New cities dazzle with monuments and museums, but those are the easy parts to find. And for some. That is enough. However, for the traveler wanting off the beaten path, the real adventure lies in the streets and stories that don’t announce themselves, and those aren’t as simple to stumble across alone.
The solution? A local private tour guide. Instead of racing from sight to sight, a local guide helps you slow down. They open up the in-between spaces of a location, maybe by slipping through a courtyard most visitors walk right past, or grabbing a pastry from a café that’s been in the same family for generations. What stays with you isn’t just the view, but the stories they weave into the walk
The Best Sites & Apps for Booking Private Guided Tours
GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide is the best-rated private tour guide booking platform and the go-to marketplace of travel experiences. With 150 countries on their roster, the app makes booking easy, whether you’re after a quick ticket to an attraction or a multi-day adventure. GetYourGuide also offers “skip-the-line” tickets and small group tours.
The app features a user-friendly design and it offers flexible cancellation, which makes GetYourGuide a low-stress choice for those with ever-changing plans.
Pros:
- Huge selection of tours and attractions
- Flexible cancellation policies for last-minute changes
- Skip-the-line tickets for high-demand attractions save time
Cons:
- Feels more like a booking engine than a personal guide service
- Larger group tours can lack the intimate feel of smaller options
This is for travelers seeking a reliable private tour guide for a more structured experience, who prefer to book in advance.
Price: The app is free to download, and tour prices vary ($-$$). For example,
Skip the lines and explore Milan’s most iconic cathedral, then head up to the rooftop for sweeping views, all in a 1.5–2 hour guided tour from Crown Tours at $59 per person.
Who created it: Johannes Reck, Tobias Rein, Martin Sieber, Tao Tao
Downloads: iOS (Free), Android (Free)
Customer ratings: 4.9 / 5 stars in app – 3.8 / 5 Trustpilot
Viator
Viator (owned by Tripadvisor) is one of the oldest and most trusted names in the travel planning space. It’s a great option for travelers who love having the ability to read through thousands of verified reviews before booking. Because it’s owned by Tripadvisor, it has partnerships with tour operators and local guides worldwide, meaning you can usually find a tour in even mid-sized or lesser-known destinations.
Viator also frequently has discounts and bundle deals which helps make it attractive for families or group travelers booking multiple activities.
Pros:
- An extensive range of tours across global destinations
- A large volume of traveler reviews adds confidence
- Discounts and bundled deals keep costs manageable.
Cons:
- Experiences can vary widely in quality due to third-party operators
- Group tours sometimes feel standardized or “mass market”
Who is this for: appeals more to mainstream travelers, those who like the safety net of a big name behind the booking.
Price: The app is free to download, and tour prices vary ($-$$$). You can walk through Berlin’s layered history, from the Prussians to the Cold War, on a 3.5-hour guided tour from just $23.76 per person, stopping at landmarks like Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Berlin Wall.
Who created it: Tripadvisor
Downloads: iOS (Free), Android (Free)
Customer ratings: 4.9 / 5 stars in app – 4.4 / 5 stars Trustpilot
ToursByLocals
One of the draws of ToursByLocals is the sense of security it offers. The platform highlights professional guides with detailed profiles that include everything from qualifications to traveler feedback. Because you can message guides before booking, there’s room to discuss ideas and make the outing fit your own style.
Pros:
- Vetted guides with detailed profiles and reviews
- Private tours allow for flexible timing and itineraries
- A more authentic feeling and personal connections with guides
Cons:
- Private tours are significantly more expensive than group options
- Limited coverage in smaller or less touristy destinations
Who is this for: Travelers who want a highly personalized experience with a vetted, professional guide.
Price: Tour prices vary per guide ($$$). For example, Claudio, a licensed Paris guide, takes you through masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Napoleon’s Coronation on a customizable 2.5-hour private tour for up to 6 people, priced at $500 total.
Who created it: Paul Melhus and Dave Vincent
Downloads: Website Only
Customer ratings: 4.9 / 5 stars in app – 4.9 / 5 stars Trustpilot
The Tour Guy
The Tour Guy started in Rome with two travelers who wanted to share their love of history, food, and culture in a way that felt personal. Instead of massive group tours, they focus on small groups and skip-the-line access with guides who know the stories behind the landmarks. Experiences often go beyond the obvious, like early access to the Vatican, hidden corners of the Colosseum, or food tours through tucked-away neighborhoods.
Pros:
- Small group and skip-the-line tours for a smoother experience
- Guides chosen for storytelling and cultural knowledge
- Mix of classic attractions and unique insider experiences
Cons:
- Mostly centered on Europe, with fewer global destinations
- More structured than casual local-meetup style platforms
Who is this for: Especially good for couples, families, and small groups looking for cultural depth and local insight, but with a little polish.
Price: Tour prices vary by guide ($-$$$). You can ride out from Paris with a guide who takes you straight into Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors, with 3 hours of history and garden time in a small group tour starting around $95 per person.
Who created it: Sean Finelli, Todd Kueny, and Brandon Shaw
Downloads: Website Only
Customer ratings: 4.8 / 5 stars Trustpilot
Headout
Headout keeps last-minute plans from feeling stressful.
Headout appeals to the kind of traveler who enjoys a bit of spontaneity. If you decide at the last minute that today’s the day for a landmark or local event, the app makes sure you can still get in.
Pros:
- Last-minute availability for tickets and tours
- Often features discounts and exclusive deals
- Wide coverage across major global cities
- Simple booking with instant confirmation
Cons:
- Some tours are resold from local operators (quality can vary)
- Heavier focus on mainstream attractions than niche activities
Who is this for: Travelers who like to keep plans open but still want easy access to tours and tickets.
Price: Tour prices vary by tour and/or experience ($-$$$). You can glide past the queues and see the Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel ceiling, and St. Peter’s Basilica in a 2–3 hour guided experience from $52 per person, with options for small groups or early access.
Who created it: Varun Khona, Suren Sultania, and Vikram Jit Singh
Downloads: iOS (Free), Android (Free)
Customer ratings: 4.3 / 5 stars in app and Trustpilot
Withlocals
Withlocals leans into experiences that feel more personal than packaged. Some hosts design their walks with families in mind, making it easy to keep kids engaged. Others work with travelers one-on-one to build something that fits a personal interest.
All throughout the tour, your local guide will mix in neighborhood tales and customs you probably wouldn’t read about anywhere else, which makes the experience feel warm and unscripted.
Pros:
- Tailored experiences for foodies, families, and niche interests
- Direct communication with guides before booking
- Strong focus on authenticity and cultural immersion
Cons:
- Limited coverage in some regions
- Prices can be higher compared to group tours
Who is this for: Travelers, couples, and families who’d rather share a city through a local’s eyes than follow a set itinerary
Price: Tour prices vary by tour and/or experience ($-$$$). You can join a local host of your choice to discover Athens beyond the tourist path, exploring hidden neighborhoods and local stories in a 2.5-hour walking tour for just $33 per person.
Who created it: Marijn & Willem Maas
Downloads: iOS (Free), Android (Free)
Customer ratings: 4.3 / 5 stars on app – 4.7 / 5 stars Trustpilot
Guruwalk
Guruwalk runs on a simple but refreshing idea: tours are led by locals, and travelers decide what the experience is worth at the end. Their “pay what you want” model makes it more approachable than pre-booked tours with fixed, sometimes steep, prices.
Each tour is different because it reflects the guide’s own interests. One guru could take you past alleys of street art or pause to give the history of a local cinema. Group sizes are typically small, so it’s easy to chat and swap stories as you go.
Pros:
- Affordable and flexible
- Genuine local knowledge, often infused with personal stories
- Tours are usually small-group
Cons:
- Availability can vary depending on the city
- Quality does depend on the individual guru
Who is this for: Travelers who like flexible, tip-based group tours
Price: Pay what you want, with an Optional tip-based fee ($-$$). Stroll through Roman ruins, Gothic churches, and medieval streets in a 2-hour “pay-what-you-want” walking tour of Barcelona’s historic quarter, led by DonkeyTours’ engaging guides.
Who created it: Juan Castillo
Customer ratings: 3 / 5 stars on app – 4.9 / 5 stars Trustpilot
Like A Local Guide
Local intel without the tourist fluff.
Like A Local Guide is for travelers who would rather discover hidden cafés, family-run shops, and neighborhood bars than line up for the obvious tourist sights. The site and app curate recommendations directly from locals and let you book small-scale tours run by residents. The pitch is simple: “Skip the tourist traps.”
Pros:
- Insider tips written by locals, not scraped lists
- Marketplace for independent, small-group tours (and you can sign up as a tour provider)
- Particularly strong coverage across European cities
- Offline-friendly iOS guides for selected destinations
Cons:
- Tour quality and availability depend on individual providers
- Fewer instant “skip-the-line” tickets than platforms like Headout or GetYourGuide
Who is this for: Travelers who want to feel like locals—whether that means finding the neighborhood wine bar in Tbilisi, a vintage shop in Riga, or a café in Prague that doesn’t serve a single selfie stick.
Price: Free to use. Tours vary by city and provider—expect typical small-group walking tour rates rather than large operator pricing.
Who created it: Founded in Estonia by Kalev Kulaase and Ülane Vilumets.
Customer ratings: iOS ratings are positive, often praised for authenticity and practicality. No single Trustpilot score, since it’s not marketed as a mass ticketing platform.Local intel without the tourist fluff.
Concierge and Luxury Options ($$$$)
Don’t want an app interrupting your life of leisure and pampering? Certain luxury hotels, like the Mandarin in Dubai, will have a concierge that can take the planning off your plate entirely. Hotel staff can arrange private tours and secure access to experiences that rarely make it onto public booking sites. For example, platinum-heritage.com organizes luxury safari and desert tours. Premium American Express cardholders also have access to the Amex Concierge, which can book tours and unique experiences through trusted partners.
For travelers who lean into luxury, the concierge is a lifeline of trust. They’re the people who know which restaurant has a table, which driver shows up on time, and which guide can open the right door. The result is travel without the scroll, with champagne in hand and the details handled out of sight.
Wrap-Up & Quick Look: Best Local Guides Apps and Websites 2026
| Platform | Best For |
| GetYourGuide | Travelers who want skip-the-line passes and reliable mainstream tours |
| Viator | People who value massive reviews and wide selection |
| ToursByLocals | Travelers seeking private, customized tours with vetted guides |
| The Tour Guy | Travelers who want curated small-group tours with passionate local guides |
| Headout | Travelers looking for last-minute tickets, exclusive deals, and a wide range of tours and activities |
| Withlocals | Foodies and families seeking personalized experiences |
| GuruWalk | Travelers who want locally guided walking tours with a flexible, pay-what-you-want model |
| Concierge Services | Luxury travelers seeking convenience and VIP access |
Every journey has its own rhythm and yours doesn’t have to follow any predestined path. Some days you may want a whirlwind of tickets and tourist spots and other days you might crave a quiet stroll with a local pointing out details you might have missed. Today, with so many platforms connecting travelers and locals, finding that kind of experience is easier and more flexible than ever.
More travel apps and gadgets you may need, like new XR glasses to explore any city like a true local?
