Hey hey! This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase the product, we’ll make a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. These commissions help keep The Happy Place Travel running and thriving, so thank you!
Everything you need to know about traveling with a group tour
Many of us travel-lovers will take any kind of travel experience we can get these days. Trip to a new city to see the sights? Travel. Boarding a flight across the world? Travel. Trip across town to the grocery store…? Travel. While we love all types of travel here, not all types of travel are best suited for every person. If you’re considering going on a group tour, there are some things you should know before you book!
On my recent trip to Costa Rica with Triplegend, I learned A LOT about how group travel operates. I learned a lot about what you can expect if you’re travelling as a solo traveller! If you’re considering traveling with a group tour company, lucky for you I’ve put together this guide to help you decide if group travel is for you, and what to expect if you’re ready for the adventure!
Choosing a tour company
First and foremost, not all tour companies are created equal. I decided to travel with Triplegend, as they came recommended from a friend and fellow traveler. However, here are some things to look out for when choosing your tour company:
- Look for companies that are established and have a social media & Trustpilot presence. Vetting your tour company is important and your experience will depend on how they operate. Triplegend is established on Instagram, Tiktok, Trustpilot, Glassdoor and many other review sites, and they have great reviews to convince you! Look for something similar.
- If sustainability is a priority of yours as it was for me, look for a company that offsets the entire CO2 produced for the trip. Bonus if they plant a tree with every booking (Triplegend also does this)
- Make sure they work with local guides to support the local economy. We had the absolute best local guide in Costa Rica, and our trip would not have been the same without him!
Great. Now that you’ve vetted your group travel company, here are the pros, cons, and everything in between that you need to know before you book!
What to pack
Your packing list will vary greatly depending on where you’re going. There are a few things I’d recommend bringing regardless!
- Excellent walking shoes – self explanatory, I think. I will be forever grateful for my Sketchers.
- A pair of water shoes that stay on your feet. If you’re going anywhere adventurous where water is involved, these are essential! I’ve had my Keen sandals for years and take them everywhere with me.
- Waterproof jacket & bag cover – you really never know. I always pack my Columbia Switchback when I travel. You can find backpack covers like this one to keep your backpack dry no matter what weather you run into!
- You’ll want to pack light! You’ll likely be bringing your luggage around with you, so it’s best to pack clothing items that can be layered and worn many different ways.
- I’d also recommend having a look through my 11 Top Carry-On Essentials for any trip! This post includes items like a first-aid kit, portable charger and other important items to bring with you!
You can also grab your free packing checklist for your next adventure!
What to expect when booking a group tour
While this may not be the case for ALL group tours, Triplegend shows the names of the confirmed guests, the dates and the itinerary in advance. I would definitely encourage anyone to look through the itinerary to make sure that everything is appealing before booking. Triplegend even has a 1 euro deposit model, where you can pay the remainder of the trip cost 14 days before departure!
What’s included vs not included (generally speaking)
Included
- Hotel costs for the duration of your stay
- Some meals – typically breakfast, a few lunches and dinners
- Your activities
- Transport around the destination
- CO2 offsetting (for some companies)
Not Included
- Flights – most of the time
- Tips – you’ll want to tip your guide and driver!
- Some meals
- Personal costs i.e. shopping, additional activities, required vaccination/PCR test costs, visa costs
Arrival at the tour destination
Many (if not all) tours won’t include flights in the cost of the trip. This is because these trips cater to world-wide travellers, so flight costs will vary. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, you will need to meet up with your group. Many tour companies will include airport transfer (this was the case for me) which makes arrival SO much less stressful!
Tip: If airport transfer is not included in your trip cost, make a plan ahead of time. This way you’ll know how you’re getting to your first hotel. I always recommend researching the local taxi norms and laws wherever you’re traveling to, and even setting up a private transfer (one of those drivers with a fancy sign with your name on it) to make you feel more comfortable upon arrival! Now, onto the juicy part!
Pros of traveling with a tour group
- It’s a very stress-free trip in terms of planning and itinerary. Your itinerary, activities, transportation and hotels is all sorted for you before you even board the plane, so once you arrive you can rest assured that you won’t have much to plan beyond your down time!
- If you’re with a great tour company, chances are you’ll have a local guide. Our guide Felipe on our trip around Costa Rica was THE nicest guide and really made our trip. We learned so much about Costa Rica and the culture while we were there, which is something you might not get if you’re traveling on your own.
- You’ll get to experience exclusive experiences that may not be open for individual travellers or hard to reserve on your own. We got to stay with the BriBri people of Yorkin on their reservation in the middle of the jungle, and got to cook an authentic Caribbean dinner with a group of women in San Jose that run a community project, which we wouldn’t have been able to do weren’t it not for our tour company and our amazing guide.
- You’ll have the opportunity to meet new people and other travellers. Especially if you’re travelling solo and are looking to meet likeminded people, group tours are a great choice!
Cons of traveling with a tour group
- Group tours often come with packed itineraries. This means it’s not the most relaxing trip at all times. If you’re the type of person that enjoys having lots of downtime when you travel, you might struggle with the pace of a group tour.
- Since your itinerary is planned for you, this will obviously mean that you won’t have agency over what you do with your day to day. This can be a “pro” for some, but a “con” for others if you like to be in control of your time.
- Not all travellers may see eye to eye! This is a bit of a tongue-in-cheek “con”. It can happen that certain travellers in the group don’t get along, and you’re essentially stuck together for the duration of the trip.
- It’s not the most budget-friendly way to travel. I won’t lie, group travel can be a bit pricy. This is because you’re staying in vetted hotels, your transportation and activities are paid for in advance and your comfort is a big priority. You can often travel more affordably if you stay in cheaper accommodation and don’t do as many activities. You’d have to weigh the potential costs if you were to travel to that destination on your own.