see below for last review date for each destination

Recent News 

 

7 October 2024 | Paris – vehicle access. New access restriction zone (ZTL) expected to start in mid-October affecting private vehicles (including coaches) transiting the ZTL. Destination coach traffic e.g. for drop-off/parking within the ZTL will now be permitted until such time as agreed otherwise, as subject to additional review. More details below.

30 September 2024 | Porto – vehicle access. New access restriction zone (ZTL) to be implemented from 1 October 2024 in the Baixa and Historic Centre of Porto. Access is subject to certain time restrictions and authorisation granted from Porto City Council. More details below.

30 September 2024 | Rome – coach access. Roma Mobilita has announced changes to the cost for ZTL Bus turistici permits from 24 December 2024 to 6 January 2026. Further information below.

25 September 2024 | Edinburgh Old Town: Road reconstruction works have begun on Lawnmarket/Upper Bow which will result in traffic closures, particularly from December 2024. Further information below.

24 September 2024 | Spain – new registration of travellers. The Royal Decree 933/202 requesting Tour Operators, Hotels and rental companies to collect customers’ data (name, age, email address, etc.) when entering Spain, has been postponed until 2nd December. ETOA together with a coalition of European associations representing the travel and tourism industry, wrote to the Spanish authorities to express concerns about the implementation of the decree.

ETOA’s current focus on destination access includes:

  • Access for coaches, especially those carrying passengers long-distance with luggage
  • Advocacy for value, impact, and environmental performance of private coaching
  • Restrictions imposed on group walking tours, especially in historic centres

Most of ETOA’s 370+ buyer members produce cultural group tourism. The conference and events industry depends on group operations. Much of this occurs in Europe’s historic centres whose environmental targets as well as fabric and street plan affect options for access.

Group tourism is an easy target for policy makers who want to be seen to ‘do something’ about ‘over tourism’ and congested streets, but coaches make efficient use of limited road space, organised groups are easy to manage, and are less likely to cause anti-social nuisance.

Intelligent compromise is necessary but often elusive under the pressure of local political priorities and cycles. This page is intended to provide current information on locations where access can be especially problematic or major changes have been announced. For comment and correction, please contact us.

France

  • ASFA – live road traffic information for motorway network
  • Tolls.EU – third party website on road tolls
  • Black Saturday – annual coach ban transporting children on the metropolitan road network
  • Low Emission Zones (‘ZFE’)
    • Crit-Air sticker – mandatory to purchase and display in a ‘ZFE’ and in an area during high periods of pollution to show the vehicle’s emission standard
  • Urban Access Regulations – third party website on low emission and other access restriction zones

Paris

Section last reviewed October 2024

New access restriction zone (ZTL) to start in mid-October 2024 affecting transiting


NB Update 7 October 2024: Destination coach traffic will now be permitted within the ZTL until such time as agreed otherwise.

Private vehicles (including coaches) will be prohibited from transiting the ZTL covering the 1-4 arrondissements in Central Paris. The start date is to be announced but expected in mid-October, from which a 6 month transition period will take effect. Further information and map can be found on the Paris je t’aime ZTL webpage and Paris City Hall ZTL webpage.

Destination coach traffic e.g. for drop-off/parking will be permitted in the ZTL but is subject to additional review.

As a result, it is possible at a later date (to be determined) destination coach traffic regardless of engine type may be prohibited in the ZTL (except for school groups, people with reduced mobility or to access the Louvre coach park via the West Quays). Electric vehicles up to 15 seats would also be permitted. However, it is anticipated coaches with luggage would not be permitted unless meeting an exemption. Should access be restricted for destination coach traffic, this section will be updated on the evidence that may be required to qualify for exemptions to access.

Further information (NB Update 7 October 2024 above when reviewing below):

 

General Information

 

Paris je t’aime (City DMO) coach webpage – French | English

  • PASS Autocar – mandatory to purchase for coach parking and includes news on parking disruption
  • Paris City Hall planned traffic disruption/diversions
    • Sytadin – live traffic information
    • Paris Respire – road closures on weekends and public holidays
  • Low Emission Zone (ZFE)
    • Within A86 ring road plus small area beyond
    • Time of Operation – 8am-8pm every day
    • Minimum standard – Crit-Air sticker 3 | Euro V (5) for Diesel engine
      • From 1 January 2025 – Crit-Air sticker 2 | Euro VI (6) for Diesel engine
      • Objective from 2030 – Diesel vehicles no longer permitted
    • Crit-Air sticker – mandatory to purchase and display in vehicle to show the vehicle’s emission standard

Italy

Naples

Section last reviewed March 2024

General information

 

Comune Di Napoli (City Council) – ZTL Bus webpage

 

Access restriction zone (ZTL Bus) from 25 March 2024

On 13 March 2024, the Comune agreed to implement a new ZTL specifically for coaches (and minibuses with more than 9 seats) effective from 25 March 2024.

ZTL Bus is formed of 4 ZTLs and permanently in operation. 3 ZTLs – ‘Centro Storico’, ‘Posillipo’ and ‘San Martino’ are possible for tour buses to access and park with payment of fee, although ‘San Martino’ ZTL is temporarily closed.

Information on fees for access and parking permit is published on ANM’s S.p.A webpage. Permits can be purchased here.

The regulation provides further information including transitional period until 24 March 2025 in Article 11.


ZTLs for all motor vehicles

Existing ZTLs for all motor vehicles are unaffected by ZTL Bus above and remain in effect. A permit to enter is required. Time in operation varies by ZTL and entry point.

Rome

Section last reviewed September 2024

Plans for 2025

 

Roma Mobilita (City Council Transport Department) announced on 28 September that the cost for tourist bus permits (ZTL Bus turistici) will change from 24 December 2024 to 6 January 2026.

The Ordinance determined a temporary remodulation of the unit cost of daily and carnet permits for tourist buses whereby:

ZTL Bus A (covering peripheral areas) – 27% reduction in the cost of daily and carnet permits
ZTL Bus B (covering central area) – approximate 200% increase in the cost of daily and carnet permits

A specific public transport ticket (BIRG – TPL) is also being introduced for passengers to travel into the central area where coaches park in ZTL Bus A. The ticket cost is reduced to €1 instead of the ordinary rate of €8.

ETOA and partners have protested at the unacceptably short notice of this change and will continue to make representations to the authorities. The new rates for ZTL Bus B result in an average cost of €200 to €600 for a daily permit.


Current ZTL Bus permit rates until 24 December 2024:

New ZTL Bus permit rates from 24 December 2024 to 6 January 2026:

 

General information

 

Roma Mobilita (City Council Transport Department) coach webpage – Italian | English

  • Roma Mobilita map (Italian | English) – drop-off points and parking
  • Luceverde – live traffic information
  • Low emission zone
    • Within A90 and E80 ring road
    • Time in Operation – permanently
    • Minimum standard – Euro V (5) for Diesel engine
  • Access restriction zone (ZTL Bus turistici) – Italian | English
    • Within A90 and E80 ring road and divided into 3 smaller zones (A,B,C)
    • Time in operation:
      • ZTL Bus A – permanently
      • ZTL Bus B – 5am to midnight every day
      • ZTL Bus C – permanently
    • A permit is required to enter/park in a zone. Type of permit required varies depending on journey and if stopping/parking in the areas surrounding the Colosseum and Vatican.
    •  Frequently Asked Questions – Roma Mobilita webpage

Venice

Starting on 25 April 2024, visitors including those staying overnight are required to book when entering the centre ‘old city’ on 29 days in 2024. In addition €5 fee per person per day applies on these days unless exempt. Applicable days in 2025 anticipated to be announced in November 2024.

Further information and updates on the access fee (contributo di accesso) are published on our Italy tourist tax page.

 

Section last reviewed August 2024

New restrictions are in force since 1 August 2024 for the centre (‘old city’) plus the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello

  • Group size is limited to 25 people. This applies whether on a guided tour or a leader is accompanying a group on a non-guided tour. Children under 2 are excluded from the count and the size limitation does not apply when embarking/disembarking vehicles or to student groups.
  • Headsets must be used for groups of more than 10 people on a guided tour (except student groups).
  • Groups are also prohibited from stopping in narrow streets and on bridges which obstruct pedestrian flow.

 

Further information:

Comune webpage on regulation for accompanied tour groups (includes FAQs in Italian – English machine translation below)

Police and Urban Security Regulations – Article 71-bis  (pages 59/60)

City Council Announcement  (1 February 2024)


FAQs

In consideration of the entry into force of the art. 71-bis of the Police and Urban Security Regulations, which regulates groups of visitors accompanied by tourist guides, companions or other subjects identified as a reference point for the visit for the group, it is considered useful to provide clarifications for a correct interpretation of the rule through the series of FAQ which is reported below.

1) What is meant by “other subjects identified as reference points for the visit for the group”?

Any person who accompanies a group of 25 people who acts as a group leader or who in practice behaves in such a way as to be comparable to the group leader.

2) Which subjects fall within the limit of 25 people? Which subjects are excluded?

The subjects included in the count are the members of the visitor group; the tourist guide or companion or other person identified in any case is excluded from this count if the latter number a maximum of one per group.

Children up to two years of age are not included in the count of 25 people.

3) In which cases does the numerical limitation of 25 people making up the group of visitors not apply?

This limitation does not apply to the group made up of students, of all levels, on a trip or educational visit. This limitation also does not apply to mere embarkation and disembarkation operations from land or nautical vehicles, which must be carried out in the immediate vicinity of the vehicles.

4) If there are multiple visiting groups in the same place, including those in movement/transit, what distance must these groups maintain between each other?

In the event that there are multiple visiting groups in the same place, it is mandatory to guarantee a distance between the groups such as not to cause obvious obstruction to the circulation of pedestrian flow.

It is not permitted for a tour guide or a companion or another identified individual to lead more than one group of visitors, even if spaced apart.

5) If there are multiple visiting groups at the gondola stations, waiting to board, what distance must these groups maintain between each other?

It is mandatory to guarantee a distance between groups such as not to cause obvious obstruction to the circulation of pedestrian flow.

6) In which case is the use of earphones mandatory?

The use of earphones is mandatory if the group of visitors is made up of more than 10 people and is led by a tour guide.

In the event that the group of visitors is made up of more than 10 people and is led by a companion, there is no obligation to use earphones as the tour leader cannot exercise the functions of a tourist guide; if he carries out these functions with more than 10 people, a fine will be imposed for unauthorized exercise of the activity and one for failure to use earphones. These sanctions in fact protect different legal assets: the protection of the consumer and competition and the disturbance of public peace in its administrative meaning.

7) What is the scope of the regulation of accompanied groups?

The scope of application corresponds to the historic center of Venice and the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Consequently, for stops on the islands (Murano Burano and Torcello), a second companion must be provided if groups need to be accompanied to the aforementioned islands.

8) Do the regulations for accompanied groups include time slots for non-application?

The regulation of accompanied groups, as regulated by art. 71-bis of the Police and Urban Security Regulations, does not provide for any disapplication time slot.

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Section last reviewed November 2023

General information

 

Gemeente (City Council) coach webpage – Dutch | English

  • Tour Buzz – Drop-off points, parking and live/planned traffic disruption/diversions
  • Low Emission Zone
    • Within A10 ring road
    • Time of Operation – permanent
    • Minimum standard – Euro VI (6) for Diesel engine

 

New access restriction within the S100 from 1 January 2024

 

Following announcement in February 2023 by the Gemeente and Municipal Executive adoption in June 2023, coach access within the S100 will be further restricted from 1 January 2024. Coaches weighing more than 7.5 tonnes will only be permitted to access the Weesperstraat-Valkenburgerstraat-Kattenburgerstraat corridor, except when issued with an exemption permit.

Infographic

Information on drop-off and pick up points on the S100 and corridor can be found on the Gemeente coach webpage – Dutch | English.

Exemptions

The application form to apply for an exemption permit is expected to be published mid-December on the Gemeente coach webpage above.

Operators transporting the following passengers to or from educational, cultural or arts institutions e.g. museums, theatres and zoos can apply for an exemption permit:

  • Children up to 12 years of age
  • Elderly people from state pension age (67 years of age from 2024)
  • Disabled people

An exemption permit will either be valid for one day or one year and depending on the route and time of day, permits may be limited. Further information on the exemption policy can be found here.

Notably, a tour, such as by canal boat, does not appear to count as a cultural visit, despite it showcasing a World Heritage Site. Likewise, transporting passengers with luggage to or from accommodation providers does not qualify for an exemption (except in limited special circumstances). Thus, in effect, the plan bans large group bookings within the S100 not staying on/near the Weesperstraat-Valkenburgerstraat-Kattenburgerstraat corridor, unless other options such as minibuses, other private hire vehicles or public transport are used.

ETOA comment and lobbying on the general 2020-2025 plan and coaching:

Section last reviewed November 2023

Rules are in effect for guiding tours in the Centrum District (within the S100)

  • Gemeente (City Council) guided tours webpage on the rules – Dutch | English

Summary

Portugal

Porto

Section last reviewed October 2024

New access restriction zone (ZTL) from 1 October 2024 

 

Porto City Council announced on 17th September a new access restriction zone (ZTL) in the Baixa and Historic Centre from 1 October 2024 affecting all tourist vehicles. The ZTL is initially implemented for one year and we understand penalties will start to be applied from 31 October 2024 after a 30 day trial period.

Access to the ZTL is subject to the following time restrictions:

No access

  • 8am-10am and 5pm-8 pm: access for tourist vehicles is not permitted, including to drop off and pick up passengers to/from hotels with luggage

Access permitted with authorisation/prior notice

  • 10am-5pm: access for tourist vehicles is permitted, except during special events, where authorisation has been granted by the city council.
  • 8pm-8am: access for tourist vehicles is permitted, where prior notice has been given to the city council.
  • Request for authorisation and prior notice must be made at least 20 working days in advance.
  • A form must be submitted at least 3 working days in advance to register/change the vehicle where authorisation/prior notice has been granted/given for another vehicle.
  • Authorisation/prior notice allows access for a vehicle to drop-off and pick-up passengers at one of the nine designated locations (letter A-I) for a total of 6 minutes.
  • Parking is not permitted within the ZTL. Vehicles may use Alfândega and Camélias terminals near to the ZTL boundary to park.

 

Further information:

Porto Citizen Portal

City Council FAQ (Portuguese)  |  City Council FAQ (machine translated in English)

For further questions Porto City Council has set up a specific email: dmm@cm-porto.pt

Spain

Barcelona

Section last reviewed February 2024

Rules are in effect for guiding tours in Ciutat Vella district until at least September 2024.

Summary

  • Tours are limited to maximum 20 people (plus tour guide).
  • In these squares and streets, the number of tour groups permitted at a time is limited.
  • Loudspeakers are prohibited.

United Kingdom

Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswold, England

Section last reviewed March 2024

Coach Parking – Since 1 January 2024, there is currently no coach parking provision in the village including to drop-off/pick-up (mini-buses are still permitted to park at Station Road Car Park). Cotswold District Council statement.

Coach Access – Bourton Parish Council has proposed to ban tourist coach access in the village through introducing Traffic Restriction Orders (TROs). Parish councillors are to decide in April whether to use permanent or emergency TROs, or a combination of both. Final decision is subject to a public consultation and would need to be implemented by highways authority Gloucestershire County Council. Further information from Parish Council meeting on 6 March 2024 includes the proposed roads where TROs would apply.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Section last reviewed September 2024

Lawnmarket and Upper Bow

Road improvement works including the reconstruction of the existing natural stone sett are scheduled to begin on 23 September 2024 and end in July 2025. The work will be completed in 4 phases (and temporarily stop during Christmas/Hogmanay period). 

From phase 2 (December 2024) is when traffic is expected to be significantly disrupted due to the closure of Lawnmarket to through traffic. Plans are currently being made to enable coaches to drop-off/park away from Johnston Terrace. Further information will be published on this page.

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