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Tourist Guide · Fee Structure 2025–27

Who is a Tourist Guide, and how do they get licensed?

This page explains what the role of a Tourist Guide actually involves, how a person becomes a licensed guide in India, what visitors should check before hiring one, and the current guide fee structure.

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Definition

What is a Tourist Guide?

As defined by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, a Tourist Guide is a person licensed by a competent authority to accompany, inform, direct and assist visitors on organised tours, in a language of their choice, under the guidelines laid down by the Ministry.

A guide is not simply someone who leads a group from one point to another. A licensed guide plans safe itineraries, manages the logistics of a visit, interprets history, art and culture with accuracy, handles emergencies, and represents the destination — and by extension the country — to every visitor they accompany.

Because of this responsibility, guiding is a regulated profession in India rather than an informal service. Every guide must complete prescribed training, pass written and field examinations, and hold a valid, renewable licence before they are authorised to practise.

Guides are also often the first sustained point of contact a visitor has with local people, so their conduct, accuracy and courtesy shape how a traveller experiences and remembers the destination.

Eligibility

Becoming a Licensed Tourist Guide

A candidate must meet the eligibility criteria and complete every stage below before being authorised to practise.

1

Educational qualification

Candidates must be graduates (10+2+3) from a recognised university, meet the prescribed age criteria, and have a working knowledge of at least one language besides English and Hindi.

2

Selection and training

Selected candidates undergo structured training covering Indian history, art, architecture, religion, geography, tourism management, first aid and professional etiquette, delivered through Ministry-recognised institutes.

3

Examination and field assessment

Trainees must clear written examinations and a practical field assessment — conducting an actual guided visit at a monument or heritage site before a panel of evaluators.

4

Licence issuance

On clearing all stages, a Tourist Guide Licence and identity card are issued, specifying the guide's category and the area they are authorised to operate in.

5

Renewal and refresher courses

Licences are valid for a fixed term and must be renewed periodically. Guides are expected to attend refresher courses to keep their knowledge and certification current.

On the job

Duties & Responsibilities

A professional tourist guide represents the destination, ensures visitor safety, promotes responsible tourism and creates meaningful travel experiences.

Tourist guide at work with a group

Core duties

  • Tour planning — building itineraries and coordinating schedules.
  • Safety and assistance — prioritising visitor safety and helping during emergencies.
  • Heritage interpretation — explaining historical facts and local traditions accurately.
  • Group management — coordinating groups while maintaining comfort and discipline.
  • Sustainable practice — encouraging respect for monuments and local communities.

Skills expected

  • Language proficiency — clear communication in the visitor's chosen language.
  • Subject knowledge — depth in history, art, architecture and local culture.
  • Crisis handling — calm, quick decisions during delays or emergencies.
  • Interpersonal skill — patience and courtesy with diverse groups.
  • Professional integrity — accurate, unbiased information at all times.
Ethics & conduct

Code of Guiding Practice

Every guide registered with a TGFI member association is expected to follow a professional code of conduct, built on the principles of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA).

  • Provide truthful, well-researched information and clearly separate documented fact from local legend or opinion.
  • Carry and display a valid licence and identity card at all times while on duty.
  • Treat every visitor fairly and courteously, without discrimination or misrepresentation.
  • Respect the environment, wildlife, monuments and the customs of local communities.
  • Avoid commission-driven detours to unrequested shops or services during a tour.
  • Report unlicensed or unauthorised guiding activity to the concerned authority.
Realities of the profession

Challenges Faced by Tourist Guides

Guides are the face of a destination. Despite their contribution to tourism, they often face several professional and operational challenges.

Seasonal employment

Tourism demand changes through the year, resulting in irregular work and income gaps.

High

Income stability

Many guides rely on freelance assignments with unpredictable earnings and no fixed salary.

High

Long working hours

Managing tours often requires extended hours with constant responsibility and no fixed schedule.

Medium

Language adaptation

Communicating with visitors from different countries requires continuous language learning.

Medium

Group management

Handling diverse groups with different expectations while ensuring safety is demanding.

High

Unexpected situations

Weather changes, delays and medical emergencies require quick decisions and adaptability.

Medium
Sustainability

Promoting Responsible Tourism

Every tourist guide plays a role in protecting India's heritage, environment and local communities while creating meaningful travel experiences.

Protect heritage

Respect historical monuments and preserve cultural legacy for future visitors.

Protect environment

Promote eco-friendly travel and minimise the impact of tourism on natural sites.

Keep destinations clean

Encourage visitors to avoid littering and follow site guidelines.

Support local economies

Point visitors toward local businesses and authentic experiences.

Respect local culture

Build visitor understanding of local customs, traditions and sensitivities.

Think long-term

Practise and encourage responsible travel that keeps destinations viable for the future.

Visitor advisory

How to Identify an Authorised Guide

To protect yourself from touts and unlicensed guiding, always confirm these before starting a tour.

Ask for the ID card

A licensed guide will always carry and readily show a government-issued photo ID card.

Check the licence number

Every licence carries a unique number and category — Regional, State or Local.

Verify with TGFI

You can confirm a guide's membership through their local association or TGFI directly.

Report unlicensed guiding

If approached by an unlicensed person offering to guide, report it to the local authority.

Note: Engaging an unlicensed person for guiding services at a protected monument is an offence under applicable regulations. Always insist on a licensed, TGFI-affiliated guide for a safe and authentic experience.

Official Agreement

Agreement between Indian Association of Tour Operators & Tourist Guides Federation of India

Guide Fee w.e.f. 1st October 2025 to 30th September 2027

1. Guide Fee

Half Day — up to 4 hours · Full Day — 4 to 8 hours.

Group SizeHalf DayFull Day
1–5 Persons₹2,500₹3,250
6–14 Persons₹3,250₹4,000
15–40 Persons₹4,000₹5,200
2. Language Allowance

Half Day — up to 4 hours · Full Day — 4 to 8 hours.

Group SizeHalf DayFull Day
1–14 Persons₹800₹1,000
15 Persons onwards₹1,000₹1,300
3. Outstation Excursion Allowance

Applicable only when the minimum distance covered is beyond 100 kms per day and involves no overnight stay.

Outstation excursion allowance₹2,200
For Delhi–Agra–Delhi and Delhi–Jaipur–Delhi same day trip, extra allowance₹900
4. Outstation Allowance
For outstation guiding, escorting, accompanying, irrespective of size, per night, when the travel agent / tour operator / excursion agent does not provide hotel accommodation and meals₹5,500
For outstation guiding, escorting, accompanying groups, irrespective of size, per night, when the travel agent / tour operator / excursion agent provides hotel accommodation and meals and bears such expenses₹2,250
5. Conveyance Allowance
To report for assignment in metro cities (covering Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai) before 0730 hours or finishing after 2030 hours₹850
Other cities₹350
6. Extra Allowance

For Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, Kochi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai sightseeing, whether Half Day or Full Day. In case of Delhi, irrespective of reporting at Noida or Gurgaon hotels; in Mumbai, irrespective of city or suburb hotels. It is mandatory for the guide to report at the hotel. However, if the guide, on the guide's own request, reports at any monument instead of the hotel, then this conveyance charge would not be applicable. This amount is to be included by the guide while raising the invoice and is payable once a day.

Extra allowance₹500
7. Conveyance Allowance

To report to or return from Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra — Ex Agra. To be paid only once, either for going or for coming.

Conveyance allowance₹350
8. All Other Allowance

All other allowances like lunch, overtime, transport etc. will not be payable and will be covered in the above fees.

9. The Following Excursions Would Be Paid As Full Day
  • Elephanta Caves excursion
  • Excursion to Fatehpur Sikri
  • Excursion to Bharatpur
  • Excursion to Fatehpur Sikri and Bharatpur
  • Excursion to Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram from Chennai
  • Excursion from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari
  • Excursion to Daulatabad (or) Ellora
10. Excursion Tours Exceeding 8 Hours

For the following excursion tours (vice-a-versa) which exceed 8 hours, an extra allowance would be paid in addition to all the above fees and allowances.

Extra allowance₹1,100
  • Hyderabad – Warrangal – Palampet and back
  • Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram and back
  • Chennai – Tirupathy / Thirumala and back
  • Chennai – Pondicherry and back
  • Chennai – Gingy Fort and back
  • Madurai – Tanjore – Trichy drop and back
  • Trivandrum – Kanyakumari and back
  • Kochi – Alleppey – Kottayam and back
  • Bangalore – Mysore, Brindavan Garden and back
  • Bangalore – Belur – Halebid and back
  • Mumbai – Karla or Bhaja, Bedsa and back
  • Aurangabad – Ajanta Caves and Ellora
  • Kolkata to Shantiniketan and back
  • Kolkata to Bishnupur and back
  • Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh – Ex Udaipur
  • Chennai City Sightseeing + Kanchipuram
  • Chennai City Sightseeing + Mahabalipuram
  • Jaipur – Ajmer – Pushkar
  • Varanasi – Kushinagar – Varanasi
  • Varanasi – Bodh Gaya – Varanasi
  • Agra – Gwalior – Agra
  • Lucknow – Ayodhya – Lucknow
  • Any other excursion tour of more than 8 hours duration not mentioned above
11–14. General Clauses
  • 11

    Wherever language, outstation or overnight allowance is applicable, the same will be over and above the guide fee that would be applicable.

  • 12

    A suitable imprest amount may be given to the guide before the commencement of the assignment, by mutual understanding, in case of outstation trips involving a minimum of one overnight stay.

  • 13

    Usage of guides and the fee structure shall be as per the laid-down policies of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

  • 14

    The following tours in Mumbai would be considered as full day: Heritage Walks in the Fort Enclave; Visit to Banganga, Khotachiwadi; city tours starting from hotels situated in the suburbs; local sightseeing tours that exceed 8 hours (the extra hours should be calculated as a half day tour); and Bhuleshwar and Mumbadevi.

15. Special Allowance in Kolkata
Evening Ganga Aarti in Kolkata₹400
Victoria Memorial Light & Sound Show₹400
16. Special Allowance in Mumbai
Elephanta Tour₹500
17. Special Allowances in Varanasi
Morning River Tour Allowance (no other conveyance charges will be payable)₹400
Evening Aarti (no other conveyance charges will be payable)₹500

Note — Programme-wise payable charges:

Programme I — Only Evening Aarti

In this case only half day charges would be payable plus the special allowance as above. Language guide would be paid accordingly.

Programme II — Early Morning River Tour, then Half Day Temple / City Tour or Sarnath in place of City Tour, Evening Aarti

In this case the charges payable would be full day for the morning river tour assignment plus the morning river tour allowance, and for the evening only half day charges without any other Aarti or conveyance allowance. In this case only one full day language allowance would be payable.

Programme III — Early Morning River Cruise, Morning Temple / City Tour, Afternoon Excursion to Sarnath, Evening Aarti

In this case, half day charges for the morning river tour plus the river tour allowance, and full day charges for the Temple / City tour and Sarnath would be payable, plus only the evening Aarti allowance would be payable. The language allowance for full day will be payable.

Programme IV — Morning Temple Tour, Afternoon Sarnath or Vice Versa

In this case only full day charges would be payable with no other allowance. The language allowance for full day will be payable.

Programme V — Afternoon Sarnath with Evening Aarti, or Afternoon City Tour with Evening Aarti

In this case full day charges would be payable.

Programme VI — Early Morning River Tour and Evening Aarti Only

In this case, one half day charges for the morning tour plus the river tour allowance, plus half day charges for evening Aarti would be payable with allowance. Language allowance would be payable as one full day only.

18. The fee and allowance agreed above between IATO and TGFI are to be paid in full and are not negotiable. There will be no extra charges in addition to the above for escorting groups.
19. Note
  • There would be no half day sightseeing in Delhi and all sightseeing will be for full day.
  • Members are requested to use Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India recognized IITG guides.
Ravi GosainPresident, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO)
Narendra Singh RathorePresident, Tourist Guides Federation of India (TGFI)
Date: 19th June 2025
Visitor feedback

What Visitors Say

"Our guide's knowledge of the fort's history made the visit far more meaningful than we expected."

Priya M.
Jaipur

"Professional, punctual, and clearly licensed — checked the ID card before we started, which was reassuring."

David R.
New Delhi

"Booking through a TGFI member association made it easy to trust that our guide was properly certified."

Aiko T.
Agra
Moments

With Our Guides

Guide with visitors Guide with visitors Guide with visitors Guide with visitors
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The guide fee structure varies based on the group size, duration of the tour and the allowances applicable. The complete IATO–TGFI agreement, valid from 1st October 2025 to 30th September 2027, is given in the Fee Structure section above.

You can book a certified guide through registered travel agencies, online platforms, or directly through TGFI member guides.
Reach Out

Our guides are multilingual and speak English, Hindi, and various regional languages. Some also speak French, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese.

Yes. All our guides are certified by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and are registered members of TGFI.

A Regional Guide (IITG) is licensed by the Ministry of Tourism to guide across an entire designated region spanning multiple states. A State Guide is authorised within a single state, and a Local Guide is licensed for a specific city, district or monument. Each category requires its own training, examination and licence.

Ask to see the guide's official photo ID card, note the licence number printed on it, and confirm their membership through the relevant TGFI member association or by contacting TGFI directly. Avoid engaging anyone who cannot produce a valid licence.

Complaints regarding the conduct or service of a registered guide can be raised with the guide's local member association or with TGFI's grievance redressal channel, along with the guide's licence number and tour details.