ToursByLocals' Ten Most Common Questions, Answered!

At ToursByLocals, our team of enthusiastic support staff cover the phone, LiveChat and email channels 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They also spend time chatting with prospective travellers in person at travel shows across the country. This means that every day they receive and answer A LOT of questions! Here's what first time ToursByLocals travellers most want to know - along with answers to all their questions.

1. Do you have guides/tours in…?

The answer is pretty much always YES! We have experienced local guides offering private tours in 175 countries around the world, and over 2000 cities. Chances are, we’ve got tours where you’re going. (And if we don't, our team of recruiters is working quickly to fill that gap.) It's easy to check if we have a guide somewhere: just type your destination into the "Where are you going?" form on our homepage.

2. How much does it cost?

There's no single answer here, as it depends where in the world you’re going! All of the guides on ToursByLocals set their own prices for their tours, and those prices are all published on the site, alongside each tour. If you don’t see the exact tour you want, send a message to any guides, and they'll design a custom itinerary for you, and let you know the price.

3. Do your guides offer shore excursions?

Yes! Our guides offer customizable shore excursions with private transportation, and we offer a "No One Left Behind" Guarantee that ensures you always make it back to your ship on time. If you haven't yet, try using our easy Shore Excursion Planner to find all the tours available at your ports of call. Simply select your cruise line, ship's name and sailing date, and away you go!

4. Are the prices on the site per-person?

No, they are listed as the total price for your group. So if a tour price is listed as $400, and there are 4 of you traveling together, $400 is the total price you'll pay. (You’ll need to do the math yourself to come to the conclusion that it’s $100/person!) Sometimes you will notice that the price displayed is broken into a slightly different cost whether it's 2, 4, 6, 8, etc people. This happens when there are food or entrance fees included as part of the tour, or perhaps to take into account the need for the guide to rent a larger vehicle.

5. Can a guide pick up and drop off in different places?

Yes, definitely. Tours are always customizable, so pick-up could be at an airport with drop off at a hotel. Or perhaps pick up at a cruise port and drop off at an airport. We love seeing people make the most of their time, and layover tours are popular!

6. Should we tip our guide?

There's never any expectation that you leave a gratuity. All of the guides on ToursByLocals have set fair prices for their tours that mean they aren’t relying on tips for their income. The best tip you can leave is a thoughtful review of the tour!

7. Can I join someone else’s tour?

No, all the tours on our site are private. We encourage solo travellers or couples looking for more people to join their tour to go to online travel forums like CruiseCritic. Lots of our travellers have had success finding like-minded people heading to the same places on the same dates that want to book private tours together.

8. Can I speak to the guide on the phone?

One you’ve booked your tour, you’ll be provided with your guide’s cell phone number, in case of emergency. They're very happy to communicate via platforms like Whatsapp if you need to be in touch on the day of your tour. But all itinerary planning needs to be discussed by messages through the website. This ensures there is always a written record on ToursByLocals of what was agreed to.

9. How long will it take for the guide to reply to my message?

We expect all of the guides to respond to messages within 12 hours, ideally, 24 hours at the latest. They do their best, but we ask that you try to be patient, especially in busy season, when they are frequently out touring for long hours. And remember that time zone differences often mean they are sleeping when you send your inquiry! There's no harm in sending your initial inquiry message to more than one guide.

10. Who is the best guide in…?

Every one of the guides on ToursByLocals is excellent; they have all been carefully selected to join our platform, and they all bring unique qualities to their tours. So the answer to this question is: it depends what you’re looking for! Some people want a scholarly guide, while others want a story-teller with a sense of humour. Families might want someone who’s easy-going and great with kids. Some travellers want a foodie-expert, while others are looking for an art historian. We suggest you read the guide’s bio and the reviews other travellers have left to give you a great sense of whether this is the right guide for you.

And one bonus question we've been getting a lot so far in 2025:

How far in advance should I book my tour?

While it's often possible to book a day or two before you arrive, for the best selection of private tours, we suggest booking much farther in advance. 2025 is shaping up to be another extremely busy year in travel, and spring and summer dates in the northern hemisphere are already filling fast. Many people book their tours right after they book their flights, and with our flexible standard cancellation policy, you can cancel for a full refund up to 15 days before the tour. Or choose to purchase Any Reason Cancellation, and cancel up to the minute, if need be. Booking in advance gives the guides time to customize the tour to your unique preferences, ensuring the best experience possible.