Best Sites for Buying Tickets: Budget-Friendly Tours & Attractions in Europe

 Looking for the best sites for buying tickets to tours and attractions in Europe? I’ll share my take (favouring GetYourGuide and Viator) to help you find great deals, skip long lines, and make the most of your budget trip. 

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As a young traveler who recently discovered my love for exploring European cities, I know how tricky it can be to find the cheapest, most reliable way to book city tours and attraction tickets. According to a recent travel survey, guided tours are booming among young travellers: nearly 42% of Millennials and 40% of Gen Z travelers took a guided tour in the past year [from travelagentcentral.com]. In other words, tours are hot—and knowing the best sites for buying tickets can save you time and money. If someone were to ask me which site I trust, my answer is: try both GetYourGuide and Viator. 

Booking a tour online in advance can feel like grabbing an express pass at a theme park. It might cost a bit more, but you skip the long lines and get straight to the fun. I learned this when I watched people wait well over 45 minutes in Rome just to buy Colosseum tickets on-site. For budget travellers, that small extra cost is often more than worth the amount of time saved. Plus, 94% of people who tried guided tours plan to do so again, [from travelagentcentral.com], so the hype is real. To summarize, these websites act as one-stop shops for all your travel experiences.

Why Tours and Tickets Matter on a Budget

When you’re on a budget, the best sites for buying tickets can help you find combo deals or discounts you might miss on – and tours can be worth the splurge if you plan right. Buying tickets ahead often locks in lower prices or package deals. Think of a guided tour or city pass as a meal deal – you pay once and “consume” multiple attractions. I often use GetYourGuide to compare my options. They offer over 100,000 products worldwide (tours, activities, museum tickets, you name it), so chances are high you’ll find something for any European city. Booking online also lets you plan ahead and avoid surprises – especially if you like to be organized and prepared, like me. 

Often, tours come with extras that solo sightseeing doesn’t. Skip-the-line tickets can shave hours off your wait (enough time for an extra gelato). Guided tours include local insights – think of them as having a knowledgeable friend show you around. Even better, 69% of travellers say tours give a “deep dive” into a city’s history or culture [from travelagentcentral.com], which is a big plus when you only have a few days. Some tours even bundle multiple attractions (like a museum tour + river cruise), which usually costs a bit less per attraction than buying each ticket separately.

Using GetYourGuide for Tours and Attractions

Out of all the best sites for buying tickets, GetYourGuide is my personal favourite—here’s why.

I have personally used GetYourGuide for my travels (so it’s my personal #1 pick!). Both the site and app are super user-friendly: you can search by city (e.g. “Rome tours” or “Barcelona city tour”) and filter by price, duration, or type of experience. When I was in Paris, I booked a skip-the-line Louvre ticket through GetYourGuide and saved a loottt of waiting time compared to the people who decide to buy at the office – I spent my extra time wandering around and admiring the Tuileries Gardens instead. GetYourGuide often has promo codes and special offers (I’ve snagged 10% off a boat tour before), so always check for deals. They even email you a voucher, (a form of mobile ticket), once you book – then you just show it on your phone at the entrance.

Viator: Another Great Option for Tours

Viator is also one of the best sites for buying tickets, especially for travellers who like unique or flexible experiences. I would recommend regularly checking their website, especially for uncommon or offbeat tours. Viator is massive – they boast over 300,000 travel experiences worldwide – and since they’re part of TripAdvisor, that means that there are tons of reviews on every listing. You can find tours on Viator that aren’t on other sites, like a sunrise hike outside Prague or a medieval cellar dinner in Budapest. A big plus is flexibility: Viator highlights free cancellation and flexible payment on many tours, which is great when plans can change. 

Treat GetYourGuide and Viator as two of the best sites for buying tickets, kind of like a “tour search engine.” Often the same tour appears on both platforms, but one might have a slight discount or different start times. That’s why you should always cross-check. Think of it like comparing flights on a travel aggregator: look at both GetYourGuide and Viator to see who has the better deal or schedule. By being a little extra diligent (and patient), you can consistently save a few bucks here and there.

Tips for Getting the Best Deals

• Book popular tours early. Top attractions (Eiffel Tower, Colosseum, Vatican, etc.) sell out fast in summer, so I would recommend reserving them as soon as you lock in your travel dates.
• Use free cancellation or pay-later options. If you’re not 100% sure about a date, choose a tour with a free-cancellation policy. GetYourGuide’s “reserve now, pay later” only works if the tour offers free cancellation, so you can secure a spot without upfront risk.
• Bundle or city passes. The best sites for buying tickets often include bundled passes or exclusive discounts. Both sites sometimes offer multi-attraction passes (e.g. Louvre + Seine cruise). Bundles can be cheaper than buying each ticket separately.
• Read reviews and compare. Check traveler reviews on the tour to make sure it’s worth it. Also compare the same tour on GetYourGuide and Viator – sometimes one has a sale price or better time slot.
• Consider off-peak tours. Early morning, night, or walking tours can be less expensive and less crowded than midday sightseeing.
• Apply promo codes or discounts whenever possible. Search for any coupon codes before booking. GetYourGuide’s checkout lets you add promo codes, and Viator often runs seasonal deals or has student/group discounts.

FAQ

 Here are some common questions people ask when searching for the best sites for buying tickets online:

Q: Which is the best site for buying tickets and tours?
A: Both GetYourGuide and Viator are excellent, though I have used GetYourGuide as my main site. Think of them like two big departments of the same store – similar catalogs but sometimes different prices or options. I recommend checking both to see who has the better deal or timing.

Q: Is booking tours online cheaper than at the venue?
A: Generally, yes or at the very least, they are equal. Booking in advance locks in the current price and guarantees entry. On-site tickets can be pricier, and there’s always a chance of selling out. These sites often have the lowest advertised prices and special combo offers, and I have yet to buy tickets at the door. 

Q: Can I cancel tours if plans change?
A: Almost always. Most tours on these platforms offer free cancellation up to 24–48 hours before start. Viator explicitly advertises free cancellation on many tours. Just make sure to check each tour’s policy when booking. 

Q: Are guided tours worth it for young travellers with a tighter budget?
A: I would say definitely! Guided tours and city passes let you see multiple highlights efficiently (saving transit or planning costs). They often include bonus experiences (like tasting local food or skipping lines) that you might miss out on going solo. Plus, you get to learn lots of interesting facts, which can make your trip much richer than just doing a quick google search. 

Q: Do I have to use these sites, or are there cheaper local options?
A: No, there is never a “have to,” but it’s good to mix and match. Free walking tours (these are generally tip-based) are great for orientation and don’t cost you anything upfront. But for the more major attractions, booking through GetYourGuide or Viator guarantees you’ll save time and compare prices easily. Sometimes local vendors might have deals, but online booking is more convenient and transparent with reviews. 

Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: The earlier you can, the better – especially in peak season. Booking 1–2 months ahead would be best, but if you’re flexible, last-minute flash sales happen. However, these can be risky if you need specific tours, so if you’d like peace of mind on a trip, aim for a few weeks before travel. I did most of my bookings for my visits to Paris and Athens the week before and prices were reasonable, but it was visiting during the off season, so really keep the time of year in mind.

Q: Are GetYourGuide and Viator trustworthy?
A: Yes. Wikipedia notes that GetYourGuide is a major Berlin-based travel activities platform, and as mentioned previously, Viator is part of TripAdvisor. Both sites handle payments securely, and often mediate refunds if needed. I would say I trust them just as much as big-name airlines or hotel sites.