Private Tour vs Group Tour: Which is better?
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Imagine when planning a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to an exotic location, everything is smooth sailing because you can get exactly what you want out of the trip.
You know the local culture, some do’s and don’ts of being a traveler, and must-see sites and activities. No research, no stress, no concerns, no obligations. Just show up and enjoy…
What can help you do all the things is a tour. But you need to decide whether a group or private tour is best for you. While a group tour allows anyone to get involved in travel experiences with others who have a common interest, a private tour is completely tailored around you and for your use only. To help you pick out the most, we collected the benefits of both private and group tours, and practical tips so you make your travel dream come true.
Private Tour: Benefits and Considerations
Personalized itinerary and flexibility
Private tours are about freedom and flexibility. The personalized itinerary and schedule match exactly what you want to get out of your vacation. You can easily add your go-to destinations, things to do, and types of activities that captivate your interests.
With private tours, there is no need for you to accommodate planned itineraries in advance. You can participate in the planning process as you want.
Tailored experiences and individual attention
One of the key benefits of private tours is tailoring the experiences to personal preferences. Whether you wish to admire a scenic spot, take some snapshots, spend extra time at the traditional cafe shop, try delicious local dishes, or anything else, the tour can be customized to perfectly fit your desires and interests, ensuring a truly personalized and unforgettable experience.
For those who need special care and individual attention such as elderly people, honeymoon guests, families with children, or disabled travelers, private tours got covered.
Real Example
Exploring a remnant of a long-lost civilization that disappeared in Vietnam with My Son Sanctuary private tour. You’ll have a chance to visit the temple tower of the Champa Kingdom dating back to the third century. You’ll hear about the dancing gods and the gods of worship in the Champa culture. After half day discovering the wonders and mysteries here, you’ll get back to Hoi An town by bus or boat.
Group Tour: Benefits and Considerations
Cost-effectiveness and shared expenses
Here’s the simple fact of the matter – group tours are more affordable for those on a tight budget. Group travel companies have a solid relationship with accommodation and activity providers because they bring plenty of people their way. Thus, they will also make this a cost-effective way of traveling, which you can benefit from great discount rates associated with shared expenses.
Social interaction and meeting new people
It’s harder to develop social interaction and meet new people while traveling on your own. If you go on a group tour, you don’t worry about connecting with fellow travelers.
Group tours aim to bring a bunch of like-minded people from different backgrounds who enjoy the same activities, style, and pace as you. There’s no better than striking up a conversation on interesting and common topics.
If your goal is not only to enjoy the trip, but also to return home having made lifelong connections with fellow travelers, then group tours are exactly what you’re looking for.
Real Example
Join a group tour to popular Ba Na Hills to challenge yourself with a lofty cable car float over the misty mountains and pass by the famous Golden Bridge. Don’t forget to snap a photo of this gleaming thread of walkway held up by two giant stone hands. Later, while exploring French cellars that were used to distill alcohol during the colonial era, you can picture what life looks like during this historical period. Finally, hike up Chua mountain and be rewarded with mind-blowing panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
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Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Private and Group Tours
Budget and affordability
When deciding between group tours and private tours, it’s crucial to consider your budget and affordability. Private tours are the most expensive option and great for those who have a larger budget. If you can’t afford a tour with an exclusive and personalized experience, then group tours are a way to go. Traveling in groups makes prices cheaper and meet new people.
Travel preferences and interests
Don’t you want to have frustrating and disappointing moments that you’ll complain about after your trip? You don’t want to waste travel time and hard-earned money on the things that don’t matter most to you? You’ll never risk your cash assessing your travel preferences and specific interests. If you seek an intimate experience and the freedom to make changes along the way, you can go on a private tour. Yet, if you have the greatest interest in socializing with others, a group tour may be more suitable for you.
Real Example
Leanne loves traveling in her spare time. Recently, she finished a G Adventures Sri Lanka group tour and would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone, especially those on a limited budget. This tour is reasonably priced and aims to venture off the beaten track and give back to the local community. She had amazing experiences when exploring multiple popular destinations from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Singapore.
Practical Tips for Choosing the Right Tour Option
Research and compare tour itineraries and inclusions
A smart traveler never risks personal safety when getting to new places without doing careful research. Make sure you’re more concerned about the tour itinerary including destinations and activities that you’re exhilarated. Check out whether the tour covers plenty of destinations or focus on a specific region. Feel like visiting particular historical landmarks? You should find tours that include these in your itinerary.
You should also consider the inclusions of the tour. Meals, entrance fees, transportation, and activities vary in some tours. It’s important to compare and understand what is and isn’t included in the tour price before booking a tour.
Read reviews and testimonials from previous travelers
You can make the most of online sites to read reviews and testimonials from past travelers. According to the study, more than 80 percent say the site’s reviews help them feel more confident in their travel decisions, and help them to have a better trip. Check out the credibility of online review sites by doing your research on multiple ones.
Checking online reviews and ratings before booking a private or group tour
Supposed you want to pick out a Vietnam private tour, try visiting one of the largest travel websites in the world, Tripadvisor. On this site, you can read online reviews about the travel experiences of previous clients and see what they’re saying about tour guides. If the tour includes all of the positive reviews, it can be a little sketchy. But if there are only negative reviews, you should look out for them. In this case, run the opposite direction and definitely don’t book with them. Consider a combination of good and bad reviews, which give a better and more honest consensus about past travelers’ experiences. Similarly, evaluating 4 or 5-star ratings is helpful before booking a private or group tour.
Conclusion
Private and group tours both have their own benefits. But since you need to choose the right one, it comes down to what you’re looking to get out of your trip and who you are traveling with. You can easily research and compare tour itineraries and inclusions, and read online views and testimonials from previous travelers so that you have peace of mind to decide the best tour.
