (per stay): $22.88
- Average cost (1 week stay): $22.88
- Family of 4 (1 week stay): $45.75
5. Cleaning Fees
If you’re staying in an Airbnb or vacation rental, chances are you’ll have a cleaning fee added to your booking. On average, this runs at about $68 per stay, and it’s non-negotiable.
- Average cost (per stay): $67.28
- Average cost (1 week stay): $67.28
- Family of 4 (1 week stay): $67.28
Total Unexpected Costs
When all these extras are added up, the hidden costs for Americans travelling to Europe on average add up to:
Top European Cities with the Highest Hidden Costs
Here’s a look at the most expensive European cities when it comes to hidden costs, showing just how much a week-long trip can add up once these extras are factored in:
Amsterdam - $1,058.59
Amsterdam is notorious for its high tourist tax, the highest in Europe. Travelers pay a nightly charge plus an additional percentage on hotel bills. Dining out is also pricier than the European average, with meals often closer to $40 per person, which makes service charges higher as well.
- The total of hidden costs for a week for a family of four in Amsterdam is $1,058.59.
- Most popular destination in 6 states, including Georgia, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.
Paris - $569.75
Paris combines expensive meals with city taxes that climb depending on your hotel category. Regularly eating out makes tip charges build up quickly for a family. Airbnb cleaning fees in Paris also tend to sit above the continental average, meaning even a short stay can come with higher hidden charges.
- The total of hidden costs for a week for a family of four in Paris is $569.75.
- Most popular destination in 2 states: New York and California.
Venice - $563.32
Venice applies both a tourist tax and extra charges for short-term rentals, making it one of the most expensive destinations for visitors. The tax is high, especially during peak tourist season, and meals in Venice often cost more than the European norm, partly due to its popularity and limited space.
- The total of hidden costs for a week for a family of four in Venice is $563.32.
- Most popular destination overall, #1 in 18 states, including Florida, Washington, Michigan, and Hawaii.
Travel Tips to Avoid Hidden Costs
- Sort out your phone plan before flying. A data plan that includes roaming can save you hundreds compared to pay-as-you-go data charges. Alternatively, you can use an eSIM app like Nomad for cheaper data.
- Check city tax rules before booking. Many cities publish their rates online. Factor them into your hotel budget so you’re not surprised at check-in.
- Choose your accommodation wisely. Hotels usually include cleaning, while vacation rentals often don’t. Compare total costs before deciding.
- Travel off-peak if possible. In places like Venice and Paris, taxes and dining costs rise with demand. Visiting outside peak season or holidays can soften the blow.
Stay Connected Without the Hidden Costs With Nomad eSIM
One of the biggest hidden costs of traveling to Europe is mobile roaming. U.S. roaming passes can cost anywhere from $10 to $15 per day, which adds up quickly over the course of a trip. An alternative to this is using a travel eSIM like Nomad eSIM, which provides affordable data plans in over 200 destinations, including across Europe.
Nomad eSIM also makes purchasing straightforward. Travelers can check out online without creating an account, or use the app to manage multiple eSIMs in one place. Plans start at around $1.10 per GB, offering a more budget-friendly option for staying online useful for navigation, messaging, and accessing travel information without nasty bill surprises.
Nomad eSIM can be installed digitally before you depart and activates as soon as you arrive. There’s no need for a physical SIM card or a visit to a local store. If you need more data, you can top up directly through the app without switching SIMs or restarting your phone.
With Nomad eSIM, staying connected is simple, affordable, and stress-free.
Methodology
To find the most desired European cities for American tourists, we analyzed Google Trends search interest data for all 50 U.S. states for the term “flights to + city” between January 1st to September 15th. We looked at data for each of the 20 most popular European cities: Amsterdam, Paris, Venice, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon , London, Prague, Munich, Madrid, Berlin, Athens, Budapest, Krakow, Istanbul, Vienna, Dublin, Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Brussels.
To fairly determine the most popular destination in each state, we recorded each state’s relative interest score (0–100) for all 20 destinations. The destination with the highest score was named its most searched-for summer vacation destination. If more than one destination had a score of 100 for a state, we looked at which destination had the highest search volume.
To find the hidden costs, we researched some of the most common, and often forgotten, costs that come with travelling to Europe and that could come as a surprise to many travellers, adding a hefty bill to spending budgets.
These included:
- Data roaming fees
- City tax
- Restaurant service charges
- Etias Authorisation Fee
- Accomodation cleaning fees
We found averages from multiple sources (which can be found throughout the blog) and calculated the potential costs of a week's stay for a solo traveller and a family of 4.