GetYourGuide is a popular online marketplace (based in Berlin) that connects travelers with local tours, tickets, and experiences worldwide, boasting over 60,000 activities across Europe, Asia, the Americas and beyond. The big question many travelers have is: “Am I paying extra for using GetYourGuide, and is it actually worth it?”
Having used GetYourGuide on multiple trips, I’ve seen both the perks and the pitfalls. In this guide, we’ll break down how GetYourGuide’s pricing compares to booking direct, the convenience factor versus independent travel planning, what value-added services you’re actually paying for, and scenarios for when GetYourGuide offers great value.
Jump to: Pricing • Convenience vs Independent Booking • What Are You Paying For • When Offer Better Value • When Not Worth It • Conclusion • FAQ
TL;DR
- Prices often match direct, but occasional markups exist; compare quickly before booking.
- Value comes from curation, 24/7 support, easy payments, and flexible cancellation on most tours.
- Best for high-demand attractions, tight schedules, language barriers, and premium/unique experiences.
- Skip if ultra-budget, easily DIY, want all money to go local, or selection is limited.
- Use a mixed strategy: book key items on GYG, DIY simpler activities.
Related Reads:
- The Business Model Behind GetYourGuide
- GetYourGuide Dominating the Travel Sector
- How GetYourGuide Grew
Pricing
One of the first things you might wonder is whether tours and tickets cost more on GetYourGuide than they would if you booked directly with a local operator. The answer: often the prices are very similar (or even the same) as booking direct, but there are exceptions.
Comparable to Direct Prices
In many cases, GetYourGuide lists activities at essentially the same price you’d pay by going straight to the provider. A travel review found “the price you pay on GYG tends to be similar to the price you would pay directly to the service provider or venue”.
Likewise, travel bloggers note that these platforms “more often than not, sell reservations at the same price as booking directly with a local operator”, just with the added convenience of a one-stop site. There are usually no extra booking fees slapped on by GetYourGuide; the upfront price you see typically includes all taxes and fees, just as the operator would charge. In fact, GetYourGuide even advertises a “best price guarantee”, promising to match the price if you find the same experience cheaper elsewhere.
This means the platform is motivated to keep prices competitive. Some detailed reviews have found GetYourGuide’s pricing “consistently competitive, often undercutting direct bookings and other platforms”, with clear, transparent costs and no hidden surcharges. In short, you’re not automatically paying a big premium just for using the site.
When Prices Are Higher
That said, not every tour is price-identical. There are instances where GetYourGuide can be a bit more expensive than booking direct. Sometimes this markup is small – one blogger mentions “occasional price markups” on GetYourGuide, but notes it’s “not super common” and tends to be a slight increase. However, seasoned budget travelers have reported more dramatic differences in certain cases.
For example, one frugal traveler observed that “GetYourGuide prices are often about 30%–50% higher than booking directly with the company”, advising others to use the site for research but then contact the local tour operator to negotiate a better rate. This scenario might occur in places where on-the-ground prices are very low or when a small operator gives discounts in person that aren’t reflected online.
Why the markup? Keep in mind that platforms like GetYourGuide take a commission (often around 20–30%) from tour operators for each booking. In an ideal situation, the operator absorbs that commission as a cost of doing business (so you pay the same rate), but in some cases the operator may bake that commission into the consumer price, making the online booking costlier. As one travel forum user put it, either you’re paying extra or the company is receiving less – or both when a third-party is involved.
Deals and Discounts
On the flip side, GetYourGuide sometimes offers promotions or discounts that can make it cheaper than booking direct. For example, they occasionally run seasonal sales or give new users a coupon (one review noted a 10% sign-up discount on the next booking).
They also bundle some attractions into package deals which might be sold at a combined rate. Furthermore, the site’s price-match guarantee means if you do find a lower price elsewhere for the same tour, GetYourGuide says it will refund the difference. So, while you shouldn’t expect rock-bottom bargain prices, you can generally trust that you aren’t getting hugely ripped off.
The bottom line on pricing: in most cases GetYourGuide is at parity with direct prices or only slightly higher, but it’s always smart to do a quick comparison. If you’re on a tight budget, it may be worth checking a few providers’ own websites or local agencies for the same tour to see if there’s a notable price difference. Often, though, the convenience and security (which we’ll discuss next) are part of what you’re paying for with that small premium, if any.
Convenience vs Independent Booking
Aside from price, the biggest draw of GetYourGuide is convenience. Using a platform like this can make trip planning much easier, especially if you’re exploring an unfamiliar place or juggling a packed itinerary.
Let’s talk about what convenience GetYourGuide offers versus arranging everything independently:
One-Stop Shop for Research & Booking
GetYourGuide allows you to browse a huge range of tours and tickets in one place, with a consistent layout. Instead of scouring dozens of individual tour company websites (which may be in other languages or hard to navigate), you can enter your destination and dates on GetYourGuide and instantly see what’s available.
The site/app provides detailed descriptions, schedules, what’s included, meeting points, and user reviews for each activity in a standardized format. This all-in-one approach saves time and sanity. As one review put it, “the main advantage is the scale and convenience of being able to research and book multiple attraction tickets and tours within one website.”
You can even filter by tour length, language, accessibility, etc., to quickly find something that fits your needs. For travelers who get overwhelmed by too many options, GetYourGuide’s curated lists and filters make it easier to narrow down the best choices, rather than feeling like you have to comb through the entire internet.
Easy Payment & Currency Options
When booking independently, especially abroad, you might run into clunky payment processes – like needing to pay cash in person or wire money to reserve a spot. GetYourGuide eliminates that hassle: you pay upfront by credit card (or PayPal/Apple Pay) in your preferred currency.
There’s no fumbling with foreign ATMs or worrying if a small operator’s website is secure. It’s a seamless transaction, and you receive instant confirmation and e-tickets. This also means no surprise fees later; the price is locked in when you book.
Last-Minute and On-the-Go Booking
The platform really shines for spontaneous planners. Let’s say you’re already in Rome and decide you want a guided tour tomorrow – you can hop on the app, see what’s available last-minute, and book it right then. Many activities on GetYourGuide offer availability up to the last minute, often with instant confirmation.
If you’re standing in a long line at a museum, you could literally pull out your phone, buy a skip-the-line ticket on GetYourGuide, and sometimes walk right in while others wait (subject to availability). This flexibility is hard to replicate when going the DIY route, where you might have needed to pre-book certain popular sites weeks in advance or risk missing out.
Less Stress, More Support
With independent booking, you are solely responsible if things change or go wrong – you’ll have to contact the tour operator for issues, navigate refund policies, etc. With GetYourGuide, you have an extra layer of customer support to assist. The company has 24/7 multilingual customer service, and they’re known to be responsive in helping travelers resolve problems.
For instance, if your tour guide doesn’t show up or you need to cancel last-minute due to an emergency, you can reach out to GetYourGuide for help. In many cases, they offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity – a huge relief if your plans are in flux. One traveler noted that Viator (a similar platform) “will generally make any problem right. GetYourGuide? Don’t know.” – but in practice, GetYourGuide has a similar policy of standing behind their listings.
In fact, some users report that GetYourGuide will proactively provide refunds or credits when an experience doesn’t meet expectations, even if it technically wasn’t obliged to. This kind of buyer protection and advocacy is something you might not get booking directly with a small tour outfit. Essentially, you have a big company in your corner if a tour is misrepresented or logistical issues arise. That peace of mind can be worth a lot.
Centralized Itinerary Management
All your bookings are stored in one place (in the app or your email), which is incredibly handy. Instead of juggling printed vouchers or different confirmation numbers from various sources, you can pull up the GetYourGuide app and see all your tickets, meeting points, and times at a glance.
The app will even send you reminder notifications. For travelers who like things organized, this is a godsend. No more digging through your inbox for that one kayak tour email – it’s all neatly in the app.
Now, how does this compare to independent booking? Going DIY has its own advantages: you might discover a quirky local guide who isn’t on GetYourGuide, or you can sometimes negotiate a better price in person for simple things like a taxi tour or a group day trip. If you have lots of time and enjoy the adventure of finding activities on the ground, independent booking can be part of the fun (and you might save a few bucks).
For example, one backpacker shared how he booked a snorkeling trip by just walking up to a dock and paid $25, whereas a resort wanted 10 times as much for a similar excursion.
He found it more fun to stumble upon that deal himself. Independent travel can also mean more money in the local operators’ pockets (since no middleman cut) – some travelers prefer to support small businesses directly for this reason. And of course, if you speak the local language or have specific recommendations, booking direct can be straightforward.
However, independent arrangements often require more legwork: researching reputable companies (and avoiding scams), overcoming language barriers, and possibly dealing with outdated websites or slow email responses. There’s also the risk of missing out if something is fully booked or timing doesn’t work out, and you don’t have a safety net if plans change.
In short, GetYourGuide offers convenience, clarity, and backup support that independent booking lacks – and whether that is “worth it” comes down to your personal travel style. If you’re the type who values time and hassle saved over a bit of extra cash, the convenience factor is a major point in GetYourGuide’s favor.
What Are You Paying For
Beyond just the tour or ticket itself, what exactly does GetYourGuide bring to the table that adds value? In other words, when you book through this platform, what are you actually paying for in that cut they take? It boils down to a few key things: trustworthy curation of experiences, customer support and flexibility, and overall peace of mind.
Vetted, Quality Experiences
GetYourGuide doesn’t just list every random tour out there. They have a curation process and certain quality standards that providers must meet to be featured. Essentially, they act as a filter. According to one analysis, each experience on GYG “undergoes review, and operator partnerships include quality standards and customer service requirements. This filtering results in fewer disappointing experiences”.
As a traveler, this means you’re less likely to end up on a sketchy or low-quality tour. You’re paying (indirectly) for someone to have vetted the tour companies for you. Of course, not every tour will be amazing – quality can still vary since different local operators run each experience – but the overall floor is higher. Think of it this way: if a tour on GetYourGuide consistently gets poor reviews, it will likely be removed or fixed.
That layer of accountability gives you a bit more confidence when booking, as opposed to randomly picking a flyer from a train station kiosk. It’s worth noting that because GYG has standards, you might miss out on some super new or offbeat tours that haven’t made the cut yet – but those that are listed are generally reliable.
24/7 Customer Support and Protection
Part of what you pay for is a sort of insurance policy for your unique travel experiences. GetYourGuide’s customer support can intervene if something goes wrong. For example, if your tour operator cancels last-minute, you can contact GYG and they’ll help arrange a refund or find an alternative.
One frequent user mentioned that Viator (a similar platform) “does a great job of standing behind their listings and will generally make any problem right” – and GetYourGuide has built a similar reputation for responsive support. Another traveler observed that GYG often takes a “proactive approach to resolving issues,” sometimes offering credits or rebooking assistance even in borderline situations.
Essentially, you have recourse if an experience doesn’t match what was promised. When you book direct with a small operator, if you have a dispute (say the tour wasn’t as advertised), you might be out of luck or spend ages chasing a refund. With GYG, there’s a larger company accountable to you. This support is built into the price of using the platform, and many travelers find that valuable – especially on expensive or once-in-a-lifetime activities where you want a guarantee things will go smoothly.
Flexibility (Free Cancellations)
A huge selling point of GetYourGuide is the flexibility it offers. The majority of tours on the platform come with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. This is a big deal for travelers, because plans change – you might get sick, weather might turn bad, or you might just rethink your schedule. If you booked directly with a tour company, you might lose your deposit or full payment in those cases.
With GYG, you can often cancel with a click and get a full refund, no questions asked. You’re effectively paying for a flexible ticket. During uncertain times (like sudden lockdowns or flight cancellations), this flexibility is priceless. Even outside of emergencies, it’s nice to know you have the option to change your mind.
Some travelers don’t realize this benefit until they use it – one travel writer admitted she “dug into their flexible cancellation policy and found out just how customer-friendly it is,” which encouraged her to book all her activities through GYG during uncertain travel periods.
Important: Not every activity on GYG is cancellable (a small percentage are “non-refundable” clearly marked on the page), but the vast majority are, and it’s usually highlighted in green on the listing.
Secure Payments & Multi-language Service
We touched on payment ease earlier, but it’s also about security. Using a known platform reduces the chance of fraud or shady transactions. Additionally, GetYourGuide provides its interface and customer support in multiple languages.
If you’re traveling in a country where you don’t speak the language, having an English (or your preferred language) confirmation, and the ability to talk to support in that language, is very reassuring. You’re effectively paying for that globalized service layer.
Curation and Exclusives
GetYourGuide also sometimes creates its own “ Originals” tours or secures exclusive partnerships. These might be experiences you can’t get elsewhere, or that have extra perks (like a tour with special after-hours access to a museum, or a small group guarantee). The platform’s focus is often on value-added experiences rather than the cheapest bare-bones option.
As one review noted, “GetYourGuide’s pricing strategy focuses on value rather than being the cheapest option. While you might find lower prices elsewhere, GetYourGuide experiences often include additional services, better group sizes, or exclusive access that justifies the premium.”
For travelers, this means you might pay a bit more than the absolute cheapest tour in town, but you’re getting something extra (like a smaller group or a known high-quality guide). You’re paying for curation – the tours are often designed to be more enjoyable or reliable, not just cheap.
In summary, what you pay for with GetYourGuide is not just the tour ticket – it’s a package of convenience, safety, and quality assurance. You get a carefully selected experience, with a safety net of support and flexibility, and an easy user experience. For many travelers, especially those on a limited schedule or unfamiliar with the destination, these benefits add a lot of value.
When GetYourGuide Offer Better Value
So, in what scenarios is GetYourGuide truly worth the money? Depending on the type of traveler you are and the situation, GetYourGuide can be a game-changer. Here are some situations where it often offers better value (or experience) for the price:
Many travelers are happy to pay a bit extra for skip-the-line access at iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower. Bypassing hours-long queues on a busy day – especially with limited vacation time – can feel “worth every penny.”
Skip-the-Line & High Demand Attractions
If you’re on a short trip or hate wasting time, GetYourGuide can be worth every cent just for the time saved. The platform offers skip-the-line tickets and priority access for many major sights.
For example, instead of standing for 2 hours under the hot sun at the Colosseum or Eiffel Tower, you can pre-book a fast-track entry. Travelers often say this convenience justifies the cost — “No standing in long queues on hot summer travel days!? Worth every penny.” one user exclaimed after using GYG’s skip-the-line option.
When you have limited days in a city, the ability to breeze past the tourist lines and see more in less time is a huge value-add. In these cases, even if the ticket costs a bit more than the standard entry, the hours of your vacation saved (and stress avoided) are well worth it.
Language or Logistics
In some destinations, arranging a tour by yourself can be tricky. Maybe the local tour company’s website is only in Italian or Japanese, or they require an international bank transfer to reserve – barriers that can deter you. GetYourGuide shines here by providing an easy, English-language (and multi-language) booking process with instant confirmation.
If a local operator has a poor web presence or complicated booking system, GetYourGuide is absolutely worth it. As travel writer Becky Pokora noted, “I DIY activities whenever it makes sense. But for certain experiences it’s nice to have a tour for easier logistics… I’ve always liked GetYourGuide for select bookings, usually when a local operator has a poor English website or booking/paying is a hassle.”
In other words, if you’re facing a language barrier or clunky process, the platform simplifies it to a few clicks. This is especially valuable in countries where you might otherwise have waited to book until arrival (risking availability) or gone through a sketchy third-party. With GYG, you get clarity and can lock in plans despite the logistical hurdles that would exist on your own.
Unique or Premium Experiences
GetYourGuide often lists experiences that you might not easily find on your own – or ones that include special perks. For example, GYG might have an exclusive after-hours tour of a museum, a cooking class with a renowned chef, or a guided hike that includes transportation to a hard-to-reach trailhead.
If you’re a traveler who values quality of experience over just finding the rock-bottom price, these curated offerings are worth it. One detailed review pointed out that GetYourGuide focuses on experiences that “often include additional services or exclusive access that justifies the premium”.
In plain terms, you might pay $5–$20 more than a no-frills alternative, but you get a smaller group, a better guide, or a more comfortable transport, which can hugely improve your enjoyment. When an experience really matters to you, booking the version on GetYourGuide (with its reviews and vetted quality) can ensure you have a great time rather than gambling on a cheaper unknown.
For instance, I’ve done a food tour via GYG that cost a tad more than some others I saw, but it ended up being fantastic – small group, tons of food, and an awesome local guide – totally worth the money in hindsight.
Traveling During Peak Season
If you’re traveling during a peak tourist season, many popular activities can sell out days or weeks in advance. GetYourGuide allows you to secure your spot well ahead of time. This is invaluable for things like Alcatraz tickets in San Francisco, a Vatican tour in Rome, or a famous Broadway show – things you can’t just show up for on the day.
Even for something like a Venice gondola ride at sunset, which might be very busy in summer, using GetYourGuide can ensure you’re not left disappointed. One traveler shared that booking a gondola ride through the app meant “I didn’t have to shop around or worry about finding a spot that still had availability… the app sent me reminders the day before. Simple and stress-free.”
That peace of mind during a packed trip is worth it. When your time is limited (say you have one day in a place), having all your key experiences pre-booked via a reliable platform means you can relax and just enjoy the trip, rather than scrambling.
When You Need Flexibility
Are you the type whose itinerary might change on the fly? Perhaps you want the option to cancel a tour if a new opportunity arises or if weather doesn’t cooperate. GetYourGuide’s generous cancellation terms (usually up to 24 hours prior) mean you can book things as placeholders and cancel if needed without losing money. That’s hugely valuable if you’re on a long trip with evolving plans.
For instance, you might reserve a day trip to a nearby island in case you feel like it, but if you’re too tired or the weather is stormy, you cancel the day before with no penalty. This flexibility can make your trip more enjoyable and spontaneous, effectively.
Booking direct rarely gives that level of flexibility – often it’s “non-refundable” or you get a partial refund at best. So if flexibility is important to you, GetYourGuide offers better value in this regard.
When Safety and Reliability Matter
Solo travelers, families, or less-experienced travelers might value the safety net of a platform more. If you’re uneasy about handing cash to a random guide or want to ensure a tour company is legitimate, GetYourGuide’s vetting and customer reviews help ensure you’re in good hands. This can be worth the extra money alone – it’s effectively paying for trust.
For example, a family on vacation might prefer booking through GYG for a snorkeling trip because they know the operator is certified and insured, versus a random beach hawker. Similarly, female travelers or those in unfamiliar regions may feel more comfortable with a tour booked through a reputable site. In these cases, the slightly higher cost is justified by the peace of mind and security.
In all these scenarios, GetYourGuide offers value beyond just the face value of the ticket. Whether it’s time saved, stress saved, or an enhanced experience, those intangible benefits can make the money well spent. As a traveler who’s used the platform, I’d say some tours felt truly premium (justifying the price), whereas others were fairly standard and could have been done independently.
The key is to use GetYourGuide where it amplifies your trip – where it either makes something possible that would’ve been hard otherwise, or makes it significantly easier or more enjoyable than the DIY alternative.
When Might GetYourGuide Not Be Worth It
Now, it’s equally important to know when you might want to skip GetYourGuide and either book directly or take a different approach. It’s not always the best choice for every traveler or situation. Consider not using GetYourGuide in cases like these:
If Traveling on an Extreme Budget
For shoestring travelers counting every dollar (or euro, etc.), even a small markup or booking fee might not feel worth it. If you have the time and savvy to hunt down deals, you can often save money by booking directly with local tour operators or just showing up and negotiating.
Some veteran budget travelers frankly prefer to cut out middlemen entirely. One such traveler said, “I don’t know why ANYONE uses 3rd party consolidators… the third party has to make a profit so will absolutely mark prices up.” This might be an exaggerated view, but the point stands: if you’re comfortable going the extra mile to save cash, you might bypass GetYourGuide.
For example, you might find a free walking tour (tip-based) in a city rather than paying for a guided tour via GYG, or use public transport and DIY sightseeing instead of an organized day trip. In destinations where tourism infrastructure is cheap and easy to navigate, the platform’s convenience might not justify the added cost for you.
Travelers who truly prioritize money savings over convenience often use GetYourGuide just as a research tool to see what’s available, then attempt to arrange the same tours themselves for less.
If You Can Book Directly for Less
Sometimes, the local operator’s direct price is lower than what’s on GetYourGuide (as discussed in the pricing section). Especially if you’re already on location and can book in person, you might score a better deal. For instance, local guesthouses or tourist offices might sell the same tour without the platform’s commission, or you might get a discount for booking multiple tours with one company.
If you find a significant price difference, it might not be worth paying extra just for the convenience of using the app. An example: a Reddit user shared that they found a tour on GetYourGuide for $150, but by doing a bit of digging (using the photos on GYG to identify the tour company’s name), they contacted the company on WhatsApp and got it for $69 per person.
That’s a big saving that makes the DIY approach worthwhile in that case. Similarly, in some countries, haggling on-site can lower the cost of excursions – something you obviously can’t do on a fixed-price platform. So if you’re up for bargaining or shopping around on the ground, you might not need GYG.
When You Want All Your Money to Go to Locals
Some travelers feel better knowing their full payment is going directly to the local guide or small business providing the service. If it bothers you that 20% or more might go to a tech company in Europe, you might choose to book direct out of principle.
For example, one TripAdvisor forum poster said upon learning about the commission cuts, “Oh, I’d rather have the local tour guide get the full amount… we will try to find out the vendor and do the same book direct.” This is a personal choice – many local operators are happy to get bookings via GetYourGuide that they wouldn’t otherwise, even if it means a smaller margin for them.
But if supporting local businesses directly is a priority for you, then doing a bit of extra research to book with them without intermediaries might be your preference. Sometimes if you mention you found them on GYG, they’ll even honor the same price and maybe throw in something extra, since they’re saving on commission.
If the Experience is Easily DIYable
Not every activity requires a tour or a ticket. If you’re an experienced traveler or simply prefer independent exploration, you may find certain GetYourGuide offerings unnecessary. For example, if the platform sells a “city center walking tour”, you might replicate that with a guidebook or a free self-guided app.
Or if it offers a day trip to a nearby town that you could reach by public bus for a few dollars, you might choose to do it on your own for cheaper (sacrificing the commentary of a guide, but saving money). In cases where an activity is straightforward to do independently and you don’t need the extras, booking it on your own can be more rewarding.
Some people actually enjoy the adventure of figuring things out locally – it can lead to happy surprises, like stumbling on a cheaper or more personalized experience. As an example mentioned earlier, a traveler who skipped the formal tour ended up with “the best snorkeling experience of my life” by chatting with a local boat captain and getting a custom trip for a fraction of the cost. If you thrive on that kind of spontaneity, you might find GetYourGuide too restrictive or unnecessary for certain portions of your trip.
When GetYourGuide’s Selection is Limited
In less touristy destinations or off-the-beaten-path locations, GetYourGuide may have few (or no) options. If you rely solely on it, you might miss out. In such places, you’ll have to book directly or find local guides anyway.
For example, if you’re traveling to a remote region in Africa or a tiny village somewhere, there may simply not be any tours listed on major platforms. In those cases, the question of “worth it” is moot – you’ll be arranging things independently by necessity.
Also, if you have very niche interests (say you want to photograph a specific rare animal with a specialist), a generic platform might not cater to that, and you’d need to find a specialized operator. When the unique local experiences haven’t made it onto GetYourGuide yet, going local is your best bet.
If You’re Very Itinerary-Flexible and Tech-Savvy
Some travelers love to keep plans loose and see what happens. They might hop into a city and decide day-by-day what to do. If that’s you, you might not want to pre-book via an app at all. You could arrive and find free tours, or maybe discover a cool activity through fellow travelers at a hostel.
For the extremely flexible, on-the-ground discovery can be part of the thrill. Additionally, if you’re comfortable using local apps or websites (for example, using a local language booking site or calling operators directly), you might replicate much of what GYG offers on your own. Essentially, if you don’t mind a bit of uncertainty and legwork, you might not need the hand-holding that GetYourGuide provides.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the question of whether GetYourGuide is worth the money doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer – it depends on you as a traveler and the context of your trip. From a factual standpoint, GetYourGuide is a legitimate, reliable service that generally offers tours at competitive prices (usually similar to direct booking).
You’re not typically paying a huge markup just to use it, and in exchange you get a lot of convenience, flexibility, and support. For many travelers, those benefits make it absolutely worth it.
If you value convenience, peace of mind, and time saved, GetYourGuide can be a traveler’s best friend. It simplifies planning, ensures you won’t miss out on popular experiences, and has your back if things go sideways. For someone on a limited vacation or visiting a very popular destination, the platform can enhance your trip and remove a lot of stress.
My honest advice: Use GetYourGuide strategically. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can mix and match – book a few key experiences through GYG (the ones where you really want that ease and assurance), and do other things independently to save money or explore on your own.
From my personal experience across different trips, I’d say GetYourGuide is worth it for major attractions, tours in places where I don’t speak the language, and any time I’m feeling overwhelmed by planning. Some of those tours turned out to be trip highlights that I might have missed otherwise.
FAQ
Is GetYourGuide cheaper than booking direct?
Often similar, sometimes slightly higher; do a quick comparison and use its price-match when applicable.
Does GetYourGuide charge extra fees?
The listed price typically includes taxes/fees. Operators pay a commission; in some cases that cost shows as a small markup.
What’s the cancellation policy?
Most listings allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before start time; a minority are non-refundable and clearly labeled.
Is GetYourGuide reliable and safe to use?
Yes—experiences are curated, reviews are transparent, and 24/7 support can help if plans change or a tour underdelivers.
When should I book direct instead?
If you find a clearly lower direct price, want every dollar to stay local, or the activity is simple to DIY.
Who benefits most from using GetYourGuide?
Travelers on tight schedules, visiting during peak season, facing language/logistics hurdles, or seeking premium/unique access.