People often have a reductive vision of group tours. They usually imagine tour buses filled to the brim with loud tourists and the incessant sound of clicking cameras. But group tours aren’t what they used to be and have changed to reflect the needs of a new type of traveller. However, not all companies are created equal and some will be more than happy to cut corners with little to no regard for the users’ experience. Here are some of the things you should be looking for when picking a tour company.

Check the Costs

They often say that you get what you paid for, but that’s not always the case with tour companies. Some will have no issue overcharging you for nothing while others will offer great value for your money. And you shouldn’t assume that companies that charge more will automatically offer better service.

If your group tour includes accommodation, get as much information about the fees as possible. Try to find out how and where your money will be spent to see if you aren’t being taken for a ride. Ask how much will go towards their overheads. What kind of room will you be staying in? Will you be paying 4-star prices for 2-star accommodation? If the company is reluctant to answer your questions, then that’s a major red flag right there. You also have to know if you’ll need to pay extra for attractions. They might present the package as if everything will be included, but you could end up paying the entrance fee for some, if not all, attractions along the way. The fees can easily add up at the end of the day and add to the total cost of the tour.

What is their Main Audience?

Who are their tours usually targeted towards? Do they attract a certain age demographic? For instance, if you just want to enjoy some peace and quiet with your partner, the last thing you want is to be an unwilling participant in a stag party. There are tons of different tour companies out there and they all cater to different groups, so don’t be afraid to look around and look for one that fits your profile.

In most cases, you’ll be able to see what their target demographic is just by taking a look at their about us page. You’ll usually get a sense of which type of people go on their tours by taking a look at the pictures. If they offer accommodation, then you can tell a lot by looking at what kind of accommodation they offer. If it’s guest houses or hostels, then you can expect a younger, more backpacker-oriented audience.

Knowledgeable Guides

You should never neglect the quality of your guides. The way they interact with the group and each individual will have a huge effect on the tour as a whole. The last thing you want is to be on a tour with a non-expert or someone who’s just there to clock hours.

A good tour guide will be very knowledgeable about the attractions you’ll be visiting and will engage the audience with humour, trivia questions and fun facts. You should make sure that the guides are actually residents of the place you are intending to visit and have been staying there for a while. If you have doubts about the quality of the guides, don’t hesitate to give customer service a call and ask them.

What Will be the Pace of the Tour?

This is an important aspect a lot of people overlook when booking a tour. But the pace of a particular tour could make a big difference on how much you’ll enjoy it. Some people prefer to see only a few attractions during the day and take their time. Others might want to see more things and cover more ground in a shorter period of time. If that is your case, then you could consider coach tours or cruises that will allow you to visit more spots, but spend less time in each.

Also, you should try to find out how physically demanding the tour destination(s) will be. In some cases, a particular attraction may not look as if it would require a lot of physical effort but looks can be deceiving. For instance, if you have to stay outside and walk for a few hours under the sun, then there might be an issue there. Even visiting an old cathedral could end up being more of a workout than expected if you have to go up and down multiple flights of stairs.

However, do not let the fear of physical activity deter you from picking a tour. In most cases, tour operators will be able to accommodate you in case some part is just too difficult for you. Not all activities will be mandatory either, so don’t be afraid if that’s a tour you really had your sights on.

Look at Customisation and Itinerary

Are all the attractions you wanted to see on the tour itinerary? In some cases, you might be expecting to see some attractions based on the way the tour was presented only for them to be ignored during the tour. You should be able to get a clear itinerary by doing a bit of research.

If the itinerary isn’t exactly what you expected, then you should consider going with a tour company that will offer multiple separate attractions like Fastpasstours.com based in France.  They are able to provide skip-the-line tickets to many famous Paris landmarks to help you make the most of the time you have. This way you’ll be able to pick the spots you want to see and mix and match them whichever way you want.

You should also look for flexibility as well. Some people may not particularly like the idea of straying from the group and would rather have a stricter itinerary and time limits. Others might prefer to have a little bit of leeway. It’s up to you to choose which format works the best for you.

How Big Are Your Groups?

Another very important factor to consider when picking a group tour is how big the group will be exactly. Big groups will usually be cheaper, but the experience won’t be as personal. And with bigger groups, you’ll often have less access and might not be able to see some hidden gems certain destination may have to offer.

Unless you’re going with a multi-day tour, smaller groups are usually the way to go since you won’t have to worry about spending your whole vacation with the same group of people. Also, larger groups often come with bigger logistic issues as well. You might have to deal with a few people that will be more difficult and stall the group. Herding people might also take up a lot of valuable time away from the tour. But if you’re only going to see one or two attractions and you want to save a few pounds, a larger group shouldn’t be that much of an issue.

If you follow these few simple tips, you should be able to find a great tour company that will help you make the best of your trip. Whatever you do, make sure that you know everything about the tour’s logistics and don’t be afraid to do some research before you go with any tour operator.