{"id":29189,"date":"2024-08-02T16:19:05","date_gmt":"2024-08-02T16:19:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=29189"},"modified":"2025-08-19T14:57:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T14:57:10","slug":"when-to-take-a-guided-tour-and-when-not-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/when-to-take-a-guided-tour-and-when-not-to\/","title":{"rendered":"When To Take a Guided Tour (and When Not To)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a tour guide, I will be the first to admit that there\u2019s a lot of stereotypes about guided tours that are true. Good and bad. They definitely aren\u2019t for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there are plenty of reasons why taking a tour is the perfect way to travel. It all depends on what you prefer and how you like to travel. Since I\u2019ve been a tour guide for the past four years (at one of the best tour companies<\/a>), I\u2019m here to break it down for you. In this post, I\u2019ll cover pros and cons of guided tours, including when you should take a tour and those times when it\u2019s better to go it alone and skip the tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to take a guided tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"Tour<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s your first time in a new place<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Traveling to a new city for the first time can be daunting. You\u2019re not used to the people, the streets, or the best way to get around. If you\u2019re a solo traveler, you might also be concerned about safety in a big city where our LA tours<\/a> or Paris tours<\/a> operate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining a tour takes care of a lot of these concerns. A reputable tour company would never bring you somewhere that isn\u2019t safe, and a well-trained guide will have lots of expert (and free!) advice about how to get around the city. Plus, you can use the time on the tour to learn more about where to go, the best way to travel, and places you should avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\t\"Statue\n\t\t\t\"Statue\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe global award-winning tour of New York\u2019s two most iconic landmarks<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tLearn More\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n

Guide tip: <\/strong>If you\u2019ll be in a city for a few days and plan to do a guided tour, schedule it for early in your trip. We hear it from our guests time and again \u2014 taking one of our tours on the first or second day makes the rest of their trip better because they get an intro to the destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You like to learn as much as you can<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one thing to see a beautiful building. It\u2019s a whole other thing to see the building while learning about its history and all the people whose lives are connected to it. Understanding the places and people of the city you\u2019re visiting deepens your experience while traveling. You\u2019ll appreciate what you\u2019re seeing even more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the day, my goal as a guide is that everyone will learn at least one fact that they find interesting enough to share with a friend or family member. I feel good knowing I\u2019ve given them a fun memory and a good story. Plus, it’s so much better to hear surprising true tales from a guide than to read dry facts online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re looking for local recommendations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Guide<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Like discovering hidden gems or the popular joints locals like to hang out? Nothing beats getting in-person advice from your local tour guide. You can ask them for recommendations on what to do and see, customized for you or your group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always tell my guests \u2014 take advantage of our time together! We usually have at least a couple of hours with each other, and my job is to serve you in any way I can. Even if I don\u2019t have personal experience with a particular place, chances are I\u2019ve heard about it or know someone who does. There\u2019s a lot you can learn from just talking to a tour guide and asking them about what they enjoy doing in the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Timing is limited<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s just say there\u2019s a reason we offer an express tour for places like the Statue of Liberty<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any time you take a trip, it seems impossible to be able to do everything you want, especially in a huge city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tour gives you the opportunity to see a lot in a little bit of time. Most tours try to cover as much ground as possible, so it’s a great way to travel if you\u2019re looking for the best and most convenient way to hit the really important stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guide tip: <\/strong>If you\u2019re looking for tours that cover the best things to see in the city, look for tours billed as \u201chighlights\u201d or \u201cin a day.\u201d Here are some examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n