What is Viator?
Viator is the TripAdvisor company that aggregates experiences from around the world and makes it possible to book through them. Viator’s focus on unforgettable experiences gives you the flexibility to plan during (or in advance) your trip so you can get the most out of your trip. Viator was acquired by TripAdvisor in 2014, so you can see the similarities in how reviews work. TripAdvisor is his Viator parent company, so there is no doubt that Viator’s platform is one of the best in the world.
How is Viator priced?
Of course, Viator’s price points vary greatly depending on location and excursion complexity. A basic hiking tour costs less than $20, but full-day tours and charters cost hundreds more. Of the two trips I booked for him, the more expensive one was under $1,000 and the website prices can skyrocket depending on the booking.
The website is optimized for mobile bookings, offers 24/7 customer service in multiple languages, offers a lowest price guarantee and a 24-hour cancellation policy, so no financial risk of booking feels low.
In fact, I have used this cancellation policy many times to cancel and rebook similar activities when I changed my mind about the details, and completely canceled the sightseeing tour I had booked on my first day in Greece. I’m too jetlag to care.
Viator’s Major Features Explained
Tours
Unlike online travel agencies like Travelocity, Viator specializes in tours and experiences. This means you can find walking tours, site visits, day trips and more. You won’t find anything about hotels, restaurants, or other travel aspects.
Still, Viator is there to meet your travel date.
When you search for a destination on Viator, you’ll see a long list of tours available in and around that destination. You can sort your tours by style (food, outdoor, sell-out probability, etc.), price, duration, time of day, and more.
Pros:
- Huge selections
- 24 hours Free Cancellation Policy
- Available Worldwide
- Detailed Descriptions & Reviews
- Reputable Company
Cons:
- Poor accessibility for customer service
- Communication issues with vendors
- Subpar time of response for support
- Viator has many options in most of the countries. But in places like India, we still do not have many options to choose from.
Are they legit?
If you’ve taken a look at Viator reviews, you can tell how polarizing they are. Let’s dissect them to find out why thats the case. Viator reviews online currently hold an average rating of 4.3/5 stars. However, on review sites like Yelp, they hold a low average of 1 to 1.6 average rating out of 5. On their own website, they’ve also ranked themselves as 4.3/5 stars with over 3600 reviews.
I think it’s worth checking out Viator for a while to find a fun and varied experience for your next destination! Viator has lots of options and detailed explanations so you know what you’re getting when you book I understand.
However, please be aware that you are not making your booking through a tour operator, so communication from the tour operator may go through his Viator, which can lead to misunderstandings and issues.
Why are the numbers so polarizing?
I think the tours offered by Viator vary in quality. With Viator’s vast collection of activities and tours, their reviews are naturally polarizing.
In general, his latest Viator reviews are positive for the tour experience and most users recommend using his Viator. Some travelers were unimpressed with Viator’s ticket sales service or, in extreme circumstances, were allowed to book tickets after the event had ended.
Many negative reviews point to factors beyond Viator’s control, such as unenthusiastic tour guides, overcrowded venues, and substandard food.
How do you contact Viator’s Customer Support?
Viator is used to book tours and experiences, so I would like to know how to contact Viator if I have a problem with my reservation or question.
Contact information is a bit difficult to find on his website for Viator. Easy access only via existing booking. Additionally, they do not publish their contact information anywhere, so it can be very difficult to ask questions prior to booking.
They claim to be available 24/7 for customer support, but this seems to be after booking.
Viator’s Cancellation Policy
One of Viator’s biggest advantages is that they offer a free cancellation policy with 24 hours notice. They advertise that many experiences are fully refundable with at least 24 hours notice.
It is important to note that not all his Viator tours/experiences are refundable at least one day prior to the experience. So please check your booking carefully. Some experiences have stricter refund policies (requiring more advance notice), while others do not allow refunds for cancellations.
