GoWithGuide: What the Platform Offers, How It Works, and What Users Say

Written By Mechele Briley

Guided tours in desert regions often feature traditional modes of travel, such as camel rides, led by local guides.

Grid of popular tour destinations and countries available on a global local guide platform

An example of the range of cities and countries where travelers can browse tours offered by independent local guides.

Travelers looking for private, customizable tours increasingly turn to platforms that connect them directly with local guides. GoWithGuide is one such platform, operating as an online marketplace where travelers can browse and book tours led by independent guides around the world.

Founded in Japan in 2013, GoWithGuide began as a guide-matching service and has since expanded globally. Today, the platform lists guides in 500+ cities across 120+ countries, serving a customer base that is primarily English-speaking and largely U.S.-based.

This article focuses on what GoWithGuide offers, how the platform works, and what customer feedback commonly highlights, based on publicly available information.

What GoWithGuide Offers

GoWithGuide specializes in private, customizable tours created and operated by independent local guides. According to the company, all tours listed on the platform are private experiences rather than shared group excursions.

Types of offerings commonly found on GoWithGuide include:

  • City walking tours

  • Cultural and historical experiences

  • Food-focused tours and market visits

  • Day trips and regional excursions

  • Private transportation and airport transfers (availability varies by destination)

  • Fully custom itineraries built around traveler interests

Because tours are created by individual guides, offerings, pricing, pacing, and inclusions vary depending on the guide and destination.

How GoWithGuide Works

GoWithGuide functions as a booking platform, not a tour operator.

Laptop on a desk with a notebook, pen, and a mug of tea used for travel planning

Travel planning often begins with research and comparison before selecting tours or experiences.

1. Browse Guides by Destination

Travelers search by city or country and view guide profiles. Profiles typically include:

  • Background and guiding experience

  • Languages spoken

  • Tour listings

  • Pricing and duration details

  • Reviews from previous travelers

2. Communicate With the Guide

One of the platform’s core features is the ability for travelers to message guides before booking. This allows travelers to:

  • Ask questions

  • Request itinerary adjustments

  • Clarify meeting locations

  • Confirm what is included or excluded

3. Book Through the Platform

Once details are confirmed, bookings are completed through GoWithGuide. Pricing and cancellation terms are shown at the time of booking. Only confirmed and completed tours are eligible for affiliate commissions.

4. Take the Tour

Tours are led by the guide selected during booking. Guides operate their own experiences independently.

Small group of travelers walking through a city with a local guide

Walking tours are a common way for travelers to explore cities with guidance from local tour providers.

What Reviews Commonly Mention

Traveler reviews on GoWithGuide tend to focus on the guide-specific experience, rather than the platform itself.

Frequently Mentioned Positives

  • Knowledgeable local guides

  • Flexible pacing and customization

  • Opportunities for conversation and questions

  • Tours tailored to personal interests

Many reviewers mention that private tours allowed for a deeper understanding of the destination compared to standard group excursions.

Considerations Noted by Travelers

  • Pricing varies significantly by destination and guide

  • Experiences depend heavily on the individual guide chosen

  • Availability may be limited during peak travel periods

Because each guide operates independently, reading recent reviews and reviewing tour details is an important part of the booking process.

Affiliate Disclosure & Transparency

I am an affiliate partner with GoWithGuide and may earn a commission if you choose to book through links shared on this site, at no additional cost to you.

At this time, I have not personally used GoWithGuide for my own travel or for a client. This article is intended to explain how the platform works and what it offers, based on publicly available information provided by the company and traveler reviews.

GoWithGuide operates as a booking platform connecting travelers with independent guides. Individual guides design and operate their own tours and are responsible for the services they provide.

Final Overview

GoWithGuide offers a way to book private, customizable tours directly with local guides in destinations worldwide. The platform emphasizes flexibility, direct communication, and guide-led experiences rather than standardized group tours.

For those who value personalization and are comfortable reviewing guide profiles and communicating before booking, GoWithGuide provides an alternative to traditional tour formats. Those interested in learning more can visit GoWithGuide’s website for additional details.

Mechele Briley

Mechele Briley is the founder of The Sea Seeker, a travel resource for travelers who value thoughtful planning and meaningful experiences by the sea. She shares practical guidance on cruises, coastal destinations, and travel tools to help readers make informed decisions and travel with confidence.

-We do not travel to escape life, but so life does not escape us.