ViaHero Platform

ViaHero is a new peer-to-peer travel platform connecting travelers with locals, with the latter helping the former plan personalized trips for the most native experience in a destination possible.

ViaHero has no standard trip or itinerary. Instead, every trip is completely planned around a traveler’s individual needs. The local travel planner you’re connected with, the “Hero” in ViaHero, helps you find the best experiences for you. You share with them your travel preferences and then they can take care of most of the rest, including providing you with an itinerary, maps, travel arrangements and unlimited access to them during your trip for tips and answers to any questions you might have.

Intrigued? The fees start at $25 per day of the trip you want planned. There are no extra commissions. Everything you and your Hero plan together is available in the ViaHero app even when you don’t have a WiFi connection, so you can access all the info you need, no matter where you are. After your trip, if you’re not satisfied with your experience, you’ll get a full refund.

If you upgrade to a premium fee, $35 per day, you’ll additionally receive a tailor-made map loaded with your Hero’s recommendations, phone support with your Hero during your trip and restaurant reservations secured in advance.

So far, ViaHero is available for travel to Puerto Rico, Japan, Cuba and Colombia.

If you want to become a Hero, you just complete an application, show your knowledge of where you live and then create a sample itinerary. If you’re accepted, you set up an account and start helping travelers plan their trips.