Prague & Budapest - guided walking tours

I have used Viator almost a dozen times and had success with the different tours who use Viator as their marketplace. You get what you pay for on free tours. Most free tours are really just a high level walk about town to show you were things are located and tips are expected at the end. I looked up Sandeman and it appears there is a cost for specific tours of specific sites.

I found many sites in Prague to be self-guided, but that is always a personal choice. Either way you will enjoy both cities.

For Prague, I highly recommend using these guys: https://www.nakedtourguideprague.com/

They're reasonably priced, you're guaranteed to be in a small group, and the guide we had was absolutely amazing (did the castle district at night). We tried one of the free tours before this company and it was just a giant mob of people trying to hear what she was saying... so, we bailed. But I seriously recommend the Naked Tour group. There's no nudity, of course.

Headed to Budapest in a few weeks. If we end up booking any guided tours, I'll try to remember to come post my experiences there. Good luck!

I know there are a number of free tours in Budapest that come well recommended. Pit your question in the Hungary forum and I am sure you will get some recommendations.

I had a great experience with Living Prague tours. The guide was great, he is from England but has lived in Prague for 20+ years. I was the only one who booked that day/tour but he didn't cancel so I ended up with a private tour for a bargain price.

https://livingprague.com/prague-walking-tours/

I have had zero luck with the free tours and just really dislike their business model. You really do get what you pay for.

Another shout out for the Naked Tour Guide in Prague. Great tours available to you here.

Viator sells other peoples tours. Look on Trip Advisor (or in Ricks book possibly) to find the real company and you will save that company a hefty 25% commission that they have to pay Viator. Book directly with companies. Go to their website to find all of their own offers.

I recommend Helena Sedlmajerova (Prague), Andrea Makkay (Budapest).
Their tours are not free but I think you will find one "gets what you pay for".

I prefer to avoid the "free" tours; when I don't find other suitable options, I keep in mind that guides of the "free" tours have to the company a fee for each person who shows up. I believe Rick has indicated that the fee is often 3 or 3.50 euros. Don't be chintzy when you hand the guide your tip; he doesn't get to keep all of it.

We have had good luck with these "free tours." In Madrid we used OgoTours.com.
In Barcelona we used runnerbean.com. Recommended by RS & Forum contributors. All guides were knowledgeable. We were very pleased.

We have used paid guided tours in Italy, France, Portugal & Italy. (All guides were superb). We will be in Budapest and Prague in a few months and have booked guided tours. Our interest is in Jewish history and have booked www.budapestjewishwalk.hu with Timea. In Prague www.jewishwalkingtours with Yvonne and Terezin tour with Pavel Batel. These tours were recommended by relatives and fellow RS Forum contributors. Very positive feedback! We have also booked a guide in Cesky Krumlov.

As mentioned upthread, guide Jason in Prague is highly recommended by friends & Forum contributors.

I've never done a "free" tour, but I have seen them around town and the guides seem to be working hard for their tips. From that point of view it might be a good business model. I also hear and read a lot of good things about them.

For paid tour guides I know a couple good ones. When I travel I usually hire one for at least a day. I avoid any guide recommended in a book. Like free guides, they are best if young and hungry. I will interview a guide for weeks before I pick one. So far, so good.

In Budapest a Jewish tour is a perfect reason to hire a guide, and I think you chose well.