Where and How to Book Your Tours
TL;DR: Book directly with the guide or through their website for the best experience and value.
When planning a trip, choosing your tours should be right up there with booking your accommodations and flights. Together, these three essentials shape your travel experience—they determine when you’re visiting, where you’ll be staying, and what adventures you’ll have.
To start, online platforms like Airbnb Experiences, Get Your Guide, Tripadvisor, and Viator can be helpful for getting an overview of what’s offered and reading reviews. But when it comes to actually booking, here’s a secret: these platforms often charge hefty commissions, sometimes as high as 50%, on each tour sold. This means a tour priced at €100 may only result in €70 for the provider, which limits the quality of the experience they can offer. In many cases, booking directly through the provider’s website can save you a significant amount and ensure more of your money goes directly to your tour guide.
Understanding Tour Prices and Value
It’s also essential to understand what’s included in the cost. Some tours include everything—transportation, meals, activities—while others may cover only the basics. Lower-cost tours often rely on high volumes and may have less flexibility or personalization. Be cautious if you notice multiple, similar-looking tours from the same provider—this can indicate a mass-market approach where “small group” promises sometimes turn into larger group experiences in buses or split among multiple vans.
On the other hand, higher-priced tours on these platforms can also be inflated due to commission fees. By contacting the provider directly, you’ll often find a better rate and get a more personalized booking experience. A bit of research can go a long way to finding the best tour at the best price.
Hidden Costs of Online Platforms
These booking platforms may offer a few advantages, such as flexible cancellation policies, but they often come at an unnecessary cost to providers, especially in Portugal. Here, tour companies are already required to carry third-party insurance, yet platforms charge commissions that supposedly help cover these insurance costs. So, Portuguese tour providers end up paying twice for the same coverage, which impacts the local tourism economy.
For individual guides and small tour operators, cancellations can have a big impact. While larger companies may overbook to account for cancellations, a small operator can lose valuable income from a single no-show. So, if you book directly with a guide, please do your best to honor your commitment. They will be delighted to share an unforgettable day with you, and many small operators deeply appreciate each and every guest who joins them.
Watch Out for Hotel Recommendations
In years past, hotel concierges were a reliable source of unbiased recommendations. However, today, concierges often operate on commission arrangements similar to those of online platforms. This means that their suggestions may be based more on the size of the commission than on the quality of the tour experience.
In Summary
Research online to see what tours are available and to read reviews.
Book directly with the provider to get the best price and support local operators.
Be wary of commission-based recommendations from hotels or concierges.
Show up for your guide—they’re excited to give you a memorable experience and appreciate your support.
Booking tours is about more than just filling your itinerary; it’s about choosing experiences that will shape your journey. By booking directly, you can help ensure that your tour is led by passionate guides, focused on quality and dedicated to creating a memorable experience.