James AquinoIf you’ve been travelling for quite some time now, I’m sure you’ve heard about those promotional leaflets or websites that offer day tours for a particular area or activity, and for the budget conscious, the first part that you’ll try to find in the promotion is the price tag, which will likely cause you to waver because of the cost. But before you put another paper advertisement down, let us see why day tours can actually work for you and help you maximise a vacation, especially if your days are limited.
Also read: 6 Myths of Coach Holidays that You Probably Didn’t Expect
Not just a rip-off
Image credit: Kat
A common misconception about a day tour is that it is always overpriced and will burn holes in your pocket. However, if you have the time to scrutinise the itinerary and compare it to the hassles and the amount of effort you have to exert when doing things DIY, you will find that it is not a bad deal after all. In addition, day tours vary from place to place and are not only limited to tourist buses or private cars. Some day tours allow you to experience the local transportation or have a bicycle tour for a truly immersive experience and view of the city or countryside.
A visual sampler
Image credit: Vera & Jean-Christophe
Day tours may have limited time, but the visual and overall experience is far from being limited. Think of day tours as a buffet where you get the chance to have a taste of most of the menu items being served. This is the primary goal of day tours – to maximise the places you can visit and activities you can do within a scheduled number of hours.
Convenient and organised
Image credit: Eddie
When you register for a day tour, you will be free from the problems that you might encounter should you go and DIY a whole-day itinerary. A day tour includes transportation, registration (or pre-registration for places that require one), clearances, tickets, tour guide fees, and other miscellaneous fees that can be easily overseen when working on DIY itineraries. It will also provide you with a clearer view of the overall cost. This is why it is very important to review the fine print and not to hesitate to ask questions if a portion of the day tour is unclear.
Things to remember before having a day tour
Do a quick research
Image credit: DAVID ILIFF | License: CC-BY-SA 3.0
A day tour is a great travel option – if you get the right one. You will always encounter some horror stories about failed day tours or extremely stressful ones. A quick research will do wonders and provide you with peace of mind, especially if it will be your first time to visit the place. Some companies that offer day tours can be more expensive than others, but you should also consider the reliability and the comprehensibility of the tour being offered.
Also read: A Complete Guide to Getting Around Europe
Always check the fine print
After reading the itinerary, inclusions, and other information, make sure to check the tiny texts and asterisks that are usually found below the main advertisement. The fine print often includes additional fees, which will add some more cost on top of the highlighted price.
Ask questions
Image credit: Jean-François Gornet
Prior to booking a day tour package, ask all the questions you can think of to make sure everything is understood and clarified. This prevents hassle before, during, and after the day tour. For an activity that will only last for several hours, it is very important for it to be as hassle-free and stress-free as possible.
Also read: Should You Choose Free and Easy or Tour Groups?
At the end of the day, day tours are not exclusive to those who do not want to lift a finger to see places. It is a favourable option for those who have limited time, but who would like to have a comfortable, memorable, and fantastic summary of the destination they wish to see.
