Heading to Portugal in May/June and wanted to book some tours. I was wondering if anyone has had experiences with Viator and Withlocals. Which do you pefer? Wthlocals is almost double the price, just don't know if they are worth it.
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
417 posts
With Viator you can book either private or group tours. I usually see if they have the provider listed and go directly to the provider website to book if possible. For With Locals you are booking a private tour for your party. You can pick your guide. Depending on the guide/city some have a written bio and others have video bios. I prefer the video bios as you get an idea of their personality. I have used both multiple times and only been disappointed once with each. The price differences you are seeing may be due to comparing group tours on Viator to the private tours on With Locals.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1391 posts
We traveled with my sister and her hubby. He is a master with Viator. It's really a hobby with him. He squeezes every deal out. He recommends only the top rated tours/guides. It worked out great for us basing out of Lisbon and Porto. Most of the tours were the four of us plus one or two other couples in a van. One was in a bus to Fatima and the surrounding area and towns etc. We also had a sunset evening sailing in the Tajo bay, a Port winery tour, Sintra, Nazaré etc. All were in English or multiple languages. We did not use guides outside Viator other than the a hop-on-hop off bus, that I think you can skip if you walk and use public transpiration. This was early October last year and worked out well.
Posted by
Chicago
1143 posts
Viator is an agent - a tour broker. I prefer to book direct with the company.
Withlocals is a platform providing access to the provider. https://support.withlocals.com/hc/en-us/articles/360014829219-Who-can-become-a-Withlocals-host
Posted by
OP
4 posts
How do I find out who the direct company is?
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14771 posts
"How do I find out who the direct company is?"
Do you mean on Viator? Go to the tour you are interested in on the Viator page. Scroll down to Additional Information and the tour company should be listed there.
As mentioned above, Viator is a 3rd party tour agency owned by Trip Advisor. They do not run any of the tours themselves.
Posted by
Chicago
1143 posts
I do just what Pam suggests.
I'm wanted to add that, as a solo traveler, I have sometimes had tours canceled because they didn't meet "numbers required". I have always been informed by the various companies in time to make other plans. Not that past experience with many different companies in different places will predict the future, but I have always felt fairly treated by those with whom I booked direct.
And, not that everyone (or perhaps even most) have trouble with Viator, but it isn't hard to find reviews from someone who had a very last minute cancelation, trouble getting a refund, change of itinerary because the provider was changed by Viator, etc. Of course, I may just be very lucky, but I'll stick with direct bookings.
Posted by
West Sacramento
11 posts
We have always had great experiences with Tours By Locals (https://www.toursbylocals.com/)
Sounds like its setup very much like WithLocals (ie a "platform" for Tour Guides)
I will say we are more in the Direct or Platform camp vs the Tour Brokers