Quick answer: GetYourGuide is a marketplace for tours, tickets and activities. Local operators list their products; you search, compare reviews, book and pay on GetYourGuide; the operator runs the experience. You get a voucher in the app, show it at the meeting point, and on most products can cancel for a full refund more than 24 hours before. There is no booking fee — GetYourGuide takes a commission from the operator. It also sells its own “Originals” and offers reserve-now-pay-later on many tours.
Related: How Does Viator Work? A Beginner’s Guide to Booking Tours (2026)
What It Is
Founded in Zurich in 2009 and headquartered in Berlin, GetYourGuide is one of the two largest activity platforms worldwide, strongest in Europe. Everything on it — from a Sagrada Familia ticket to a Montserrat day trip — is supplied by an operator or attraction; GetYourGuide provides the storefront, payment, reviews and 24/7 support.
Top-Rated Barcelona Tours & Experiences on Viator
Searching and Choosing
Search a city or attraction, then filter: free cancellation, duration, price, private, skip-the-line, “GetYourGuide Originals”. Sort by rating and read the recent and middling reviews. Check inclusions (ticket? transport? meal?), meeting point and the cancellation line before booking. Originals are experiences GetYourGuide co-designs — early-entry museum visits, for example — and are worth a look for major attractions.
Booking and Paying
Pick a date, time and travellers; pay by card, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay. On many tours choose Reserve now, pay later: the spot is held and your card is charged 72 hours before. Bookings are usually confirmed instantly; a few are confirmed by the operator within a day or two.
The Voucher and the Day
The voucher appears in the app’s Bookings tab and by email, with the meeting point on a map, the operator’s contact and the cancellation cutoff. Most operators accept the mobile voucher; some tickets require printing, as stated on the listing. Arrive 10–15 minutes early; reconfirm pickups if asked.
Changing and Cancelling
On most products a full refund is available if you cancel more than 24 hours before the start, from the app or website. Some products are non-refundable or need more notice, as labelled. If the operator cancels, you are refunded in full. Details: GetYourGuide cancellation policy.
If Something Goes Wrong
Call the operator first for on-the-day issues; contact GetYourGuide’s 24/7 support (chat in the app, phone) for no-shows, refunds and experiences that badly miss their description.
Is Viator Better for This?
The two work almost identically — marketplace, 24-hour free cancellation on most products, pay-later, app vouchers — so the decision comes down to which lists the better-reviewed operator for your tour. Viator has the larger global catalogue and, thanks to Tripadvisor, more reviews per tour (the Barcelona examples above each have thousands), plus 24/7 phone support; GetYourGuide is equally strong in Europe and has Originals. Compare in Viator vs GetYourGuide, or read how Viator works. Related: Is GetYourGuide legit?. Destinations: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GetYourGuide charge a booking fee?
No. You pay the listed price; GetYourGuide earns a commission from the operator.
What are GetYourGuide Originals?
Experiences GetYourGuide designs with partners — often early-access or exclusive versions of major attraction visits — sold only on GetYourGuide.
Do I need to print a GetYourGuide voucher?
Usually not; the mobile voucher is accepted. Some tickets require printing and say so on the listing.
When is my card charged with reserve now pay later?
72 hours before the activity. Cancel before then and nothing is charged.
Can I cancel a GetYourGuide booking?
On most products, yes — full refund if you cancel more than 24 hours before the start.
GetYourGuide or Viator for a first trip?
Either. Compare the specific tour on both; Viator usually has more reviews per tour and more options outside Europe.
Kratos Review is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on 28 September 2026 and can change.
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