GuruWalk Review [2024]: Are The Free Walking Tours Legit?

If you're a passionate traveler like me, you know that every city has its own unique personality. Sometimes, scripted tours stop you from having the real experience!. 

Here's where Guruwalk switches the game by allowing locals to give you the real deal. With passionate locals leading your way, see the city like the locals do!

Without any further ado, let me walk you through what GuruWalk is all about. With this honest and unbiased review, you can decide whether it's worth your time and money.

What Is GuruWalk? 

GuruWalk is an online platform that connects travelers with local guides who offer free walking tours in cities across the globe. With an interactive user interface, GuruWalks helps you book walking tours with ease. 

There's no hassle of booking weeks in advance or sticking to any stiff commitments if your plans change!

These tours are designed to give travelers an immersive experience of the local culture and history. But, why is it better than other walking tours? Well, it's being led by passionate locals who can show you just how to have fun the local way!

Is It Free?

Yes, GuruWalk is technically free. However, it's not uncommon for travelers to pay as they please at the end of the tour to show their appreciation for the wonderful guides. Basically, GuruWalk can be considered a pay-as-you-please service!

How Does It Work?

Using GuruWalk is super easy! Just create an account through their website or mobile app and browse the different tours available. Choose a tour that suits you for your preferred location and book without a hassle!

The tour usually lasts between 2 to 3 hours and is usually on foot. If you're a couch potato like me and dread the thought of walking, I have good news! You can opt for a bike tour and pedal your way through the sights. 

Where Is GuruWalk Operational? 

GuruWalk offers tours in over 100 cities across Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Australia. Some of the most popular cities where GuruWalk operates include: 

• Barcelona 
• Paris 
• London
• Vienna
• New York
• Tokyo
• Bangkok 

Pricing Plan 

Let's face it, traveling is expensive, which is why GuruWalk is such a game-changer. Their tours are as free as a sample at Costco, so you can save some bucks for a fancy dinner or a pair of those hilarious touristy socks. However, it's customary to tip your guide at the end of the tour as a way of thanking them for their time and expertise. 

How much you tip is totally up to you, so you can pay whatever you think is justifiable! 

How to Book a Tour?

• Create an account - Like any app, you'll create a simple account through their website or mobile app to find an ideal tour for you. 
• Browse tours - Scroll through the variety of tours available. You can filter your search by location, date, and tour type.
• Choose a tour - When you fall in love with a tour that meets all your requirements, click on it to read up on all the details. Be sure to check out the tour's duration, distance of the meeting point from your hotel, and the guide's profile.
• Book the tour -Once you book your tour, you'll receive a confirmation email with all the necessary details, including the meeting point and time. Make sure you don't stand your guide up!
• Attend the tour - Put on your walking shoes and get ready to meet your guru! You'll find them waiting for you at the designated meeting point. 
• Leave a review - Congrats, you've completed your journey! Before you move on to your next adventure, make sure to leave a review of your guide and the tour on the GuruWalk platform. It's your chance to share your thoughts, spread the love, and help fellow travelers find their perfect tour.

Features

Here are some of the most prominent features of the platform:

Pay-As-You-Please Tours

All of GuruWalk's tours are pay-as-you-please for travelers. Local guides offer their services for free, and travelers can choose how much they want to tip their guide, meaning you won't have to spend too much to tour!

Wide Network

GuruWalk has a large network of local guides who offer tours in cities all over the world. Chances are you can point anywhere on the map blindfolded and find a Guruwalk tour waiting for you wherever your finger lands. Tour almost anywhere in the world without fretting over expenses!

Customized Tours 

GuruWalk gurus are all locals who have a knack for exploring and helping people see a city in a non-traditional way. All tour guides, therefore, have something unique to offer, and walkers can tour with the guide whose personality and tour itinerary sound the most exciting to them. 

Tours can also be customized on the spot to suit the interests of travelers. Want to focus on street art? Done. Need to find the best food spots? Why not! Our gurus won't judge you if you find the city's best gelato truck and decide to stop for a scoop… or two... or four. 

The flexibility GuruWalk provides is not something you'd get with traditional tours. 

Ratings and Reviews 

GuruWalk has a rating and review system for each tour and guide, which allows travelers to read about the experiences of others while making informed decisions when choosing a guide.

Whether you're looking for a guide who can show you the best sunset view in the city or just a travel companion with a great sense of humor, the reviews on GuruWalk will help you find the perfect match.

What Can Go Wrong With GuruWalk? 

Like any other touring platform, GuruWalk has its downsides. Since GuruWalk enables locals to sign up as guides without any strict prerequisites, it can be challenging to predict the quality of your tour. 

Not all guides are true experts who can give you the trip of a lifetime. 

Because the tours are not standardized, your experience depends on your tour guide. Even if you book the same tour with a different guide, your ideal tour may also be disrupted if your desired tour guide isn't available. 

One big problem I can think of is that since these tour guides are all local people, they may or may not have the expertise to deal with foreigners. 

Although the guides are accredited and professionally verified according to the local law, they might not speak your language or understand your culture and requirements.

The tour guides also depend on tips as their income, which is usually higher than a fixed-fee tour. This may still be well below the country's average income. This discourages guides and may result in some leaving the platform. 

Is GuruWalk Worth It?

All things considered, GuruWalk is still a great way to tour a city. It's affordable, flexible, and much more convenient than traditional tours. While the quality of the tours can vary depending on the guide, GuruWalk provides a unique and valuable opportunity to discover hidden gems and gain a deeper understanding of a destination. 

If you're tired of walking around with a guidebook in hand, squinting at maps, and trying to decipher foreign street signs, let GuruWalk be your saviour!

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Pros:

• Affordable
• Local expertise
• Flexible and customizable tours
• Ratings and review system
• Helpful customer support team

Cons:

• Unpredictable quality of the tour
• Tours subject to the guide's preference 
• Language barriers

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