What GetYourGuide is and how to use it

GetYourGuide is an online marketplace where you browse, book, and pay for tours, activities, and attractions in cities around the world. You search by destination, pick an experience that fits your schedule and budget, complete payment on the site, and receive a confirmation email with your booking details and any instructions from the tour operator. The platform handles the transaction between you and the local tour company, but the tour itself is run by the independent operator whose listing you booked.

The site works like other travel booking platforms — you are not buying directly from GetYourGuide corporate, but rather using their system to connect with and pay a tour provider in your destination. When you arrive at your tour location, you meet the operator's guide or staff, not GetYourGuide staff. GetYourGuide's role is to list the tours, process your payment, and handle disputes if something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • GetYourGuide is a booking platform that connects you with local tour operators; you pay through the site but the tour is run by the independent operator.
  • You receive a confirmation email with your booking reference and the operator's contact details, which you use to check in on the day of your tour.
  • Most tours allow free cancellation up to a certain number of hours before the start time, though some tours are non-refundable — check the cancellation policy before you book.
  • If a tour is cancelled by the operator or does not match the description, GetYourGuide offers refunds or rebooking through their resolution process.
  • Tour prices on GetYourGuide typically include the operator's fee and the platform's commission, so the price you see is the total cost unless the listing notes additional fees.

How to search for and book a tour on GetYourGuide

Start by visiting GetYourGuide.com or opening the mobile app. Enter your destination city and your travel dates. The site will show you tours and activities available in that location, sorted by popularity, price, or rating by default. Click on any listing to see the full description, photos, duration, start time, what is included, and the cancellation policy.

Once you have chosen a tour, select your date and the number of people in your group, then click the booking button. You will be taken to a checkout page where you enter your name, email, and payment method. GetYourGuide accepts credit cards, debit cards, and some digital wallets depending on your location. After payment is processed, you receive a confirmation email within minutes that includes your booking reference number, the tour operator's name and contact details, and any specific instructions for meeting the guide.

Save your confirmation email or take a screenshot — you will need your booking reference when you arrive at the meeting point. Some operators ask you to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, so check the confirmation for timing details.

Understanding cancellation policies and refunds

GetYourGuide tours fall into two main cancellation categories: free cancellation and non-refundable. A tour with free cancellation means you can cancel and receive a full refund if you do so before the cancellation important date — usually 24 hours before the tour starts, though some tours allow cancellation up to one hour before. A non-refundable tour cannot be cancelled for a refund under any circumstances, though you may be able to reschedule to a different date if the operator allows it.

The cancellation policy is listed on every tour's booking page before you pay, so read it carefully. If you cancel within the allowed window, you request the refund through your GetYourGuide account under "My Bookings" — the refund is processed back to your original payment method within 5 to 10 business days. If you miss the cancellation important date, you cannot get your money back unless the tour operator cancels the tour themselves.

If the tour is cancelled by the operator due to bad weather, low booking numbers, or other reasons, GetYourGuide will notify you by email and offer either a full refund or the option to rebook on a different date at no extra cost.

What happens if something goes wrong with your tour

If you arrive at the meeting point and the tour does not start, the guide does not show up, or the experience is significantly different from the description on the booking page, you can file a complaint with GetYourGuide. Go to your booking in "My Bookings," click the three-dot menu, and select "Report an issue." Describe what happened and upload any photos or videos as evidence.

GetYourGuide will contact the tour operator to investigate. If the operator cannot resolve the issue, GetYourGuide may offer you a refund, a credit toward another tour, or a rebooking. The resolution process typically takes 5 to 14 days. Keep records of your booking confirmation, any messages with the operator, and photos or videos from the day of the tour — these help GetYourGuide make a decision in your favor.

If you have a safety concern during a tour — for example, unsafe equipment or a guide who is behaving inappropriately — stop the tour when ready and contact GetYourGuide's support team by phone or email. Safety issues are treated as urgent and may result in an when ready refund or rebooking.

How pricing works and what is included

The price displayed on a GetYourGuide tour listing is the total amount you pay per person. This price includes the tour operator's cost to run the tour and GetYourGuide's commission for providing the booking platform. You will not see a separate "platform fee" added at checkout — the price you see is what you pay.

Some tours note additional fees in the description, such as entrance fees to museums or national parks, meals, or transportation. Read the "What's included" section on the tour page to understand what is covered in the price and what you may need to pay separately. If a tour says "entrance fees not included," you will pay those directly to the attraction when you arrive, not through GetYourGuide.

Prices vary by season and demand. The same tour may cost more during peak travel times and less during off-season. Booking further in advance does not always may provide a lower price, but it does give you more tour dates to choose from.

Payment methods and currency

GetYourGuide accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit and debit cards in most countries. Depending on where you are booking from, the site may also accept PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or local payment methods like Klarna (buy now, pay later).

The currency shown on the site depends on your location and the location of the tour. If you are booking a tour in a different country from where you live, GetYourGuide will show the price in your local currency and handle the exchange rate conversion. The exact amount you are charged may differ slightly from the displayed price due to currency fluctuations, but GetYourGuide uses real-time exchange rates to keep the difference minimal.

Your payment is processed securely through encrypted connections. GetYourGuide does not store your full credit card number — payment information is handled by third-party payment processors like Stripe or Adyen.

Contacting the tour operator and preparing for your tour

Your confirmation email includes the tour operator's phone number and email address. If you have questions before the tour — such as what to wear, where exactly to meet, or whether you can bring children — contact the operator directly using the details in your confirmation. Most operators respond within a few hours to a day.

On the day of your tour, arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes early. Bring your booking reference number (from your confirmation email) and a form of photo ID if the operator requests it. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for the activity, and bring water and sunscreen if the tour is outdoors. Check the weather forecast the night before and bring a light jacket or rain gear if needed.

If you are running late or cannot make it to the tour, contact the operator when ready using the phone number in your confirmation. Some operators will allow you to join a later time slot or reschedule, but this depends on their policy and availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to print my confirmation or can I show it on my phone?

You can show your confirmation email on your phone — most operators accept a digital copy. Take a screenshot of your booking reference number as a backup in case your phone battery dies or you lose signal at the meeting point.

What if I book a tour and then my travel dates change?

If your tour has a free cancellation policy and you cancel before the important date, you receive a full refund. You can then book a different tour on your new dates. If your tour is non-refundable, contact the operator directly to ask if they will reschedule you to a different date — some will, some will not, depending on their policy.

Are GetYourGuide tours more expensive than booking directly with the tour operator?

Prices are usually the same whether you book through GetYourGuide or directly with the operator, because GetYourGuide's commission is built into the listing price. Booking through GetYourGuide gives you the protection of their refund and dispute resolution process, which you may not have if you book directly.

Can I get a group discount if I book multiple tours or a large group?

Some tour operators offer group discounts for large bookings. Check the tour description to see if a discount is mentioned, or contact the operator directly using the email in your confirmation to ask about group rates before you book.

What if the tour operator asks me to pay cash on the day instead of using my GetYourGuide booking?

Do not pay cash to the operator if you have already paid through GetYourGuide. You have already completed your booking and payment — show your confirmation email and booking reference. If the operator insists on additional payment, this is a red flag. Contact GetYourGuide support when ready and do not proceed with the tour.