A printed travel guide is useful for spreading out an itinerary at the kitchen table. A digital copy is easier to carry when you are already on the road. Rough Guides continues to offer a complimentary ebook with its printed guides, giving travelers access to both formats.
The offer has moved well beyond the launch announcement DRIFT covered in 2019. For anyone buying a guide today, the useful questions are how to find the download code, open the ebook and make sure it is ready before departure.
Check the edition before buying
Look for an explicit free-ebook statement on the listing or cover of the exact book you plan to purchase. For example, the publisher’s Mini Rough Guide to Marrakesh, published in April 2025, advertises a complimentary digital download with the printed guide.
Check the publication date and ISBN as well as the destination. Different editions can appear in search results together, and a lower-priced copy may be an older edition.
If you are considering a secondhand book, ask whether it includes a usable ebook code. Do not assume an older copy qualifies or that a previous owner’s download can be transferred. Confirm that with the publisher if the digital version is part of your buying decision.
How to claim your free Rough Guides ebook
- Find the ebook code. The official redemption page directs readers to the back cover of their printed book.
- Visit the official download page. Open Rough Guides’ free ebook redemption page.
- Enter the code. Use the code-check button and follow the remaining prompts for your book.
- Download and open the ebook. Rough Guides says it sends the digital version by email after redemption, with subsequent access through your account’s Shop Orders area.
Complete the process at home, when you have time to resolve a sign-in or download problem. Before putting the printed guide away, check that the digital title and destination match your purchase.
Reading the ebook on your device
Rough Guides currently supplies ebooks in EPUB format. Use a compatible reading app on your phone, tablet or computer; the publisher’s ebook help page includes device instructions.
For Kindle, Amazon’s Send to Kindle service accepts EPUB files. Use that service to send the downloaded file to your Kindle library, then make sure the book has arrived and downloaded on the device you will take with you.
Try the guide on your preferred screen before traveling. Open a few chapters and inspect any maps you expect to use. A phone may be convenient for a quick reference, while you may prefer a larger screen for studying a route or reading for longer periods.
Prepare the digital guide for your trip
Save the book locally in your reading app, then test it with Wi-Fi and mobile data switched off. Open several sections, rather than checking only the cover. This is a simple way to find out whether the content you need is actually available without a connection.
Keep separate copies of reservations, tickets and essential directions. A guidebook map also serves a different purpose from a navigation app, so download the map area you need before departure.
For more preparation ideas, read DRIFT’s guide to staying connected when traveling off the beaten path.
Use print and digital together
Start with the printed guide when choosing places to visit. Mark the chapters that fit your interests, compare nearby stops and decide which activities deserve a full day. The ebook can then serve as your portable reference while you are away.
Keep checking information that changes quickly, such as attraction hours, admission arrangements and transport schedules, against the relevant official websites. Downloading an ebook should not be treated as a promise that every listing has been updated since the edition was published.
For a short city break, a useful approach is to select one main activity per day and keep a few nearby alternatives. That leaves space for a recommendation from a local, a longer lunch or an unexpected change in the weather.
If your ebook code does not work
Check the characters and try again through the official redemption page. If the problem continues, use the contact details in Rough Guides’ FAQ, with the subject line “Free ebook issues.” Have your book title, ISBN and purchase details ready to help explain the problem.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rough Guides ebook completely free?
It is a complimentary extra with a qualifying printed-book purchase. The printed book itself is not free.
Can I get the ebook again after redeeming it?
The publisher says redeemed ebooks can be accessed through the Shop Orders section of your Rough Guides account.
Should I leave the printed guide at home?
That depends on how you like to travel. Test the digital edition first. If you prefer reading longer sections on paper or want a reference that does not need charging, the printed book may still earn a place in your bag.
