Where tour guides earn online
Tour guides list walking tours, food tours and experiences on booking marketplaces that bring travellers, usually for a commission on each booking.
Also for: travel guide, city guide
How tour guides earn online
- Group tours listed on experience marketplaces
- Private and custom tours
- Online experiences hosted by video
Tip: Reviews drive bookings on these marketplaces, so a few early five-star tours matter a lot.
The top 12 platforms for tour guides, compared
| Platform | Type | Fees | Pays via | Who can join |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Viator |
Experiences marketplace | Commission 20%-30% per booking | Bank transfer | Worldwide |
 GetYourGuide |
Experiences marketplace | 20-30% booking commission | Bank transfer | Worldwide |
 Klook |
Experiences marketplace | 15-35% negotiated commission | Bank transfer | Worldwide (strong in Asia) |
 Civitatis |
Experiences marketplace | 15-30% negotiated commission | Bank transfer | Worldwide (Spanish-speaking focus) |
 Airbnb Experiences |
Experiences marketplace | About 20% commission | Bank transfer, PayPal, Payoneer | Worldwide |
 Tiqets |
Experiences marketplace | Negotiated commission per ticket | Bank transfer monthly | Worldwide |
 Headout |
Experiences marketplace | 25-30% commission | Bank transfer monthly or bi-weekly | Worldwide |
 ToursByLocals |
Private tour marketplace | 20-25% commission - guides keep ~80% | Bank transfer, PayPal | 175 countries |
 Withlocals |
Experiences marketplace | 32% service fee | Bank transfer, PayPal | Worldwide |
| Airbnb |
Vacation rental marketplace | Host-only fee of about 15.5% for most hosts | Bank transfer, PayPal, Payoneer, Western Union | Worldwide |
 Eatwith |
Dining experience marketplace | Hosts keep their set price, guests pay 20% on top | Bank transfer, PayPal | 130+ countries |
 Booking.com |
Accommodation platform | Commission about 15% per booking | Bank transfer | Worldwide |
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Tour platforms
10 for tour guides
ViatorThe TripAdvisor experiences marketplace - suppliers list tours and activities, with commission around 20%-30% per booking.
Fees Commission 20%-30% per bookingviator.comGetYourGuideA leading experiences marketplace where tour operators and activity providers list through the supplier program.
Fees 20-30% booking commissiongetyourguide.comKlookAsia leading travel activities platform - operators and experience hosts join through the Klook merchant program.
Fees 15-35% negotiated commissionklook.comCivitatisThe leading activities marketplace for the Spanish-speaking travel market, with supplier sign-up for tours worldwide.
Fees 15-30% negotiated commissioncivitatis.comAirbnb ExperiencesAirbnb marketplace for hosted activities - locals run tours, classes, and adventures, with Airbnb taking about 20%.
Fees About 20% commissionairbnb.comTiqetsA platform where attractions and tour operators sell tickets and experiences to travelers.
Fees Negotiated commission per tickettiqets.comHeadoutA marketplace where attractions and experience operators sell tickets and tours.
Fees 25-30% commissionheadout.comToursByLocalsA private tour marketplace connecting 400,000 travelers a year with 5,000+ vetted local guides in 175 countries.
Fees 20-25% commission - guides keep ~80%toursbylocals.comWithlocalsA marketplace for personal tours and home dinners hosted by locals, who set their own schedule - the platform deducts a 32% service fee.
Fees 32% service feewithlocals.comEatwithA culinary experience marketplace with 5,000+ hosts in 130+ countries - hosts keep the price they set, guests pay a 20% service fee on top.
Fees Hosts keep their set price, guests pay 20% on topeatwith.comRental platforms
2 for tour guides
AirbnbA marketplace where anyone can list a spare room, home, or unique stay for short-term rental, and increasingly experiences and services too. Hosts set prices and availability, and guests book and pay through the platform…
Fees Host-only fee of about 15.5% for most hostsairbnb.comBooking.comThe world largest accommodation platform, where private hosts can list homes and apartments alongside hotels. Part of Booking Holdings.
Fees Commission about 15% per bookingbooking.comPhotography gig platforms
2 for tour guides
FlytographerA travel photography marketplace where vetted local photographers shoot vacation sessions for travelers in 350+ cities.
Fees Paid per shoot minus commissionflytographer.com
LocalgrapherA global marketplace connecting travelers with local photographers and videographers.
Fees Paid per packagelocalgrapher.comAffiliate networks
1 for tour guides
CJ Affiliate