Tourists often pay far more than local residents to visit major attractions. 

From Unesco World Heritage sites to the USA’s largest art gallery, MailOnline Travel has rounded up some of the attractions where local residents get discounted entry. 

Do you think it’s fair for tourists to pay a higher fee? Vote in our poll and share your views in the comments. 

Tower of London, UK

A ticket to the Tower of London, the historic citadel where Anne Boleyn was held, costs £34.80/$42.82 for an adult. 

However, residents of Tower Hamlets borough, where the Tower is located, can visit the attraction for £1/$1.23, as long as they have proof of their address. Visit www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/visit/tickets-and-prices.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA

New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), the largest art museum in the USA, charges $30/£24.37 for a general adult ticket, but residents of New York state are able to visit at a discounted rate. 

MailOnline has rounded up some of the world's attractions where local residents get cheaper entry, including the Tower of London

MailOnline has rounded up some of the world’s attractions where local residents get cheaper entry, including the Tower of London

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), the largest art museum in the USA, charges $30/£24.37 for a general adult ticket but residents of New York state residents can 'pay what they wish'

New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), the largest art museum in the USA, charges $30/£24.37 for a general adult ticket but residents of New York state residents can ‘pay what they wish’

While residents do have to ‘pay something’, they can choose the amount as part of the Met’s ‘pay-what-you-wish’ scheme for locals. Visit engage.metmuseum.org/admission.

Topkapi Palace, Turkey 

Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace is one of the city’s major attractions and once served as the opulent residence of Turkey’s sultans. 

Tourists will need to pay 1700 TL/£38.84/$47.81 to peek at the splendour within, but Turkish residents can access the attraction for the much lower fee of 270 TL/£6.17/$7.59. Visit topkapi-palace.com/tickets-and-audioguide-to-topkapi-palace.

The Grand Egyptian Museum, Egypt 

Giza’s Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), is home to thousands of ancient Egyptian artefacts and is the largest archaeological museum in the world, covering 120 acres, or 80 football fields.

But while Egyptian residents can go to this vast treasure box for 200 EGP/$3.98/£3.23, foreign tourists will need to pay 1,200 EGP/£19.38/$23.86 to visit. 

Visit egymonuments.com/locations/details/gem.

Machu Picchu, Peru 

International tourists will need to pay more than domestic visitors to explore Machu Picchu, with the price of a ticket costing $57/£46 for an international visitor and $24/£19.50 for a Peruvian resident

International tourists will need to pay more than domestic visitors to explore Machu Picchu, with the price of a ticket costing $57/£46 for an international visitor and $24/£19.50 for a Peruvian resident

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Wondering how much it’ll cost to tick it off your bucket list? 

International tourists will need to pay more than domestic visitors to see the site, with the price of a ticket costing $57/£46 for an international visitor and $24/£19.50 for a Peruvian resident. 

Petra, Jordan 

To soak up historical gem Petra, international tourists will need to pay 50-90JD/£57-£103/$70-$126, while tickets for Jordanians cost just 1JD/£1.15/$1.41

To soak up historical gem Petra, international tourists will need to pay 50-90JD/£57-£103/$70-$126, while tickets for Jordanians cost just 1JD/£1.15/$1.41 

One of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites, Petra is a Nabatean city that dates back to the 3rd century BC. 

To soak up this historical gem, international tourists will need to pay 50-90JD/£57-£103/$70-$126, while tickets for Jordanians cost just 1JD/£1.15/$1.41. 

Visit www.visitpetra.jo/en/Petrafees

Galapagos National Park, Ecuador 

A Unesco World Heritage site and home of the world-famous giant tortoises, the Galapagos national park is a dream destination.

To view this pristine ecosystem, international visitors face a charge of $200/£162, while Ecuadorian residents pay just $30/£24 for access. 

Visit www.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec/galapagos-fee

Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka

International tourists must pay a fee of $35/£28 to explore Sigiriya Rock, while local adults are charged LKR120/33p/40¢

International tourists must pay a fee of $35/£28 to explore Sigiriya Rock, while local adults are charged LKR120/33p/40¢

Sigiriya Rock, an ancient fortress perched nearly 200m/656ft above the ground on a granite column, is one of Sri’s Lanka’s leading attractions. 

International tourists must pay a fee of $35/£28 to explore the remarkable site, while local adults are charged LKR120/33p/40¢.

Visit sigiriyafortress.com/sigiriya-opening-hours-sigiriya-ticket-prices

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania 

Known as one of Africa’s premier safari destinations, the Serengeti National Park attracts huge numbers of tourists, many keen to see the annual wildebeest migration. 

Tanzanian residents are allowed access for Tsh 10,000/$4/30p, while international tourists must pay $60-70/£48-£56. 

Visit www.serengetinationalpark.travel/park-entry-fees

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand 

Khao Sok national park in Thailand, pictured above, charges Thai residents 40 Baht/95p/$1.17 to enter and international visitors 200 Baht/$5.87/£4.76

Khao Sok national park in Thailand, pictured above, charges Thai residents 40 Baht/95p/$1.17 to enter and international visitors 200 Baht/$5.87/£4.76

Khao Sok National Park is home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests and jaw-dropping limestone towers. 

Thai residents pay 40 Baht/95p/$1.17 to enter and international visitors 200 Baht/$5.87/£4.76. 

Visit www.thainationalparks.com/khao-sok-national-park

The Spinnaker Tower, UK 

Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower is a 170m/557ft- tall tower with incredible views of the city’s harbour. 

During low season, the attraction offers 30 per cent off the general price of £18/$22 for residents with a PO postcode, making the cost of a ticket just £12.60/$15.50 for locals. 

Visit spinnakertower.co.uk/tickets-prices

Angkor Wat, Cambodia 

Angkor Wat is the biggest religious site in the world with over 1,000 temples dating from 1150 CE spread over 400 acres – an area roughly the size of the Scottish island of Orkney.

It’s one of South East Asia’s most significant historic sites and Cambodian citizens can explore it for free. International tourists will need to pay $37/£30 to explore the temple complex for a day. 

Visit www.angkorenterprise.gov.kh/plan/38/entrance-tickets-regulations

Taj Mahal, India 

A Unesco World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, India’s Taj Mahal is probably India’s best-known attraction. 

Domestic tourists pay 50 Rs/47p/58¢ to visit the Taj while international visitors are charged 1,100 Rs/£10.38/$12.77. 

Visit www.tajmahal.gov.in/visiting-hours

Domestic tourists pay 50 Rs/47p/58¢ to visit the Taj Mahal, while international visitors are charged 1,100 Rs/£10.38/$12.77

Domestic tourists pay 50 Rs/47p/58¢ to visit the Taj Mahal, while international visitors are charged 1,100 Rs/£10.38/$12.77

TOURIST FEES VS PRICES FOR LOCALS: WHAT THE EXPERTS THINK

Andrew Pawson, CEO of Continuum Attractions, which runs the Spinnaker Tower among other UK attractions, says: ‘Our industry thrives on welcoming tourists from across the world, especially during peak seasons, but we also deeply value the support of our local communities. During quieter months like January, many of our attractions offer a local residents’ discount of up to 30 per cent, which encourages residents to visit outside peak periods and enjoy a more relaxed experience.’ 

Alex Andreichuk, founder of travel agency Altezza Travel, says: ‘It’s perfectly reasonable to set higher fees for tourists. Locals pay their taxes and receive discounted offers, while tourists only pay sales taxes during their visits. In Tanzania, tourists are always charged significantly more than locals. However, what tourists need to understand is that 90 per cent of locals in Tanzania can’t afford to visit their parks and other attractions, even at discounted rates. Tanzania is very similar to India, where the gap between the poor and the rich is huge.’

Tanekka Fleary, founder of Golden Grenadine Travel, tells MailOnline: ‘I definitely don’t think it’s inherently unfair, but it does need to be executed thoughtfully. Attractions should clearly communicate why there’s a pricing difference and how those funds are used.’



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