Frequently Asked Questions

Our tours use GPS to trigger audio as you move along a route. Just follow the map in the app and stories, directions, and highlights play automatically at the right locations.

Yes. The audio starts and plays automatically based on your location, so you can focus on exploring instead of looking at your phone.

No. Once you download the tour in advance, everything works offline. GPS is used to trigger the audio, but no data connection is required during the tour.

Your 6-character access code and app download instructions are sent by email, usually the day before your tour. If you booked through Viator, Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide, or another booking platform, the email will get routed through that platform, so be sure to check your messages from that platform. If you can’t find it, check your spam folder and/or the booking platform’s message center. Same-day bookings receive access codes within minutes after purchase.

Each tour has a specific starting location shown on the tour’s main screen in the Drives & Detours app. Open your tour before heading out and use the starting location to navigate to where the experience begins. When you get there, tap “Start Tour” and the audio will begin playing automatically.

For walking tours, headphones or earbuds are recommended so you can hear the narration clearly while you explore, especially in busy areas. For driving tours, we recommend pairing your phone with your vehicle so you can hear the audio through your vehicle’s speakers.

Our tours are completely flexible. If your plans change, you can start later, use the tour another day, or even complete part of it and come back later to finish the rest. There’s no need to contact us to reschedule.

You can use your tour anytime. Once unlocked, it doesn’t expire, so you can start it, pause it, and come back whenever you’re ready.

You get the benefits of a guide—stories, context, and direction—without the group, schedule, or fixed pace. Explore when and how you want, with the freedom to stop, detour, or linger.

Our driving tours are priced per vehicle, so everyone can listen together through your car speakers.

For walking tours, we typically recommend that you purchase access for each person in your group so everyone can listen with their own headphones/earbuds. That said, some couples don't mind sharing a single device and listening together by sharing one earbud each or listening over the speaker.

Almost all of our tours are available in Spanish, plus several are also available in French, German, and Chinese. Language availability varies by tour, so check the individual tour listing for the options currently available.