Last updated 15 March 2021 | Rates reviewed for all destinations listed and no change.

Kurtaxe or Taxe de séjour

The kurtaxe or taxe de jour is levied on visitors staying overnight and used to fund local infrastructure and facilities, events and services in the interest of visitors. The rate of tax is decided by the local government (municipality). 

Two other types of tourism tax: 

  • Beherbergungsabgabe (accommodation tax)paid by accommodation providers in destinationThe revenue is split between the canton and local tourist authority and used for tourism promotion and maintaining or improving the region’s infrastructure.
  • Tourismusförderungstaxe (tourism promotion tax)paid by businesses and self-employed individuals based in destination who directly or indirectly benefit from tourism.  

N.B. Engelberg does not levy a Kurtaxe (since 2014). The Beherbergungsabgabe and Tourismusförderungstaxe still apply for businesses in destination.

Below are selected destinations and further information can be found by clicking on the name of the destination.

1 CHF – €0.90  (Euro conversion on 15 March 2021 for comparative purposes)

 Kurtaxe / taxe de séjour
Hotel accommodation
(no maximum nights unless stated)
CHF per person, per night Reductions  Some Exemptions
Basel
(max 30 nights)
4.00 Children under 12
Bern 4.30* CHF 2.90* rate for Youth Hostels,
CHF 1.50 rate for children 6-16 years of age (Bern Ticket supplement)
Children under 6
Geneva 3.75
Interlaken
(Apr-Oct)
(Nov-Mar)
2.50
2.20
CHF 1.80 rate for Youth Hostels year-round Children under 16
Zermatt 3.00 CHF 1.50 rate for children 9-16 years of age Children under 9
Zurich** 2.50
Kurtaxe / taxe de séjour 
Hotel Star Rating  Some Exemptions
CHF per person per night
(no maximum nights unless stated)
         
Lausanne
(max 90 nights)
2.60 3.10 3.10 3.50 4.20 Children under 12
Lucerne 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.30 2.30 Children under 12,
Children under 16 staying in Youth Hostels
Montreux 3.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 Children under 16

Additional information

Basel After paying the tourist tax the visitor receives the Basel Card from the accommodation provider (includes children under 12 who are exempt) which entitles the visitor to free public transport, free wi-fi access at hotspots and discounted entry to visitor attractions.


*
Bern After paying the tourist tax the visitor receives the Bern Ticket from the accommodation provider which entitles the visitor to free public transport & discounted public wi-fi access.

*CHF 4.30 full rate = CHF 2.80 kurtaxe + CHF 1.50 Bern Ticket supplement
*CHF 2.90 youth hostel rate = CHF 1.40 kurtaxe + CHF 1.50 Bern Ticket supplement 


Geneva 
– After paying the tourist tax the visitor receives a complimentary Unireso transport ticket from the accommodation provider.


Interlaken 
– After paying the tourist tax the visitor receives the Interlaken Guest Card from the accommodation provider which entitles the visitor to free public transport and discounted other activities.


Lausanne – After paying the tourist tax the visitor receives the Lausanne Transport Card from the accommodation provider (valid for maximum 15 consecutive days) which entitles the visitor to free public transport and discounted entry to visitor attractions.


Lucerne 
After paying the tourist tax the visitor receives the Lucerne Visitor Card from the accommodation provider which entitles the visitor to free public transport, free wi-fi access at hotspots and discounted entry to visitor attractions. 


Montreux
– After paying the tourist tax the visitor receives the Montreux Riviera Card from the accommodation provider which entitles the visitor to free public transport and discounted entry to visitor attractions.


Zermatt – 
Specific details how the tourist tax revenue is used can be found here.


**Zurich – No webpage on regulations (as the city tax is not regulated by the municipality but by the association of Zürcher Hotelier)Zürich Tourism can be contacted for further information.

Only the hotels which are memberof the association Zürcher Hotelier and Zürich Tourism are obliged to charge their guests the city tax of CHF 2.50 per person per night (most hotels are dual members). Airbnb properties also charge CHF 2.50 per person per night. The city tax is used to market the city and region by Zürich Tourism. Visitors can receive free maps and brochures produced by Zürich Tourism from member hotels and purchase the Zürich Cardtours and excursions.  

Disclaimer: While best efforts have been made to verify the accuracy of the information, the information displayed should be used as guidance only.

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