Comments on: Taken for a ride: the price of top tourist attractions

By: Paul Krol

Paul Krol — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 04:30:28 +0000

Yep.. nobody likes that..but if people continue to pay…
I personally hate ‘touristy’ things and/or anything involving a lineup. I guess like most people I wouldn’t mind to pay a small fee for something but definitely would leave if it was way too high.

By: Caitlyn

Caitlyn — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:00:21 +0000

Hey that sounds like a great deal and it’s not too far from me (the Netherlands) so I should get myself over there. I think Germany does a pretty good job overall at keeping prices reasonable, especially compared to the crazy entrance prices of things here in Amsterdam. I particularly like the Bayern Pass, an unlimited regional day rail pass in Bavaria and Salzburg for 38 euro… for five people. Ridiculously good value.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:26:21 +0000

That was exactly my thought Ervin – but no, I’ve checked the website and it’s a €14 bargain at any time.

By: Ervin Cenmurati

Ervin Cenmurati — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 09:50:45 +0000

You must have caught them off-peak Andy, Good Value though for what is included and certainly the experience is priceless.

By: Keith Kellett

Keith Kellett — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 07:28:52 +0000

They do that here, too … we’re only a couple of miles from Stonehenge and, if you live in the SP4 postal area you get a pass which gives you free admission.

(I have one, but, since I’m a member of English Heritage anyway … )

By: crazy sexy fun traveler

crazy sexy fun traveler — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:45:22 +0000

This looks like a lot of things for just 14 euro! Definitely worth it

By: Travelwriticus

Travelwriticus — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:31:40 +0000

Interesting read and comments. In Austria more and more destinations offers free passes for visiting local attractions if you stay at a hotel. So the difference between paying for something or getting if for free is a question of staying at a hotel or not.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 11:36:32 +0000

Thanks Rolf and a good point about differential pricing. I’ve got no problem at all with paying more than locals to see a tourist site. It’s part of their heritage and particularly in the parts of the world where the cost of admission could be more than a day’s wages, entry for local people should be heavily subsidised or free. The Taj Mahal is 750 rupees for foreigners, 20 rupees for Indian nationals – both perfectly reasonable.

Where I think a visit can leave a sour taste in the mouth is when the price of an attraction is so clearly out of line with both the experience on offer and with the cost of food/lodgings/incidentals in that country.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 11:29:59 +0000

I never made it to Little Petra but next time I’ll go – but it will be in addition to ‘Big Petra’. Despite grumbling about the high fees I still wouldn’t miss the chance to see it again. But then they know that don’t they…

By: Rolf Henry

Rolf Henry — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:53:46 +0000

Double-standard pricing entrance fees is frequently used in south east asia – meaning, locals will enjoy the site for free while visiting foreigners will pay a ‘hefty’ price, in comparison. This is often met with criticism by foreigners but without going into the political discussion, I think it makes sense. Either way, the price charged from the foreigners is nowhere like the prices being charged for often less interesting sites in Europe and the US. As long as at least a substantial portion of the revenues is invested in maintaining and debeloping the site, I think they should use normal pricing theories and charge as much as they can from the foreigners (locals should be free – from an educational point of view).