What Free Tours By Foot Is
Free Tours By Foot is a network of walking tours in cities across the United States and Europe where you pay what you think the tour was worth at the end, rather than paying upfront. A guide leads a group through a neighborhood or historic district, pointing out buildings, telling stories, and answering questions. You walk the whole time — these are not bus tours or seated experiences. At the end, usually after 90 minutes to two hours, the guide passes around a collection bag or tells you where to hand over cash or card payment.
The company operates in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, New Orleans, Washington DC, and several European cities. Each city has its own set of routes, and the same route may run multiple times per day. Tours focus on themes like ghost stories, history, architecture, or neighborhood culture — the ghost tour is one of their most popular offerings.
Free Tours By Foot does not charge you to show up. You are not obligated to pay anything. The model depends on the idea that people who had a good experience will pay, and that payment covers the guide's work and the company's costs.
Key Takeaways
- You pay nothing upfront; payment happens at the end based on what you decide the tour was worth.
- Tours last roughly 90 minutes to two hours and involve walking through a city neighborhood or historic area.
- You book a spot online through the Free Tours By Foot website or app to reserve your place on a specific date and time.
- Payment at the end is typically cash or card, and guides depend on these tips as their primary income.
- Tours run in multiple cities across the US and Europe, with different themes available in each location.
How to Book a Tour
Go to the Free Tours By Foot website and select your city from the list. You will see all available tours for that location, organized by theme and time of day. Click on the tour you want — for example, "Ghost Tour" or "Historic Downtown" — and you will see a calendar showing which dates have openings.
Select your date and time, then enter how many people are in your group. You will need to provide your name and email address. Free Tours By Foot will send you a confirmation email with the meeting location, the exact start time, and directions. Some tours also have a mobile app where you can book directly.
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Tours leave on time, and if you are late, the group will not wait. The meeting spot is usually a landmark or public plaza that is straightforward to find — the confirmation email will be specific about where to stand.
What Happens During the Tour
Your guide will introduce themselves and give a brief overview of what you will see and learn. Then the group starts walking. The guide stops at various points — old buildings, cemeteries, significant streets, plaques — and tells stories or historical facts about what you are looking at. They will point out architectural details, explain why a place is important, or share local legends if it is a ghost tour.
You can ask questions at any point. Guides are usually knowledgeable about the neighborhood and can answer follow-up questions or suggest nearby restaurants or shops. The pace is walking speed, so wear comfortable shoes. Tours happen rain or shine unless there is severe weather, in which case Free Tours By Foot will reschedule you for another date.
The group size varies. Popular tours in busy cities might have 20 to 40 people; smaller cities or less popular time slots might have 5 to 10. The guide will keep the group together and speak loudly enough for everyone to hear, but you will not have a microphone or headset.
How Payment Works at the End
When the tour ends, the guide will tell you where and how to pay. Some guides pass around a collection bag or hat. Others direct you to a specific spot nearby — a bench, a shop entrance — where you can hand them cash or use a card reader. A few guides use digital payment apps like Venmo or PayPal and will share their handle.
There is no set price. You decide what to pay based on the quality of the tour, how much you learned, and what you think is fair. Most people pay between $10 and $20 per person, though some pay more and some pay less. Paying nothing is technically allowed, but guides depend on tips as their only income, so most people do contribute something.
If you prefer not to pay in front of the group, you can step aside and hand the guide money privately, or ask for their Venmo handle to pay later. No guide will pressure you or ask how much you paid.
What to Bring and Wear
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Tours cover 1.5 to 3 miles depending on the route, and you will be on your feet the entire time. Bring water, especially in warm weather. Many tours pass shops or cafes where you can buy a drink, but it is safer to carry your own.
Dress for the weather. Tours run in all seasons, and the company does not cancel for light rain. A light jacket or umbrella is useful. In winter cities, dress warmly — you will be standing still at times while the guide talks, so you will feel the cold more than you would if you were moving constantly.
Bring a phone or camera if you want to take photos. Guides often stop at scenic or historic spots that are good for pictures. Do not bring large bags or luggage; you will be walking through crowded areas and carrying a big backpack gets tiring.
Cancellations and Rescheduling
If you need to cancel, log into your Free Tours By Foot account and cancel your reservation. You can usually do this up to 24 hours before the tour. If you cancel within 24 hours, you lose your spot but you have not paid anything, so there is no refund to process.
If the tour is cancelled by Free Tours By Foot — usually because of severe weather or too few people booked — you will receive an email offering you a spot on another date or time. You can accept the new time or cancel without penalty.
If you are running late, contact the guide directly if their phone number is in your confirmation email. Some guides will wait a few minutes if you let them know, but the tour will not hold for more than 5 to 10 minutes past the start time.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Tour
Book the time of day that matches the tour theme. Ghost tours are often better at dusk or evening when the light is lower and the atmosphere is spookier. History tours work well in daylight when you can see architectural details clearly. Check the tour description to see if a specific time is recommended.
Read the tour description carefully before booking. Some tours focus on architecture, others on ghost stories, others on neighborhood culture. If you want a ghost tour specifically, make sure that is what you are booking — Free Tours By Foot offers many themes, and titles can be similar.
Bring cash if possible. While most guides accept cards, cash is faster and simpler at the end of the tour. If you only have a card, ask the guide before the tour starts whether they have a card reader.
Go with an open mind. The quality of a tour depends heavily on the guide. Some guides are theatrical and entertaining; others are more straightforward and fact-focused. Both styles can be good — it just depends on what you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay at the end?
No, you are not required to pay. The tour is free to join. However, guides work entirely on tips, so most people do pay something — typically $10 to $20 per person. If you had a good experience, paying is the way to support the guide's work.
What if I do not like the tour?
You can leave at any point. If you realize early on that the tour is not what you expected, you can politely excuse yourself and walk away. You do not owe payment if you leave early, though if you stayed for a significant portion, most people would still pay something.
Are these tours good for kids?
It depends on the tour and the child's age. Ghost tours can be scary for young children. History and neighborhood tours are usually fine for kids 8 and up. Check the tour description or contact Free Tours By Foot directly to ask whether a specific tour is age-appropriate.
Can I book a private tour for a group?
Free Tours By Foot does not advertise private bookings on their main website, but some cities offer group rates or private options. Contact the local Free Tours By Foot office for your city to ask about group pricing or custom tours.
What if the weather is really bad?
Tours run in light rain and cold weather. If there is severe weather — thunderstorms, heavy snow, extreme heat — Free Tours By Foot will cancel and offer you a spot on another date. Check your email the morning of the tour if weather looks questionable; the company usually sends updates by mid-morning.