11 Awesome Tips for Choosing a Tour or a Tour Guide

I’m a fan of taking at least one or two organized tours when I travel — especially if I’m visiting a special site or walking around an amazing European city.

But choosing a tour or a tour guide can be perplexing and confusing.

How do you know who is legit and who’s not?

So in this post I want to offer up some tips for choosing a tour or a tour guide.

This way you’ll have the information you need so you select the right tour or tour guide for you!

What type of tour do you want?

The first of my tips for choosing a tour (or a tour guide) is to consider what type of tour you want to take.

Do you want to get on a motor coach with a larger group?

Or maybe just a van with a smaller group?

Are you a fan of walking tours? (I am!)

Or perhaps a cycling tour?

Now some of this depends on where you are going.

For instance, you may be in a city and taking a tour of a specific site in that city. 

So more than likely a motor coach tour isn’t going to be an option.

For example, you’re not going to take a motor coach tour of the Colosseum in Rome.

The reverse of this is that you may be in a city looking to take a tour outside the city.

Going to a couple of vineyards/wineries from say, Florence, Italy, comes to mind.

A motor coach tour could be an option as could a smaller van tour.

You know yourself and your abilities.

If you are not in good walking shape, then a 3 hour walking tour traipsing around Paris is probably not going to be for you.

But taking a tour through the Musée d’Orsay might be perfect.

This leads me to the next 2 tips…

Group size

You have options when it comes to the size of the group.

Larger tour groups of 25 or more people can be great if you like to have a lot of people around to share the experience with.

Maybe you’re a solo traveler so meeting some fellow travelers is part of your experience.

Larger group tours can also bring the cost down so they are perfect for those on a budget.

Small group tours, typically no more than 15 people, are excellent for those who still want a group aspect but would rather not be with 30 other people. 

And small group tours work well if you are a small group traveling together — for example, 5 or 6 couples. 

Costs for small group tours will be a bit more than large groups but less expensive than a private guide.

Private guides are the final choice.

This is a fabulous option if you want it to be just you and your travel companion(s).

While this alternative costs more, it’s an awesome way to get a more tailor-made tour as the guide is yours and will cater to your interests, wants and needs.

This tip for choosing a tour or a guide is often driven by budget.

But not always.

I’ve been part of larger groups and small groups.

And I’ve hired private guides as well.

All work well.

And sometimes you’ll find that you may prefer large groups for some situations and smaller groups or a private guide for another type of situation.

It really is up to you — and your budget!

What are your interests?

Choosing a tour that fits your interests — art, history, food — is probably one of the first tips for choosing a tour.

Find a tour that hones in on your interests if you have something specific you are passionate about.

I love history and wanted to know more about Irish history so I took a walking tour in Dublin that focused on the history, especially when it came to Irish independence.

Maybe you are into food and love learning about a destination through food.

Then a food tour or a cooking class may be the best option.

Let your interests be your starting point for finding that perfect tour — for you.

Make sure you are the right traveler

Along with the above, you do want to ensure that you are the fit for the tour.

Some tours may target young travelers and have a party vibe with lots of adult beverages.

If you’re a 60-something that wants something less party-like, then this may not be the appropriate tour.

Are you a family with younger school-aged kids?

Your kids may end up getting a bit restless if the tour focuses on heavy facts. 

You may find it really intriguing, but your kids may be bored out of their minds.

Often you can tell by reading the description of the tour as well as the reviews.

So be sure you are the target audience of this tour.

How long is the tour?

One of the top tips for choosing a tour is to be sure you know how long the tour is.

The same holds true if you hire a private guide — you’ll want to be clear on the length of time you’ll have your guide

You may be looking for just a 2-3 hour tour but end up signing up for something that is 6 hours.

Always check to see how long the tour lasts.

I will also stress to know yourself.

Are you someone who is fine with a short and to the point tour?

Then choose something shorter, like a highlight tour.

But if you love soaking up all that incredible information, then maybe a longer, more detailed tour is in order.

If you hire a private guide, ask them how long is appropriate for touring the site(s) or city.

A good guide will help you figure out how much time you need to see, do and experience what you want so you can agree on a time.

Find a guide who has credentials

One of my top tips for hiring a guide for a tour (private or otherwise) is to find a guide who has credentials.

Many European countries will have a specific certificate or license that guides must have — or at least can have in order to be “above board”.

Great Britain has blue badge and green badge guides who undergo 18 months of intensive training.

My friend, Bo Fraser, is a blue badge guide for Scotland.

Germany has the BVGD Certificate.

France has the FNGIC.

So you can go to these websites and find an official guide.

Now, there will be other “guides” out there in some countries. 

But if you want to hire a guide who is legit and really knows their shit, then you want to go with a guide who holds one of these licenses or certificates proving that they truly are educated.

How do you know for sure?

Well, these accredited guides will have their credentials displayed on their websites or will be listed on the tour guide association website.

I can easily find Bo on the Scottish Tourist Guides Association website.

If you are in doubt or need help, turn to a trusted travel planner to help.

Read the reviews … and take with a grain of salt

One really good tip for choosing a tour or a guide is to read the reviews.

I always encourage travelers to read the reviews for anything they are booking for their trip — accommodation, restaurants, tours.

But I also believe you have to take some of the reviews with a grain of salt because some people just like to complain.

However, I do think reading the reviews is worthwhile. 

A good tour and a superb guide will have stellar reviews for the most part. 

So do some research and check the reviews.

Just know that if there is one or 2 bad reviews — compared to 30 fabulous ones — that those may just be some weird outliers.

Choose local if possible

One of my top tips for choosing a tour is to select a local tour company or a local guide if possible.

There are some larger tour companies out there that may be based elsewhere in the world.

So if you can choose a company that is located in the country you are traveling in, that is ideal.

It really helps keep the money in the pockets of the local economy.

For instance, when I chose the company to help me with walking the West Highland Way in Scotland, I chose a local, Scottish company.

I simply wanted to put my money into the pockets of a company that was based in Scotland.

What does the tour include and exclude?

A top tip for choosing a tour or a guide is to be sure to know what you are paying for and what you are not.

So you’ll want to know what all is included in the tour.

For example, if part of the tour includes visiting paid sites or museums, are your entrance fees included?

Is food and drink included?

What about transportation costs?

Read the fine print and ask if you are unsure.

Research cost to see if the tour cost is more expensive or less expensive than other tours

Is the cost of this tour or this guide in line with the current market?

You may have to do a wee bit of research to see if you are paying too much or even too little for a tour or a guide.

This is one of those tips for choosing a tour that may be overlooked.

But it’s a good idea to know what the going rate is for a tour or for a private guide.

This way you know if you are being ripped off — either monetarily or quality.

Is the tour or guide eco-friendly?

My final tip for choosing a tour or a guide is to find out if they are environmentally friendly or in some way being eco-conscious.

Of course this will depend on if this is truly important to you.

But as travelers, I do believe we should be conscientious of our impact on the environment. 

So selecting a tour company or a tour guide that shares those values is important.

And if you’re unsure, then simply ask.

There are my tips for choosing a tour or a tour guide

I think this is a pretty good list for you to use as you select a tour or a guide for your travels.

You’ll probably find that a few of these are more important to you than others.

For those on a budget, finding an inexpensive tour can be the most important aspect.

Know that there are “free” tours out there. 

But these tours are typically donation based.

And you really should give your hard working guide something. 

So don’t expect a completely free tour.

Did I miss one or 2 tips?

If so, then feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Or email me at lynne@wanderyourway.com

 

List of some of my favorite guides and tours:

Scotland Your Way (Bo Fraser)

Outdoors Ireland (kayaking)

Niki Olympic Tour

Walkers Ways (West Highland Way Scotland)

Historical Walking Tours of Dublin

Walks of Italy

Taste of Lisboa 

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