FareHarbor Pricing vs TicketingHub: What Tour Operators Actually Pay in 2026
FareHarbor charges customers 6% per booking plus OTA fees. TicketingHub charges operators 3% with no monthly fees. Full pricing breakdown for tour operators.
Bibim Banez • March 23, 2026 • 8min read
Quick Answer
FareHarbor does not charge operators a monthly or setup fee. It uses a model where your customers pay. They face a 6% credit card processing fee on each booking. Operators pay nothing upfront, but customers see a 6% extra charge at checkout.
TicketingHub charges operators a flat 3% fee per online booking with no monthly or setup fees, and no customer-facing booking fee. Operators decide whether to absorb the fee or pass it on.
What Does FareHarbor Actually Cost?
FareHarbor doesn't have a public pricing page. But operators who used both platforms say FareHarbor's fees work like this:
Fee TypeFareHarborTicketingHubMonthly fee$0$0Setup fee$0$0Per-booking fee (operator)$03% of transactionCustomer-facing booking fee~6%Optional (set by operator)OTA booking fee~2%/month reported$0 (currently)POS / in-person bookingsNot disclosed$0Long-term contractYes (reported)No
How FareHarbor's "Free" Model Works in Practice
FareHarbor says it is free to operators, which is true since there is no monthly bill. Instead, it charges a credit card fee to your customers when they book.
This model affects conversion. The surcharge at checkout makes the price look higher than advertised. Many operators who switched to TicketingHub said FareHarbor's fee led to cart abandonment and confusion. One operator said: "Some people think FareHarbor is free — I had a client who told me that. When I said we charged 3%, he said that was expensive." This perception gap is a real sales issue.
FareHarbor vs TicketingHub: Real Cost on a $100 Booking
Here is what each platform costs on a $100 tour booking:
With FareHarbor
- Your customer pays: $106 (your $100 + 6% fee)
- Your revenue: $100
- Customer experience: Surprise extra charge at checkout
With TicketingHub (operator absorbs fee)
- Your customer pays: $100
- Your revenue: $97 (TicketingHub takes 3%)
- Customer experience: Clean, transparent checkout
With TicketingHub (operator passes on fee)
- Add a 3% booking fee in your TicketingHub settings
- Your customer pays: $103
- Your revenue: $100
- You keep the difference if you set a higher fee
Operators who switch from FareHarbor often keep the 6% booking fee. They charge it through TicketingHub, so they keep the 3% difference.
Does FareHarbor Charge for OTA Bookings?
Yes. Operators who used FareHarbor say it charges about 2% per month on OTA bookings — from sites like Viator and GetYourGuide. This is separate from the 6% customer fee and is charged to the operator.
TicketingHub does not charge for OTA bookings now, though this might change as OTA booking numbers grow.
Why Operators Switch From FareHarbor to TicketingHub
The main reasons operators switch platforms:
- Fee transparency — operators want a clear checkout with no extra charges for customers
- OTA fee increases — FareHarbor's 2% OTA fee adds up for operators who have high OTA bookings
- No contract — TicketingHub has no lock-in; no setup fee, no penalty for leaving
- Pricing simplicity — 3% is a single, clear number with no hidden fees
- Support quality — TicketingHub gives 24/7 help via chat and email, plus direct access to the founder
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does FareHarbor cost per month?
FareHarbor has no monthly fee. The cost is in a consumer-funded booking fee of about 6% charged to your customers at checkout.
Does FareHarbor charge the operator or the customer?
FareHarbor charges the customer, not the operator. A ~6% credit card processing fee is added to the booking price customers see at checkout. Operators do not get a direct invoice from FareHarbor for these fees.
Is FareHarbor free for tour operators?
FareHarbor is free in terms of direct operator billing. But the 6% fee your customers pay at checkout affects your conversion rate and customer ties. Also, FareHarbor reportedly charges operators about 2% per month on OTA bookings.
What is TicketingHub's fee compared to FareHarbor?
TicketingHub charges operators 3% on online bookings through Stripe, PayPal, or WorldPay. There are no setup or monthly fees, and no customer-facing surcharges unless the operator adds one. TicketingHub does not charge for OTA or point-of-sale bookings now.
Can I pass TicketingHub's fee on to my customers?
Yes. TicketingHub lets operators add any booking fee they choose in the settings. Operators who used FareHarbor and charged a 6% fee have kept that fee in TicketingHub — keeping the difference between the 6% they charge and the 3% TicketingHub bills.
Does FareHarbor require a contract?
Many operators say FareHarbor requires a contract. TicketingHub has no long-term contract, no setup fee, and no lock-in period.
Which booking platform is cheaper — FareHarbor or TicketingHub?
For operators who want the lowest total cost, TicketingHub's 3% operator-side fee is usually cheaper than FareHarbor's 6% consumer fee. This is true in both dollar terms and customer experience. Operators with high-value bookings ($500+) save a lot per booking.
What happens to TicketingHub's fee when a customer refunds?
TicketingHub refunds its 3% fee when an operator issues a customer refund. You only pay when you earn.


