Alright, let me spill the tea on Showaround—this platform’s like your local plug for travel guides without the corporate fluff.
I stumbled onto it when I was desperate to dodge cookie-cutter tours and actually vibe with a city’s heartbeat. Spoiler: it didn’t disappoint.
If you’re tired of generic sightseeing and crave something real, this review’s gonna break down why Showaround might just be your new best travel buddy.
So, What Exactly Is Showaround?
Imagine having a friend in every city ready to show you around—the secret spots, killer eats, or that little-known rooftop with a view no guidebook mentions. That’s basically what Showaround does.
It connects travelers like us with locals who offer personalized tours or just chill hangouts tailored to whatever floats your boat. No scripts, no crowds—just raw, authentic experiences.
Whether you wanna dive deep into the culture or just find that offbeat coffee shop where all the creatives hang out, Showaround aims to bridge that gap between tourist traps and genuine connection.
Availability & Payouts
- Countries
- US, CA, UK, AU, DE, FR, ES, IT
- Payout Methods
- PayPal, Direct bank transfer
- Minimum Payout
- $20
- Payout Speed
- Within 7 days after payout request
- Notes
- Availability varies by region; confirm in-app. Payments depend on tour guide activity and platform fees.
Turn Your City Into Cash
So, you know your city like the back of your hand? That’s your golden ticket on Showaround. Sign up to become a local guide—no fancy degrees needed, just real talk and cool spots.
Step one: create a killer profile that shows off your vibe and favorite hangouts. Then, set your rates—flexible enough to attract tourists but worth your time. Remember, availability matters; make sure you can actually meet when people book.
Payments hit your account once the tour wraps up. Showaround keeps it simple with weekly payouts via PayPal or bank transfer. Just keep an eye on cancellation rules to avoid losing cash.
Cash In On Virtual Tours
Not feeling the face-to-face hustle? No worries. Showaround lets you offer virtual tours too—think Zoom meets street walk through someone else’s phone camera.
Start by setting up online tours tailored around themes: food crawls, history deep-dives, or hidden gems only locals know. Price them right to reflect the personal touch plus convenience factor.
Heads-up: You’ll need decent tech and a solid internet connection for smooth sessions; glitches kill vibes and ratings fast.
Showaround releases payments weekly after each completed virtual tour via PayPal. Oh, and pro tip: higher ratings mean more bookings, so charm them well!
Get Paid Guiding Locals & Travelers
Here’s the deal: you become a local expert showing off your city’s hidden gems, street eats, or iconic spots. People crave authentic experiences, and you’re the plug that delivers. Sign up on Showaround, create a killer profile that highlights your niche—think food tours or graffiti walks—and set your rates.
Clients book you directly through the platform. You decide when to accept gigs based on your schedule—flexibility is the name of the game here. Just keep in mind some cities have seasonal demand; peak travel times mean more bookings but also hustle to keep up.
Payments drop after each tour is done and confirmed by the guest, usually within 24-48 hours. Showaround takes a small cut for connecting you with travelers, but rest assured—you’re pocketing most of what you earn without middleman headaches.
Host Virtual City Walks & Experiences
Not always about being physically present—Showaround lets you tap into virtual gigs too. Got killer storytelling skills? Host live online tours where travelers explore your city through your eyes via video calls.
Set clear schedules and promote yourself as a go-to virtual guide for unique themes like historical deep-dives or nightlife explorations. You’ll need reliable internet and camera gear to pull this off smoothly; no tech slip-ups allowed here.
Payout works just like in-person tours—the money hits your account once guests confirm they had a great time post-session. It’s an awesome way to keep earning even if you're chillin' at home or dealing with travel restrictions.
Flip Your Local Knowledge Into Cash
Ever walked through your city and thought, 'I could totally give a better tour than those boring guides'? That’s your golden ticket with Showaround. Sign up to become a local guide and set up personalized tours that show off your neighborhood’s hidden gems or popular hotspots. The platform lets you pitch your unique experiences, so think outside the typical tourist stuff.
Once you get the gig, you handle scheduling directly with travelers and set your prices—talk about being your own boss. Just remember, quality matters: clients rate you after each tour, so keep it real and engaging to climb the ranks.
Payment comes through Showaround after each completed tour, usually within a few days. Be ready for some hustle early on to build solid reviews but once you’re established, this can turn into reliable side income fueled by good vibes and genuine stories.
Cash in By Hosting Experiences
Showaround isn’t just about walking tours; if you’ve got a cool skill or passion—cooking traditional food, photography walks, crafting sessions—you can create an experience around it and attract curious visitors eager for authentic connections.
Set up your profile showcasing what makes your experience unique and how many people can join. Flexibility is key here—you choose when to host but keep calendar updated so travelers know when you're available. One heads-up: strong communication before bookings seals the deal faster.
Payouts hit shortly after each event once guests confirm their attendance, giving you quick access to earnings without waiting forever. Plus, every great review pushes more folks your way; treat every session like storytelling gold.
Cash In Guiding Travelers Locally
So here’s the scoop: Showaround hooks you up with travelers hungry for authentic local vibes. You become their go-to guide, showing off hidden gems only locals know. Start by signing up and setting your hourly rate—flexibility is king here.
You gotta be ready to customize tours on the fly and stay super communicative because travelers expect a personal touch. No strict schedule but be responsive to booking requests, or someone else will snag your gig.
Payments hit your account shortly after each tour wraps, usually within a few days. It’s simple—you get paid directly for hours spent sharing your city smarts, no middleman drama.
Why Showaround Could Be Your Next Side Hustle
Look, not everyone’s cut out for typical side gigs, right? But here’s the kicker—Showaround flips the script by letting you monetize something pretty chill: your local knowledge and vibe. Imagine cashing in on showing tourists around your city without the boring tour guide spiel. It's like getting paid to hang out and share your favorite spots with strangers who actually wanna know what’s up.
And don't sleep on flexibility. This gig is all about when you want to work, how long you wanna spend, and which corners of your town you feel like flaunting. You’re literally the boss here, with zero suits breathing down your neck. If you're someone who thrives on freedom but still wants a decent payday from time to time, this could be gold.
But heads up: it ain’t a walk in the park either. You gotta be reliable, personable (like seriously—this ain't just about knowing landmarks), and willing to deal with all sorts of people from every corner of the globe. Not everyone's a tourist whisperer; if small talk isn’t your jam or patience runs thin fast, maybe keep scrolling.
Now, let me tell you something interesting—people love authentic experiences over cookie-cutter tours nowadays. That's why Showaround's appeal is surging big time as travelers crave real connections and insider tips instead of canned guidebooks or stiff city buses.
The Real Money Moves & What To Expect
Here’s some cold hard truth: Your paycheck depends heavily on how much effort you throw in and how well you market yourself within Showaround's ecosystem. They set no minimum hours or fixed salary—you get paid per booking at rates YOU set (within reason). So if hustling hard sounds exhausting rather than empowering? Maybe rethink this one.
On the flip side, top earners who've nailed their style often pull impressive side income chunks simply by becoming trusted locals that travelers rave about online—that means repeat bookings galore.
"So how much can I realistically make?" Glad you asked! Most guides report earnings anywhere between $15-$30 per hour depending on location demand plus optional tips which can really add up during busy seasons or special events happening locally.
Do yourself a favor though—invest time into crafting detailed profiles peppered with juicy photos plus honest reviews once gigs start rolling in; it turbocharges visibility and trustworthiness bigtime.
Pros
- Connects you with local hosts who know their city inside out
- Offers personalized tours that feel way more authentic than cookie-cutter trips
- Easy-to-use platform with a solid community vibe behind it
- Flexible scheduling that fits your travel style, whether last-minute or planned
Cons
- Some hosts vary in professionalism—read reviews carefully!
- Pricing isn't always transparent upfront; expect to dig a bit
- Limited availability in less touristy spots can cramp your options
- Not every host speaks multiple languages fluently, so double-check if that matters to you
FAQs
- How do I book a tour on Showaround?
- Booking’s straightforward: create an account, browse hosts by destination and interests, then send them a booking request. Once the host accepts, you’re all set. It’s like Tinder but for travel buddies.
- Are Showaround tours expensive compared to traditional guided tours?
- Prices vary widely since hosts set their own rates. Some are budget-friendly locals eager to share their city; others charge premium prices for specialized experiences. You get what you pay for—and often more personal touch.
- What makes Showaround different from other tour platforms?
- Real locals leading the way instead of big companies. This means quirky stories, hidden gems only insiders know about, and lots more personality sprinkled into your experience.
- Can I customize my tour itinerary with the host?
- Absolutely. Hosts encourage tailoring plans to fit your vibe—whether it’s food hunts, street art strolls, or secret nightlife spots. Just say what you want!
- Is it safe to meet strangers through Showaround?
- Safety first, obviously. The platform vets hosts somewhat and lets travelers leave honest reviews. Still, trust your gut and communicate clearly before meeting up—common sense never hurts.
- Can I request a last-minute tour on Showaround?
- Absolutely! Sometimes life throws curveballs, and you might need a tour ASAP. Showaround lets you find local guides who can often accommodate last-minute requests, but keep in mind it depends on the guide's availability. Just shoot your request and see who's ready to roll!
- Is prior tour guiding experience mandatory for Showaround?
- Absolutely not! While having guiding chops helps polish your act faster, plenty of folks jump in fresh without any pro background just by genuinely loving their city and having decent people skills.
- How do payments work exactly?
- "Showaround collects payments from tourists upfront then disburses them weekly minus fees directly to your bank account or PayPal." Simple enough right? Just remember they take a small cut as commission—it keeps things running smoothly.
Final Verdict
So here’s the deal: Showaround flips the typical tourist trap script upside down.
Instead of cookie-cutter bus rides packed with strangers,
you get an actual local walking buddy who shows you their city without the gloss.
This isn’t just about sightseeing; it's about storytelling,
sneaking into back alleys where legends were born,
and tasting food stalls mom swears by.
If you crave realness over rote sightseeing? This is where you'll wanna hang.
That said,
it’s not flawless—it demands some savvy scrolling through profiles and reviews—but hey,
nothing worth having ever comes easy.
For travelers craving genuine connection and insider access?
Showaround is pure gold.
"At its core," Showaround offers an unconventional yet appealing way for locals craving flexible gigs to monetize street smarts and personality instead of punching clocks or selling stuff they hate.
"That said," it's far from effortless money-making; success hinges on charisma mixed with hustle—the kind only certain entrepreneurial spirits embrace wholeheartedly."