GetYourGuide vs Viator: What is Better?

GetYourGuide vs. Viator: which platform is best for booking tours and activities while you travel? We’ve created a comprehensive guide to help you make the best-informed decision.

Online travel agencies are handy if you want to book experiences and tours while avoiding the complications of using traditional agencies, such as a lack of real-time support, time-consuming planning, and non-personalized service. 

Marketplaces like Viator and GetYourGuide make finding local experiences and tours easy; they save you time and money and offer valuable insights into the place you want to visit. 

Besides, it’s unwise to pack your bag and start traveling when you don’t know where to go. You need an online travel agent who’ll help you understand your destination and the experiences that somebody can find in the area taking off on vacation.

The difficulty comes with trying to pick one particular provider. As is the case with so many options available nowadays, each service claims to offer the most value, features, and overall support quality–so how do you know which company to go with?

We’ll compare and contrast two travel organizers offering a seamless activity and tour booking experience. We’ll examine them to determine which offers the best value, transparent pricing and refund policies, ease of use, and more. 

Towards the end, we will also introduce some of GetYourGuide and Viator’s competitors so you’ll understand why we’re explicitly comparing these two.

What is GetYourGuide?

GetYourGuide is an organizer that provides holiday planning services to its clients. They help you book tours, experiences, and travels almost anywhere around the globe. Typically, it’s just a middleman between you and the travel companies.

Using traditional search engines, the agency simplifies finding different tourist attractions, destinations, and experiences.

For example, you might use Google or Bing to search something like ‘Best things to do in Florence, Italy’ just to be presented with pages upon pages of search results, each of which has a similar headline and slightly different offerings. 

GetYourGuide, however, directs you to search for a particular location–your destination–and then displays a range of experiences and activities that can be narrowed down using filters to meet your criteria, such as group size and budget.

See Related: Pros and Cons of Being a Travel Agent: Is It Stressful?

How to Book Tours with GetYourGuide

Booking a tour with the GetYourGuide agency is pretty straightforward. The website is designed to be simple and engaging, making it accessible even for people without much travel booking or online experience. 

1. Specify Your Destination

First, access their website, which will introduce you to a location search page. Select the length of your stay in the location, your preferred language, and the tours that meet your time and schedule.

See Related: Ways to Book the Cheapest First-Class Flights

2. Select Activities

There is always someone before you who has booked a tour or activity you want to book. The site lets them leave a review, hinting what to expect when going on the same activity or experience.

Read the reviews carefully to avoid disappointment or other unexpected challenges. For instance, some group tours or activities could be longer than expected in a particular area, which could cause difficulties if you need to leave halfway through and haven’t arrived at a suitable destination to depart. 

You will also get to know how much you are paying for the activity you have chosen. Check if the travel organizers offer after-sale services like picking you up from the hotel. You can always cancel the tour if you aren’t convinced enough.

See Related: Best Day to Book Flights

3. Booking and Payment

Now that you have chosen your location, the next steps are booking and payment. First, filter the date, language, and time to avoid any potential slip-ups.

Fill in your billing information on the following page. Since most people use online payment methods like PayPal, be careful when entering your email address. Note that GetYourGuide does not charge booking fees. Instead, the entire payment goes to the actual tour guide.

Because of this, cancellations mean the tour guide or supplier will refund you your money, but not GetYourGuide. Also, you only have 24 hours to cancel an activity or trip, so keep your eye on your itinerary. 

See Related: When is the Best Time to Travel to Puerto Rico? (Ranked)

What is Viator?

Have you heard of TripAdvisor before? The global online travel agency acquired Viator in 2014 for $200 million, and while it’s operated as a different company, TripAdvisor’s parent company controls most of its operations.

Nevertheless, Viator is a reputable and well-established organizer, but it’s essential to understand that it is not a tour operator. It does, however, have access to over 300,000 bookable activities.

Just like GetYourGuide, Viator has taken advantage of expanding technology and created a mobile app for smartphones. You can make a mobile booking and avoid the disappointing “sold out” signs you might come across when dealing with traditional guides.

How to Book Tours with Viator

The booking process is the same as for GetYourGuide. First, visit the website, enter a location, and select your dates. Once you’ve done that, Viator lists whatever available experiences, tours, and activities meet your criteria. 

Viator also discounts certain activities and events by partnering with organizers, sometimes making it a better option than GetYourGuide.

See Related: How to Get Cheap Last-Minute Flights

How are GetYourGuide and Viator similar?

1. Booking Fee Considerations: Transparent Pricing

There are many similarities between GetYourGuide and Viator regarding booking fees. Both platforms are committed to providing complete transparency, ensuring you know exactly what you’re paying for when booking an activity with tour operators worldwide.

Though booking fees may be available for some experiences, you’re paying for the intermediary and the convenience of having thousands of options listed in one place with the accessibility of the same booking process for each.

Plus, you’ll always know about it upfront, which lets you make informed decisions without worrying about extra charges, allowing you to plan your perfect trip.

2. Free Cancellation: Flexible Refund Policies for Most Tours

Travel plans can be unpredictable, and flexibility is key. Fortunately, GetYourGuide and Viator each feature free cancellation options for most tours and activities.

With GetYourGuide, you can get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the same tour, so there’s no need to stress about changing your plans and getting hit with an extra booking fee.

Viator also offers free cancellations with full refunds for most tours. The rules might differ for each tour description, though, so carefully examine the fine print for each booking.

See Related: Important Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance

3. Various Payment Options: Convenience and Security

GetYourGuide and Viator both use modern payment processors, so you can use pretty much any credit card.

Both travel agencies also offer alternative payment methods like PayPal, which is a valuable payment option for people who prefer privacy and security, as PayPal makes it so that you don’t need to share your credit card details.

See Related: The Best Travel Credit Cards

4. 24/7 Customer Support

Both GetYourGuide and Viator offer exceptional customer support with 24/7 live assistance. No matter your questions or concerns, both agencies operate customer support lines with members on standby who are ready to help. 

Support is also available before trips, not just during the booking process. People with issues like last-minute cancellations, post-trip concerns about safety, or other issues can talk to customer service to resolve them and report potential hazards. 

5. Access to Customer Reviews: Insights from Fellow Travelers

These platforms understand the importance of customer reviews in helping travelers plan their adventures. By giving you access to real, honest reviews from fellow travelers that are easily accessible from both the booking screen for individual tours and the main webpage, you can easily rank experiences for a curated stay.

This helps travelers understand what to expect when booking unforgettable hiking tours, museum visits, or other exciting adventures.

How are GetYourGuide and Viator different?

1. Travel Agent Availability

As of 2023, GetYourGuide has around 30,000+ travel agents around the globe, while Viator has an exponentially larger network of over 170,000+ partner agents. This allows Viator to advertise individual partners’ tours and experiences to a much larger base of international travelers. Viator is also connected to and partnered with TripAdvisor.

See Related: Cheap Places to Travel

2. Reserve Now & Pay Later 

While both GetYourGuide and Viator offer options for reserving trips in advance, they offer different ways to pay for activities. Viator allows people to select automatic billing for 2 days before the event (or pay at any time within 48 hours of the event post-booking), while GetYourGuide’s activities need to be booked at least 72 hours in advance. 

The more flexible option of the two is Viator, which allows people to reserve specific events even months out without putting down the full price of the event, making it easy to get in on your desired tour or activity long before the trip without risking your money if something were to change up your vacation plans.

See Related: Travel Agent Tools to Use

3. Sustainable Travel Experiences

GetYourGuide is all about promoting sustainable travel experiences. They go out of their way to find eco-friendly tours and activities, support local conservation efforts, and encourage responsible tourism. This means travelers can choose experiences that positively impact the environment and the places they visit.

Although Viator also has sustainable travel options, GetYourGuide offers a broader range of environmentally conscious choices. If you value responsible and sustainable tourism practices, then GetYourGuide is the platform for you.

What’s better about GetYourGuide?

What sets GetYour Guide apart from Viator and other online travel agencies? GetYourGuide is the top pick for many due to its broad range of available experiences, website accessibility, and review system. Here’s what makes them better compared to other local agencies.

1. Unparalleled Selection

GetYourGuide features a massive collection of 45,000+ travel adventures, ranging from guided tours to food experiences, cultural immersion, sports activities, outdoor events, and more.

2. Verified Reviews and Rating

Trust is vital when booking experiences, and that’s why GetYourGuide has your back. They ensure you’re in the know by making reviews and ratings easily available from real travelers – no fake information here. Their authentication process is thorough, guaranteeing that the reviews are legitimate.

3. Seamless Booking Process

Travel booking should be a breeze, not a headache. That’s why GetYourGuide nailed down the perfect booking process in a way accessible to people not used to online agencies, as well as those who may be less adept at using the web. Just tell them what you’re into, when, and where you want to go, and you can book an experience with just a few clicks–you’re booked and ready to go!

4. Flexibility and Easy To Use Platform

Travel plans often change due to new interests, sudden realizations, or other factors. GetYourGuide gets it and offers flexible cancellation policies on many activities. So, if your plans change, no sweat.

You can easily modify or cancel your bookings through their mobile app, which allows you to access your reservations and tickets on the go or contact their customer service line.

What’s better about Viator?

But what about Viator? Let’s compare what makes it better than GetYourGuide so you can better weigh your options.

1. Extensive Global Network

With over 300,000 experiences and adventures in-network, Viator is the best compared to GetYourGuide. They feature sporting events, concerts and music festivals, traditional cooking classes, and premium tours at historical monuments and museums in almost every tourist destination. 

2. Filter & Browsing Options

Viator has some tricks to help you pick the best activities at your destination. You could type in your desired spot and scroll through options pages, but there are other ways to narrow down available options according to your desired price range, length of time available, and more.

3. Exclusive Deals and Discounts

Viator offers great value by working with local tour guides and event holders to offer codes and special discounts, such as booking with larger groups. These deals incentivize customers to enjoy more Viator experiences and make it more cost-effective to enjoy activities. 

While it isn’t necessary to use any of these, the availability of deals and special offers can make trips interesting, and, should you change your mind, you can always cancel for a refund.

See related: What is Travel Concierge: Things to Know.

4. 24/7 Customer Support

Having top-notch customer service is critical when using an online agency while traveling in a foreign country. Viator offers 24/7 customer service to help with booking, post-trip concerns, cancellations, and more.

Who should choose GetYourGuide (and why)?

Let’s explore who should choose GetYourGuide and what makes it the ultimate destination for explorers.

• Adventurous Explorers—GetYourGuide is a great place to find adventure activities, from paragliding and skydiving to swimming and sea-based adventures and beautiful hiking trails. GetYourGuide has a network of reliable local partners and can guarantee high-quality, safe adventures with real reviews from real people.
• Cultural Enthusiasts – People often use GetYourGuide for local cuisine experiences and cultural immersion, as the site features trips with knowledge guides who can take you on tours of iconic landmarks, offer interesting facts during art museums, or take you to ancient ruins.
• Family Travelers – Large groups and families on vacation use the GetYourGuide platform to find family-friendly activities and attractions like theme park adventures and other age-appropriate experiences. Plus, GetYourGuide often has discounts for larger groups. 

Who should choose Viator (and why)?

Discover why Viator is the ultimate choice for excursionists seeking exceptional experiences. Let’s explore its unparalleled advantages and offerings to determine who should opt for this incredible platform.

• Budget-Conscious Explorers – People traveling on a budget often appreciate Viator for listing free walking tours and discounted tourist attractions to save money while still enjoying cultural immersion and other fun experiences.
• Urban Adventurers – Viator is great for the modern traveler who likes exploring cities on foot, thanks to its in-depth information and recommendations for local culinary options and other immersive cultural experiences, like traditional activities and recommended historical neighborhoods.
• Curious Explorers – Viator, thanks to the huge list of attractions and experiences, helps travelers explore off-the-beaten-path excursions and non-touristy activities that offer unorthodox glimpses into a location’s cultural heritage. 

GetYourGuide Reviews

Online reviews about the company are naturally mixed and can range from “this was the worst experience ever” on Tripadvisor to “this has to be the best tour company around.” Some customers who had a rough time with GetYourGuide suggest reading the fine print before booking.

In contrast, others have complained about tours being canceled at the last minute–so that’s not so much GetYourGuide’s fault since they don’t control individual collaborators or local tour guides.

But, if you check out Trustpilot, you’ll find that most reviews are positive, with an overall 4-star rating through 27,000+ reviews. Plus, booking tours is extremely easy, especially with the added benefit of great deals and a lack of hidden fees. Customers also seem pretty happy with the customer service.

Viator Reviews

Much like GetYourGuide, Viator has an overall positive TrustPilot score of 4.3, even with a significantly greater number of online reviews that count at over 160,000. 

Some customers always report closed or overbooked events, lack of communication, and other difficulties. It’s important to note that companies like Viator and GetYourGuide book and set up people with available activities. Still, they don’t have control over every circumstance, so take overwhelming, specific reviews with a grain of salt. 

GetYourGuide vs Viator Determinant Factors

The competition between these two is stiff, as they have similar ratings. Despite this, there are still some factors that you can use to help determine which of the two online booking agencies is right for you.

See related: Why is everyone obsessed with travel?

1. Understand What You Want

First, compile a list of what you are looking for. Then, divide it into two categories: the must-haves and the nice-to-haves. 

A few of the things you should consider here are:

• Payment options
• User-friendly interface
• Good customer support
• Language
• Currency Settings
• Email automation

2. Simplicity of Use

The two platforms have a friendly interface, so what’s ultimately ‘better’ is subjective and depends on your experience throughout the browsing or booking process. Don’t rely entirely on reviews from other people. Instead, consider your first-hand experience mingling with the app/website.

3. Quality of Reporting

How does the booking agency present the different tours and guides on their platform? Are they scanty and brush through important information?

An in-depth report will help you better view the reservations, policies, and anything that might add value to your trip.

4. Customer Support

GetYourGuide and Viator have solid customer support teams, but you must go deeper. Check for their response time, how they know their customers, how long it takes them to fix mistakes, and how far they can go to make you happy. 

Another metric you might want to consider is the percentage rate of resolved issues and requests, though this can often be difficult to find and may only be available on third-party websites.

5. Marketing Profile

The marketing profiles of the two will be a reliable indicator of how the agencies treat you compared to their organizers. Check out how they run their promotions and whether they are price-conscious. Do they focus on low prices but compromise service quality, or is it a respectable balance? 

6. Reputation

Tens of thousands of people have used GetYourGuide and Viator before. They understand how the systems work and can give you good advice.

Look for online sites with reviews where you will find loads of information. The agency with numerous positive ratings should carry the day. One of the trusted review websites we’ve used for this article is TripAdvisor, so check there.

Here is a summary comparison of the two tours and experience platforms:

See Related: Free Printable Travel Planner

GetYourGuide and Viator Competitors

Looking beyond the usual prospects of GetYourGuide and Viator can lead to exciting discoveries. Klook, Tiqets, and Musement are just some competitors worth exploring. These competitors offer a unique take on the travel industry, each offering expertise in specialized areas or providing distinctive features that make them attractive alternatives to the bigger names.

1. Klook

Klook is crushing it as a top tour provider, with 100,000+ attractions and experiences in 350+ global hotspots. What sets Klook apart is its offering of off-the-beaten-path experiences and hidden gems, many of which aren’t as touristy as what you’ll find on the highly-rated list of Viator or GetYourGuide.

Their emphasis on price also allows them to offer many value-packed trips and deals to make traveling easier and more enjoyable for budget travelers. Plus, their platform is super user-friendly, making finding and booking tours just as easy as anywhere else–and, if you need them, they offer 24/7 customer support. 

2. Tiqets

Tiqets is a great open for urban explorers and serves primarily as a ticket-ordering service for international city destinations. It’s a go-to for museums, art galleries, historical landmarks, and other cultural gems. It offers a seamless ordering experience with secure payment methods, allowing travelers to skip the line and focus on what matters most.

3. Musement

Musement is a digital concierge service that helps you book all the fun stuff you want to do on your vacation, no matter where in the world you are.

With 1000+ destinations in over 70 countries, there are plenty of museums, guided tours, food and wine experiences, and other culturally immersive activities. Musement has one advantage that sets itself apart from other competitors, too–it’s one of Google’s partners for the launch of tours and activities in Reserve with Google. 

This partnership means you can find guided tours and main attractions right in your browser or mobile phone, like Maps and the Assistant. It also makes it extremely easy to find new bookings through a highly accessible user interface.

See Related: How to Use Google Flights to Book Cheap Flights

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