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One of the first things I do (after I get the plane ticket) is check Viator. What is Viator ? It’s the world’s largest online marketplace for tours, activities, and attractions. No matter where you’re going, Viator can help you plan your trip. It’s your one-stop shop where you can see all of the tours and activities available during your visit. I’ve been using Viator for nearly a decade, and I’ve used Viator to schedule everything from swamp tours in Louisiana to exploring ice caves in Iceland.

I’m here to shed light (and dispel rumors) about Viator tours. I do not work for Viator; I’m just a normal person with a passion for travel. I’ve used Viator to take some incredible adventures , and if this article helps anyone level up their travel game, then it’s a win in my book.

What is Viator?

Viator is the world’s largest online marketplace for tours, activities, and attractions. Whether you want to take a wine-tasting tour in Florence or a helicopter tour in New York , Viator will show you all of the exciting adventures you can have while traveling.

Viator is a marketplace where you can view all available tours for a destination in one place. Similar to how other booking sites will show you results from multiple airlines/hotels, Viator does the same thing—with tours.

Many tour companies are small businesses, and having their tours on a platform like Viator enables more people to see them. More visibility = more tours!

Why You Should Book With Viator

Is Viator reliable? Yes! Viator was founded in 1995 (wow!) and was acquired by TripAdvisor in 2014. They offer 24/7 support, an opportunity to earn rewards, and options to reserve tours/activities in advance without immediate payment so you can stay flexible with your plans.

Is Viator legit? As the world’s largest online marketplace for tours and attractions, it’s only getting bigger and better. Tour companies are reviewed beforehand, but you can always browse through the Viator reviews to make sure you’re choosing the best experience.

You don’t even need to travel across the country to take advantage of Viator. Staycations are easily the best way to get outside and explore your own backyard! You might be surprised by all of the Viator tours you can take in your own state.

Plus, Viator is more than tours! You can find airport transportation, tickets to shows, museum admissions, and so much more.

Top Activities and Tours

When you sign up for a Viator account , you can personalize it to match your interests. Of course, you can also just use the search feature to check out a destination, too. There are over 300,000 tours on Viator, so you’re sure to find something that interests you. Naturally, your search will yield more results for top tourist destinations like Las Vegas and New York City. Viator accounts are free, and you can even make your own wishlist and save certain tours that catch your eye.

Just for fun, I poked around the Viator Las Vegas search results. A helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon immediately caught my eye, but my wallet immediately shut that down. The best thing about Viator Tours is that you can filter your search results by price, time of day, duration, and more. You can search by history tours, food tours, and adventure tours--the sky is the limit! You can find some truly unique Viator tours if you poke around.

Once I dialed back the price tag, I found some awesome adventures I’d want to take that were in my price range. Check out this tour of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend!

Pro tip: you can see the tour operator of each tour in the Additional Info field. This is helpful if you want to do your own research on a specific tour company.

Reviews for Viator from Across the Web

Once you’ve found a tour, you can browse through Viator Reviews to really catch the vibe. Admittedly, I’m one to read every single review before I pay for the tour. Viator Reviews are written by actual humans (shocker!) who have gone on these tours, so you’re getting an authentic overview.

Viator takes reviews seriously. You can only review or rate an experience if you were the one to book it through Viator. Once a review is submitted, it has to meet Viator’s publication criteria before being published. Reviews are typically approved within 48 hours, and users will be notified once their review is published. You can browse through others' photos of the tour, read real first-hand reviews, and read the tour company’s replies. Yes, please!

This was a spectacular excursion, Artic Night Tours did an excellent, & outstanding tour. It was more than words can reflect. What was expected was totally met + more. Ed and Eliana were marvelous in helping my partner with her disabilities to complete her bucket list & assist her with mobility issues. And we were so pleased that at one point; we put our hands up and said with joy," Mission accomplished". Enjoyed the search for the Northern Lights..the entire experience was off the charts, Great. Of course, seeing all forms of aurora was amazing .. then the Corona zapped everyone into pure excitement. We all were on the top of the world with joy.

Wow. This tour was amazing! The hosts, Ed & Elena have great communication & do everything possible to set you up for a successful Northern Lights tour! They’ll drive all over Alaska to ensure you can see them. As with any Northern Lights tour, there is a decent amount of waiting around- just prepare yourself! Elena and Ed provided snacks, history, and stories, and made sure we were comfortable during the wait in the van. They are so kind and personable- they took over 400 gorgeous photos throughout the night! I would recommend this tour to absolutely everyone!

How to Book on Viator

Booking a tour on Viator is as simple as setting up an account , selecting your preferred date, and reserving your spot. You have the option to either reserve now and pay later, or pay for the tour upfront. I've booked tours on Viator using both methods, it just depends on the weather and your flexibility. If it's an outdoor tour, you may want to hold off on setting the date until you can get a more accurate weather forecast. Of course, if the weather is particularly nasty, the tour company will cancel the tour and reschedule/refund as needed.

Viator’s Cancellation Policy is in your favor—you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Once your tour has ended, Viator will reach out to you to ask about your experience and if you'd like to submit a review. These Viator Reviews are important to ensure that the tour company is providing outstanding tours that align with Viator's terms and conditions, and your review also helps future travelers.

I hope you give Viator a try for your next adventure. You might just discover a hidden gem! Need some travel inspiration? Check out some of our favorite Viator tours that are perfect for history lovers.

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