Why Booking Direct is Better Than Using GetYourGuide or Viator

If you've ever planned a trip, you've likely stumbled upon platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator. These companies, much like Airbnb and Uber, promise to make your life easier by "connecting you" to local experiences—city tours, cooking classes, and thrilling adventures. But much like their infamous Silicon Valley counterparts, these middlemen come with baggage. Think about Uber's surge pricing or Airbnb's cleaning fees that rival your hotel budget. In the world of tours and activities, GetYourGuide and Viator have a similar model: offering convenience, but with a big hidden cost.

The Catch: 25% Off the Top

One of the lesser-known secrets of GetYourGuide and Viator is the hefty 25% commission they take from the vendors—the local guides, small businesses, and tour operators who actually run the activities. That’s right: when you book that aurora hunt, romantic sunset cruise, or haunted city tour, a quarter of the cost is whisked away to the platform, not the people providing your unforgettable experience.

This wouldn’t be so bad if these platforms provided stellar customer service, but they often leave both travellers and vendors frustrated. It’s a bit like Uber not being able to help when your driver takes a detour through the wrong part of town or Airbnb leaving you stranded with a last-minute cancellation and no alternatives.

Why Booking Direct is a Win-Win

Booking directly with vendors isn’t just about cutting out the middleman—it’s about supporting local businesses and ensuring you get a personalised, hassle-free experience. Here’s why going direct beats clicking through these platforms:

1. More Bang for Your Buck

When you book directly, that 25% doesn’t vanish into the ether. Local vendors often pass the savings on to you, offering better prices, added perks, or upgrades that platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator wouldn’t dream of mentioning.

2. Personalised Service

Have you ever tried contacting GetYourGuide customer service? It can be a black hole of frustration, with canned responses and no real resolution. When you book directly with the vendor, you’re often talking to someone who genuinely cares about your experience. Need to reschedule? Special requests? They’ll work with you directly because you’re their customer—not just another transaction in a giant system.

3. Supporting Local Economies

Much like how Uber and Airbnb can undercut local economies and leave local businesses in the dust, platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide make it harder for small operators to stay afloat. When you book through them, you’re helping fund a tech behemoth’s global operations. When you book directly, that money stays in the local community, often going straight to the people who work hard to make your trip memorable.

4. Less Hassle When Things Go Wrong

When plans change or the unexpected happens, it’s always easier to deal directly with the people running the show. Booking platforms often act as a wall between you and the vendor, complicating refunds, changes, or any disputes. You’re caught in a loop of “our policy states” nonsense. Local operators, on the other hand, are far more likely to offer flexible solutions because they’re not handcuffed by corporate bureaucracy.

5. Avoid the Algorithm Trap

Just like how Uber seems to offer you wildly fluctuating fares depending on some mysterious algorithm, GetYourGuide and Viator rank tours and activities not necessarily by quality, but by who pays them the most commission or ad dollars. By booking directly, you’re not falling prey to the algorithm. Instead, you can research or even ask locals for recommendations on the best tours and experiences, often discovering hidden gems.

The Marketing Illusion: "Curated" Experiences

GetYourGuide and Viator love to sell the illusion that they "curate" experiences. But behind the scenes, many local vendors will tell you the platform takes any vendor who signs up, with little to no vetting process. It’s akin to how Airbnb will list anything from a mansion to a mattress in a living room and call it “curated.”

The slick websites and flashy banners are there to make it feel as if you're getting access to some exclusive, hand-picked list. In reality, you’re just browsing what’s convenient for the platform to sell. Booking directly with local vendors ensures you’re actually getting the real deal—the authentic experiences that the platform’s marketing claims to offer.

Cut Out the Middleman

The next time you're planning that epic vacation, consider going straight to the source for your activities. It may take a bit more effort to find vendors online or reach out directly, but the rewards are worth it: better prices, personalised service, and the satisfaction of supporting local businesses that keep the spirit of travel alive. When you book a guided tour you’re paying for the knowledge and experience of the guide, and a small amount towards the maintenance of the booking system. With the addition of another booking system (Viator and GetYourGuide) that links to the guides own booking system, you’re paying for nothing more and you’re removing money from the local pockets.

So, while GetYourGuide and Viator may seem convenient, don’t fall for the same trap you did when Airbnb promised you “local living” or Uber claimed to make your rides easier. They’re middlemen. And just like with all middlemen, you—and the people actually providing the service—are better off without them.