Frequently Asked Questions

The Voyage Co. is a platform that connects travellers with verified local experts for pre-trip video consultations. Instead of relying on generic travel guides or review sites, you speak directly with someone who lives in your destination and get personalised advice, itinerary reviews, or fully tailored travel plans.

Neither. We are not a travel agency. The Voyage Co. is a pre-trip consultation service. Our local experts share their knowledge and recommendations before your trip so you can plan with confidence. Locals do not book accommodation, tours, or transport on your behalf.

ToursByLocals, Viator, GetYourGuide and similar platforms sell experiences and tours that happen during your trip. You book a guide for a few hours on the ground. The Voyage Co. is the opposite: you can access locals while you’re doing your trip planning. You can book pre-trip video consultations, get an itinerary reviewed, or even get a full custom plan built. All of it is designed to help you plan a better trip in the first place. Our locals may not take you on a tour. They predominantly help you decide where to go, where to stay, what to skip, and what activities to do (including which tours are good), all before you book a single flight or hotel. Or even after, if you just want advice on what to do. Use The Voyage Co. before your trip; use the others during.

Real-world specificity. Search engines and AI surface what’s popular and well-reviewed online. Our locals tell you what’s actually good right now. They can tell you which restaurant changed chefs last month, which neighbourhood feels different on a Tuesday than a Saturday, where to walk to avoid the cruise-ship crowds, and which “must-see” you can safely skip. They know because they live there. Different locals also have different areas of expertise. Some are great at helping families travelling with kids find restaurants and activities that work for everyone. Others are experts on adventure travel and hiking, or the best cycling routes. Browse their profiles and see who aligns best with what you need.

You browse our local experts by destination, find someone whose knowledge matches your trip, and book a video consultation at a time that works for both of you. Sessions typically run 30 to 45 minutes, but you and your local can agree on whatever format suits your needs. You may want a quick Q&A about restaurants or accommodation, or you may want a full itinerary review if you already have some plans in progress.

Yes. When booking, you can choose the Custom Travel Plan option. This often includes a free 15-minute briefing session where you share your travel dates, interests, and preferences with your local expert. From there, they build a fully tailored itinerary around your interests, pace, and budget. Custom Travel Plans start at €80, depending on the number of destinations, the complexity of your trip, and the type of advice you need. Some locals also offer optional add-ons. You can also discuss this with your local during a standard consultation if you’d like to upgrade afterwards.

No. Consultations are conducted via video call through your browser. You just need a device with a camera and a reliable internet connection. Your browser will need permission to access your camera and microphone, which it will prompt you to allow when you join the call.

It helps to have a rough idea of your travel dates, interests, and any specific questions you’d like answered. When you make a booking you will be prompted to complete a short questionnaire for your local expert to review before your appointment. But don’t worry if you’re starting from scratch. Your local expert is happy to help you shape the trip from the ground up.

Sessions are not recorded by default. Your conversations with your local are private. We recommend taking notes during the call, or asking the local for a summary. If you’d prefer a detailed summary or full itinerary document, that’s what our Custom Travel Plan option is for: your local builds a tailored written plan you can refer back to throughout your trip.

Local experts set their own rates, so prices vary based on their experience, the destination, and what you need. Most services on the platform start at €80, including Custom Travel Plans, which scale with the number of destinations, the complexity of your trip, and the type of advice you need. Some locals offer optional add-ons. You’ll always see the exact price before you book. There are no hidden fees. Payment is handled securely through the platform.

Yes, absolutely. You can book for a group or family as long as you’re the main person organising the trip and the right person to give a detailed brief. There’s no fixed limit on the number of people, but the call works best when one person is leading the conversation.

We launched in Italy and currently have local experts across Italy (including Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Milan, Bologna, Turin, Genova, Sorrento, Bergamo, Ravenna, the Dolomites, Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily and Sardinia), France (Paris and Lyon), and London. We’re expanding to new destinations throughout 2026. If you can’t find a local for your destination, request it and we’ll prioritise based on demand.

All local experts go through a verification process before they can accept bookings. This includes identity verification and a video call with our founding team to ensure they have genuine local knowledge and are a good fit for the platform.

We take privacy seriously. Payments are processed securely through Stripe, and we don’t store your credit card details. You can read our full Privacy Policy for details on how we handle your data.

If you live in your city and love sharing it with travellers, we’d love to hear from you. Locals on The Voyage Co. set their own rates, choose their own availability, and keep the majority of what travellers pay. We charge a small platform fee. The application process includes a short video call with our founding team to confirm you have genuine local knowledge and are a good fit. Apply to become a local.

Locals constantly manage their own availability, so the best way to plan is to book in advance. You can book as far ahead as you’d like. We always recommend at least 48 hours in advance so your local has time to prepare and acknowledge the booking. For Custom Travel Plans, allow at least 2 weeks, and ideally 4–6 weeks before you travel. That said, if you only need quick tips and advice, you can book at any time.

You can reschedule for free up to 24 hours before your session. Do this through the platform or by messaging your local directly (no need to email support). Cancellations made more than 48 hours in advance are fully refunded. Cancellations within 48 hours of the session are reviewed case by case, since your local has likely already prepared. If your local needs to cancel, you’ll receive a full refund. Your local may also reschedule at no additional cost.

Email support@thevoyage.co within 7 days of your session and we’ll review what happened. We take feedback seriously. Your local’s continued place on the platform depends on the quality of their consultations. If something genuinely went wrong (technical failure, no-show, off-topic advice), we’ll issue a full refund. If the call simply wasn’t what you hoped for, we’ll work with you and your local to find a fair resolution.

Email us at support@thevoyage.co. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.