Found a hostel in Barcelona that does free walking tours zero markup

I was booking a bed in Barcelona last week and noticed this place called Kabul Backpackers charged 12 euros a night extra for their guided tour. Walked two blocks to Hostel One Sants and got a free tour through a local guide they partner with. Same route, same length, no extra fee. Has anyone else found hostels that sneak in hidden costs like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

brown.susan9d ago

I get what you're saying about hidden costs, but calling it a "zero markup" tour isn't totally fair. The free tours are usually tip-based anyway, so you're still paying something unless you're that person who stiffs the guide. Isn't the main difference just whether the fee is baked into the room rate or not?

henderson.hugo9d ago

@brown.susan you're way overthinking a walking tour, it's just a tip.

logansullivan6d ago

Zero markup" is just marketing speak for "we charge the hotel and call it free. The tip basically covers the same ground either way. Doesn't really matter how you slice it, you're paying someone to walk you around a city.