Why Book Direct?
When you’re planning a trip, it’s tempting to use big booking platforms to arrange tours, activities, and guides. They’re convenient, familiar, and promise peace of mind. But if you want a better experience—for you and the people running the activity—booking direct is often the smarter choice. Here’s why.
1. Your Money Goes Where It Matters
Booking agents usually take a hefty commission, sometimes 20–40% of the price you pay (I know! It’s a LOT). When you book direct, more of your money goes straight to the local guide or small business actually delivering the experience. That extra income helps them invest in better equipment, training, and sustainability—and supports local livelihoods rather than global platforms.
2. Better Value (or Better Extras)
Booking direct doesn’t always mean cheaper, but it often means better value. It means we are able to to offer longer tours, flexible start times, and sometimes added extras when there’s no middleman involved. Even when prices are the same, you’re more likely to get a personalized experience rather than a standardized package.
3. Direct Communication = Fewer Surprises
When you book through an agent, messages often pass through multiple layers. Details can get lost, misunderstood, or delayed. Booking direct lets you speak with the company themselves, directly. You can ask specific questions, explain your interests or fitness level, and clarify what’s included—leading to fewer surprises and a smoother, more enjoyable day.
4. More Flexible and Human Policies
Life happens. Weather changes. Plans shift. Independent companies like us are able to be more flexible with rescheduling or adjustments when you’re dealing with us directly. Large platforms tend to have rigid cancellation policies that don’t account for individual circumstances - which is annoying for both you AND us!
5. You Help Small Businesses Thrive
Many activity providers in Lauterbrunnen are small, family-run operations. Booking direct helps us compete in a world dominated by big platforms and rising fees. It’s a simple choice that has a real, positive impact on local communities. So, in advance, THANK YOU!
The Bottom Line…
Booking agents like Viator, TripAdvisor, Get Your Guide etc have their place, especially for last-minute planning or comparisons; and they certainly enable us to ‘get our product out there’.
But when you can, booking activities and guides direct leads to better communication, more authentic experiences, and a fairer deal for everyone involved. It’s travel that feels good—long after the activity ends.