Things to do by country
The attractions worth pre-booking are the ones that sell out or that have a queue you can skip, and that is a much shorter list than the booking sites suggest. These are the tickets and passes actually worth buying before you fly, per destination, with prices converted to Australian dollars so you can judge them.
Things to do in 36 destinations
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
How these comparisons are made
Activities listed are bookable in AUD with instant confirmation where the platform offers it. Jamie has personally booked and taken activities through the platforms recommended on this site. Editorial notes on whether something is worth pre-booking are opinions and labelled as such - a queue-skip that saves three hours in July can be pointless in February. Read the full editorial policy.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to book attractions in advance?
Sometimes a little cheaper, but the real reason is availability and queues. Timed-entry sites like the Vatican Museums, the Tokyo Skytree and Alhambra genuinely sell out weeks ahead in peak season.
Are city passes worth it?
Only if you would have paid for three or more of the included attractions anyway, and only if they are close enough together to visit in the days the pass runs. Work out the individual prices first.
Can I cancel a pre-booked tour?
Most operators listed here allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before, but it varies by product. The cancellation window is shown on each offer before you book.
What is actually worth booking.
New destination guides and side-by-side comparisons for Australian travellers - which eSIM, which travel card, which insurance is worth paying for, and what to sort before you go. Prices in Australian dollars, a few emails a year.