How to Shop for a Packaged Tour

Have you ever saved, budgeted, and booked a tour, packed with anticipation, excitedly departed, and then had the feeling that your hands were constantly reaching for your wallet to pay for additional trip expenses? 

We know that in today’s marketplace, you're overwhelmed with the latest information about the best places to vacation, the top ten things to see and do, and of course, it’s all at the "best prices". This can be confusing and can make it hard to know how to pick the perfect vacation without the “fear of missing out”. The number one tip we have when shopping around is to compare apples-to-apples. Don’t be disappointed the next time you travel. Pay attention to the following tour components:

• Prices & Details
• Hotels
• Attractions
• Meals

PRICES & DETAILS

The lowest price does not mean the best. Look carefully at what is included, the number of days, tour highlights, and the accommodation choices. 

Pay attention to the details – they matter! If the tour involves a flight, does the price include the air or is it based on land only? Are you visiting a destination during peak season? Know that it will cost more than touring in the shoulder season. 

Tours in Canada bonus: To make your vacation stress-free from the start, we include our Connections Program and will make arrangements to get you to the closest pick-up point. 

HOTELS

While to some guests, hotels are “just a place to sleep,” there are certain things you should look at.

Compare the property types included in the tour. The establishments with higher property ratings usually mean better levels of services and amenities like baggage handling. While staying at a Fairmont property costs more than a 3-star, the experience of staying at such an esteemed hotel can be worth the extra cost. 

Be sure to look at hotel locations. A centrally located hotel provides access to many attractions and restaurants within walking distance whereas a hotel on the outskirts will involve transportation. Especially if your visit to the destination is short, time spent waiting for rides plus shuttle travel time might be better spent exploring.

ATTRACTIONS

The most exciting thing to look forward to during the trip planning stage is what you are going to see and do.

Weigh your two options carefully. Two companies may have the same attraction listed but the experience may be vastly different. For example, a Broadway performance may include just the show or it could be the performance plus a backstage tour. 

Is the attraction guided or self-guided? If guided, the ticket will cost more but the price you pay for the guide pays for itself with the wealth of knowledge gained. 

Does the company have a lot of add-ons or optional excursions? Having a choice is great, but be prepared with a realistic, on-tour spending budget.

MEALS

When looking at food options, compare the number of meals included. The fewer meals included, the more you will have to pay during your vacation. Take a look at the value of the meal – a lobster dinner vs a pasta dish for example. The lobster is going to cost more. In addition, understand that meals are sometimes included for logistical reasons, and providing box lunches works well when sightseeing in a remote location. 

Tours in Canada bonus: Daily breakfast is always included. When meals are included in the tour price, the gratuity is also. 

We hope that the next time you get the “travel bug”, you will use these helpful tips to make the best decision for you.