I know Viator has had some bad reviews in the past but I noticed that they are a tripadvisor company now so I was hoping they were much better.
I found a Paris in 1 day tour from them that I liked and want to book. I looked at other companies and they don't offer all the things that Viator does.
Thanks!
In the last year we've had good experiences on 3 out of 3 Viator tours, both in the US and France. They are a middleman, but it hasn't been a problem for us.
I'll second that. I have used Viator (a tour consolidator) many times and have never had a bad tour.
Most recently used them for tours of D-Day Beaches in Normandy and Mount St. Michel.
Hope you like them too.
Oh that makes me feel better - thanks!
I read that they are the middle man and I still have to contact a tour company when I get to France to confirm. Is that still true?
I didn't have to do that.
Yes, you must call them. They are a middleman, and they don't actually book your tour with the local provider until you are there and confirm that you are planning to show up for the tour (despite having already charged you). Even having called you might find that you're not booked.
I had multiple bad experiences with them not booking the tours we paid for. We spent an entire day in Spain on the phone trying to get the day tour we had booked. Nobody had any trace of us. What a waste of a day.
Similar thing happened to us in Rome, and once to my sister in Paris.
I'd find the local providers of the various tours and book directly rather than through Viator.
I recommend www.toursbylocals.com which connects you up with a local licensed guide instead of being lumped into a big tour bus group.
I have used Viatour in Hungary and the Chek Republic (spelling is wrong but you get the idea). They were very professional, picked us up on t ime at our hotel. The tours were fine. The Budapest tour was rather perfunctory but the Prague guide was really knowledgeable.
All in all, I would use them again.
Mimi Smith
I don't understand the benefit of using a middleman when you can contact the company directly.
Thanks for your replies.
They offer the tour I want in Paris that I haven't been able to find with an independent company.
It includes lunch at the Eiffel Tower. Does anyone know of a tour that includes lunch? I tried to book the lunch on my own and it is sold out. I'm thinking tour groups probably buy out things like this so they can include them in their tours.
I am calling Viator and I have been on hold for 22 minutes. That's a little scary.
Remember that if anything goes wrong with the tour Viator will blame the actual tour operator and not help. The actual tour operator may help or may blame Viator and not help at all. You could find yourself in the middle.
If you book directly, and I grant that that may take even more effort, you will know who you are dealing with and if there would be a problem the company wouldn't have anybody else to blame.
I found out the tour is with Paris City Vision and I looked on their website and they don't offer the same tour that I want and what they did offer was at a higher price.
Well, since you know where the tour came from, contact them directly and see if they will bargain
