Departure tax is a government fee charged when you leave a country by air. It applies per passenger and is usually included in the total cost of your flight ticket, so you often pay it without noticing.
In most cases, the airline collects the tax on behalf of the government at the time of booking. In a few countries, travellers may still need to pay it at the airport before departure. You can learn more about how these charges are added to your fare in our guide to airline taxes explained.
Governments use departure tax to help fund airport facilities, border control, security and tourism services. The amount varies depending on the country, the airport and sometimes the type of ticket you buy, such as domestic or international travel.
In most cases, yes. But how you pay depends on where you are flying from and how the airline handles local taxes.
If departure tax is not included in your ticket, the airline or airport will usually make this clear before you travel, so you can plan ahead and avoid last-minute surprises!
Our guide to extra airline charges explains other common fees you might see when booking.
Departure tax helps governments cover the costs linked to international air travel. Flying involves infrastructure, staffing and security, and these services need ongoing funding.
In some countries, the revenue goes directly towards aviation services. In others, it becomes part of general public funds.
Departure tax is sometimes called an airport tax, exit tax or embarkation tax. The name may change, but the purpose is similar! The rules, rates and who has to pay can still differ from one country to another.
If you are unsure about entry or exit requirements for your destination, including potential airport payments, you can check our travel documents page before you fly.
There is no fixed global rate. It can range from a small local fee to over $50 depending on the country. Some countries waive the fee for children, transit passengers or residents.
Before you fly, it is worth checking whether departure tax is included in your fare. If you book through Alternative Airlines, all mandatory taxes and fees are clearly shown at checkout, so there are no surprises later!
If you are planning your next trip and want to spread the cost, Alternative Airlines also offers over 40 ways to pay, including options to pay later or split the cost.
While most countries include departure tax in your airfare, some have introduced higher or newly adjusted fees in recent years to manage tourism levels or fund airport upgrades.
Here are examples of notable departure taxes as of 2026:
| Country | Departure tax name | Typical amount | Included in ticket? |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Air Passenger Duty (APD) | From £15 short-haul economy Higher for long-haul and private jets |
Yes |
| Japan | International Tourist Tax | ¥3,000 from July 2026 | Yes |
| Thailand | Passenger Service Charge (international) | 1,120 baht at major airports | Yes |
| Australia | Passenger Movement Charge | A$70 | Yes |
| Germany | Aviation tax | From €15.53 short-haul Higher for long-haul |
Yes |
| Mexico | TUA and Visitax (varies by airport) | Approx. Mex$1,000+ depending on airport | Usually |
| Samoa | Departure tax | WS$65 | Yes |
Japan charges an International Tourist Tax, often referred to as the “Sayonara Tax”, on passengers leaving the country by air or sea.
As of July 2026, the departure tax will increase to ¥3,000 per person, up from ¥1,000. The government introduced the rise to help manage over-tourism and fund infrastructure improvements at major destinations.
The tax applies to most international departures, including foreign visitors and Japanese residents. It is normally included in the price of your airline ticket, so travellers do not pay it separately at the airport.
If you are booking flights from Japan, check your fare breakdown to confirm the tax is already included.
Mexico charges departure-related fees that are commonly grouped under airport taxes. The most significant is the TUA (Tarifa de Uso de Aeropuerto), which varies by airport and can add a noticeable amount to international fares.
In addition, some regions such as Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun, introduced a separate Visitax for foreign visitors. This fee applies to international tourists and may need to be paid directly through an official government portal before departure.
In most cases, the TUA is included in your airline ticket. Visitax, however, may require separate payment depending on how and where you booked.
If you are flying from Cancun or other airports in Mexico, it is important to check whether all local taxes are included in your ticket price to avoid last-minute airport payments.
The term “Canada departure tax” can mean two very different things.
For travellers flying out of Canada, airport and federal taxes are typically included in the cost of your airline ticket. You do not usually pay a separate departure tax at the airport.
However, Canada also has a deemed disposition exit tax that applies to certain residents who permanently leave the country. This is a tax rule related to capital gains on assets, not an airport passenger fee.
If you are simply taking a holiday or business trip, the standard airport taxes will be included in your airfare. The exit tax only applies to individuals changing their tax residency status.
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Departure tax is a government fee charged when you leave a country by air. It is usually included in your airline ticket and collected automatically at the time of booking.
Some destinations still require separate payment at the airport, but this is less common today. The amount varies depending on the country and whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
In most major travel destinations, departure tax is included in your airfare. You will see it listed within the total taxes and fees on your ticket breakdown.
However, a small number of countries may still require payment at the airport before departure. This is more common in certain island destinations or regional airports.
Always check your fare details before travelling to confirm what is included.
Departure tax amounts vary widely by country. Some charge the equivalent of £10 to £20 for short-haul flights, while others charge higher rates for long-haul or premium cabins.
For example, the UK applies Air Passenger Duty, Japan charges an International Tourist Tax, and Australia applies a Passenger Movement Charge. In most cases, these fees are included in the ticket price.
Rates can change, so it is important to check current information before booking.
Some countries charge lower departure taxes on domestic flights, while others only apply the tax to international departures.
For example, certain aviation taxes are specifically designed for international travel, while domestic passengers may only pay airport facility or security fees.
The exact structure depends on the country’s aviation tax system, and the applicable fees will normally be included in your ticket price.
Yes, the United States charges taxes on international departures, but they are included in your airline ticket.
When you fly out of the US, several federal taxes and fees apply. These may include international arrival and departure taxes, security fees and passenger facility charges. They are collected automatically when you book, so you do not pay anything separately at the airport.
You might see these listed in your fare breakdown rather than labelled simply as “departure tax”. The amount depends on whether you are flying domestically or internationally.
It is also worth noting that the US has a separate “exit tax” that applies to certain high-net-worth individuals who give up US citizenship or long-term residency. This is a tax law matter and is completely different from airport departure taxes.
For most travellers taking a holiday or business trip, all required US departure taxes are included in the ticket price.
Japan’s International Tourist Tax generally applies to passengers departing Japan, including short-term visitors. However, some transit passengers who do not formally enter the country may be exempt. The tax is usually included in the ticket price, even after the July 2026 increase to ¥3,000.
Hong Kong charges an Air Passenger Departure Tax on passengers leaving the territory. The amount is typically included in the ticket price, although exemptions may apply to certain transit passengers.
Almost all countries apply some form of departure-related airport or aviation tax. However, in most cases the fee is automatically included in your airfare.
Rather than paying separately at the airport, travellers usually see the charge listed within the total taxes and fees when booking.
