GetYourGuide can be an excellent way to book tours and activities around the world, but paying full price isn’t necessary. Over the years I’ve learned to use the platform’s flexibility and promotions to stretch my travel budget while still choosing high‑quality experiences. Below are my favorite strategies.
Jump to: Filters • Promo Codes • Compare Tours • Book in Advance • Read Reviews • Balance Experiences • FAQ
TL;DR
- Use filters for free cancellation and pay-later flexibility.
- Combine app discounts, newsletter codes, and seasonal sales.
- Compare half-day and full-day tours for best value.
- Book early for deals—or late for deep last-minute cuts.
- Read verified reviews to gauge real quality.
- Adjust group size for the right mix of cost and experience.
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Use Filters for Free Cancellation and Flexible Pricing
Many GetYourGuide listings include free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time and even “reserve now, pay later” options. This means you can secure a spot on popular tours without committing money right away, giving you time to watch prices or refine your itinerary. When searching, use the filters to narrow results by price range, duration, rating and special services such as hotel pickup or wheelchair accessibility. Filtering by duration helps you compare half-day versus full-day options, while sorting by rating ensures you don’t compromise on quality.
Before booking, read the activity page carefully. It outlines what’s included, meeting points, and whether there are additional fees. Stick with tours that offer free cancellation and pay-later plans so you can adjust if you find a better deal or your schedule changes. I’ve found this flexibility invaluable when juggling changing travel schedules.
Watch for Seasonal Sales and Promo Codes
GetYourGuide regularly runs seasonal promotions, and stacking these with other savings can make a noticeable difference. New users who download the mobile app often receive a 10% discount. Coupon aggregators note that the Summer Sale provides up to 40% off select tours and that signing up for the newsletter unlocks exclusive promotions. The company’s own summer deals page advertises discounts on popular activities such as Colosseum tours and kayak excursions.
Travel suppliers also use early-bird discounts and last-minute deals to fill spaces. GetYourGuide encourages partners to offer at least 15% off when travelers book a month or more in advance. Conversely, they suggest offering discounts for tours booked within 48 hours to fill remaining seats, and I’ve occasionally secured bargains this way when my plans were spontaneous.
My advice is to sign up for the app and newsletter, check the sales calendar for seasonal discounts, and watch for promo codes on aggregator sites. Combining a 10% app discount with a seasonal sale often yields the biggest savings.
Compare Short Versus Full Day Tours for Value
Choosing between a half-day and a full-day tour isn’t just about time; it affects cost and the depth of your experience. We recommend using filters to refine your search by duration. Half-day tours are ideal when you’re short on time or want to sample an activity without committing a full day—often costing less and leaving space for other activities. Full-day excursions or multi-day experiences offer deeper immersion but are more expensive, and some travelers find it cheaper to book longer trips directly with local operators because of currency differences.
When budgeting, I ask myself whether the extra hours are worth the additional cost. In large cities I often book shorter, focused tours to save money and pair them with self-guided exploration. In rural or remote areas, however, the convenience and access provided by full-day tours can justify the price.
Book in Advance or at the Last Minute
There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all answer to when you should book. Booking 9–12 months in advance can yield early‑bird deals that are 10–30 % cheaper than later prices. GetYourGuide also promotes early‑bird discounts (around 15 %) for bookings at least 30 days ahead , and locking in early ensures availability on popular tours. On the other hand, tour operators sometimes slash prices by up to 60 % in the final weeks before departure to fill empty seats.
If you have fixed dates and a specific experience in mind, book early to secure your spot and enjoy free cancellation if plans change. If you’re flexible, monitor prices and consider booking last minute—just be aware that flight prices might rise, popular tours sell out, and some last‑minute bookings are “on request,” meaning you may need to wait for confirmation. I’ve successfully snagged heavily discounted tickets a few days before a tour but always had a backup plan in case it fell through.
Read Reviews to Ensure Quality
Price alone isn’t a guarantee of value; reviews help you understand what you’re paying for. GetYourGuide’s review system only allows verified guests to leave feedback, and you can filter reviews by traveller type or star rating. Travel blogger Joanne Hodge suggests reading reviews from the previous year so you’re seeing feedback from a similar season. She also notes that reading full descriptions and reviews allowed her to save nearly half the cost of a cruise excursion because she felt confident booking the same experience via GetYourGuide.
I always browse both the highest and lowest ratings, paying attention to comments about guides, pacing and value. Filter by star rating to weed out outliers and look for patterns in praise or criticism. Don’t forget to check the detailed itinerary to ensure the tour includes what you expect. Reviews are often the difference between choosing a cheap but mediocre tour and investing slightly more for a memorable experience.
Balance Small Group and Large Group Experiences
Group size influences both price and experience. Small‑group tours often cost more because they include transportation, guides and unique local experiences. However, they offer convenience—the itinerary, accommodation and activities are handled for you—and they are generally safer for solo travellers and women. They also provide deeper interactions with guides and fellow travellers, which can enrich the experience.
Large‑group tours or public experiences tend to be cheaper and can accommodate more travellers. If your priority is saving money, look at larger group options first and use GetYourGuide’s filters to narrow by price and group size; you can filter specifically for private tours when you want a smaller group. Be mindful that small groups might mean less flexibility—tours run on fixed schedules and may limit your independence. I decide based on the destination: for crowded sights like the Colosseum I’m happy to join a larger group at a lower cost, whereas in nature settings I prefer paying extra for a smaller, more intimate experience.
Final Thoughts
Saving money on GetYourGuide doesn’t mean settling for subpar tours. By applying filters for free cancellation and flexible payment options, taking advantage of seasonal sales and promo codes, comparing short and full‑day tours, timing your bookings strategically, reading verified reviews and balancing group sizes, you can tailor your travels to your budget and still get the most out of each experience. I’ve learned that flexibility—both in planning and in attitude—often leads to the best savings and memories.
FAQ
How can I find genuine discounts on GetYourGuide?
Sign up for the app and newsletter to get verified promo codes and seasonal sales.
Is it cheaper to book early or last minute?
Both can work. Early bookings secure seats and discounts, while last-minute deals can offer up to 60 % off if space remains.
Do free-cancellation tours cost more?
Usually not; the feature adds flexibility, not a premium, so always filter for it.
Are GetYourGuide reviews trustworthy?
Yes. Only verified customers can post reviews, making them more reliable than general travel forums.
Should I choose small-group or large-group tours to save money?
Larger groups cost less, but small groups give a more personal experience. Balance by destination and comfort level.