how does self guided tour work

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What Is A Self-Guided Tour?

Published: October 31, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Francine Dickman

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Introduction

Exploring new destinations and immersing ourselves in different cultures is an enriching experience that many of us crave. Whether we’re planning a vacation or simply looking for a unique way to spend our free time, travel often finds its way to the top of our to-do lists. And while guided tours have long been a popular option, there’s a growing trend that offers a more independent and personalized approach – self-guided tours.

Unlike traditional guided tours where you follow a guide and a predetermined itinerary, self-guided tours provide the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace. They offer the perfect blend of structure and autonomy, allowing you to create your own adventure while still benefiting from expert guidance and local insights.

In this article, we’ll delve into the concept of self-guided tours, explore their advantages, discuss how they work, offer tips for planning a successful self-guided tour, and highlight some popular destinations where you can embark on this exciting style of travel.

So, if you’re ready to break free from the confines of a traditional guided tour and embark on a journey of self-discovery, join us as we unravel the world of self-guided tours.

Definition of a Self-Guided Tour

A self-guided tour is a form of travel where individuals or small groups explore a destination without the presence of a tour guide. In a self-guided tour, you are in control of your own itinerary, activities, and pace, allowing for a truly personalized and immersive travel experience.

Unlike guided tours, which typically involve a tour operator or guide leading a group of travelers, self-guided tours provide you with the freedom to design your own adventure. You have the flexibility to choose the attractions you want to visit, the activities you want to engage in, and the amount of time you want to spend at each location.

Self-guided tours can be tailored to almost any type of traveler. Whether you’re a solo adventurer, a couple seeking a romantic getaway, a family with children, or a group of friends, self-guided tours offer the flexibility to cater to your specific interests and preferences.

Moreover, self-guided tours are not limited to a particular mode of transportation. They can be done on foot, by bike, or even by car, depending on the destination and the level of exploration desired.

One of the key elements of a self-guided tour is the inclusion of detailed travel materials. These materials, such as maps, guidebooks, and digital resources, provide the necessary information to navigate the destination independently. They often include suggested routes, historical and cultural insights, and practical tips to enhance the overall experience.

While self-guided tours offer flexibility and personalization, they also require a certain level of self-reliance and preparation. Having the ability to navigate and make decisions independently is essential, as is conducting thorough research and planning in advance.

Now that we have a clear understanding of what constitutes a self-guided tour, let’s explore the advantages it offers over traditional guided tours.

Advantages of Self-Guided Tours

Self-guided tours offer a plethora of advantages that make them an appealing choice for travelers seeking a more independent and customized experience. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Flexibility and Freedom: One of the major advantages of self-guided tours is the freedom to set your own schedule. You are not bound by strict itineraries or timetables, allowing you to spend more time in places that interest you and skip attractions that don’t resonate with your preferences. The level of flexibility enables you to fully embrace the spontaneity and adapt your plans to suit your mood and desires.
• Customization: With a self-guided tour, you have the ability to tailor your experience to your specific interests and needs. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a food lover, or an outdoor adventurer, you can design an itinerary that revolves around your passions. This level of customization ensures that you get the most out of your trip and have a meaningful and enriching experience.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Self-guided tours often prove to be more budget-friendly compared to guided tours. With no additional fees for guides or tour operators, you have more control over your expenses. You can choose accommodations, restaurants, and activities that align with your budget, allowing you to stretch your travel funds further and potentially explore more destinations.
• Privacy and Independence: While guided tours are great for meeting fellow travelers and socializing, self-guided tours offer a higher level of privacy and independence. You have the freedom to explore at your own pace and immerse yourself in the destination on your own terms. This solitude can provide a sense of tranquility and allow for a deeper connection with the surroundings.
• Authentic Local Experiences: With a self-guided tour, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the local culture. Without the confines of a guided group, you can interact with the locals, try authentic cuisine, and explore hidden gems that may not be included on traditional guided tour itineraries. This authenticity adds an extra layer of depth and richness to your travel experience.

These advantages make self-guided tours an appealing option for travelers who value independence, freedom, and the ability to craft their own unique journey. With these benefits in mind, it’s time to delve into how self-guided tours work and the steps involved in planning one.

How Self-Guided Tours Work

Self-guided tours operate on the principle of giving travelers the tools and resources they need to explore a destination independently. Here’s a general overview of how self-guided tours work:

• Research and Planning: The first step in embarking on a self-guided tour is conducting thorough research about the destination. This includes gathering information about key attractions, local customs, transportation options, and accommodation choices. Use guidebooks, travel websites, and online forums to gather insights and recommendations.
• Choosing a Route or Itinerary: Once you have a good understanding of the destination, you can select a route or itinerary based on your interests and time constraints. Decide on the attractions you want to visit, the order in which you want to see them, and the duration of your stay at each location. Consider any logistical factors such as transportation availability and opening hours of attractions.
• Obtaining Travel Resources: The next step is to gather the necessary travel resources to navigate the destination. This can include maps, guidebooks, mobile apps, and GPS devices. These resources will provide you with detailed directions, points of interest, and valuable insights about the attractions you’ll encounter along the way.
• Arranging Accommodation and Transportation: Once you have a rough itinerary, it’s time to book your accommodations and arrange transportation. Depending on the destination and your preferences, this can range from reserving hotels and rental cars to organizing train or bus tickets. Make sure to consider the proximity of your accommodations to the attractions you plan to visit.
• Exploring at Your Own Pace: The beauty of a self-guided tour is the freedom to explore at your own pace. Follow the suggested route, but don’t be afraid to deviate from it if something catches your eye or piques your interest. Take as much time as you need at each attraction, leisurely stroll through the streets, and savor the local cuisine. The pace is entirely up to you.
• Engaging with Local Culture: To truly make the most of your self-guided tour, engage with the local culture. Interact with the locals, try regional specialties, and participate in cultural activities. This will provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destination and create memorable experiences along the way.
• Documenting Your Journey: Lastly, don’t forget to document your journey. Capture photos, write in a travel journal, or create a blog to commemorate your experiences. Sharing your adventures with others can be a great way to inspire fellow travelers and reminisce about your self-guided tour in the future.

Remember, self-guided tours offer the freedom and flexibility to design your own adventure. While they require some upfront planning and research, the reward is a truly personalized and immersive travel experience. Now that you have the basic understanding of how self-guided tours work, let’s move on to discussing the steps involved in choosing and planning a self-guided tour.

Choosing and Planning a Self-Guided Tour

Choosing and planning a self-guided tour requires careful consideration and attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure a successful and enjoyable experience:

• Selecting Your Destination: Start by researching and identifying destinations that align with your interests and travel preferences. Consider factors such as climate, cultural attractions, outdoor activities, and historical significance. Narrow down your options to a few destinations that pique your curiosity.
• Researching the Destination: Once you’ve chosen a destination, delve deeper into its attractions, transportation options, and local customs. Use guidebooks, travel websites, and online forums to gather valuable insights and recommendations from fellow travelers who have visited the location.
• Determining the Duration: Assess how much time you have available for your self-guided tour. Consider the number of attractions you want to visit and the pace at which you prefer to explore. Keep in mind that some destinations may require more time to fully immerse yourself in the experience.
• Deciding on Activities and Attractions: Identify the key activities and attractions you want to experience during your self-guided tour. Make a list of must-see landmarks, museums, parks, local markets, or any other points of interest that resonate with your interests.
• Mapping Out Your Itinerary: Take into account the location of each attraction and plan a logical route to follow. Consider grouping attractions that are in close proximity to optimize your time and minimize unnecessary travel. Also, factor in any operating hours or seasonal closures to ensure you can visit each attraction during your chosen dates.
• Booking Accommodation: Research and book your accommodations in advance. Look for options that are conveniently located near the attractions you plan to visit. Consider factors such as comfort, price, amenities, and availability.
• Arranging Transportation: Determine the most suitable mode of transportation for your self-guided tour. This could include renting a car, using public transportation, or opting for alternative options such as bicycles or scooters. Be sure to consider the infrastructure, traffic conditions, and accessibility of your chosen destination.
• Obtaining Travel Resources: Collect the necessary travel resources such as maps, guidebooks, or digital apps. These tools will provide you with essential information and help you navigate the destination with ease. Consider downloading offline maps or using GPS devices to ensure accurate directions.
• Preparing for the Unexpected: As with any travel experience, it’s important to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. Familiarize yourself with the local emergency contact information, purchase travel insurance, and research any health or safety precautions relevant to your destination.
• Remaining Flexible: While planning is crucial, it’s equally important to remain flexible during your self-guided tour. Allow for adjustments and spontaneous decisions along the way. Embrace unexpected opportunities and be open to deviations from your original itinerary.

By following these steps and putting in the necessary time and effort into the planning process, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on an exciting self-guided tour. Now, let’s explore some tips to ensure a successful and rewarding self-guided tour experience.

Tips for a Successful Self-Guided Tour

Embarking on a self-guided tour can be a thrilling and fulfilling experience. To ensure a successful and memorable adventure, consider these tips:

• Do Thorough Research: Before setting off on your self-guided tour, immerse yourself in research about the destination. Familiarize yourself with local customs, transportation options, and important landmarks. This will make navigating the destination much easier and help you better understand and appreciate the local culture.
• Create a Detailed Itinerary: Plan your itinerary in detail, including the attractions you want to visit and the activities you want to partake in. However, allow for flexibility and be open to making changes along the way. Strike a balance between having a plan and embracing spontaneous discoveries.
• Get Reliable Travel Resources: Invest in reliable travel resources such as guidebooks, maps, or mobile apps that are specific to the destination. These resources will provide you with valuable information, such as historical facts, local tips, and directions, allowing you to navigate with confidence.
• Stay Organized: Keep all your travel documents, maps, and itineraries organized in a safe and easily accessible manner. Consider using digital platforms or apps to store digital copies of your documents for quick and convenient access.
• Learn Basic Local Phrases: Learning a few basic phrases in the local language can go a long way in fostering connections and showing respect to the locals. Phrases like “hello,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” can help break the ice and enhance your overall experience.
• Be Mindful of Local Customs: Respect the local customs and traditions of the destination you’re visiting. Familiarize yourself with appropriate dress codes, tipping customs, and cultural norms. Being respectful and considerate towards the local culture will enrich your interactions and create a positive impression.
• Stay Connected: Ensure you have reliable means of communication during your self-guided tour. Purchase a local SIM card or consider using international data plans to stay connected with loved ones and have access to online maps or emergency assistance if needed.
• Practice Responsible Tourism: Be mindful of the impact you have on the environment, local communities, and cultural sites. Respect nature, dispose of waste properly, support local businesses, and leave a positive and sustainable footprint wherever you go.
• Stay Safe: Prioritize your safety throughout your self-guided tour. Stay aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas at night, and follow any safety advice provided by locals or authorities. It’s also advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and trip cancellations.
• Embrace the Journey: Finally, remember that a self-guided tour is all about the journey and the experiences you encounter along the way. Embrace the independence, take in the sights, tastes, and sounds of the destination, and create lasting memories. Allow yourself to get lost in the magic of the journey and enjoy every moment.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on a successful and rewarding self-guided tour. Now, let’s explore some popular destinations that are ideal for this style of travel.

Popular Destinations for Self-Guided Tours

When it comes to self-guided tours, there are numerous destinations around the world that are ideal for this style of travel. Here are a few popular destinations that offer unique experiences for self-guided adventurers:

• Italy: Explore the rich history, art, and culinary delights of Italy at your own pace. From the ancient ruins in Rome to the charming canals of Venice and the picturesque countryside of Tuscany, Italy offers a myriad of attractions to discover on foot or by train.
• New Zealand: Known for its breathtaking landscapes, New Zealand is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Embark on a self-guided tour of the scenic South Island, where you can hike through national parks, explore glowworm caves, and marvel at majestic fjords.
• Japan: Japan seamlessly blends ancient traditions with modern marvels, making it an intriguing destination for self-guided tours. Discover the historic temples of Kyoto, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Tokyo, and wander through serene bamboo forests in Arashiyama.
• Peru: Home to the iconic Machu Picchu, Peru offers a wealth of opportunities for self-guided exploration. Trek the Inca Trail, wander through the historic streets of Cusco, and visit local markets to savor traditional Peruvian cuisine.
• Scotland: With its rugged landscapes and rich history, Scotland is perfect for adventurous self-guided tours. Hike through the Highlands, explore ancient castles, and discover the mysterious beauty of the Isle of Skye at your own pace.
• Iceland: Known for its dramatic landscapes, waterfalls, and geothermal wonders, Iceland invites you to create your own self-guided adventure. Drive along the Ring Road, soak in natural hot springs, and marvel at the captivating Northern Lights.
• Australia: From the bustling cities of Sydney and Melbourne to the stunning natural wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and the outback, Australia offers a diverse range of self-guided tour options. Explore national parks, encounter unique wildlife, and relax on pristine beaches.
• Greece: Embark on a self-guided tour of ancient ruins, picturesque islands, and charming coastal towns in Greece. Explore the historical sites of Athens, island-hop through the Cyclades, and indulge in delicious Greek cuisine along the way.
• Costa Rica: For nature lovers, Costa Rica is a paradise waiting to be discovered. Trek through lush rainforests, spot wildlife in national parks, and relax on pristine beaches while experiencing the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
• India: With its vibrant culture, diverse landscapes, and rich history, India offers a captivating experience for self-guided tours. Explore the bustling streets of Delhi, visit the iconic Taj Mahal, and immerse yourself in the spirituality of Varanasi.

These destinations provide a wide range of experiences and attractions that can be explored at your own pace and according to your interests. Whether you’re drawn to natural wonders, historical sites, or cultural experiences, there’s a self-guided tour destination to suit every traveler’s preferences.

Now that we’ve explored some popular destinations for self-guided tours, let’s conclude our article.

Self-guided tours offer a unique and personalized way to explore the world. With the freedom to create your own itinerary, choose your activities, and immerse yourself in local cultures, self-guided tours give you the power to shape your travel experience according to your preferences.

Throughout this article, we have defined self-guided tours and highlighted their advantages over traditional guided tours. We have discussed the importance of thorough research and planning, as well as provided tips to ensure a successful and memorable self-guided tour.

From the historical sites of Italy and the natural wonders of New Zealand to the vibrant culture of Japan and the mystical landscapes of Iceland, there are endless destinations that cater to self-guided adventures. Each destination offers its own unique charm and attractions, inviting you to explore at your own pace and delve deeper into the local culture.

Remember that while self-guided tours provide freedom and flexibility, they also require careful planning, adaptability, and a sense of adventure. Be open to embracing unexpected encounters, engaging with the local culture, and creating lasting memories along the way.

So, whether you’re a seasoned traveler seeking a new way to explore or a first-time adventurer looking for a more immersive experience, consider embarking on a self-guided tour. Discover the joy of independent travel, where you set the pace, choose the path, and unlock the hidden gems of each destination on your own terms.

Now, it’s time to start planning your own self-guided tour and unleash your wanderlust. Happy travels!

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What is a Self-Guided Apartment Tour?

By: Joshua Mark  & Fidelity Team

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With the advent of technology, self-guided tours have risen in popularity among apartments nationwide.

What is a self-guided apartment tour?

A ‘self-guided’ apartment tour or ‘self-tour property’ is exactly what it sounds like: a way to tour without the presence of a leasing agent (yes by yourself) at an agreed-upon time of your choosing.

A similar concept existed long before it came to the apartment world, in the single-family housing world. The Seller broker/realtor would make appointments with a prospect and leave a key in a lockbox outside the door.

The realtor could give the code to the lockbox the potential buyer and then the potential buyer would go through the house, on their own or with their own realtor.

In this article though, we discuss how self-guided tours work in apartments.

How Does a Self-Guided Apartment Tour Work?

If offered, these types of tours usually need to be scheduled in advance.

Usually, you will need to provide a copy of your ID in advance (which will be verified) as well as credit card details in case of damage.

Then, once you arrive, there is usually an automated kiosk to check you in and verify your identity.

Keep in mind that not every apartment complex offers this, so you will need to check in advance whether you have this option.

What are the Advantages of Self-Guided Apartment Tours?

Benefits of touring the apartment on your own include:

• You can tour the apartment in your own free time without having to change your daily routine.
• You are not put under any pressure to make an instant decision and can take the time to consider your own thoughts.
• You can tour the apartment on your own and don’t have to share the room with other potential renters
• You can take your time inside the apartment.

What are the Disadvantages of Self-Guided Apartment Tours?

• There is no one to ask questions to as you go through it
• You may miss out on features and amenities, or other helpful information that the leasing agent can provide
• You may have to wait to hear about availability, specials, and application
• It may not be as fun to interact and enjoy a great apartment complex with an energetic, passionate leasing agent.

Consider the pros and cons, and if self-guided apartment tours are right for you. The good news it that, if offered you can mix and match. Perhaps you want to do a self-guided tour, but then schedule another follow up with a traditional in-person apartment tour.

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What to Look for During a Self-Guided Apartment Tour

A self-guided apartment tour allows you to explore a space at your leisure, taking your time to check out all the features or amenities the apartment has to offer. Learn how to make the most out of one of these self-guided tours, and ensure you cover all your bases before you sign a lease or make a deposit!

What to look for on a self-guided apartment tour

There’s really nothing that beats the in-person experience of walking through an available unit. A self-guided apartment tour is a flexible option that works with your schedule by allowing you to select a time to see the rental all on your own. But with this solo venture comes a bit more responsibility since you won’t have an agent or property manager there by your side.

Fortunately, we’ve come up with a list of five things to look for during your self-guided tour, so you can feel prepared to make the right decision for you.

1.The condition of the appliances

Appearances can be deceiving, especially when you’re looking at expertly-retouched photos taken for the sole purpose of renting a unit. As you’re doing research online, it may be hard to tell how updated the oven is or how well that fridge has been cleaned.

When you take the tour for yourself, be sure to inspect each appliance’s condition, even opening the door or cabinets to see what’s inside. If anything looks like it’s coming up at the end of its lifecycle, it may be worth asking about getting a replacement before you move in.

Additionally, before you even start the tour, ensure that you’re looking at the available unit rather than a model. If the property manager only allows you to walk through the model, take all the glam features with a grain of salt — models are often decked out with better finishes, appliances, and views than available units.

2. The closet and storage space

If a place is listed as a two-bedroom apartment, you can probably expect it to have two closets — but are there any extra drawers, linen closets, or shelves in the hallway or bathroom? Depending on how much stuff you’re moving in with you, the amount of storage space might be a make-or-break factor in your decision-making process.

During your self-guided tour, be sure to check out the dimensions of each closet. Consider whether your belongings will fit comfortably or whether you’ll need an apartment with additional storage potential.

3. The safety or security measures

Regardless of if you’re living alone, with a romantic partner, or with a group of friends, you’ll want to feel safe inside your home and within your apartment complex. Online listings often leave out information regarding the security measures around the property, which means it’ll be up to you to make some mental notes on your tour.

Is the building located behind a gate, with a special code to get in? Does the door to your apartment lead directly outside, or is there an exterior front door you enter to access each unit? Does the unit you’re renting face the street or the apartment courtyard? Everyone’s requirements for what puts them at ease will vary, so just make sure you feel comfortable with the situation as you envision yourself living there.

4. The neighbors

It’s easy to look at a picture of a beautifully furnished model apartment and get your hopes up without seeing it in-person. But what a photo can’t tell you is what kind of activity that residence brings with it. When you’re taking a self-guided apartment tour, listen for any loud noises in the hallways or stairwells, as well as the noise from neighboring buildings or businesses.

It could be that everything is quiet and respectful, but if you hear excess commotion, it’s something to think about (especially if you work from home or tend to spend the majority of your time there).

5. The parking arrangement

If and where there’s parking available will have a significant impact on your quality of life. After all, ease of parking makes it easier to walk to your apartment on dark nights, stormy days, or whenever you’re toting six bags worth of groceries in one trip! So when you’re touring a new complex, pay attention to where the cars are parked in relation to each building.

Is there a covered garage where you’re protected from the elements, or is there a private lot for residents to use? Where can overnight guests park? And can you pay a little extra to opt-in for a closer space? If these questions can’t be answered through your own observations, you’re smart to ask the property manager for additional clarity.

What to ask when searching for an apartment

Knowing which questions to ask before signing a lease is vital to finding an apartment you’ll thrive in. The following are just a handful of things you can bring up, but of course, feel free to ask whatever applies to your unique situation.

• Are the lease terms negotiable (length of commitment, adding a roommate, etc.)?
• Is the available unit a different layout than the model apartment you toured?
• Are furnished apartments available?
• Who do you contact for maintenance issues or repairs?
• What are the consequences for a missed (or late) rent payment?
• Are pets allowed, and if so, are there guidelines as to their size/weight?
• Are there any group activities or outings for tenants in this building?
• Do they offer any discounts for signing a long-term contract?
• What do tenants say they love most about living here?

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Finding a new apartment can be a real challenge, especially if the space you rent turns out to look nothing like the model you toured a few months back. Next time, skip the unpleasant surprises by vetting your rental options with ApartmentSearch !

ApartmentSearch can help you secure your next place with ease, so you can focus on all the fun that comes with settling in. Check out our list of city guides and apartment resources today, and start planning your move in no time!

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What is a self-guided tour?

Self-guided tours provide a unique travel experience that differs from traditional guided tours..

Here's what you need to know about this tour format:

Freedom and flexibility :

• Self-guided tours allow you to explore destinations at your own pace without the constant presence of a guide or the need to follow a group. This setup offers unparalleled flexibility, letting you decide how to spend your time each day.

Ideal for independent travelers :

• Enjoy a mix of leisure time and structured activities.
• Are comfortable navigating new places without continuous guidance.
• Prefer exploring locations on their terms, relying on their resourcefulness.

Accommodation arrangements :

• Due to the independent nature of these tours, the option to share accommodations with other travelers is typically not available. Solo travelers often need to pay a single supplement to cover the cost of private accommodations.

How to identify a self-guided tour

• Look for labels under the tour title on the tour details page. If you see a "Self-Guided" label, this indicates that the tour is structured to allow for independent exploration.

For more specific information or if you have questions about a particular self-guided tour, use the "Ask a Question" button on the adventure page. This feature allows you to communicate directly with the tour operator and receive detailed responses about the tour format and what to expect.

Self-guided tours offer a significant degree of independence, making them a perfect choice for travelers who value the freedom to explore on their own while still benefiting from a structured itinerary and pre-arranged logistics.

Self-Guided Apartment Tours: The Key to Vacant Unit Optimization

Multifamily communities are fast becoming a popular choice for renters in the United States. The convenience, amenities, and sense of community offered by multifamily residences have made them the go-to option for many renters. 

In such a competitive market, it is essential for property managers to find innovative ways to attract potential renters and keep existing ones engaged. One such way is through self-guided resident tours.

In this article, we will delve into the world of self-guided tours and how they can optimize vacant units in multifamily communities. We will also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of self-guided tours and what property managers need to consider when implementing them.

Navigate this blog: 

• What are self-guided apartment tours?
• Benefits and drawbacks of self-guided tours
• Self-guided tours & vacant unit optimization 

What Are Self-Guided Apartment Tours?

Self-guided tours are a new trend in the multifamily industry that allows potential residents to view vacant units at their own convenience. These tours are conducted through an app or online platform that guides renters through the apartment or townhome. With self-guided tours, renters can tour the property on their own schedule, without the need for a leasing agent or manager to show them around.

How do self-guided tours work?

Self-guided tours are a way for prospective renters or buyers to physically view a property at their convenience, without requiring the presence of a leasing or sales agent. Instead of being guided through a tour with a property staff member, interested potential residents can book an appointment or simply arrive at the property and access the unit or units they wish to view on their own. 

Self-guided tours are typically facilitated through a mobile app or web platform, which allows the visitor to access the property and any additional information they may need.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Self-Guided Tours

While self-guided tours offer many benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks that property managers need to consider before implementing them.

Benefits of Self-Guided Tours:

There are several advantages to self-guided apartment tours for both property managers and prospective residents. Here are some of the benefits:

• Convenience: Self-guided tours offer a convenient option for busy or introverted individuals who may prefer to tour an apartment on their own time without having to schedule an appointment or coordinate with a leasing agent.
• Flexibility: With self-guided tours, prospective residents have the flexibility to take as much time as they need to explore the property and specific units of interest, without feeling rushed or pressured by a leasing agent.
• Cost-effective: Self-guided tours can be a cost-effective solution for property managers as it eliminates the need for an onsite leasing agent during tour hours, which can save time and money.
• Increased occupancy rates: Self-guided tours can help increase occupancy rates by making it easier for prospective residents to view available units, which can lead to a faster leasing process.
• Data and insights: Self-guided tours can provide valuable data and insights for property managers, such as which units are generating the most interest, and how much time prospective residents are spending in each unit. This information can be used to optimize marketing efforts and pricing strategies.

Overall, self-guided tours offer a convenient, flexible, and cost-effective option for both property managers and prospective residents, while also providing valuable insights into the rental process.

Drawbacks of Self-Guided Tours:

While self-guided apartment tours have numerous advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider, including:

• Limited interaction with property staff: Some renters may prefer to have more interaction with a leasing agent during the apartment search process. Self-guided tours eliminate the opportunity to ask questions in person and receive personalized recommendations from a leasing agent.
• Technical difficulties: Not all renters may be comfortable with using technology or may experience technical difficulties during the self-guided tour. This can make the apartment search process more frustrating and less efficient.
• Safety concerns: Self-guided tours require renters to visit the property on their own, which can be a safety concern for some people, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area.
• Limited viewings: Depending on the self-guided tour technology being used, renters may only be able to view certain areas of the property, potentially missing out on details or amenities.

It's important for property managers to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of self-guided tours and consider the preferences of their target demographic when deciding whether to implement this option for apartment tours.

Self-Guided Tours and Vacant Unit Optimization

Vacant units are one of the biggest challenges that property managers face in multifamily residences. These vacant units can represent lost revenue and additional costs for property managers. One of the most effective ways to optimize vacant units is through self-guided tours.

Self-guided tours can provide potential renters with a personalized experience that showcases the features and amenities of a property. With self-guided tours, renters can view a property at their own pace, allowing them to get a better sense of the space and envision themselves living there. This personalized experience can help potential renters feel more connected to a property and increase the likelihood of them signing a lease.

How to implement self-guided tours 

The process of implementing self-guided tours can vary depending on the technology used. In general, it involves several steps:

• Setting up the technology: Property managers or owners must select a self-guided tour platform or app, and work with the vendor to set up the necessary hardware and software. This typically involves installing digital locks, cameras, and other equipment in the units to be toured, as well as configuring the app or platform to provide access and information to visitors.
• Marketing the option: Once the self-guided tour option is available, property managers can promote it to prospective tenants or buyers through various channels, such as their website, online listings, social media, and email campaigns. This can help increase awareness and interest in the property, as well as differentiate it from other options in the market.
• Managing the process: Self-guided tours require some level of oversight and management to ensure a smooth experience for visitors. Property managers may need to monitor access logs and security footage to ensure the safety of the property and its occupants, as well as provide support and assistance to visitors who have questions or issues during the tour. Additionally, they may need to collect feedback and insights from visitors to optimize the self-guided tour experience over time. This data can be used to improve the tour experience, as well as identify potential issues that may be deterring renters from signing a lease.

Interested in self-guided tours for your property?

Overall, self-guided tours provide a convenient and flexible option for prospective residents to multifamily housing on their own time, without the need for a traditional guided tour. By leveraging technology and streamlining the process, property managers can improve the overall renting experience for residents as well as increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.

In summary… 

• Self-guided tours are a new trend in the multifamily industry that allow potential residents to physically tour vacant units at their own convenience thanks to the use of smart home technology. 
• Self-guided tours offer many benefits, including convenience, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, increased occupancy rates, and valuable data and insights.
• Self-guided tours can optimize vacant units by providing potential renters with a personalized experience that showcases the features and amenities of a property.

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Accelerate Leasing

Impress Future Residents with Secure & Convenient Self-Guided Tours

Increases tours by 25% Reduces time on market by 75%

Self-guided tours are a requirement in today’s busy rental housing market. In fact, 42% of renters prefer to view properties outside of regular business hours. Tech-savvy renters are growing increasingly accustomed to on-demand services. Self-guided tours allow prospects to schedule a convenient tour time and view properties on their own, at their preferred day and time, in a safe and secure way.

How does it work?

• Renters find your listing on homes.rently.com or syndicated ILS
• Renters complete a multi-layer security process
• At the door, renters enter a one-time, durational entry code into a smart lock
• Post tour, renters provide feedback and complete online rental application.

Self-Guided Tour Benefits

Generate leads faster.

Quickly reach prospects to accelerate your lease signings! 70% of prospects tour a property within 2-hours of booking. That’s 10 days faster than agent-led tours! Rently Listings is the #1 lead generation tool for renters who want to tour on demand. With 10 million visitors annually, Rently Listings can increase your self touring activity by as much as 30%!

Save Time with Automation

Accelerate the time from inquiry to tour. Rently automates every step of the renter experience including tour scheduling, tour confirmation, post-tour feedback and renter screening. Empower your leasing teams with tools to achieve greater efficiencies

Proactively Prevent Fraud

Instantly verify the identity of prospective renters before they arrive to tour your property. Unique Rently technology — coupled with industry-leading trust & safety vendors, like Transunion ™ and others, make Rently’s multi-layered security and fraud prevention system, the best in the industry. Rently clients can request customizable security options to meet specific fraud detection requirements.

• Single Family
• Multifamily
• Build-to-Rent

Single Family Benefits

Accelerate leasing efforts, enhance your prospects’ experience, and maximize conversions.

Extend the reach of your team with expanded viewing hours while saving leasing agents time traveling and avoiding “no-show” appointments.

• Syndication to popular Internet Listing Sites
• Inquiries receive auto-responder to schedule a self-guided tour
• Option to schedule agent-led tours
• Multi-layer security with AI-powered fraud detector
• Chat, Email, and AI support
• Single platform to manage tours and data

Multifamily Benefits

Extend the reach of your team with expanded viewing hours and customizable tour paths so that onsite leasing staff can focus on qualified leads after tours are completed.

• Community access and parking instructions
• Dynamic onsite navigation with Wayfinding
• Managers control tour hours
• Smooth integration with leading PMS and CRMs
• Custom website widget

Build-to-Rent Benefits

Provides build-to-rent developers with a home automation platform from which to activate self-guided property tours and centralize leasing.

• Factor savings into building proposals
• Dynamic navigation guides prospects to shared amenities during self-guided tours
• Lower operating expenses with smart energy devices
• Popular smart home amenities increase property value from day one

Self-Guided Touring Features

Syndication.

Rently syndicates your properties to popular listing sites including Zillow, Zumper, and Homes.com.

Inquiry Auto-Responder

Rently automatically responds to property inquires by sending prospects a link to schedule a self-guided tour.

Agent Scheduler

Schedule and manage agent led tours for your properties that are not yet activated for self-guided tours.

Flexible Hardware Options

Rently offers a wide portfolio of smart home devices to fit your specific needs.

Manager Portal

Manage self-guided tours from our easy-to-use desktop portal or mobile app.

Renter Support

Prospective renters can access chat, email, and AI support while touring.

Case Studies

See how real estate operators have benefited from Rently’s solutions.

Willow Bridge’s BTR Properties Lease Faster

Since April 2020, Willow Bridge has experience a 75% reduction in time on market, with 30% of leases coming after self-guided tours.

Ameritex Decreased Lease Conversion Time with Self-Guided Tours

Rently helps Ameritex Property Management provide an exceptional customer experience

Legacy Partners Increased Traffic by 33% with Self-Guided Tours

Rently helps multifamily operator Legacy Partners' Aliso Apartments spend less time on tours and more time closing deals

Flatiron District Prospects Tour in a Timely Manner with Rently

Prospects love the convenience and flexibility of self-guided tours. Rently also ensures that all prospects who want to tour are able to without having to wait.

Lincoln Property Supplements Leasing Efforts with Self-Guided Tours

Rently functions as an additional "agent" so the leasing team can make sure all tours can be accommodated.

Optimize Your Leasing with Rently's Smart Home Technology

Empower your property management teams with smart leasing tools 
that attract new residents, increase retention, and command higher rental premiums.

Hear from our satisfied customers

What we’re finding is that most of our clients prefer to do a self-guided tour in lieu of the guided tour.

Kristina Bernatis, More Residential

Within the first month of implementing Rently, we secured three new lease applications from prospects that self-toured themselves outside of business hours (i.e. between 6 PM and 8 PM). Without this flexibility for prospects, it is likely that we would not have seen these leases otherwise.

Origin Partners

RangeWater has used Rently products for both self-guided tours and whole property smart home solutions. Through strategic planning and the smart tech provided by Rently, The Cottages at Ridge Pointe was able to realize a significant savings in payroll while maintaining high occupancy and growing our budgeted rents. The use of smart locks and thermostats has enabled us to work more efficiently and still exceed our budgeted goals for the community ahead of the expected ROI timeline.

Henry Zuaznabar Senior Director of Property Management- BTR, RangeWater Real Estate

We are seeing about a 70% conversion rate for prospects that toured through Rently. Needless to say, we are now using Rently at the majority of our communities.

Echelon Property Group

Rently has provided our property teams with another valuable tool to help showcase our communities to prospective renters with its self-guided tour technology. The platform integrates well with our systems and prospects can easily navigate the app to tour when it is most convenient for their schedules, even outside of normal business hours.

CF Real Estate Services

Rently has really benefited us a lot by not only helping us to be able to have more opportunities for touring and touring qualified prospects, but also in helping reduce the demand on our associates so that they have more time for customer service with our residents and prospects.

Misti McElwee

We create the best rental experience in the world.

Rently is guided by the desire to streamline leasing activity, optimize property management, and create premier resident experiences. We have innovated our patented technology to become the industry leader in self-guided tours and smart home technology.

With more than 16 million self tours completed to date and thousands of smart home devices deployed, Rently has the experience and product expertise to help single and multifamily operators optimize their entire leasing lifecycle with smart home technology.

We offer an “all-in-one” smart home technology platform that automates every phase of the leasing cycle – from self touring, to move-in, to smart home residency and beyond.

Our solution includes an operational desktop dashboard that provides managers with oversight of all property touring activity, controls smart devices in each unit, and gathers portfolio, community, and unit-specific data.We help customers quickly expand their deployments and upgrade their properties, and we offer dedicated Client Success and Customer Care teams.

Rently is pleased that our smart technology solutions make a positive impact on the everyday lives of renters and managers. We are excited to support the real estate industry’s embrace of smart home technology, and we constantly dream and create new technology innovations for the rental housing market.

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Equal parts supportive and empowering, self-guided travel offers the best of all worlds. Here’s how it could level-up your next adventure.

Self-guided trips are one of the fastest-growing categories of adventure travel. As more travelers develop an appetite for new experiences and adventure, guided group tours can lose their appeal. Constant monitoring starts to feel unnecessary, not to mention expensive. That’s where self-guided travel comes in.

So, what is self-guided travel ? Think of preferred travel style as a spectrum. On one end, you have fully guided, all-inclusive trips. On the other, you have totally unsupported solo expeditions . Self-guided travel sits right in the middle and offers the best of both worlds. With Macs Adventure’s self-guided trips, you pick your dates, your pace, and your travel partners. Macs then provides you with an itinerary, travel tips, and advice from experts who know the area inside out. Those experts are just a call away if you need them, but your trip is all your own. 

Here’s a deeper look at the top ten benefits of self-guided travel and how it can help you take your next adventure vacation to the next level. 

1. Find Itineraries That Suit Your Needs and Preferences

One of the biggest advantages of self-guided travel is that you get to choose your start dates, end dates, and the total distance of your trip. Choose to visit Santorini when it's quieter, for example, or add an extra day to soak up the unspoiled charm of the Luberon Valley during your cycling tour of Provence .

2. Experience the Wonder and Awe of Self-supported Travel—Without the Logistical Hassle

For many of us, the joy of travel lies in exploring vast landscapes, encountering other cultures, and immersing ourselves in a totally new experience—not in frantically cobbling together planning spreadsheets the week before a trip. With self-paced exploration, you get to enjoy all the good stuff without having to labor through the research. And because you choose your own travel companions, you won’t ever have to endure awkward small talk or feel trapped by a tour guide. 

3. Enjoy Peace of Mind 24/7

On a self-guided tour with Macs, you’ll get your adventure fix without ever feeling like you’re high and dry. Need help finding your way? Refer to detailed route notes on the Macs Adventure app . Run into an emergency? We have a 24-hour on-call support line.

If you’re hiking solo , we can also keep tabs on your hotel or lodging check-ins. If you miss a check-in, your hotelier will alert us. That way, someone’s always accountable for you. This can provide incredible peace of mind for independent travelers who want to feel safe and supported without sacrificing the solo experience. 

4. Get Support Exactly When and How You Need It

Macs Adventure lets you choose the level of support you want. Prefer not to haul your heavy bag around? Sign up for one of Mac’s most popular offerings: luggage transfers. We do all the coordinating and baggage management for you to make sure your suitcase is always waiting for you at your next stop. And if you’re one of the hardcore few who truly prefer to carry it all, we also offer options for full backpacking or bike-touring experiences. We can help with itinerary creation, local transit logistics, inn and lodge bookings, and gear advice. 

5. Leave Room to be Spontaneous

You may get a self-guided itinerary at the start of your trip, but you get to choose your own pace once you’re out. One of the best benefits of this kind of self-paced exploration is that you never need to worry about huffing and puffing behind a group of ultrafit adventurers—or about newbies slowing you down. Whether you’re traveling the Great Glen Way or knocking the Haute Route off your bucket list, you get to soak up the wonder at whatever pace you choose.

Self-guided travel also gives you the flexibility to be spontaneous. Want to push yourself out of your comfort zone? Summit that nearby peak, strike up a conversation with locals, or stop to sample the street food. Feeling luxuriant? Take an extra hour to have a relaxed lunch at the piazza , or pedal slowly to listen to the birdsong. And if you need ideas, the Macs Adventure app comes preloaded with notes and suggestions of detours, stops, and sights along your way.

6. Take the Stress Out of Planning Vacations

Trip planning can often feel like a high school group project: one person ends up doing all the work, while everyone else makes demands or assigns blame when things go awry. Fortunately, self-guided travel offers an alternative. 

If you’re celebrating with friends or meeting up with relatives, you can outsource the logistics to a self-guided tour operator like Macs Adventure, then split the cost evenly among the group. No one person has to drop a hefty deposit on hotels or bug everyone else for reimbursement. Splitting the cost means every party feels equally invested in the trip planning —and equally relaxed while they’re out on the trail.

7. Get the Most Adventure for the Best Value

Another great advantage of self-guided travel is that you get all the information you need to be your own guide. The Macs Adventure team has spent years getting to know each destination, its people, and its culture. When you book a trip with us, we hand over all that precious insider info. That means you get all our regional transit know-how, cultural savvy, and local wisdom without having to pay someone to babysit you. 

8. Discover Hidden Gems

Outside the U.S., some of the coolest boutique hotels, inns, and lodges only have a few guestrooms. Many others are so local that they’re impossible to find online. To book them, you have to know they exist and then call each one individually—a painstaking process that can take days, especially with time zone differences. Your options: DIY and stay in big chain hotels that have no cultural charm—or let Macs Adventure do the booking for you. Macs has longstanding relationships with some of the most unique lodgers and vendors in the regions where we operate. We know these people, and we know how to get you in the door at a place you’ll love. 

Another amazing self-guided travel benefit is that it allows you to truly immerse yourself in the local culture. After all, it’s much easier to get to know a place when you’re not hiding behind a guide. As a free agent, you have the flexibility to interact with locals and enjoy authentic experiences—from traditional music sessions in a cozy pub in Ireland to sampling local delicacies in Japan .

9. Support Local Businesses

Another advantage of independent travel is that you can be more intentional about the types of establishments you support. Macs Adventure works with locally owned and operated suppliers whenever possible. Our goal is to uplift small business owners—not international conglomerates—and maximize our travelers’ positive economic impact on local communities. We have a long list of local vendors and mom-and-pop inns that we’ve worked with for years—like the family-run Crookabeck B&B along the Coast to Coast Walk, or the historic Volunteer Inn on the Cotswold Way. And we’re always keeping an eye out for new partners who embody our values. So, when you book a trip with Macs, you know your money will go where it matters. 

10. Tread Lightly on the Environment

One of the biggest pros of self-guided travel is its light environmental footprint. Unlike some other outfitters who rely on tour buses and big group sizes to hit their margins, Macs strives for a lower-impact approach . To start with, we carbon-count all our trips with the help of sustainability experts at eCollective . We’re proud partners with Leave No Trace , and we’re actively pursuing B Corp status. But our biggest focus is the way we approach independent travel. 

At Macs, we won’t ever dump a bus full of tourists on an unsuspecting village or delicate landscape. Instead, we offer primarily hiking and biking trips—which makes it easy for you to tread lightly on the environment as well as on the communities you pass through. To learn more about how Macs manages its environmental impact, check out our  inaugural impact report . 

Is Self-Guided Travel Right for You?

Self-guided trips offer an empowering alternative to DIY travel. If you’re looking for an adventurous, self-supported experience—but don’t want to go through all the hassle of booking lodging, organizing luggage transfers, or juggling logistics—a self-guided trip could be the perfect solution for you. To learn more about how Macs Adventure can help, get to know us online or shoot us a message .

Great Glen Way

Walker's Haute Route

Walking the Greek Cyclades: Milos & Santorini In Style

Classic Provence

• Loch Ness, Highland castles and deep glens
• Trace the Caledonian Canal from west to east
• Country inns and great hospitality
• Classic Swiss Alpine mountain scenery
• Spectacular Matterhorn views as you arrive
• Being part of the camaraderie on the trail
• Classic walking in the Luberon National Park
• Vineyards, orchards and lavender fields
• Visit the iconic Abbey de Senanque

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14 Advantages of App-Led and Self-Guided Tours

Visiting a new city and want to see the sights solo? Curious about self-guided tours? This post as has all you need to know!

Over the past decade, app-based and self-guided tours have become a more and more popular way to explore the world around us. They became especially popular during the COVID pandemic as they offered a safe way to see a city without having to worry about coming into contact with too many other people. 

Below you can find several advantages to doing self-guided tours based on my experience as a full-time traveler. While I love a good guided tour, sometimes I feel like I am missing out on something and that I don’t have enough time to venture out on my own. I’ve found app-based tours to be a great alternative to a more traditional guided tour for the many reasons below.

Make every adventure unforgettable!

Let’s Roam offers more than 400 different activities in hundreds of locations around the world. We have everything from fun-filled scavenger hunts , boozy bar crawls , spooky ghost tours , classy art walks , and even date nights with a difference . So whatever you’re looking for we’re confident we have an adventure that’s perfect for you and your group! If you find a few that you love, you can even get a monthly membership which gives you access to all of our app-based activities at a lower price. Now that’s exciting!

1. It’s a great way to learn more about your destination.

First and foremost, app-led and self-guided walking tours can be a phenomenal way to learn more about a new destination. Rather than blindly following a tour guide, app-based tours give you the chance to immerse yourself in a destination since you’re the one that is navigating through the city. This is great for people who want to learn as much as possible about a destination but don’t want to be led around a city by a guide. 

2. You can do it on your own schedule.

Sometimes there’s nothing worse than reading about a fantastic tour and then realizing that there’s no availability when you’re visiting a city. The great thing about doing a virtual tour is that you can do it whenever suits you best whether that means going out first thing in the morning for your very own sunrise tour or in the mid-afternoon as some post-lunch exercise. It also means that you can do it at your own pace, meaning you can stop to check out the interesting-looking museum that you passed, try a few balls of that delicious-looking gelato that is beckoning to you, or stop for a much-needed coffee after a long day of pounding the pavement.

3. It’s a great family activity. 

We all know that traveling with kids can get pretty tricky and that planning a family vacay is hard work. While self-led tours are a great addition to any getaway, they are particularly useful if have kids in tow and you’re struggling to find ways to keep them entertained. There are many interesting kid-oriented app-based tours to choose from which give information in digestible chunks so that visitors young and old can learn more about a place. 

App-based tours can often be a better solution than standard guided tours for families since they allow you to move at your own speed and stop for as many bathroom and snack breaks as necessary. Since you’ll likely be doing the tour with only your small group, it also means that you won’t have to worry about bothering other travelers which we all know can get very stressful very quickly!

4. You can tailor them to your own interests.

When you’re on a walking tour, you’re kind of at the mercy of the tour guide and need to stop at all the dedicated stops along the way. However, on a self-guided tour, you can skip places that you’re not interested in. This gives you the chance to spend more time at the places that are calling to you and less time at the places that you aren’t particularly interested in. This tailor-made tour helps you make the most of your limited vacation time and honestly, what is not to like about that? 

5. There are tons of options to choose from.

Companies such as Let’s Roam have created a slew of app-led scavenger hunts and walking tours covering not only the highlights of a destination but also some of the lesser-known aspects of it. These “niche” tours are perfect for people who have a particular interest in a city and since there’s no minimum of people needed for the tour to run, you’re guaranteed to be able to go on the tour. 

For example, you can spend the morning exploring the Murals of Manhattan and then the evening on a Greenwich Ghost Hunt. In between, you can take a long walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or the Hudson River, explore the Financial District, or even catch a Broadway matinee. Also, if you happen to be thinking about going to college in a new city, you can check the place out with a campus tour first. Or if you’re looking for somewhere new to explore in your city, you could take a tour in your local Chinatown-international district or similar.

6. You can save time.

Researching for and planning a big trip can be very time consuming and can easily begin to feel like a major hassle. App-based and self-guided tours can help you save a ton of time by allowing you to see many of the highlights of a destination. From there, you can decide where you want to return to. The time that you save hurriedly Googling the best things to do in a place can instead be used to enjoy your vacation.

7. You can save money.

Unless you’re an enormous travel budget, there’s a likelihood that you’re trying to save some money at some point during your trip. App-led tours are the perfect way to do just that! Self-guided tours are often considerably cheaper than having a guide present, especially if you’re traveling alone or with a small group. They can also give you the privacy of a private tour without the hefty price tag that usually comes with it, making it perfect for families, couples, and groups of friends who want to spend quality time together with no distractions. This is a great way to save money while traveling on a budget .

8. You know what you’re getting.

Hiring a tour guide can sometimes feel like a bit of a crapshoot. Often you booked up towards your company and you have no idea who the guide will be until the tour actually starts. The quality of the guide can make or break a tour and for people who love to plan everything to the very last detail, this can be a little stressful. With an app-based tour, you can usually read reviews of what past guests have experienced and decide for yourself whether or not you want to go on the tour.

9. You can interact more with locals.

Many travelers hate feeling like they are being herded from one place to another and some guided tours can make you feel like you’re a sheep in a big crowd. Worse, they can make you feel disconnected from the local community. A self-guided tour gives you the time that you need to connect with people rather than feeling like you’re being rushed from one place to another.

10. You don’t have to interact with anyone.

While app-based tours can give you more of an opportunity to interact with locals, they also let you be completely alone if you want to be! Traveling can be exhausting and sometimes, you simply want to walk around on your own and not talk to anyone else (trust me, I know how that is!). With a self-guided tour, you only need to worry about pleasing yourself. That means no small talk with other tour guests, no need to answer a guide when they ask questions, nothing. This can give you the time that you need to replenish your energy without losing valuable travel time.

11. It can help you feel a sense of accomplishment. 

Finding your way around a new destination can feel empowering, especially if you don’t speak the local language. However, this feeling of accomplishment can sometimes be lost when you’re simply following a tour guide around. Meanwhile, venturing out completely on your own can feel a bit overwhelming and you may waste a lot of time trying to figure out the layout of a city and what exactly you want to do there. 

However, an app-led, self-guided tour gives you the best of both worlds. You get the ease and security of having a “guide” while still feeling like you’re doing it on your own. Best of all, once you get your bearings a bit thanks to the self-guided tour, you’ll then feel even more confident venturing off the beaten track. 

12. You can make new friends.

Imagine this… you’re sitting in a hostel in Nashville chatting with some of your fellow backpackers. Someone mentions that they have a fun, app-based scavenger hunt of Music Row on their phone that will take you to all the best places in the city and asks if anyone wants to come. A few hours and some great travel memories later, you’re sitting around a pub or cafe, drinking beer with your new friends! Better yet, you could be on an exciting Nashville Pub Crawl checking out some of the city’s best honky tonks!

App-based tours, scavenger hunts, and pub crawls can be the perfect icebreaker and are a great way to connect with other travelers, even the ones that you haven’t had the chance to meet yet! And since they are very economical, it won’t break the bank either!

13. It allows you to forge your own path.

When you’re on a guided tour, you normally have to stick to a predetermined route and are unable to veer off of that (unless you’re on an expensive guided tour that is!). However, a self-guided tour allows you to forge your own path, regardless of whether that means skipping a few spots on the tour route or even deviating a bit so you can get a closer look at that adorable little alleyway or fascinating church that you just walked past. 

Having this kind of flexibility can help you feel like you have gotten the most out of your time in a destination. It also means that you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of time backtracking after a guided tour is over or, even worse, having to figure out where something was again. As you leave on your next flight, train, or bus, you can feel confident that you didn’t miss a thing!

14. You can go on the tour early in the morning.

While getting up super early in the morning during your vacation isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, dawn is one of the best times to take photographs. It’s also a time when most cities are still pretty sleepy and you have the chance to see some of their most popular attractions with no one around. App-based and self-guided tours let you pick your own starting time, allowing you to incorporate your photo session with a tour and effectively kill two birds with one stone.

I know, I know. Waking up early isn’t always fun but believe me, this can be really, really helpful in many European cities that tend to be thronged with tourists most of the year. Rather than fighting the crowds to try and get a good photo of Notre Dame or Florence’s famous Duomo, you can grab a cup of espresso (you may need it by early afternoon!) and relax as you watch the tour groups go by.

Ready to roam?

We hope that this list has given you enough reasons to consider doing an app-led tour on your next trip! 

If you still need help choosing a destination, make sure to check out our Explorer Blog . Here, you’ll find articles written by our in-house travel experts detailing the best places to visit, stay, and play all around the world. Make sure to also download the Let’s Roam app which features user-generated content from across the country to help you find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Self-guided tours are a great way to explore the city at your own pace and at a much lower cost than hiring a tour guide.

One of the biggest advantages of app-based tours is that you can do them on your own schedule which allows you to fit it in when it works best for you.

With more than 400 tours to choose from all around the world, Let’s Roam is one of the leading providers of app-based, self-guided tours .

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Self-Guided Tours: What are they? Why book one?

Alice Peace

• Experiences

Travel is an exciting experience, but the research and planning that goes into organizing a trip can be daunting for many. Browsing for eco-friendly accommodations, delicious local places to eat, and activities that align with your values can quickly become exhausting. Organized tours are a great option to alleviate some of the stress associated with booking your vacation. But with so many different choices of organized travel – from  private tours , to small-group tours , to self-guided tours – how do you decide what is right for you?

What is a Self-Guided Tour?

To start off, let’s clarify what we mean by a self-guided tour. Self-guided tours are trips in which an expert handles all of the pre-departure organization and booking. Once travelers arrive, they enjoy their trip independently, without a third-party guide physically present. Whilst travelers are responsible for making their way to their accommodation each night they have complete autonomy regarding their pace throughout each day.

Self-guided tours are well-suited for walking, cycling, and driving holidays where the daily route is thoughtfully planned out for you, and your luggage is transported between pre-booked accommodations. This tour type is an ideal choice for travelers who would like assistance with organizing and booking their trip, but don’t need an escort on the actual journey. That said, self-guided trips include a GPS and 24/7 on-call support to ensure guests’ safety.

What is Included in a Self-Guided Tour?

The level of support provided before and during the trip is very similar to what travelers would experience on a privately guided tour, minus the guide themself. Self-guided tours typically include the following:

• Airport transfers at the beginning and end of the trip
• A day-to-day route indicating the miles or kilometers to be traveled each day
• Luggage transfers between points A and B each day (for walking and cycling tours) – this means that travelers only need to carry a small day pack with them as they walk or bike
• Pre-arranged and booked activities along the way
• Eco-friendly accommodations are booked for each night
• Some or most meals
• A GPS and a roadbook/map
• 24/7 on-call support
• 24/7 roadside assistance (for driving tours)

Why Book a Self-Guided Tour?

Saving time on research, flexibility, and affordability without compromising on experiences are some of the reasons people opt for a self-guided tour. Many travelers also report a higher degree of self-satisfaction at the end of their trip; they truly feel a sense of accomplishment after navigating their own way across a new destination.

So what makes self-guided tours so much fun? Here are our top six reasons travelers love self-guided tours.

• Timesaving and Stress-Free
• Flexible Departure Dates
• Customizable Itinerary
• Affordability
• Independence and Freedom
• Covid-friendly

Keep reading to discover why so many travelers prefer this type of travel.

1. Self-guided tours save you the time and stress of researching and planning a vacation

Most of us lead busy lives. Deciding on a destination can be exciting, but the research and planning needed to organize a vacation are time-consuming. It’s hard to truly capture how long the average person spends planning a trip. Different reports estimate travelers spend anywhere from  10 hours  to  30 hours  or more planning a single holiday. Time spent researching and coordinating can either be fun, and an enjoyable part of the adventure overall, or stressful, and considered a necessary evil to have the trip of your dreams. Having a suggested itinerary with a pre-arranged route, pre-booked eco-friendly accommodations and activities, and comfort touches like airport transfers can remove a lot of this stress.

By booking a self-guided tour, you can minimize your time spent researching and planning whilst maximizing your time on vacation. Expert trip planners and our in-country partners are ready to take all of this stress off your hands and hand over an organized, well-planned itinerary. They’ll ensure that you’re making the most of every day, booking eco-friendly accommodations, and suggesting activities to participate in that support local people and businesses.

2. Self-guided tours have flexible departure dates

Another benefit of self-guided tours is that you are not tied down to specific departure dates. Unlike small-group tours with fixed departure dates, self-guided tours leave you completely free to accommodate your start date with your group’s schedule.

Pro tip: When considering your departure date, be sure to check for two things:

• Availability: Many self-guided tours that are nature-focused – like walking and cycling tours – are only available to book during particular seasons, such as from Spring through Fall. This is for safety and to help maximize the enjoyment of the trip overall in terms of weather and other conditions. 
• Seasonality: Traveling  outside  of the high season, when a peak number of travelers might be crowding a trail, is more sustainable. As long as conditions are comfortable enough, traveling during the shoulder season or low season helps with tourism dispersal. Tourism dispersal is about spreading out where tourists go, and how tourist money is spent throughout the year.

Once at your destination, self-guided tours give you complete autonomy to explore at a pace that suits you. You can pick your sightseeing stops along the way, decide to linger a little longer over a delicious local lunch, or set off an hour earlier to catch that gorgeous sunrise as you hike or cycle from point A to B. You can stop wherever you like, whenever you like, and how often you like. The freedom is yours!

3. Self-guided tours can be customized and tweaked until they’re just right

When you discover a self-guided walking, cycling, or driving trip, you will typically be presented with a suggested itinerary as a starting point. You can think of this as a base itinerary – a recommendation that will be fantastic as-is, but customizable if needed.

Some of the main ways people adjust self-guided itineraries:

• Tweaking the length by either adding or removing a day or two on either end. Adding a day requires less distance to be covered each day, which can result in more downtime for exploring or resting.
• Opting for more luxurious accommodations for a more upscale experience.
• Scheduling experiences or activities along the way – such as an artisan visit or a wine tasting. These can be incorporated into days of light walking, cycling, or driving; or be planned for days of rest at certain stopping points mid-way in your trip.

For your leisure time, you’ll also be provided with suggestions and important information to ensure you’re not missing out on anything. But exactly what you choose to do in your downtime is completely up to you!

4. Self-guided tours are more affordable

Self-guided tours are almost always the most economical option compared to privately guided tours or small-group tours. This type of tour is usually much cheaper as you are not paying to be accompanied by a guide for the duration of your trip, as you would be on a private or small-group tour. The affordability of self-guided trips makes them ideal for travelers aiming to stick to a smaller budget. 

5. Self-guided tours offer independence and freedom

With a self-guided tour, you retain the feeling of independence along with the safety of knowing everything is organized and arranged for you. This provides a great amount of freedom – much higher than what you’d experience on a private or small-group tour. Namely, this independence means you can go at your own pace each day. With walking and cycling tours, you can spend a leisurely day on the trail or move briskly to have more downtime at your destination for the evening. With driving tours, you can more easily take detours to particular points of interest along the way – such as a specific cultural heritage sight or a particularly good vantage point to watch a sunset.

Unlike travel where you plan and book everything yourself, you will never be left entirely without support. Even though you’ll be walking, cycling, or driving unattended, there will be a local support team tracking your route via GPS, ensuring a unique and safe experience. Your GPS will also include the locations of your pre-booked accommodations, as well as pre-saved suggested sites, attractions, and important places you may wish to consider visiting along the way.

Self-guided tours include 24/7 backup telephone support in English to assist you if and when required. You won’t even have to worry about your luggage, as active self-guided walking and cycling tours include organized luggage transfer throughout! This allows you to savor every moment of your trip, secure in the knowledge that all the details have been handled and that help, if needed, is just a phone call away.

6. Self-guided tours are a Covid-friendly way to travel

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic caused travel plans to grind to a halt across the world. Although many of us are ready to throw ourselves back into new experiences, cultures, and delicacies, we understand that travelers may still have concerns about Covid-friendly travel.

Self-guided tours are ideal as they offer an exclusive experience for you and your choice of travel companions. You won’t have to worry about vacationing with strangers or sharing public transport once at the destination. Inherently, self-guided walking, cycling, and driving tours outside and away from large urban areas make it easy to stay socially distanced from people outside of your group should you choose. You can simply focus on exploring areas of natural beauty, passing through small towns and villages, and breathing in fresh country air!

How Much Do Self-Guided Tours Cost?

Self-guided tours are one of the most economical options for travelers, although, like all tours, the price depends on the destination, activities, trip length, and group size. Self-guided tours cater well to walking tours and cycling holidays, so here are a couple of examples:

Related Trips

Carpathian Mountains & Castles

From 725 € pp

• Self-Guided

Camino: Cycling the Portuguese Coastal Way

From 1,030 € pp

How do these prices compare to private tours and small-group tours?

• Private tours  are the most expensive option as you will be accompanied by a guide for the duration of your trip. However, this can offer unique insights and cultural experiences, the chance to really get off the beaten track, and an increased sense of comfort for travelers heading to an unfamiliar destination.
• The prices of small-group tours fall somewhere in-between self-guided and private tours. You won’t have much flexibility with the itinerary – though you will have pockets of free time for individual exploration – and you may be traveling with more people. Small-group tours are great for leveraging the expertise of a local guide without the higher cost that comes with private tours.
• Self-guided tours are different from both private tours and small-group tours. As you are not accompanied by a local expert for the majority of your vacation, this drastically reduces the cost of the trip, although some of our self-guided tours do include a guided component to maximize your cultural experience. This tour type is ideal for those that want increased autonomy, but you will need to be responsible for getting to and from your accommodations each night and ensure you’re on time for any pre-booked activities along your route. Additionally, self-guided tours are especially suited to nature-focused activities such as walking and cycling tours. These are more budget-friendly activities and, as a bonus, will keep the carbon footprint of your travel low as well.

Our Favorite Self-Guided Tours

Now that we’ve covered what self-guided tours are, what they include, and what the benefits are, we’ll give you some examples of our favorite self-guided trips.

Are you an active traveler looking for a self-guided adventure? Explore the  Portuguese Coastal Way from Porto to Santiago  on this cycling tour that takes you along the rugged coastline and through the quaint villages of northern Portugal. Prefer hiking to biking? Enjoy a similar self-guided walking holiday along the coastal route of  Portugal’s Costa Verde , a diverse region famous for its refreshing ‘green wine’.

Here are a couple more self-guided tours we recommend. Whether you’re looking for an active adventure, cultural immersion, or epic road trip, we can help you find your perfect itinerary.

1. Portugal:  Heart and Soul of Douro Valley

Immerse yourself in Portuguese cuisine with this one-week self-guided walking tour and wine-tasting holiday in the scenic Douro Valley. You’ll follow unpaved roads and footpaths through picturesque countryside as you walk between traditional villages, pausing for picnic lunches and visits to local wine estates where you can sample award-winning wines and local cuisine. Museums and the chance to take part in activities, such as grape harvest celebrations, will give you an appreciation and understanding of the culture of this region. At the end of each day’s walk, you’ll receive a warm welcome at one of the carefully selected country houses and hotels, where you can relax, put your feet up, and enjoy a delicious meal. 

We had a great hike in Douro valley, all the accommodations were perfect, and the people we met were so nice. In every place we stopped we had great hotel rooms and a pool to rest after a day hiking (mostly up). Especially Quinta do Portal was really excellent and had the best chef and meals we have ever had in Portugal. Thank you! Joanna R. 

2. Romania: Discovering Transylvania's Heritage by Bike

Leisurely cycle through the hills of Transylvania, a mysterious and spectacular land with a rich heritage. This trip will take you into the Carpathian Mountains and Transylvania’s hills. Transylvania is famous thanks to Bram Stoker’s legend of Dracula, and is well-known for its forests which provide shelter for many species of wild plants and animals.

Walking Tour: Heart & Soul of Douro Valley

From 1,120 € pp

Discovering Transylvania’s Heritage by Bike

From 850 € pp

I’m Alice, UK travel blogger and advocate for sustainable travel. I want to show you just how easy it is to make responsible choices and do our bit for the planet whilst we’re on the go. I head to off-the-beaten-track locations and get there as sustainably as possible. I love responsible wildlife and community tourism, supporting local businesses and eating delicious vegetarian food. See more at Discoveny .

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Small-Group Tours: What are they? Why book one?

Private Tours: What are they? Why book one?

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Take Traditional Tours to the Next Level with Self-Guided Tours

Creating a tour for your visitors is a fine art in itself. You want to maximize their experience by showing the most interesting and important parts of your exhibition - and they’re relying on you for this expert guidance! At places like museums, historical landmarks, and tourist attractions, these types of tours increase interaction with your guests. They also forge a unique bond between curator and visitor, allowing for valuable question-and-answer sessions when guests can really pick the brains of experts - you!

At the same time, there’s just as much a hunger for self-guided exploration. Maybe it’s the folks who prefer not to follow the flock—or who simply want to soak up the experience on their own after they partake in a conventional tour. Offering self-guided tours gives your visitors the opportunity to delve into your site at their own pace and in their own way. Here’s how this option can take their experiences to the next level.

What is a Self-Guided Tour?

Many establishments create self-guided tours for their guests. While you may offer the option for people to simply wander the premises on their own, you can enhance the value of their experience by curating tour pathways and explorations that they can experience without the help of a physical tour guide.

During the self-guided tour experience, visitors follow these paths to learn more about specific subjects. For example, the American Museum of Natural History in New York offers a self-guided “highlights” tour that provides visitors with the chance to navigate the museum on their own, with suggestions to visit specific areas on different floors. This allows them to see some of the most iconic, popular, and historic displays and exhibits in a single visit. There are also more specific options, like self-guided dinosaur tours and self-guided earth and space tours.

If you don’t already offer them, you could be missing out on a good thing. People who don’t want to wait in line will appreciate the chance to delve right into a tour on their own. You’re also more likely to draw more visitors when you offer them multiple options for exploring the premises.

What is the difference between a Self-Guided Tour vs a Group Tour?

The main different between a self-guided tour and a group tour is your, the organizer's, level of active involvement. Don’t worry, self-guided tours aren’t about to replace your conventional tours - there’s room for both options! Guided tours are as much a part of visiting a museum or historical landmark as paintings on the wall or a recreated room from a bygone era. After all, not everyone can be an expert in ceramics from the Ming dynasty or on surrealist art - visitors rely on tour guides to give them intel beyond the museum label.

We can't all be experts.

Add value to your programming by offering visitors some customization. Self-guided tours encourage independent exploration. Your visitors can freely peruse your establishment on their own time. They aren’t limited to starting every hour, on the hour. They can rove from exhibit to exhibit at their own pace, reading the informational museum plaques and listening to the audio guides without rushing. A self-guided tour can dramatically enhance your visitors’ time by letting them choose exactly how to spend it.

A self-guided tour can dramatically enhance your visitors’ time by letting them choose exactly how to spend it.

Members of a group tour, by contrast, march very much to the beat of the leader’s drum. Tour guides are responsible for guiding the group from one exhibit or attraction to the next, educating visitors along the way. The guides serve as ambassadors, whose primary role is to support engagement between the visitor and the institution.

Solid advice for self-guided tours and life in general. Thanks, Peloton!

Who Could Benefit from Offering a Self-Guided Tour?

Virtually all businesses that offer tours can benefit in some way from a self-guided tour option. Think of them as a way to supplement what you already offer by allowing guests to “choose their own adventure”. They offer a number of benefits, too. They’re a time and cost-effective offering, since you don’t need volunteers to run them. There’s an intimacy about self-guided tours that can make visits more enjoyable overall. People value their independence, and this option allows them to navigate the space flexibly and on their own terms and schedule. They can also be a valuable safety measure if you’re trying to encourage social-distancing.

Museums are prime spots for self-guided tours. Visitors of all kinds stop by for a cultural boost, after all. There’s the gaggle of kids accompanied by chaperones during a school field trip. There’s the flock of tourists. There are the locals who just want to enjoy a little bit of what their own city has to offer. All of these groups can benefit from self-guided tours. Yes, even the kiddos—many institutions equip teachers with comprehensive guides so they can pull off successful field trips.

Many cities are home to renowned historical landmarks and tourist attractions. People come from far and wide to see these. You can reward them with a self-guided tour option, which can make it easier for both locals and visitors to navigate each stop along the way without worrying about keeping up with strangers. Trying to make sense of directions while enjoying the landmarks can be tricky, and takes your visitor away from being present.

Encourage you visitors to stay present during their visit

How Can You Make Your Own Self-Guided Tour?

No matter what type of experience you want to cultivate for your guests, you can use Goosechase to make the vision a reality. Create a self-guided tour complete with Missions for visitors to complete, offering a fun prize at the culmination of the Goosechase Experience. Think outside the box: have people touring the historic downtown area locate the most famous statue in the area and the most buzzed-about pizza joint in town. There’s no limit to what you can do with Goosechase, as the businesses below prove:

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) offers special Goosechase Experiences that spotlight certain exhibits, and they have specific Experiences for kids groups and field trips.

The Fairmount Park Conservancy in Philadelphia creates interactive experiences with Goosechase to encourage visitors to take self-guided tours of the park. Participants have a chance to win a great prize: complimentary membership to the conservancy.

The National Air and Space Museum has scavenger hunt-inspired Experiences that are always ready to join. They’re flexible enough to be done on-site during a visit to the Museum or can be completely remote, which is a great way to make your programming more inclusive (and drum up excitement for future visits!)

Educators entertain and educate all grade levels with Goosechase Experiences on field trips . Take a look at some of the awesome adventures they’ve created for inspiration on how you can create one for your location.

Tips for Enhancing your Self-Guided Tours

Self-guided tours have traditionally followed a tried-and-true technique. People expect to follow a map around town and navigate it per your instructions. That’s an old-school approach, though, and nowadays, it’s a lot more fun to give people interactive experiences that really get them thinking. Using self-guided tour technology to enhance the experience can make all the difference to the quality of your tour and the way that your visitors engage with your establishment. Here are a few ways you can transform the experience for them.

• Organize with Themes: Depending on your establishment, you might choose to design themed tours to create more curated experiences for your guests. Museums are often large and expansive, with a looooot of subject matter to cover. You can give each one the attention it deserves by dedicating a self-guided tour entirely to it. Make a list of exhibits or stops along the way for each themed tour.
• Rely on Routes: Make it simple and straightforward by providing clear directions about where they need to go. Color code routes, for example, and create clear paths that are easy to navigate.

A LONG time.

• Mission Possible: Proof that a self-guided tour can be more than fun! Use Goosechase to create interactive experiences for visitors to complete through the duration of their time at your attraction. Maybe they need to check in via GPS or send a photograph or a video of a certain exhibit or item in the facility. Maybe they need to pose like a famous statue, or find a clue hidden amongst the bricks at your main entrance - get creative and go BIG! Immerse people in what you have to offer and they’ll appreciate their experience tenfold. You can even offer a prize to everyone who completes all Missions successfully, like a certificate to the gift shop or bumper sticker, or coupon for reduced admission on their next visit.
• QR Codes: QR codes are literally everywhere—is there anything more 21st century? You can use QR codes to guide your visitors from attraction to attraction during their independent tour. They’ll scan one when they arrive to download the Goosechase Experience, which will then direct them to their next stop. At that stop will be another QR code featuring information about the exhibit and what’s next on the itinerary.
• Devil’s in the Details: Content matters, especially for those who aren’t on a guided tour. Pack museum labels with detail. Offer a mix of serious information and quirky trivia—people learn best when they’re having fun, and this is a thoughtful way to make a self-guided tour more engaging and memorable. Incorporate scannable links and Goosechase Experiences, both of which can make the experience more interactive by encouraging self-discovery. Make it extra fun by working a few Easter eggs into the experience to unlock special surprises and FYIs for your guests - for example, hide a QR code under the stairwell and add in a fun fact about your building’s history. Complete the experience with a Goosechase Mission that requires them to count how many steps there are in the staircase.

There are so many reasons to make self-guided tours an integral part of your business. Limiting group sizes and easing the workload for docents is a big one in the modern world, along with establishing a stronger link with your patrons and drawing even more people to your historical site or attraction. Using self-guided tour technology can transform your approach, giving both locals and out-of-towners a fun, interesting, personalized way to explore the premises and make their visit more meaningful and memorable.

A visitor experience they *actually* want to write home about? Nailed it.

What is Goosechase?

At Goosechase, experience is everything. Originally inspired by scavenger hunts, Goosechase is an online platform that enables organizations and attractions to engage, activate, and educate their communities through delightful interactive experiences. Sign up and try creating a free recreational game, or contact us to learn more about our enterprise solutions!

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How to create a self guided tour: your guide to creating an amazing tour experience.

Are you looking for a way to give your visitors an engaging, memorable experience? Self-guided tours offer visitors the opportunity to explore your destination at their own pace, with audiovisual guidance available at the tap of a button.

Self-guided tours are great for visitors of all ages and abilities, helping you provide visitors with an informative and engaging experience.

They are also a useful tool for raising visitor numbers during less busy seasons or days. Additionally, self-guided tours can help reduce frustrations over unclear direction signs or navigating a printed map.

With these benefits in mind, read on to find out more about how you can create a self-guided tour and what you should keep in mind when creating your own self-guided tour.

Table of Contents

What is a self-guided tour, how do self-guided tours work, are self-guided tours right for your business, things to consider when creating a self-guided tour, how to create your own self-guided tour.

A self-guided tour is an experience designed for visitors to take at their own pace, with guidance available via audio or visual cues and narration.

Self-guided tours are a great way to provide visitors with an informative and engaging experience.

They are particularly useful for locations with complex navigation, such as towns and trails, that typically would require a human guide to navigate and narrate, but that most people don’t have the time to fully explore alone.

With a self-guided tour, visitors can explore at their own pace without feeling like they are holding up other visitors who are in a rush to see everything.

Visitors to your site should be able to access the self-guided tour using their personal digital device: aka smartphone.

Visitors should be able to access the tour via as quickly as possible using QR codes or links and such information should be available offline.

Self-guided tour buttons or links are often accompanied by a visual or audio prompt such as a recording of you speaking about the site or images of the site with captions.

Once the visitor has accessed the tour information, they will be able to tap a button or link at any time to resume the tour at their current location.

Visitors can also use a button or link to skip to a different location on the tour if they wish to detour and explore another part of their location.

Self-guided tours can be a great asset for outdoor and active travel businesses that currently offer guided tours, as a way to reduce the tour sticker price by removing guide fees and to enable faster customer fulfillment.

As I mentioned, self-guided tours are particularly useful for locations with complex navigation, such as towns and trails , that typically would require a human guide to navigate and narrate.

Self-guided tours are also great for visitors of all ages and abilities. You can tailor the tour to match the pace that each visitor prefers.

Self-guided tours can also be an effective way to stabilize visitor numbers during less busy seasons or days, when it doesn't make sense to have human guides on payroll.

During peak season when visitor numbers are high and resources are strained, self-guided tours can be a helpful tool to reduce frustrations over guide availability, and enable business owners to process more customers faster , and with better service.

Before you begin creating your self-guided tour, you’ll want to decide what the theme is: sightseeing, food, nature, etc.

Make sure you have the content ready to go: routes, points of interest and tour script . You’ll want to have all of this material ready before you start to put your tour together.

You can also include images and captions to further explain the information that you’re sharing on your self-guided tour.

Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that it's easy for visitors to access the self-guided tour. You can use hyperlinks or printed QR codes for this purpose.

Before you get started with creating your self-guided tour, you’ll want to think about a few key factors. You’ll want to be sure to consider the theme, length of your tour and the pacing of your tour.

The theme of your tour is what holds it all together. For example, you might have costal tours, wine or beer tasting tours, art or sighseeing tours, etc.

Tour Length

The length of the tour is essentially a function of the duration, or your visitor's available time.

The pacing of your tour will depend on the type of site you have and the type of information you plan to share.

For example, if you operate in a hilly region, you may need to reduce the legth of the route or reduce the number of points of interest, since most people don’t have the time to fully explore your site in one visit.

A self-guided tour is an experience designed for visitors to take at their own pace, with guidance available via audiovisual narration and navigation.

Self-guided tours are a great way to provide visitors with an informative and engaging experience. They are particularly useful for destinations where navigation is complicated and marking paper maps is impractical.

With a self-guided tour, visitors can explore at their own pace without feeling like they are holding up other visitors who are in a rush to see everything. Self-guided tours are also great for visitors of various ages and physical abilities.

You can design your tours to match the style and pace that each visitor prefers . Before you get started with creating your self-guided tour, you’ll want to think about a few key factors. You’ll want to be sure to consider the theme, length and pacing of your tour.

The pacing of your tour will depend on the type of site you operate from and the type of route you plan to offer. If you are looking for help putting together self-guided tours, get in touch !

Agreed, I always go for self-guided tours as I like to explore things at my own pace. Even when we went on a cruise I preferred to skip the guides and went on exploring the cities by myself but that meant I’ve lost a lot of the good stuff as I had no idea what I was doing.

This is something I thought about doing for a while now. I switched to working from home lately aka I have a ton of free time on my hands. I thought this would be a great side hustle, pairing two of my hobbies, traveling and documenting stuff.

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Self-Guided Apartment Tours: How to Offer Them at Your Building

by Meredith Murray | Real Estate Marketing

In this age of tech and convenience, self-guided apartment tours have started really taking off.

With the demand for more accommodations, the real estate industry needs to implement self-guided touring because it offers cost and time savings benefits. And now, with its popularity soaring among property owners, managers, and prospective residents, it’s clear that self-guided touring is here to stay.

Let’s take a closer look at self-guided touring and how it benefits your apartment building’s marketing strategy .

In this guide, we walk you through:

• What are self-guided apartment tours
• How do self-guided tours work

Why you should offer self-guided tours of your apartments

• The benefits of self-guided tours for apartments
• ButterflyMX’s self-guided tours solution

What are self-guided apartment tours?

Self-guided tours allow a prospective resident to view an apartment on their own, at a time that works best for them, without being accompanied by a leasing agent. There are various self-guided touring technologies and platforms available. Most solutions require a prospective tenant to make a reservation and request property access through a website.

Touring a building is a crucial part of a resident’s search for a new home. In recent years, virtual apartment tours — namely 3D and video — have enhanced rental listings on sites like Zillow and Trulia. However, today’s tenants prefer to see their future home in person — especially since they’re spending more time at home than ever before.

How do self-guided tours work?

First, prospective tenants visit a property’s website and view the available apartments. Once they have found one (or many) apartment(s), they would like to see, they request a tour.

The prospective renter submits any required documentation or identification directly on the website (e.g. contact information, driver’s license, credit card, etc.). This information is verified in real-time and either accepted or denied. If it’s denied, the prospect must resubmit or add additional information. If it’s accepted, they receive a virtual key to access the property and the apartment unit. They also receive additional details about amenity locations and other points of interest.  

Simultaneously, the leasing agent receives an email notification that a prospective renter has booked a self-guided tour. They can then follow up accordingly.

Watch how ButterflyMX self-guided tours work: 

Once at the property, the prospect can access the building, amenity spaces, and available units in a few different ways:

• Property access is granted by either scanning a virtual key at the video intercom or entering a single-use PIN.
• Amenity spaces can be viewed by entering a single-use PIN on an available keypad.
• Apartment units can be toured by either using their smartphone to unlock a smart lock or by retrieving a physical key from a key locker.

Traditionally, renters have had to navigate a cumbersome process to tour an apartment in person.

Anyone who wanted to tour an apartment had to:

• Contact a leasing agent.
• Schedule a time to view the apartment.
• Meet in the lobby or outside the building.
• Follow the agent around to view the available units, the amenity spaces, parking, etc.
• Wait for the leasing agent to follow up.

In this old system, renters and leasing agents had to find time in their busy schedules that worked for both of them. On top of that, leasing agents could only show a finite number of apartments in a given day. This left them with less time to focus on building a relationship with potential renters and signing leases.

Self-guided apartment tours offer far greater flexibility for both prospects and property managers.

The benefits of self-guided apartment tours include:

Self-guided tours offer many benefits, including time and costs savings, along with added safety for prospective applicants.

Below are just a few of the benefits of self-guided apartment tours:

• Saving time for prospective residents and building staff

Decrease wait time for prospects & building staff

• Increasing leasing agent efficiency and offering more tours per day
• Providing a comfortable, stress-free experience for prospects

Save time for prospective residents & building staff

Your prospective residents are busy . They work all day and then they have social lives and hobbies at night. So in order to see an apartment in the middle of the day, they might have to take time off work or reschedule other obligations.

Your building staff is busy, too. From addressing maintenance requests to preparing leases and everything in between, property managers have little time left to show vacant units.

Self-guided tours are a win-win.

They allow prospective tenants to see an apartment at a time that works best for them while allowing property staff to focus on only those renters who are ready to sign a lease.

If a prospective renter can see the apartment at whatever time they please, they’re more likely to schedule a tour. After all, they can drop by after work instead of pushing the tour off until the weekend. And leasing agents can focus on following up with only the prospects who are ready to sign, not the administrative work of trying to schedule a time to show the apartment.

People’s schedules are often overwhelmed with places they have to be and tasks they have to finish. Trying to schedule a viewing time can be difficult when matching time slots between prospects’ and managers’ agendas.

Self-guided touring allows prospective residents to see a unit without having to wait for an appointment with a leasing agent, keeping both parties satisfied. Be sure you also implement technologies that provide seamless access and contactless entry .

Increase leasing agent efficiency & offer more tours per day

Because leasing agents don’t need to be physically present, you can extend tours to after business hours. Leasing agents can show available units at night, on weekends, etc. These added hours increase the number of tours you can provide, thus helping you lease units faster.

Provide a comfortable, stress-free experience for prospects

Prospective tenants enjoy touring apartments in a pressure-free environment. Most renters don’t like the feeling of a leasing agent watching over them as they explore the property and picture themselves living there.

With self-guided tours, prospective residents have the freedom to explore the space at their own pace. Additionally, they won’t have to feel pressured to make a decision on the spot. They’ll also appreciate knowing that they can stop by again at any time for a second tour before signing the lease.

Self-guided apartment tours with ButterflyMX

With ButterflyMX’s self-guided apartment tours , prospective residents can schedule a tour of your building online.

Prospects use a link either on your website or on a listing site to book a tour. The entire process — from selecting a time-slot to submitting their ID or credit card — is completely automated. Email notifications to the prospect are also automated. This allows the leasing agent to focus on building a relationship with the prospective tenant.

Once the prospect’s identity is verified and the tour is scheduled, the prospect receives a virtual key to access the building through the ButterflyMX intercom. They use the same virtual key to access the key locker in the lobby and retrieve the unit key. The virtual key also enables access to amenity spaces and/or garages through our keypad.

The leasing agent can see that the virtual key has been used to tour the building and then follow up with the prospect accordingly.

Be sure to check out more ways to use and manage ButterflyMX at your property .

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Self-Guided Tours & Maps

We welcome you with open arms on our campus with a variety of guided and self-guided tours and maps. While you are on campus, check out our  instagrammable places !

Virtual Campus Experience through YouVisit

Wander the campus virtually through our  YouVisit interactive experience!

Official Self-Guided Tours by Visitor Services

Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour:  Want to wander the campus on your own at your own pace or just listen to the audio guide? Use our self-guided audio walking tour with 22 key campus sites, calling a specific phone number to hear about each stop. Our campus is always open, so you can do this tour whenever you would like, without a reservation, at your own pace. Please print the PDF map prior to your arrival on campus.

• Self-Guided Accessible Audio Walking Tour PDF  

Cal Kids Scavenger Hunt:  Have young kids or an elementary school group? Use our fun interactive Cal Kids self-guided walking tour map with 23+ stops, learning about our great university and finding bear statues along the way. 

• Cal Kids Scavenger Hunt PDF

Cal Kids Activities:  Print our fun Cal crossword puzzle and word search – answers can be found on our Cal Kids Tour. 

• Cal Kids Activities PDF

Self-Guided Tours provided by other Campus Departments

• College of Engineering:  Read about the college and walk through their buildings.  College of Engineering Tour
• Berkeley Haas: Learn all about Berkeley Haas. Berkeley Haas Tour
• Black History Tour:  Hear about the stories of Black students, faculty, and events from the past 100 years.  Black History Tour
• Berkeley Arts + Design:  Explore Arts + Design programs, centers, and experiences offered by our creative community.  Berkeley Arts + Design Tour
• Campus Public Art + Architecture:  This map offers three self-guided tours, each featuring UC Berkeley’s most significant works of public art and a varying range of architectural styles that span nearly 150 years.  Public Art + Architecture
• Walking Tour of the Berkeley Bears:  The Berkeley Library created a campus map with locations and descriptions of 23 bear statues and artwork found throughout the university’s grounds.  Walking Tour of the Berkeley Bears
• Sustainability Walking Tour:  See 10 spots on our campus which showcase our commitment to sustainability.  Sustainability Walking Tour
• Berkeley Walks:  Nine different walks through campus ranging from 30-60 minutes.  Berkeley Walks
• Telegraph Avenue Tour:  Learn about the history of Telegraph Avenue.  Telegraph Avenue Tour
• Berkeley Maps & Neighborhoods: Learn all about the city of Berkeley with multiple interactive maps. Visit Berkeley Maps & Neighborhoods
• Berkeley Landmarks Tour: Berkeley is famous for the amount of wonderful structures it has listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  Berkeley Landmarks Tour
• Hayward Fault Tour:  Learn about this earthquake fault that runs through our campus.  Hayward Fault Tour
• Berkeley Historical Plaques:  See the locations of plaques and e-plaques throughout Berkeley.  Berkeley Historical Plaque Project
• Campus Map:  Here is a link to our interactive  campus map .

Stanley Museum of Art

Social Justice Self-Guided Tour

Long before I had applied to this internship, I thought that a social justice self-guided tour would be a really interesting way for guests to engage with the galleries. As a Social Justice major at the university, I am instantly drawn to these themes in artwork. When I first saw Red April by Sam Gilliam and I knew that the piece needed to be included in this tour. 

Once I got the position as the Campus Engagement Coordinator, this was one of the projects that I really wanted to take on. However, I had not realized how much work goes into these tours. I needed to find items on display that connected with my theme, research the pieces and the artists, and write up the tour.

 My biggest challenge was coordinating this tour around the rotation of artworks in the gallery. We rotate artworks about every three months in order to preserve more light sensitive pieces. With the rate of the rotations, I needed to be able to plan how long the pieces I selected would be up in the galleries to correspond with my tour. 

Ultimately, my project came together and I could not be more proud of how it turned out! This was a valuable experience in terms of using both my major and my passion for the arts. Moreso, I hope that future editions of a Social Justice self-guided tour will be created and used at the museum. I know that not everyone instantly thinks of themes of social justice when looking at art, but I hope this tour helped put some pieces into a new perspective. 

In case you were not able to grab a copy of the tour in person, the entire self-guided tour is featured in the photo gallery of this post! 

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