If you’re considering group travel and you’re unsure whether or not it is the right choice for you, don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place.
Whether you’re booking your first evert trip or you’ve been on lots of tours before, you need to be sure you’re making the right decision.
Luckily, you can ask yourself many questions to make this process easier. From setting a budget to deciding where you want to go, the more you think about this, the better.
With that in mind, here are 9 things to consider before going on a group tour:
What Is Your Budget?
One of the first things you need to decide when booking a group tour is your budget.
Although most group tours tend to be in the higher price range, you will often find ones that are a little bit more affordable due to a difference in accommodation. Usually, this will be a hostel or a campground, depending on where you’re travelling.
The best thing to do, of course, is research the type of you you want to do and the average cost for the length of time you’re planning to travel.
Once you have an idea of how much it’s going to cost, you can set a budget yourself. Don’t forget to consider spending money too, as that’s not included.
Where Do You Want To Go?
Whilst you’re looking at the average cost for group tours, you’re going to need to think about where it is you want to travel. With group travel tours covering almost everywhere, chances are you’re going to find one that suits your needs.
Whether backpacking through India or driving through America, chances are you’ll find the perfect tour after a little bit of searching. For India tours, you can visit this site here.
When Do You Want To Go?
Another important thing to remember is the time of year you want to travel, especially if the weather is a huge factor for you.
Ideally, you don’t want to be travelling during the rainy season or when it’s going to be too hot. If you can find a middle ground, you’re best off booking those dates. If you’re unsure, it might be worth speaking to the tour operator for their honest opinion.
How Long Are You Going For?
When it comes to group tours, you will find that they vary in length. From one-week tours to tours that last as long as three months, you must be doing as much research as you can to find one that suits you.
Whether you’re looking for a short break or a little longer, take the time to find out the best option for you. Most of the time, you’ll find it comes down to your budget or your holiday allowance at work.
How Will You Get There?
With most group tours you will find that your transport to and from the start and end destinations is not included. Although it’s not the case with every tour operator, it’s common practice.
Because of this, you’re going to need to work out how you will get to your start destination and how you will travel back once it’s over.
Whether you’re heading there by train or booking a flight, it might be worth checking the cost before putting a deposit down on tour. If you’re looking for affordable flights, here are a few tips to bear in mind:
- Search for flights in an incognito browser so it doesn’t pick up on your search history
- Use sites like Kayak or Skyscanner to search for the cheapest options
- Don’t be restrictive on dates
- Consider non-direct flights and layovers
- Check alternative routes
- Book 11 months in advance for the best price
- Fly economy or use budget airlines
For a more detailed guide to booking affordable flights, you can visit this site here.
Do You Need Pre And Post-Tour Accommodation?
If you’re going on a group tour that starts early in the morning and ends in the afternoon, you may need to book pre and post-tour accommodation.
Whether you book just one night or take it as an opportunity to spend time exploring your start and end destinations, you must reserve this as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the more it’s likely to cost. Again, if you’re unsure, your tour operator will be able to help.
How Large Is The Tour Group?
Although it may not be a deciding factor for you, you might want to consider how large the group you’re travelling with will be.
Most tour operators will have around 10-16 people on tour but in some cases, you may find you’re travelling with a coach load of people. Depending on the type of trip you’re looking for, this could be a deal-breaker for some.
What Do You Need To Pack?
Once you’ve booked your trip and know where you’re going and how long you’re going, you need to think about what you need to pack. Although it will likely depend on where you’re going and what you’re doing, there are several essentials you’ll need. These include:
- Enough clothes for your trip (accounting for any opportunities you’ll have to do laundry during your trip)
- Comfortable shoes for lots of walking
- Swimwear
- Any toiletries and any medication you may need
- Phone charger and any other electronics i.e a camera
- A book or tablet for long journeys
For a more detailed packing list for group trips, you can visit this site here.
Will You Be Travelling Alone?
Finally, it would help if you thought about whether or not you’re going to be travelling alone. Although you’ll have a group of people on your tour, you can choose to also travel with a friend.
Are you thinking of booking a group tour for your next trip? What do you need to consider to ensure it is your right choice? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.
