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Viator and GetYourGuide are the two largest marketplaces for booking guided tours and attraction tickets, and they are more alike than different. Both let you browse experiences, read reviews, and book with free cancellation on many listings. The main differences are who they work with and one policy that matters for self-guided travelers: neither sells standalone self-guided audio tours anymore, and GetYourGuide banned them outright in 2024. If you want a live guide or a ticket, either works. If you want to walk on your own, you need a different tool.
Viator vs GetYourGuide at a glance
| Viator | GetYourGuide | |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Tripadvisor | Independent |
| Model | Resells from many operators, including aggregators | Works only with businesses running their own activities |
| Self-guided audio tours | A few, resold | Banned since July 2024 |
| Fees | Booking fee added at checkout | Service fee added at checkout |
| Cancellation | Free on many, often 24 hours before | Free on many, often 24 hours before |
| Best for | Widest catalog of tours and tickets | Curated operator-run experiences |
Which marketplace is better?
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For most travelers the difference is small. Viator has the larger catalog because it resells from more sources, including aggregators, so you will often find more listings. GetYourGuide works only with the businesses that actually run the activities, which some travelers prefer for accountability. Prices are set by operators on both, and both add a fee at checkout, so the cheaper option depends on the specific listing. The best move is to compare the same tour on both, including the final price with fees.
What if you want a self-guided tour?
Here is the catch for independent travelers: neither marketplace is built for self-guided audio walks. GetYourGuide removed standalone self-guided audio tours, self-guided walking tours, and city exploration games on July 31, 2024. Viator lists a small number resold from operators, but its catalog is overwhelmingly live and ticketed. If you specifically want to walk a city on your own with narration in your ear, a dedicated app is the right tool. Roamer, for example, is free to start on every tour, then $4.99 per tour or $19.99 for a 30-day pass. Browse self-guided walking tours.
The bottom line
Choose Viator or GetYourGuide when you want a live guide, a group experience, or a timed ticket, and compare the final price on both. Choose a self-guided app like Roamer when you want to explore on your own schedule. See also Roamer vs Viator and Roamer vs GetYourGuide.
Preguntas frecuentes
- What is the difference between Viator and GetYourGuide?
- Both are marketplaces for booking guided tours and attraction tickets. Viator is owned by Tripadvisor and resells from many operators, including aggregators. GetYourGuide works only with businesses running their own activities. Neither sells standalone self-guided audio tours.
- Does Viator or GetYourGuide sell self-guided audio tours?
- Not really. GetYourGuide removed standalone self-guided audio tours in July 2024. Viator lists a few resold from operators, but its catalog is overwhelmingly guided and ticketed. For a self-guided walk, use a dedicated app.
- Which has lower fees?
- Both add a booking or service fee at checkout and prices are set by operators, so the cheaper option varies by listing. Compare the final price including fees on each site.