Cancellation and refund policy
We want you to book with confidence. Here's everything you need to know about cancellations and refunds on Withlocals.
Cancellation overview
When you cancel | What you get back |
Within 24 hours of making the booking (and the experience is not starting within the next day) | Full refund including the 10% service fee |
More than 24 hours after booking, but more than 7 days before the experience | Refund of the experience price (minus the 10% service fee) |
Less than 7 days before the experience | No refund |
Same-day booking (experience starts within 24 hours of booking) | No refund |
Host cancels | Full refund including service fee |
Weather or force majeure | Full refund including service fee |
Booked through a partner (Viator, GetYourGuide) | Contact the partner platform directly |
How to cancel
You can cancel your booking directly from your account. Log in, go to "My Bookings," and follow the steps on the booking you want to cancel. For a detailed walkthrough, see How to cancel your booking.
Bookings made through partner platforms (OTAs)
If you booked your experience through a partner platform like Viator, GetYourGuide, or another third-party site, your cancellation and refund must be handled by that platform. Withlocals does not have access to modify or refund bookings made through partners.
To cancel, go to the platform where you originally booked and follow their cancellation process. Their policies may differ from the Withlocals policy above.
What counts as force majeure?
Force majeure covers extraordinary circumstances beyond anyone's control that make the experience impossible or unsafe. This includes:
Severe weather conditions (storms, flooding, extreme heat warnings)
Natural disasters (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions)
Government restrictions (travel bans, lockdowns, official safety advisories)
If your experience is affected by force majeure, you'll receive a full refund including the service fee. In most cases, Withlocals or your host will notify you proactively.
Partial refunds
Partial refunds are not standard on Withlocals. If you believe your situation warrants a partial refund - for example, if part of the experience couldn't take place - please contact our support team with your booking reference. We'll review your case individually.
How long do refunds take?
Once your cancellation is confirmed, refunds are processed within 5-10 business days to your original payment method. For a detailed breakdown of refund timelines, see How long do refunds take?