GetYourGuide vs Viator: which should you book with?

GetYourGuide and Viator sell many of the same tours, often run by the same local companies. So the question is less which site is better, and more which one has the better deal on the tour you actually want.

Short answer: neither wins everywhere, and comparisons disagree about which is cheaper. Start with GetYourGuide in Europe, where its range is often described as strongest, and with Viator if you already use Tripadvisor reviews. Then compare the same tour on both, and check the operator's own site.

We earn a commission from GetYourGuide but not from Viator, so weigh our view with that in mind.

What these sites actually are

Both are marketplaces. A local company runs the tour, and the site handles the listing, the payment and the first line of support. That has two consequences:

• The same tour often appears on both, sometimes at a different price or under a different name.
• The quality depends on the operator, not the site. A great tour and a poor one can sit side by side on either platform.

That is why reviews of the specific tour matter more than any general verdict on the site.

Where GetYourGuide is often stronger

• Europe. Its operator coverage there is widely seen as its main strength.
• Skip-the-line tickets and popular sights, where you want to search for one attraction and pick a time.
• Searching for one thing. It is easy to look up a single sight or activity and compare the options.

Where Viator is often stronger

• Tripadvisor users. Because Tripadvisor owns Viator, you may recognise its tours and reviews if you already plan there.
• Range. It lists a large number of tours worldwide, so check it when GetYourGuide has little for your destination.

Cancellation: read the tour, not the site

Both sites advertise free cancellation up to 24 hours before many tours, and that is a real benefit if your plans could change. But the terms are set for each listing. Some tours, such as certain tickets, multi-day trips and special events, can have stricter rules or no refund at all.

Check three things before you pay:

1. Is this exact tour free to cancel, and until when?
2. What is the local cut-off time? The deadline is usually based on the tour's start time and location.
3. What happens in bad weather? Outdoor tours may have their own rules.

How to compare the same tour

1. Find the tour you want on either site, and note the operator if it is shown.
2. Search for the same tour on the other site. Match the length, group size, what is included and the meeting point.
3. Compare the final price, after any fees, for your date and group size.
4. Read the most recent reviews, particularly the low ones. Look for the same complaint appearing more than once.
5. Check the operator's own website. Booking direct is sometimes cheaper, and it is easier to change.

Prices for the same tour are often close, so do not spend long on a small difference. Better reviews or a more flexible cancellation are usually worth more.

When to skip both

• Official tickets. For major sights, such as the Colosseum or the Vatican Museums, check the official site first. It can be cheaper, though it may sell out early.
• Free walking tours and small local guides, who may not be listed at all.
• Very specialist activities, where a local operator's own site may have more options.

If official tickets are gone, a tour that includes entry is often the way in. That is where these sites are most useful.

Common questions

Is GetYourGuide or Viator better?

Neither is better everywhere. GetYourGuide is often stronger in Europe, and Viator suits people who already use Tripadvisor. For a specific tour, compare the price, the reviews and the cancellation terms on both.

Is GetYourGuide or Viator cheaper?

It depends on the tour. Comparisons disagree, and prices for the same tour are often close. Check the final price on both for your date.

Are GetYourGuide and Viator the same company?

No. GetYourGuide is an independent company based in Berlin, and Viator is owned by Tripadvisor. They often list tours from the same local operators.

Are the tours on these sites legitimate?

Generally yes, and they are usually run by local companies, but quality varies by operator. Recent reviews of the exact tour are the best guide.

Should I book tours in advance?

For popular sights and peak season, yes, because good time slots sell out. For a flexible day, booking a day or two before is often fine, and free cancellation lets you book early and change your mind.

Plan the days first

It is easier to choose tours once you know which day you are where. ChatYourTrip lays out your days and shows tours for each activity, the trip ideas pages have routes to adapt, and the Rome travel guide covers which tickets to book ahead. The booking mistakes guide covers the errors that cost the most.