Lonely Planet publishes travel guides, maps, and travel planning resources covering destinations worldwide. This page aggregates shopper ratings and reviews to help travelers evaluate whether Lonely Planet guides and products meet their needs. Read what customers say about guide quality, content accuracy, product durability, and ordering experience.
Lonely Planet Reviews
2.9
15 reviews
What Shoppers Say About Lonely Planet
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
Lonely Planet receives sharply divided reviews, with shoppers split between enthusiasts and disappointed critics. Supporters praise the guides for providing solid travel information and inspiration, noting they remain useful reference materials. However, a substantial portion of reviewers report significant frustrations with recent redesigns that have stripped out practical content long associated with the brand. Specific complaints include removal of budget lodging information, elimination of getting around sections with transportation details and pricing, missing city and regional maps, painfully small text on printed maps, unclear road markings, and insufficient detail for travelers planning independent trips. Several reviewers who have been loyal customers for years express disappointment that the new editions no longer serve budget travelers effectively.
Beyond content issues, some shoppers report operational problems including delayed order fulfillment, unclear email responses, and difficulty obtaining refunds. The consensus among detractors is that Lonely Planet has lost the practical, budget-focused character that made it distinctive, moving instead toward lifestyle inspiration content that doesn't adequately serve travelers seeking actionable planning information.
Customer Reviews (15)
Sorted by: Most recentSarah M.Oct 18, 2018
I bought a digital version of a travel guide several months back, and the 60 day download window had already passed. I reached out and received a brand new download link within a couple hours, no hassle at all. Really impressed with how they handled it.
Christopher L.Oct 5, 2018
I own LP guidebooks covering almost twenty different places and have used them repeatedly - they're genuinely valuable both when planning and once you're there traveling. I ran into a delivery problem recently, and the customer service group took care of it right away with real kindness and helpfulness. Appreciate the support!
Hassan G.Oct 1, 2018
Really grateful for the assistance! The Lonely Planet support team went above and beyond to get my travel guides delivered, and I want to give a special thanks to the staff member who handled my case. You all came through!
Patricia S.Sep 15, 2018
I've picked up quite a few LP guides over the years, mostly e-books where I usually just grabbed the PDF version since that's what I needed. Recently I got an Android tablet and wanted to download the epub formats of those e-books, but I could only find the ones from the past couple years. Even though the terms state you can only download purchases within 60 days, I emailed LP to ask if they could help me access my other books. They got back to me quickly with a friendly message and provided links to everything I'd bought. Their speed in responding and willingness to work with me despite the policy really impressed me. Plus, I was dealing with an actual person, not some automated system like you get at so many places nowadays.
Lonely Planet Review FAQ
What is Lonely Planet's average rating on RetailCoupons.com?
Lonely Planet is rated 2.9 out of 5 based on 15 customer reviews. The rating distribution is notably polarized, with 47 percent one-star reviews and 40 percent five-star reviews, indicating very different experiences across customers.
What do customers praise about Lonely Planet guides?
Positive reviewers describe the guides as providing solid travel information and plenty of inspiration. Some customers value them as reliable reference materials for trip planning.
What are the main complaints about recent Lonely Planet publications?
Multiple reviewers report that recent redesigned editions have removed practical content that made the guides useful for independent travelers. Common complaints include missing budget lodging options, eliminated getting around sections with bus routes and pricing information, removed city and regional maps, extremely small text on maps, unclear road markings, and insufficient detail for detailed trip planning. Long-time customers express disappointment that the guides no longer cater to budget travelers as they once did.
Are there fulfillment or customer service issues reported?
Some reviewers report problems with order fulfillment, including delayed shipments, difficulty reaching customer service, unclear email responses, and complications obtaining refunds. At least one customer reported waiting months for an order without resolution.
Would reviewers recommend Lonely Planet to other travelers?
Recommendations are mixed. Five-star reviewers find value in the guides, but one-star reviewers, particularly those accustomed to older editions, strongly caution against purchasing recent redesigned versions if you are a budget traveler or need detailed practical information like maps and transportation options.