Hotel prices can exclude VAT, city tax, resort fees and service charges, and each booking site shows them differently. Compare only the total for your whole stay, and check what you pay at the hotel.
The most common reason that two prices look different is not a better deal. It is tax.
The usual extras
- VAT or sales tax, shown included in some countries and added later in others.
- City or tourist tax, often charged per person and night, sometimes paid at the hotel.
- Resort fees, common in the USA, paid at the hotel.
- Service charges, added in some countries.
Booking.com shows these in different ways: "includes taxes and fees", "+ taxes and fees", "+ city tax", or a list of "excluded" charges. If one site includes tax and another does not, the second looks cheaper but is not.
How to compare fairly
- Use the total for your whole stay.
- Check whether the total says including taxes and fees.
- Look for charges paid at the hotel.
- Compare cancellation rules.
Our comparison shows the total, and where available the price before tax, so you see both.
Tip: In the USA a resort fee of 30 to 60 dollars per night is often not in the price. Read the fine print.
Questions
What is the city tax? A local tax per guest and night, set by the city. Amounts range from about 1 to 10 euros.
Why is the price at checkout higher? Because taxes and fees were not included in the first price.
Are our totals exact? They are marked "approx." because sites change prices and may add small fees. Check the final page.