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How Much Should I Tip My Guide? We Asked Guides How Much to Give.

Tipping is part of life, but it often feels confusing and stressful. Whether you’re on a river trip, a safari, or taking a ski lesson, we asked all the hard questions to provide these guidelines on how much to give—and how to do it right.

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I was on a backcountry hut trip in British Columbia last winter, and at the end of an incredible, powder-filled week, my group of friends and I realized what most of us had forgotten: cash. Specifically, enough money to tip our two hard-working ski guides, as well as the cook, who’d been making us delicious meals morning and night, and the hut caretaker, who’d been pre-heating the sauna and shoveling the path to the outhouse.

It was a major oversight on our part. In the end, we cobbled together what cash we had and the rest of us chipped in via PayPal, a clunky fix.

In America, we know that when we go into a restaurant, it’s expected that, assuming the service is decent, you will leave your waiter a 15 to 20 percent tip on the bill. But when you go on, say, a guided backcountry ski trip or a whitewater rafting trip with a commercial outfitter or an afternoon of guided fly-fishing, the assumptions of gratuity are less clear. Are you always supposed to tip in those cases, and if so, how much?

“Guiding is very similar to the restaurant industry. It’s a service industry,” says Shane Robinson, a Seattle-based mountain guide and the founder of Graybird Guiding . He also guides for the company Alpine Ascents International . “Unfortunately, guides are probably not paid as well as they should be. So, most guides rely on those tips to make ends meet.”

Tips for outdoor guides and instructors vary wildly—some people tip a lot, some less, others don’t tip at all—and every destination is different. If you’re traveling internationally, many countries don’t have a tipping culture like the U.S.

“Tipping these days is much more common, but it’s not across the board,” says Dave Hahn, a long-time guide for RMI Expeditions who has guided on peaks like Mount Rainier and Mount Everest. “I think of a tip as a reward for a meaningful time or for someone putting themselves out there for you, not as an expectation.”

Given that guides are often the one who makes your trip or instruction stand out above the rest, we recommend always being prepared to tip. But sorting out how much to give and when to give it after a shared adventure can be awkward, confusing, and feel so hush hush, like no one’s talking openly about it.

Well, we are. We asked all the hard and awkward questions to provide these dos-and-don’ts guidelines on how to tip like a pro.

1. Do the Math

Typically, the gratuity rate for guides should be around 10 to 20 percent of the total trip cost. That means if you’re paying $500 for a day or two of guided rock climbing, an appropriate tip for your guide would be between $50 and $100.

2. Do Tip Even On Pricey Trips

Maybe you’ve just thrown down $5,000 for a Grand Canyon river trip. That’s a huge chunk of cash for a guided trip. Do you really have to tip on top of that? The answer is yes. “I sometimes find that when the cost of the trip is higher, people tend to tip less,” says Canadian guide Holly Walker, an ACMG-certified hiking and ski guide and owner of Fall Line Guides .

What helps me is to go ahead and factor in a 10 to 20 percent tip based on the total price of the trip into my initial budget to reduce the shock factor. So for that $5,000 trip, I’d tip $500 to $1,000 to be split up amongst the guides.

3. Do Prepare Ahead

Being a good tipper means planning in advance. You don’t want to get caught at the end of your trip without any cash. (Like, um, me.) Sandy Cunningham, CEO and co-founder of the adventure travel company Uncharted , advises her clients to pack a dozen or so envelopes, each filled with predetermined amounts of money and labeled for their recipient: driver, guide, cook, cleaning staff, etc. “You have your travel pouch with all the important things: passports, vaccination cards, envelopes with tip money,” Cunningham says. “That way you’re ready.”

4. Do Tip at the End of Your Trip

Some guiding services will offer a tip for the guide to be added onto your credit card purchase when you book the trip. But tipping is a token of gratitude that should be delivered at the end of your trip, based on a job well done. Typically, there’s a parting moment, when you and your guide are saying your goodbyes. That’s the best time to pass over the envelope and say thank you for the experience.

“At the end of your time, you pull the envelope out and give it to the person directly,” says Cunningham. “I will often bring my own thank you cards and write a personal note, too.”

5. Do Bring Cash

“I joke that I’ll take whatever form you’re paying in. We’re grateful for however it comes,” Shane Robinson says. But cash is king. If you can’t get cash or don’t want to travel with a wad of bills, American guides are accustomed to receiving online tips via Venmo these days. Just make sure you get their Venmo handle so you pay the right person. “It’s sometimes easier to divide up an electronic tip amongst a guide staff,” adds Hahn.

Venmo is currently only supported in the U.S., so if your guide is Canadian or from any other country, cash is the best form of payment. If you book your guide through a site like 57Hours , the app has tipping built in, and that’s a fine way to tip your guide. If you’re tipping porters, drivers, and local guides directly, cash is always preferred.

6. Do Give U.S. Dollars

Ask Walker, the Canadian guide, about preferred currency and she will say: “U.S. dollars are always OK.” So, feel free to get cash from an ATM at home before leaving the country if you don’t want to deal with picking up local currency when you arrive. “Unless it’s stipulated otherwise, people love U.S. Dollars, especially if their currency is weak,” adds Sandy Cunningham.

7. Don’t Forget About Instructional Settings

Guiding can come in many forms—including lessons from a wide range of instructors. Say your kid takes a private lesson from an instructor at a ski resort in the U.S. or you sign up for a mountain bike clinic or a running retreat. A tip is always appreciated. Again, 10 to 20 percent of the lesson price would be about right. Many guides also teach avalanche safety classes or mountaineering courses, and though tips are far less common in those situations because they’re less service oriented, the guides say they’re very grateful when people think to tip afterward. “As guides, the work is essentially the same,” Robinson says.

8. Do Remember the Rest of the Staff

Whether you’re at a backcountry hut, a wilderness lodge, or a safari camp, you might have a guide or two, as well as a cook, caretaker, or cleaning staff. At the end of your trip, plan on tipping out everybody in a service position. First, tip your guide 10 to 20 percent of the total cost. If you have multiple guides, you can tip the lead guide and they can split that up amongst the other guides. Then leave a separate tip—look for a designated tip box, or ask your guide where to leave it—to be distributed amongst the rest of the staff.

“If you’re heli-skiing, you’ve got pilots, waiters, housekeeping, bartenders, tail guides. If you’re on Kilimanjaro, you’ve got porters, people building tents, local guides,” Hahn says. “Those are times when you probably want to touch base with your guide. You can say, ‘How do I take care of the support staff?’ I don’t want to be bashful about those conversations. I consider that part of my job as your guide to make sure that local staff gets tipped properly. They’re much more dependent on those tips than I am.”

9. Do Collect Your Tips if You’re in a Group

If you’re traveling with family or a group of friends, it’s best to collect your cash into one joint gratuity. You can agree on a set amount per person or each contribute what you’re able. That way, the guide isn’t receiving stealthy handshakes with cash from a dozen different people from the same group. “Having the group collect the tip is definitely preferred and nicer for everyone,” says Walker. “Everyone can still say their goodbyes, but it’s less transactions that way.”

10. Don’t Tip in Beer

Any sign of gratitude—be it a hand-written card or a gift certificate or a nice bottle of whiskey—will be appreciated. But again, cash rules. “Buying your guide a meal or beer at the end of the trip—everyone will appreciate that. That’s nice in addition to your tip,” Hahn says. “My point is anything is nice. If someone had a really good trip and credits you with it and expresses that, they don’t always have to say that in money.”

11. Do Tip Even If You Didn’t Summit

So, you paid for a guided trip and for one reason or another, things didn’t go as planned. Like all adventures in the outdoors, final outcomes can be unpredictable. “Nobody should have to pay for service that was subpar,” Cunningham says. If your guide really let you down, factor that into your tip.

But if you didn’t make it to the summit, that doesn’t mean your guide didn’t work hard. “Sometimes good guiding means saying no,” Hahn says. “There’s this perception that you didn’t get us to the top of the mountain, so perhaps you didn’t work as hard as you might have. But obviously, on those days where it’s avalanche conditions or storms or something happened where you had the good sense to not get anyone hurt, that’s still hard work.”

12. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Gratuity in general has so many nuances, especially so in the outdoor world. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “Before you go, check with the operation that you’re booking through if you have any questions about tipping,” Hahn says. Outfitters these days will often provide an exact number or a range of what to consider tipping.

But maybe don’t ask your guide out right what you should pay them as a tip: That exact number is still up to you. “I guided a family for a week and as we were saying our goodbyes, they said, ‘If you were us, how much would you tip you?’” Walker recalls. “It felt very awkward to ask me that directly. I told them, ‘I would tip a percentage that I thought was appropriate.’”

The bottom line is, be prepared to tip. Guiding is hard and often low-pay work, and gratuities are always appreciated.

Outside Correspondent Megan Michelson is an avid traveler who has used many guides on her adventures around the world.

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How Much To Tip a Tour Guide in the U.S. and Europe

Let’s face it. Tipping can be a delicate topic, and how much to tip a tour guide can seem especially ambiguous. What’s the right amount? When do you tip? Is gratuity ever included? Do you tip for kids, too? What if you had a bad experience? Does the amount you need to tip change based on how long the tour is?

Those are all valid questions. We’ve worked with hundreds of local tour guides to offer tours in over a dozen cities across the U.S. and Europe. With that experience, we have some tipping know-how for tours in top tourist destinations like Paris, New York, and Rome. This isn’t meant as a rule book. Tipping is always at the guest’s discretion, but whether you tour with us or someone else, we want to demystify tour guide gratuities for everyone.

Below, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about tipping tour guides (plus a few you hadn’t thought to ask). But first, let’s define what gratuities are.

Gratuities and tour guides: an introduction

A gratuity is an amount of money given voluntarily to certain service workers as a thank you for excellent service. 

It’s considerably less than the full cost of the service, often a percentage or a flat amount, and it really is a way to show appreciation. Gratuity comes from the Latin word gratus , meaning thankful, the same word that gives us “gratitude.” And you thought we wouldn’t be covering etymology in this blog post.

Gratuities are most common in the restaurant and hospitality industry. You often tip cab drivers, bartenders, hair stylists, bellhops, and valets but not other service professionals like your accountant or plumber. Tour guides — those fearless leaders who show us new places and take us on exciting travel experiences — are in the group of hospitality workers who frequently are tipped for good service.

Should I tip my tour guide?

Basic tipping etiquette says, yes, you should tip your tour guide. There are exceptions if your specific tour experience includes gratuities or you simply didn’t have a good time, but in general, tipping your guide at the end of the tour is customary in the U.S. and Europe, though it’s much more common in the States.

Is tipping on vacation different in the U.S. vs. Europe?

Tipping is much more prevalent in the United States than it is in Europe. In America, a traveler will tip for all kinds of hospitality services, from wait staff to the person who carries your bags to your room.

People don’t tip as much in Europe, so travelers don’t there as much either. For example, servers at restaurants are paid a normal wage and don’t rely on tips for part of their income.

When it comes to tipping tour guides, a tip isn’t required in either region, but it’s much more expected in U.S. culture. Tips, when given, aren’t typically as high in Europe. Tipping a few euros after an excellent walking tour of 1-2 hours is considered sufficient. For a longer tour or a tour with a higher price point because it includes tickets, you might tip more, around 5%-10% of the total tour cost for each person in your group.

Because of globalization, especially with many American tourists in Western European countries like France, Italy, Germany, and Spain, you don’t have to worry about gratuity being awkward or unwelcome. Most tour guides are familiar with the custom of tipping and will anticipate (and appreciate) this from their guests. But even more so than in the U.S., tipping is a sign of excellent service, so if you feel your guide did a fabulous job, a tip is a good way to show that.

How much should I tip my tour guide?

This is the harder question, but it’s probably why you’re here. So you had a good time. Your tour guide shared some local recommendations, made you smile, and overall added to your experience. How much is the right amount to tip?

It’s up to each guest — and at the end of the day, it’s optional — but here are some rules of thumb from our guides and tour operators on the ground.

• For a short guided tour in the U.S.: Tip $5-$10 (or more) per person if your tour is around two hours or less. This would be an appropriate amount for most walking tours, like our JFK Assassination Tour , as well as some attraction tours, like our express Statue of Liberty visit. For a slightly longer tour, like our Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour , you might increase the gratuity some.
• For a full-day guided tour in the U.S.: Tip $10-$20 per person if it’s a longer guided tour (think six hours or more). A family of four might tip $40 for our guided six-hour Getty Center and Griffith Observatory Tour .
• For a short guided tour in Europe: Tip €5-€10 per person for a neighborhood walking tour that’s under two hours. This would be a good fit for our 90-minute Le Marais Walking Tour in Paris. For something longer, you might add a few more euros.
• For a full-day guided tour in Europe: Tip €10-€20 per person — or about 5%-10% of the total tour price — for a full-day guided tour. If it’s a bus tour, like our Normandy beach tour from Paris , it’s customary to include a tip for the bus driver as well.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour

Those ranges above are averages, and tipping may end up being more or less, but they’re practical guideposts that any tour guide would feel good about receiving.

When do you tip your guide?

This one is easy. You tip most commonly at the end of the tour. As you’re saying your goodbyes to the guide, you can simply hand off the money. 

“A tip shows that I did an outstanding job, that I exceeded guests’ expectations, especially here in Europe where it’s less common that in the U.S.” Cristina Carrisi, Barcelona tour guide

We’ve seen many people like to do it in a “secret handshake” sort of way, slipping them the money as they shake hands. This works, but a simple hand-off is fine, too.

What if I don’t have cash?

More and more today, people don’t carry cash when they travel. Guides are aware of this, and most have other ways to accept payment, such as Venmo or Zelle. Some guides even have a QR code guests can scan. 

If you’re not sure, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask what kind of electronic payment methods they accept for gratuities. You’ll find most guides have a way to tip without cash. For example, most of our guides in the U.S. have Venmo accounts. In Europe, cash is king, so bring money if you plan to tip.

Do you tip the driver for a bus tour?

This varies by tour. It’s common for bus drivers to have a jar or box near the front where guests can drop a few bills on their way out.

For our U.S.-based bus tours at ExperienceFirst, tipping $5-$10 per guest is appropriate to cover both the guide and the driver. The guides split their tips with the driver, so giving your tip directly to the guide works best. In Europe, tipping the bus driver is customary. Around 5%-10% of the tour price is a good rule of thumb.

This rate matches about how much you’d tip for a traditional 90-minute walking tour. Even though bus tours are much longer, buses tend to be fuller than a walking tour, so this smaller tip amount is adequate. As always, tipping more is appreciated, and it’s a great way to tell your guide they did an outstanding job.

Ancient Rome Walking Tour

How much do you tip a private tour guide?

Everything works pretty much the same for a private tour. On private tours, people are sometimes less likely to tip, but unless gratuity has been included in the tour cost, it’s a nice gesture to thank your guide for their time, especially if they went above and beyond to make it a special experience for your group.

When people do tip for private tours, they typically tip more since gratuity is usually a percentage of the total service cost, and prices are higher for private tours. Private tours are also often longer and frequently involve private transportation. For a longer private driving tour, for example, such as a private Los Angeles tour , $50-$100 in tips is common, but for a larger group of, say, eight people, that’s only around $10 per person.

Do you tip for free tours?

What about those “free” walking tours? Are they really free? In short, no. Locals who offer free walking tours expect gratuities nearly always, so you should factor this into your costs when you plan.

There are a few exceptions. Sometimes a tour will say “no tips accepted” or something similar. Perhaps it’s being put on by the local convention and visitors bureau or other tourism organization. In this case, take them at their word. The walking tour really is free. Here’s one such example of a genuinely free walking tour in Bath, England.

Is gratuity included with your tour ticket?

Generally, gratuity isn’t included in the tour price because it’s optional. A few tour operators may include gratuities, particularly for multi-day excursions that also include room and board, but this is typically listed under inclusions. If you’re unsure, feel free to ask before or after booking. 

Good tour operators will make it clear if gratuities are included or not. After all, the last thing we want is for people to be surprised or feel unprepared.

Fisherman’s Wharf Walking Tour With Alcatraz Ticket

Do you tip if you didn’t like the tour?

If you didn’t enjoy the tour, it’s acceptable not to tip. A gratuity really is a sign that you had a great time and want to show the guide your appreciation.

That said, not giving a tip sends the message that you didn’t enjoy the tour. You can view the tip as a way to communicate your feelings about the tour. 

Do you tip for every person in your group, including kids?

Does the tip amount change if you’re a solo traveler, a couple, or traveling with friends or kids in tow? It’s a good question. Tips are generally per person. While your guide probably isn’t expecting gratuity to cover an infant in arms, kids often require the guide’s attention as well as adults, so they’re typically factored into the tipping amount.

However, if you’re a larger family, it’s understandable to consider a sliding scale that you feel comfortable with to cover your group. A family with six kids might tip the same amount as one with five. As always with tipping, do what you feel is right for you.

What if you don’t know if tipping is appropriate?

After reading this article, hopefully you understand when and how much to tip guides. But you might be in a situation where you’re still not sure for some reason. Maybe it’s not even for a tour.

But there’s one hack you can always use — just ask. Even the famed Emily Post Institute, which provides etiquette training to businesses and individuals around the world, says it’s OK to simply ask in advance if you’re not sure about tipping protocols for the experience or country you’ll be in. Calling or emailing in advance with your questions can help settle any concerns you might have, and it’s better to know before you go, so you can come prepared and decide what you’d like to do.

What tips mean for tour guides

As we mentioned above, a tip shows appreciation. Tipping vs. not tipping lets the guide know if you did or didn’t have a good time. We asked a couple of our guides what tipping means to them. Here’s what they said.

“It is very appreciated when we receive tips,” said Jonathan Mannato, a tour guide in NYC. “For example, there was a tour I gave in pouring rain. We give tours rain or shine, but this obstacle can be hard to keep the guests happy and engaged. We work extra hard because of this. A family of four at the end generously tipped me for my work, and it made me as a guide feel valued. While we know tipping is not required, it is very helpful with our income in this role.”

Eiffel Tower Guided Climb

“A tip shows that I did an outstanding job, that I exceeded guests’ expectations, especially here in Europe where it’s less common that in the U.S.,” said Cristina Carrisi, a tour guide in Barcelona. “I remember one time as I was giving a tour, a 5 year old accidentally broke a small statue inside a shop. Her mother had stepped away to look for the rest of the family. I patiently took care of the child while still giving the tour. The tip her family gave me at the end of the tour showed me how well I had handled the situation.”

Demystifying tour guide tipping

I hope we helped demystify how, when, and how much to tip your tour guide. Not knowing the cultural norms or expectations around tipping can make guests feel nervous, which is the last thing any tour guide or operator wants. You’re on this trip to explore and have fun, not worry.

Now that you know how to tip your tour guide, tell a friend what you learned or join the conversation on Facebook if you have more questions. We’d love to hear from you.

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How Much Should You Tip on a Guided Tour? All Your Gratuity Questions Answered

Everything you need to know about tipping on a guided tour..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

When you book a guided tour , it may seem like you’re covering most of your vacation costs before you even depart. Most tours include accommodations, trip leaders, local guides, transportation during the trip, admission fees, and many meals all in the upfront cost. But the addd cost of tour leader tips and other customary gratuities can sneak up on you unless you’ve factored them in at the beginning.

Inspired by my own frustration about the vague information available about how much to tip on guided tours, I’ve compared tipping guidelines and recommendations from a dozen different tour companies to create this tipping guide for tours. You can use it to get a sense of tour operator tipping norms and then plan accordingly.

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Which Gratuities Are Covered in Most Tours?

Many tour companies build tips for support staff into the tour price. That could include hotel staff, waiters, and sometimes (but not always) bus drivers. If your guided tour has a dedicated motor coach driver for the entire trip, for example, you may be expected to tip the driver in addition to your guides.

And almost none of the tour operators I spoke with include the priciest of all tips—tour leader gratuities—into the cost of a tour. The exception is Road Scholar , which includes group leader gratuities in the up-front tour cost. 

Which Gratuities Are Not Covered in Most Tours?

Beyond the above-mentioned exceptions, most tour companies do not include tips for guides and hotel housekeeping. Often, these people rely on tips as a vital part of their income, so it’s important to set your own budget accordingly to make sure you’re tipping at an appropriate level for their service.

• Tour Leader/Director: I’ll go into more detail below about tipping tour leaders, but in terms of the biggest gratuity expense to budget for on a tour, this is it, since the customary amount may well be in the hundreds of dollars.
• Local Tour Guides: Some tour companies will include local tour guides into the gratuities covered in the cost of the tour, while others say you should tip local tour guides individually. If you’re expected to tip local guides on your own, the daily amount usually falls somewhere in the $2 to $10 range. Local tour guides tend to be used for day tours, so you’ll want to tip them at the end of the day, as you may not see them again.
• Hotel Housekeeping: In-room tips for the cleaning staff aren’t generally paid by tour companies. TourScoop’s sister site FamilyVacationist has an explainer about hotel housekeeping tipping etiquette , but generally speaking the customary range is $3 to $10 per day depending on the hotel class. 
• Independent Meals: Learn tipping customs for your destinations before you go, since you’ll likely have some meals on your own and will want to be able to tip or not tip as the culture dictates. 

Why You Should Always Tip Your Tour Leaders

Ask a tour company why you should tip your tour leader and you’ll likely get some version of, “Well, it’s the customary way to thank them for all their hard work” or “It’s how you show appreciation and gratitude.” 

Intrepid Travel goes a bit deeper on its explanation, noting that “tipping is still a big part of leaders’ overall income” and that tipping locals for their guiding services is actually a powerful way to inject cash into the local economy. Since tip money doesn’t pass through a third party, the money “either go[es] straight to the leader, or get[s] divided up among your porters and local guides.”

A great tour leader turns a good experience into a great one, and it’s natural to want to make sure they feel appreciated, even if you have some resistance to the structures that require guests to heavily subsidize these hard-working wonders.

How Much to Tip Your Tour Leaders

The less helpful but most accurate answer to the question of how much to tip your tour leader is that information about tipping is generally found in the final documents you receive before your trip, so be sure to read those pages carefully when you get them (usually somewhere between a month and two weeks before the start of a tour). To give you a ballpark estimate, though, the daily per person tip for a tour leader tip should be somewhere in the range of $7 to $12, with $10 per person per day being the most widely recommended amount. 

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That amount can add up quickly, especially if you have more than one tour leader and/or are traveling with a family group . For instance, Adventures by Disney (which is refreshingly up-front about its tipping recommendations) pencils out gratuities for a 10-day tour with a family of four at $720 to $880, since its family travel adventures always include two tour leaders. That can be sticker-shock territory, which is why I suspect so many tour companies are so cagey about how much to tip tour leaders. 

How and When to Tip on a Guided Tour

Some companies—including Trafalgar , Globus , and Collette —may give you the option to pre-pay tour leader tips with your credit card at the time of booking. On the one hand, that’s great, since it means you don’t need to carry around cash to give at the very end of the trip. On the other hand, it pokes holes in the industry-wide story that the tip is tied to the service you’ve received.

Most tour companies still recommend tipping your tour leader at the end of the tour. Plan to tip in either the local currency or U.S. dollars if it’s a widely accepted currency in the destination country. Some tour leaders also accept Venmo or PayPal.

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A Guide to Tipping for Travelers

Andersen Ross Photography Inc / Getty Images

Tipping correctly can save you time, embarrassment, and money. While traveling, many people will offer their services to help make life easier, but it can sometimes be hard to tell who's just doing their job and who expects a tip.

Tipping is payment for a service rendered, but tipping can also be an act of gratitude for someone who goes beyond the call of duty, like a concierge securing front-row seats to the hottest show in town. Choosing not to tip will send a clear message that you have been dissatisfied with the service you've received.

These tipping guidelines are for the United States only. Expectations (and tipping amounts) can vary quite a bit from country to country. Check the travel guide for the particular country you will be visiting for the proper tipping etiquette.

Hotels and Resorts

Occasionally, you might stay at a hotel or resort with a no-tipping policy. In this case, you might find that you are already paying for service by way of a resort fee or service charge added your final bill.

• When valeting your car, tip $1 to $2 to the attendant when he retrieves your car. You can also tip when dropping your car off, but this is optional.
• You don't need to tip the doorman when he opens the door for you, but if he hails you a cab, you should tip $1 to $2.
• Tip bellhops and luggage porters $1 to $2 for every bag they bring up to your room. At a luxury hotel, you might tip more, as much as $5 per bag.
• For housekeeping, leave a daily tip of $1 to $5 per day, depending on the type of hotel and the size of the mess you've made.
• If you order room service, you'll find most hotels already include a service charge on the bill. If there's no service charge, tip 15 percent.
• The hotel concierge exists to help guests, so it's not necessary to tip if they give you directions or make a restaurant recommendation. However, if the service has been especially valuable, such as getting reservations to a restaurant that claims to be totally booked, tipping $5 to $20 is reasonable.
• Be sure to check out our guide for tipping in Las Vegas as well.

In general, more and more cruise lines are moving away from traditional tipping and adding service charges, which will be split evenly among the crew. It varies from line to line, so make sure to ask about their tipping policy before you book your next cruise.

• If the cruise line automatically adds the service charge to your account, you may be able to adjust it lower or higher as you deem necessary. The recommended amount is $10 to $20 per passenger for every day of your cruise.
• Baggage handlers work for the port and not the cruise ship, so you should tip $1 to $2 per bag or $4 to $5 per party.
• Like at a hotel, you can leave $1 to $5 per day for housekeeping in your cabin.
• You will most likely have different servers every day, but if there is someone that stands out (like a bartender who remembers your drink order), feel free to hand them a small token of appreciation.
• Upon any delivery to your cabin, like room service or a special request, you should tip $1 to $3 per visit depending on how much you order.
• Tipping the head waiter isn't necessary, but you can give $5 to $10 if they accommodate a special request or go above and beyond.
• Onshore excursions, you should tip your guides based on the level of personalization from $2 to $10.
• For children's club counselors, tipping is not necessary.
• It's the ship captain's job to command the ship and, occasionally, socialize with guests. Tipping is not necessary and would most likely be refused.

Restaurants and Bars

Whether you're enjoying a night out on the town or just popping down to the hotel lounge for a nightcap, standard tipping practices still apply when you're traveling.

• Tip your server 15 percent to 20 percent of the bill based on the pre-tax total of the bill or more if you enjoyed the service. If a service charge has already been included, feel free to leave without tipping.
• Bartenders should be tipped $1 per drink served, even if they're just pouring beer or wine.
• Tip the sommelier 10 percent of your wine costs, even if it's a less expensive vintage.
• If there is a bathroom attendant, who doesn't just hand out towels but also keeps the bathroom clean, drop a few coins in the tip jar or tip $1 per visit.
• When collecting your things at the coat check, tip $1 per item checked.

Transportation

Depending on how you choose to get around when you travel, you might be expected to tip.

• It's customary to tip cab drivers 15 percent to 20 percent of the fare.
• If you use a rideshare app like Uber or Lyft, you're not obligated to tip the driver, but it's considerate to give $1 to $2 for a short trip or more for a long-haul ride.
• If you arrange an airport shuttle transfer, tip $1 for every bag handled.
• Tip limousine drivers 15 percent to 20 percent, unless a service charge is included.

How much you tip a tour guide varies depending on the tour's length, size, and overall quality. In most countries, tipping your guide at the end of a tour is standard practice and will be rarely turned down.

• For a tour that only lasts a few hours, tip your guide 10 percent to 20 percent the cost of the tour. How much you tip also depends on the size of your tour, so you should tip more for a more personalized experience.
• For a multi-day tour, you should tip your guide $5 to $10 per day on the last day.
• If there was a driver in addition to a guide, tip them $1 to $5 per day.
• For free tours, which are offered in many large cities , you should tip between $5 to $10, depending on the quality of the tour.

Spas and Salons

If you purchase an individualized service at a spa or salon, you'll be expected to leave a tip. Some spas might already include a service charge, so make sure to ask about this at the front desk when you go to pay.

• For a spa treatment like a massage or a facial, tip 15 percent to 20 percent if no service fee has been included. If you're getting the treatment at a discount, your tip should be based on the original price.
• There's no need to tip if you're visiting a spa with common facilities like saunas or hot springs without purchasing an extra treatment.
• Medical spas might have more complicated treatments, like botox injections. Usually, tipping is not allowed for these kinds of services.
• Hairstylists and manicurists should be tipped at 15 percent to 20 percent.
• If someone else washes your hair, you can give them a $1 to $5.

Golf Courses

If you decide to go for a round of golf on vacation, you might run into these tipping scenarios.

• On a golf course, the bag boy takes your clubs when you arrive and sets them up in a golf cart for you. He will also wipe them down before you leave, so tip $1 to $2 on arrival and $2 to $5 as you leave.
• If you arrive without a tee time and the starter fits you in, you can tip them $1 to $5.
• Caddies should be tipped 50 percent of the caddie fee, adjusted higher or lower for your satisfaction with their service.
• A forecaddie works for a group of golfers and should be tipped $20 to $25 per player.

A Guide to Tipping in New York City

A Guide to Tipping Hotel Employees

A Guide to Tipping in Germany

A Guide to Tipping in Portugal

A Guide to Tipping in India

How Much You Should Tip in Amsterdam

A Guide to Tipping in Chicago

A Guide to Tipping in Mexico

A Guide to Tipping in France

A Guide to Tipping in the United Kingdom

A Guide to Tipping in Ireland

A Guide to Tipping in Nepal

A Guide to Tipping in Peru

A Guide to Tipping in Asia

Guide to Tipping in Las Vegas

A Guide to Tipping in Canada

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Why good tour guides are important.

• July 28, 2023

The importance of good tour guides for a successful travel experience

When customers book a travel experience with your business, they come with expectations. They rely on your expertise, your local knowledge, and your ability to provide them with an amazing experience.

In case they booked a travel experience that involves a tour guide, they want to travel worry-free. With someone else having the responsibility. The quality of the guide is therefore essential for satisfied customers. A good guide is able to boost the travel experience and add additional value. While a lesser guide does the opposite: leaving customers disappointed and dissatisfied.

A good tour guide does not only boost the travel experience for customers. But they are also responsible for making sure the trip creates positive impact on the destination and minimises negative impact.

“Local tour guides and drivers are the principal interface between tourists, the travel experience, the local community and the environment, and therefore have a huge responsibility.”

In this article

• The importance of good tour guides

The qualities of a good tour guide

Tour guides and sustainability, sustainable tour guide training, reminder guidelines.

• The significance of personal connection

Value your good tour guides

Tour guides have a huge responsibility during the travel experience. Not everyone is or can become a good tour guide. We’ve listed six most important qualities for a good tour guide to take into account.

1. Outgoing and engaging

To make travellers feel comfortable during a travel experience, the tour guide needs to be enthusiastic, outgoing, and engaging. Their task is to involve all people in the group and to create a happy and safe environment. They should be easily approachable for questions or concerns and also invite travellers to be curious and ask more questions.

2. Good communication skills

Besides being outgoing and engaging it’s important the tour guide has good and clear communication skills. This is necessary to make sure everyone is aware of the (day) planning and what’s expected of them. Good communication skills also come in handy when explaining specific do’s and don’ts in a sensitive destination.

3. Knowledgeable and passionate

The true added value of a good tour guide is their local knowledge. When visiting a destination, travellers are interested in for example local habits, foreign fruits, and history facts. They will always look at the guide first for further explanation and background information. Preferably, the tour guide is an expert and passionate about the destination.

4. Organised and punctual

Travellers having to wait on their tour guide because they’re late, are often stressed. And might be dissatisfied about the start of the travel experience. So, it’s important for the guide to always be on time, to have a clear structure and to follow the set itinerary . In case the customer requires a change, this could be possible but only when feasible and well-planned.

5. Patient and able to manage a crisis

Not all travellers are easy-going and flexible. A good tour guide knows how to take care of slower or difficult people. They have to remain patient at all times. They also know what to do in case of an emergency: handling the crisis while maintaining a calm atmosphere where possible.

6. Trained and qualified

It’s not a fundamental quality of a good tour guide, but it does add value to have trained and qualified guides. Guides with an official guide training and/or license are professionally trained to be a tour guide. They are able to organise and run a travel experience following official guidelines.

“We know that it’s not possible to provide an unforgettable travel experience without an excellent tour guide” – Anna Grodzki, manager of Matoke Tours Uganda.

When you are invested in good tourism , you want your travel experiences to be operated in a responsible way. Your tour guides are at the front of the operations and responsible for what actually happens during the travel experience. Therefore, it’s important they are aware and trained on your sustainability policy and practices.

In terms of sustainability, there are five main tasks of a tour guide during a travel experience. By adhering to these guidelines, they’re ensuring a responsible and good travel experience.

1. Treating local communities respectfully

Especially during community-based travel experiences, but also when simply visiting a local market, treating locals with respect is key. Tourism should benefit the local communities and provide positive impact. The tour guide sets the right example by treating locals with respect and ensuring the travellers do as well. A good guide also encourages authentic interaction.

2. Protecting the natural resources

Same as treating locals with respect, natural resources should be protected and well taken care of. This entails not touching and taking any protected flora and fauna from the environment, staying on the tracks, and always taking (plastic) waste out of nature . The guide is responsible for making sure travellers adhere the same guidelines.

3. Ensuring animal welfare

Travel experiences with wildlife are always sensitive and for the sake of the animals, tour guides have to make sure they’re treated well. Not only do they again set the right example, they’re also responsible for reporting mistreatment of animals. Their role is to explain to travellers why certain (captive) animal travel experiences are a no-go and highlight the animal-friendly alternatives.

4. Driving safe and responsible

When driving, the tour guide needs to follow responsible and safe driving guidelines. Keeping to the speed limits, staying on the designated roads, and turning off the engine when standing still are basic aspects. Also, the use of mobile phones is not responsible driving behaviour. In case of safaris , the guide is expected to keep a clear distance from wildlife and to always give them right of way.

5. Raising awareness and educate travellers

During the travel experience, it’s the tour guide’s responsibility all travellers behave responsibly. Even though they should already be informed before their trip, the guide’s task is to remind them and to explain certain rules and regulations. It’s about raising awareness and encouraging travellers to contribute to good tourism during their travel experience.

The most efficient way to make sure your tour guides are following your good tourism practices is training. Provide them with your sustainability policy and explain its practical implementation. Include tasks and guidelines they can relate to and also easily put into practice.

Tour guides are more likely to comply to (new) guidelines and rules if they’re part of the development process. And if they feel they’re contributing to a good cause. Organise a brainstorm session or workshop, ask for their opinion and give them a say. They have more local knowledge and can come up with interesting practices that are useful for everyone.

Best practice example

Matoke Tours’ specialised travel guide training program helps local guides excel in cultural tourism and outdoor adventure tours in Uganda.

To remind them about their training, develop a short one-page document with the practical sustainability guidelines. These guidelines can either be a reminder or a supplement of the actual training. It’s also very valuable to provide to new or freelance tour guides you’ve never worked with before.

By providing tour guides with physical guidelines, they’ll know exactly what’s expected of them on the job. Include the guidelines in their contract but also place them in the vehicles. Not only are they be reminded of it all times, but travellers also notice your effort and their commitment.

If you don’t work with local tour guides directly, make sure your local partner informs and trains them on your basic (good tourism) principles.

“90% of travellers want to experience a destination ‘like a local’ – GetYourGuide”

The significance of authenticity and personal connection

Tourism today is all about authenticity and personal connections, making incredible travel experiences possible. Beyond having knowledgeable and responsible guides, it’s the genuine stories they share that truly captivate travellers. People no longer just want to sightsee; they yearn to experience a destination “like a local.”

A recent survey by GetYourGuide revealed that 90% of travellers express a strong desire to explore a destination from a local’s perspective. Notably, over 60% of millennials emphasize the importance of authenticity in their experiences. This highlights the growing significance of genuine encounters that resonate deeply with travellers. And who could be better suited to foster these connections than knowledgeable guides who possess unique insights into the destination?

Establishing a personal connection with travellers is essential. When travellers bond with their guide, they feel at ease, allowing them to immerse themselves in local culture with curiosity and enthusiasm. The guide becomes a cherished companion, sharing personal stories, historical backgrounds, and adjusting narratives spontaneously based on the travellers’ interests.

To cultivate this essential connection, we present four key tips:

1. Showcasing guides on your website

Provide potential travellers with a glimpse into the personalities and expertise of your guides by featuring them on your website . Introduce each guide, highlight their unique backgrounds and experiences. When travellers can familiarise themselves with the guide beforehand, it boosts excitement and comfort right from the beginning of the journey.

2. Inquiring about travellers’ interests

Prioritise understanding your travellers by asking about their interests after booking. A brief, optional survey with multiple-choice questions about their favorite foods, animals, and other relevant preferences can offer valuable insights. Armed with this knowledge, your guides can create personalised experiences tailored to each individual’s interests.

3. Embrace flexibility in itineraries

To foster authentic and personalised connections, avoid strict scripts and itineraries. Allow your guides to integrate the travellers’ interests gathered from the survey and tailor the experience accordingly. While ensuring essential experiences are covered, the flexibility to accommodate spontaneous detours, such as visiting a local food market or discovering a hidden gem, will enhance overall satisfaction.

4. Encourage engaging conversations

Motivate your guides to engage in meaningful conversations with travellers throughout the experience. By actively listening to their needs, preferences, and curiosities, guides can better understand the group dynamics and adjust their storytelling accordingly. This creates an environment where open dialogue is valued, fostering cultural exchange and authentic connections.

Good and responsible tour guides are hard to find but worth so much if you have found them. Invest time or money in working with reliable partners or train guides yourself. Taking good care of your guides benefits your business and make you more successful long-term.

Committed and happy guides do their best to provide your travellers with the trip of their lifetime by taking that extra step. When done well, this results in satisfied and hopefully repeating customers.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

You have been working all days and you have been good to me and helping me with your good institution learning and guide me through good profession

Great to see you’re benefitting from our content. Looking forward to support you in completing the online course Samuel!

Good article on tour guide. I personally liked this article and will train our local tour guides as mentioned in this article. Once again thanks for sharing this article.

For ur kind information I’m a tour operator based here in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Very good to hear you liked the article and that you’re going to put it into practice. Good luck!

Very practical and informative guidelines. Ii has added alot to my knowledge as tour guide.

Very good to hear Adam!

Anne de Jong

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What are the golden rules of tour guiding? 10 tips to help you shine

By Breanna Lawlor

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Most tour and activity providers find themselves embracing a career in the travel industry through an appreciation for certain cultures or destinations. But to be successful in this role, you need to know which tour guide rules to keep in mind.

As a tour guide, you have a profound impact on how a guest interacts with their surroundings. And you also have the power to offer guests a life-changing experience through your charm and wit.

Sure, you don’t have to become the expert on the komodo dragon or shark mating rituals, but does it hurt to have a few fun facts at the ready? 

Nope! 

Ultimately, a skilled tour guide will know when to turn up the charm and dial the facts back to match the bandwidth of their audience. And as a tour guideline, you should adjust your performance based on the feedback and social cues you receive from your audience.

TL; DR: To be a fantastic tour guide, you should be full of enthusiasm, knowledge and kindness.

What are the golden rules of tour guiding

For many, guiding tours is an ideal way to see the world while getting paid to travel.

However, the role of a tour guide can be highly impactful, if you focus on making it fun and entertaining. Not only do you have endless opportunities to meet fascinating people from all over the globe, but you’ll never stop learning. 

It makes sense that some of the best tour guides are hungry to connect with new people and enjoy reciting fun facts about what makes a place special. And whether you’re a pro or just starting out, it helps to know which tour guidelines to follow. 

1. Be present, punctual and full of personality

There are few things worse than a tour guide who isn’t engaging, especially when guests arrive with high expectations. Show a vested interest in your guests during the first meeting — especially if you have a few early bird arrivals.

And since this role is equal parts education and entertainment, people with big personalities tend to do well as tour guides. This is a credit to having the ability to add a little extra zest to an experience.

Personalize the experience

The reason why people still book live tours is that in-person delivery is better than reading a guidebook. Ultimately, you have the power to transform an ordinary encounter into something more memorable. To do this, you’ll want to become a storyteller.

Do you know what’s worse than being a tour guide without a funny bone? Being hard to hear! If guests are straining to follow what you’re saying, they’ll likely tune you out. 

And, even better if you can drum up fodder that travelers will not be able to find in a guidebook. Whether it’s because it’s new, insider knowledge or off-the-cuff — fun facts can send your guests into a fit of laughter and keep them engaged.

2. Know your stuff — as a tour guide rule

What do travelers often rave with tour guides? Approachability and good candour tend to show up in 5-star reviews, highlighting how a good attitude goes a long way.

You’ll need to stay up-to-date on the subject matter because guests are going to expect you to have all of the answers. With that said, you do not need to fib if you receive a curveball question. Instead, invite the audience to chime in if they have an answer or commit to finding out and responding at a later time.

Still, no matter how much you prepare, some travelers will throw some quizzical questions your way. Lean into your ability to charm and dazzle people with your local knowledge to escape these encounters unfazed.

Take time to prepare

Understandably, tour guides should have all of their ducks in a row once the tour starts. Dedicate time to doing a dry-run of your tours in advance to avoid potential hiccups that might pop up en route.

Typically, guides know where they are going, have a good sense of direction, anticipate when local restaurants and popular landmarks will be open and busy while also gauging optimal times for travel overall. 

3. Engage with guests while sharing tour guidelines

Get to know your guests by striking up a conversation. There’s something known as the “third thing”. I learned about it from a brilliant architect friend who shared that wherever two people can find an item or topic they are familiar with, it helps to strike up a conversation. 

In reviews, tour guides who are engaging and entertaining receive high praise. We know that becoming a 5-star tour guide takes work, but the added effort will pay off through reviews and word-of-mouth referrals.

Becoming a skilled communicator

Guests want a tour guide is confident and fun to be around. You’ll want to conduct the tour at a pace and tone that’s easy to follow. What does this sound like?

Use inclusive language to make guests feel welcome. The best way to brush up on your communication skills is to use them on a regular basis. Invite discussion and provide context for your guests to ask questions.

4. Offer helpful and timely insight

When leading a tour group, you’ll likely be commenting on things you’ve seen many times before. Imagine yourself in the shoes of a traveler. 

So while you may find yourself constantly searching for new ways to talk about the same thing, it’s the first time for many — if not all — of your guests. When you share stories or recite unconventional facts, small details like these kick the experience up a notch.

Try changing up your route or focusing on different sensory receptors to offer fresh and fun ways of re-visiting the same places.

You want to create an inclusive guided experience that welcomes all types of travelers — including kids, visitors with mobility challenges and slower-paced adventurers. 

5. Address guests and answer questions

Some travelers might initially be nervous to ask you questions because they will yet to have a rapport with you. 

Think about common questions guests have and aim to proactively address them with your guests. And determine which facts you believe will be most advantageous for guests to know, then share them — openly. 

To combat this, position yourself as a friendly and approachable guide who’s here to do just that — guide their experience. Reiterate how the tour is theirs alone, but your role is to facilitate the best experience possible.

Speak loud and proud

Annunciate. Broadcast. Project. This is not a time to use your library voice. I mean, there’s a balance, but aim to be vocal enough that passersby find themselves eavesdropping on what you’re sharing. 

An added benefit is if your tour heads somewhere quiet, guests will be tuned in to your voice and more likely to lean in if you’ve been using inflection to command their attention.

Aim to be full of charisma

While hard to define — charisma is a core element of becoming a successful tour guide. 

It can be summarized as one part charm, one part knowledge and one part wit with a dash of humour for good measure. 

6. Demonstrate good time-management and organizational skills

Leading by example is one of the most effective ways of gaining the trust of your audience. Sure, you’ll probably contend with a few latecomers on tours — but don’t let this derail the entire group.

For visitors arriving at a new location, they tend to have a lot of questions. On your tour, aim to proactively answer them and allow space to respond to your curious followers. 

To better frame the experience, give your tour a dry-run. Without the pressure of a tour group, you can see when certain dining spots, viewpoints or transportation routes will be busy, and adjust your plans to maximize the visitor experience.

7. Infuse storytelling as part of your tour guide rules

There are plenty of advantages to becoming a skilled storyteller. First, as travelers, we thrive on stories. They help to forge new neural pathways and turn ordinary encounters into something more relatable.

And second, while it can feel intimidating to share personal anecdotes and memories, storytelling elevates the tour for your guests. Plus, you can ad lib and you’ll have guests who are none the wiser.

Peter Syme shares something called the Peak Design Rule , where he suggests tour guides identify elements throughout your tour that is most helpful, entertaining and valuable, and design your tour around that. 

Travelers develop a greater capacity to recount their adventures in a favourable light with personalized tours.

8. Keep things moving

When you step into the role of tour guide, you assume the responsibility of educator and entertainer .

There will be times when you have a restless audience member or guests that tune you out. Don’t panic — instead, aim to keep a consistent pace throughout your tour.

Account for buffer time throughout your route, giving consideration to guests of all ages and mobilities. And once a tour begins — keep that trust going by letting visitors know what to expect next and offering reasons behind each stop you have planned along the route.

9. Offer breaks

If you’re leading a scenic tour, note a few stopping points en route where guests can expect to have a few minutes to snap photos and take in the view. Allow ample time for breaks while on tour. They allow guests to feel refreshed and ready for the next stop on the tour.

In addition, short pauses help guests rest up, so they have the capacity to mentally digest more information.

Bring some snacks along

Instead of waiting until the eleventh hour to lead your guests to a dining location, bring snacks and water as a safety mechanism. This is especially useful for guests traveling with young children. And while it’s not expected, it can absolutely save the day for a family who just needs a little extra support.

Food can act as a bridge between cultures. You’ve probably heard the term “hangry” or been on the receiving end of a guest who’s coping with low blood sugar.

Ultimately, you’ll have some guests who are keen to see the next vantage point and a handful of tour guests that are more inclined to take their time meandering along the route. 

10. Start and end tours on time

There will always be guests who misgauge timing or location and show up late to a tour. And while travelers might visit a location for the first time and find themselves running behind, this should not take away from your fellow guests who arrived on time. 

One thing you should have control over is whether your tour or activity ends on time. Instill a walking pace that accounts for little ones and more mature travelers, by building in some buffer into your schedule. 

This way you can feel good about pausing to talk more in depth throughout your tour. 

Research proves people tend to remember negative experiences more readily than positive encounters.  It could be that guests are hardwired to weigh bad encounters differently than positive ones, but it’s also a way of keeping them safe from repeating the same mistake in the future.   

Helpful tour guide rules to keep in mind

Ideally, you want to create opportunities for guests to feel included and listened to throughout your tour. If it works for your style, ask questions in advance and help them to feel involved in the experience.

But, one thing to keep in mind is that your job isn’t done when the tour ends — you’ll want to bookend the tour for guests with options for learning more along with prompts for a review.

• Guests don’t know what you know — overshare information to keep visitors in the loop
• Include a safety overview whether it’s related to gear, the location or the route
• Provide guidelines for what to expect and how they can expect to interact with you/others
• Let guests know where to find washrooms en route
• Build in buffer timing in case guests are late

As a general tour guide rule, the greater amount a guest pays, the more they will expect from the lead tour guide. You may find that tipping is activity and location-dependant.

But with guests visiting from all over the world, make sure you share how tips indicate that you’ve done a great job and while not required, are greatly appreciated.

Set a tone of curiosity, competency and confidence early on. This way, travelers arriving bright-eyed and bushy-tailed — will be ready to trust you to show them the world.

Want to become a top-notch tour guide?

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Tour Guides Tell All: This Is How You Should (and Shouldn’t) Act on a Group Tour

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for travel tips, destination ideas, and off the beaten path spots.

After interning at SmarterTravel, Ashley joined the team full time in 2015. She's lived on three continents, but still never knows where her next adventure will take her. She's always searching for upcoming destination hotspots, secluded retreats, and hidden gems to share with the world.

Ashley's stories have been featured online on USA Today, Business Insider, TripAdvisor, Huffington Post, Jetsetter, and Yahoo! Travel, as well as other publications.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "A reusable filtered water bottle—it saves you money, keeps you hydrated, and eliminates waste—win-win."

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Whether it’s your first group tour or you’re a seasoned pro, these 10 tips will help make your next group tour experience a smooth and drama-free one. I interviewed dozens of tour guides to find their pet peeves, horror stories, and tips on how not to end up on a tour leader’s blacklist.

How You Should (and Shouldn’t) Act on a Group Tour

The one thing that all group tour guides have in common, is that unpunctual travelers are one of the most annoying things to deal with on a group tour. One of the greatest benefits of group tours is that everything is pre-planned so you don’t have to put extra thought into things like transportation and what your next activity will be. Showing up late is not only disrespectful, but could ruin the day’s schedule—which you (and everyone else) paid for.

“Being late, even by 10 minutes, not only holds others up but can also mean you miss out on important moments,” says Gary Willment of Trafalgar . “The sunset that will bring you to tears over the city, or your front seats at a local show.”

Nelle Lees of G Adventures shared a tactic some tour guides use for chronically late travelers: “Some guides have been known to plot with the on-time travelers and pull the bus out of view, to give the procrastinators the brief feeling that they missed their ride,” Lees says. “It’s done in good fun, but it helps make a point when the procrastinator doesn’t listen.”

Ask Questions

As Johannes Reck from GetYourGuide says: “Tours aren’t lectures, they’re conversations.” That means you should be participating by listening and asking questions.

“Trained guides usually possess a wealth of knowledge that goes far beyond what they’ve planned to share on a given tour, so it’s up to you to engage them,” Reck says. “Odds are, if you’ve got a burning question, someone else is wondering the same thing.”

That being said, asking too many questions can get annoying to a tour leader, especially if you’re holding up the tour group or you question an expert guide’s knowledge. So, ask relevant questions when you have them, and trust your tour leader’s answers—it’s their job to be right.

Get to Know Your Fellow Travelers

Group tours tend to be longer than your typical vacation, so use the opportunity to build some life-long friendships. Trafalgar’s Willment has an easy suggestion for this: Don’t always sit with the same people.

Kristen Mack of Tauck agrees. “We’ve had many incredible friendships (and more than a few wonderful marriages) launched among guests who first met on tour,” she told me. “Seeing the world with a group or like-minded, curious people truly enhances the travel experience.”

Even if you don’t get along with everyone in the group, be respectful. When you’re traveling with people from other countries, keep in mind that customs and routines may differ. If you’re traveling with someone you know, don’t talk exclusively to them—make an effort to include everyone in the group.

Tour leaders also say that one of their biggest pet peeves is travelers who constantly only think of themselves first, whether they’re hogging the front seat of a van or insisting on having their photo taken first. Don’t be that person.

Show Appreciation

This is oftentimes forgotten on a group tour because there’s a stigma that you already paid for the trip and expect a certain type of experience, or level of service, in return. And while that may be true, you should still thank not only your tour guide every so often, but remember to show appreciation to locals, wait staff, hotel staff, and other guides you encounter.

This includes tipping. If you’re wondering how much or why, Cristina Lombardi, owner of Follow Me New York City Adventures says: “Guides expect to be tipped. The tip should be a reflection of the number of hours and days the guide spent with you and how pleasant, knowledgeable, etc. they were (or weren’t).”

Pick a Compatible Tour

As STA Travel points out: “There’s a group tour to fit nearly any traveler. Keep in mind while researching: the age group you’d like to travel with, your own activity level, and even the type of accommodation you’d prefer.”

If you do your research and know what you’re getting yourself into, you’ll have a much better experience and won’t be caught off guard. While it’s impossible to predict who’s on your group tour, Lindsey Epperly of Epperly Travel has some recommendations for choosing a tour.

“Look for companies that cater to travelers around your age group and offer to waive single supplement rates,” Epperly says. “For younger travelers, G Adventures and Intrepid Travel cater to clients in their 20s and 30s and you’ll often find other solo guests to spend time with. For older travelers who might enjoy relaxing a bit more than a coach [bus] tour would allot, many of the major cruise lines will waive single supplements for solo guests on select sailings.”

Be Open to Plan B

Be flexible. “You travel to experience new places, so be open to trying new foods, staying in hotels and hostels that aren’t always [up to] U.S.-standards, and soaking up local culture by chatting up your tour mates and locals,” says STA Travel. “Everyone has something they want to do that they will have to forgo,” says Lombardi. You’ll have a much better experience if you accept that from the get-go.

And when things don’t go as planned: “Try to turn calamity into comedy,” suggests Lees. “How people react to it can make or break the trip for them. Think about how to turn it into a funny story or Instagram blooper … so it can become a trip highlight instead of a catastrophe.”

Follow the Rules

While this one may seem obvious, it’s often a pet peeve for group tour leaders. Many tour companies have their own specific set of rules or guidelines—read them and be sure to respect them. If these means no smoking in rooms or in the van or bus, then you need to abide by that. If the trip is for solo travelers or singles only, don’t bring your spouse or friend. The same goes for following local laws and customs. Ultimately, you’ll be responsible for your own behavior—not the group tour company.

Be Prepared

Prepare for your group tour just as you would any other vacation. As Reck says: “Your guide is not your babysitter.” You’ll need to pack accordingly for your trip, especially if it’s to multiple destinations, or abroad.

Booking a group tour doesn’t mean you don’t need your passport, medications, emergency contact information, and proper attire. STA Travel recommends that all of their travelers have a phone charger or memory bank at all times, and to keep cash in a few separate places during the trip, to avoid theft and as an emergency backup.

Make Special Requests Ahead of Time

Whether it’s an allergy or an accessibility concern, Fred Ackerman of Black Sheep Adventures says you should speak up. “There’s nothing worse than finding out after a trip a guest was displeased with an aspect of the service that could have been solved on tour.”

More likely than not, a guide will be able to accommodate special requests on a group tour as long as there is advance notice. Communicate with your travel or booking agent directly, and follow up with your tour leader or primary contact prior to your departure.

Remember, You’re on Vacation

This one’s self-explanatory. On group tours travelers can get caught up in the logistics, and are more likely to let one bad moment ruin a trip. “You’ve likely spent months, maybe even years, planning for this trip. So when you arrive, don’t forget to live in the moment,” Willment says. “Laugh with the locals, eat the delicious food, and if in my home country of Wales, sing until your lungs give out. Try and say yes to every experience.”

More from SmarterTravel:

• I Hated Group Tours … Until I Tried One
• 14 Tips for Choosing the Right Group Tour
• 8 Essential Tips for Group Travel

Editor’s Note: Some direct quotes in this story have been condensed or edited for clarity.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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13 Tips To Be a Better Tour Guide

Being a tour guide is a fun, exciting, and rewarding job. You spend your days sharing your knowledge and chatting with guests. 

While you will improve your skills naturally with every tour you provide, there are some things you can to more proactive build your skills. 

In this post, we’re sharing 13 tips to help you be a better tour guide, including: 

What Are the Key Job Responsibilities for a Tour Guide?

Tour guides have to manage various responsibilities throughout their day to provide memorable experiences for guests. Successful tour guides enjoy working with people, are excellent storytellers, and solve problems independently. 

Tour guides have to manage multiple responsibilities throughout their day, including:

• Greeting visitors and interacting with them before the start of the tour
• Letting participants know about the tour’s itinerary and rules
• Planning and managing the itinerary 
• Learning and memorizing interesting details and facts and turning them into stories 
• Having a strong understanding of your tour’s layout and location 
• Setting up and maintain equipment before the start of a tour if necessary
• Being prepared in case of an emergency
• Ensuring guests remain safe and follow all proper protocols  

13 Top Tips To Be a Better Tour Guide

Successful tour guides continuously build and improve their skills throughout their careers to provide memorable and engaging experiences. Learning new information and skills also helps keep the tours and experiences you deliver engaging and fresh for you. Your enthusiasm and enjoyment will show to guests and help capture their attention.

So whether you’re just starting out as a tour guide or have been working in the field for a while, here are 13 ways you can continue to build your skills as a tour guide. 

1. Skip lengthy introductions or setups at the beginning of the tour

Introductions to the tour and a review of rules can help provide structure and context for your guests. That said, you don’t want the introduction information to go on so long that you lose your guests’ attention. 

When planning what to say at the start of the tour, look for ways to provide the necessary information while keeping guests engaged and maintaining their enthusiasm for the tour or activity.  

Depending on the type of tour you provide, you may have to first cover safety measures before moving visitors to a location, so use your judgment. If you’re unsure whether your introduction is too long, consider asking a fellow guide to listen to your opening. They can provide you with feedback on what it’s like from a visitor’s perspective.

2. Bring information to life through a story

People love stories. Your guests are more likely to remember, understand, and appreciate the information you share when you can tell it through a story. The stories can be historical or contemporary. This strategy increases the likelihood that guests will ask questions and engage with you, making the experience more fun for everyone.

You don’t have to tell everything as a story, but sprinkle them in throughout the tour to maintain everyone’s attention. If you feel uncomfortable telling stories, you can build your storytelling skills. You can listen to audiobooks or podcasts of famous or popular storytellers or take a public speaking course.

3. Face guests when sharing information

When you’re discussing something, it’s natural to point and look at the object. As a tour guide, you’ll engage your audience better by facing them. This strategy allows them to see your gestures and hear you better. 

You can teach yourself to turn toward the group. To help learn this habit, consider identifying one person in the group that you will look at when you first start talking. To ensure the whole group feels engaged, be sure to move your gaze to other visitors soon after you start talking.

This strategy provides you with a consistent cue to help you develop the habit of turning towards the group when you start talking. After a while, you’ll naturally turn toward the group when you’re giving your tours. 

4. You don’t have to know everything

As a tour guide, you purposefully try to learn everything you can about the locations on your tour. That said, you don’t have to know everything. You may have a guest who has unique expertise or insider’s experience. Let them share with the group. Everyone will have a richer experience, and you can potentially incorporate this information into future tours. 

5. Avoid exaggerating information

You want your tours exciting and engaging, but you also want to be known as a credible and knowledgeable expert. Therefore, resist the urge to exaggerate information. Your guests won’t trust what you say or recommend the tour if they discover you’ve provided inaccurate details or facts. 

Sometimes exaggeration can sneak in when telling stories, so make sure your stories are based on facts and verifiable information. 

6. Provide anecdotes when possible

Telling personal anecdotes can provide a special touch and experience for your guests. These can make the tour more engaging and help you connect with visitors. 

While you can plan ahead of time what anecdotes you will tell, being able to spontaneously provide anecdotes and insights tailored to the group can help enhance the overall experience. You can take a local improv class to help practice this skill.

7. Be punctual (and ideally early)

When people are on vacation, they often have carefully orchestrated plans. If one part starts late or goes too long, they may miss another planned opportunity. Your guests will appreciate you starting and ending your tours on time. Being punctual will help build their confidence in you as a professional and expert. 

When it’s possible, try to arrive early for tours. This strategy will give you time to get to know participants before the tour starts. This strategy helps you build rapport and start learning what types of information they want so you can tailor the experience to their needs. You’ll also be able to answer any questions people have about the area before the tour begins. 

8. Be attentive to guests’ needs 

Being attentive to your guests’ needs is about more than just guiding them from one point to another. It’s about creating a comfortable and enjoyable experience. For instance, if you notice guests looking tired, suggest a short break or a slower pace. If a particular topic sparks interest, consider diving deeper into that subject. This adaptability shows that you’re not just following a script but are genuinely committed to providing a fulfilling experience.

Moreover, being attentive means being prepared to answer questions or provide solutions to unexpected issues. Whether it’s a question about local dining options or needing assistance with accessibility, your readiness to help can significantly enhance guest experience. 

9. Be passionate 

Your enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter are infectious and can enhance the tour experience. When you speak about the history, culture, or landmarks with genuine excitement, it engages your guests and makes the information more compelling. This enthusiasm can transform an effective tour guide into a truly 5-star tour guide.  

However, it’s important to balance your enthusiasm with the ability to read your audience. Some guests may prefer a more subdued approach, while others might enjoy high energy. Tailoring your enthusiasm to suit the group’s dynamics is key. 

10. Use humor 

A well-timed joke or a witty remark can lighten the mood and enhance the overall experience. It helps in breaking the ice and making even the most difficult customers feel more comfortable. However, it’s crucial to exercise guest discretion. Tailor your humor to the audience and avoid jokes that could be misunderstood or that touch on sensitive topics. The goal is to add a light-hearted touch to your tour, not to make anyone uncomfortable. 

11. Offer personal recommendations

Take a nod from hotel concierges by offering personal recommendations towards the end of the tour. This adds a special touch to the experience. Sharing your favorite local spots, eateries, or hidden gems provide guests with insider knowledge they might not find in guidebooks. These recommendations should be tailored to the interests of the group and can range from the best places to catch a sunset, to a local café known for its specialty dishes.

12. Invite feedback and follow-up

Inviting feedback at the end of the tour is a great way to show that you value your guests’ opinions and are committed to improving your service. Encourage them to share their thoughts and suggestions. This feedback can be invaluable in refining your tours and making them more enjoyable for future guests.

Additionally, offering to stay in touch for any further questions or recommendations can leave a positive lasting impression. It shows that you’re not just interested in providing a service but are genuinely invested in their experience. This openness to feedback and follow-up can lead to more positive reviews and recommendations, which are essential for a successful tour guiding career.

13. End with a memorable conclusion

Summarize the key points of the tour and leave your guests with a final thought, story, or anecdote that encapsulates the essence of the experience. This could be a poignant story, a surprising fact, or a humorous observation. A strong conclusion ties the entire tour together and gives your guests something to remember and talk about long after the tour has ended.

Moreover, a memorable conclusion is an opportunity to not only thank your guests, but it gives you an easy opportunity to ask for a review. This can not only increase the chance that you’ll get a nice tip but you can also wind up with more customers from the 5-star reviews they leave.  

In sum, being a tour guide is a fun and interesting job that allows you to interact with various people. Like many professions, the more you practice and work on building your skills, the better everyone’s experience, including yourself.  

Incorporating these strategies and tips can help you elevate your tour from good to great, making your visitors more likely to tell others about your tours.

Pro Tip: Not a customer but interested in checking out Xola? Explore all of the features including guide management.

Writer Jessica Malnik

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The Top 25 Qualities of an Effective Tour Guide-Guiding the Way

Are you passionate about travel and enjoy sharing your knowledge with others? Becoming a tour guide might be the perfect career path for you. Being a practical tour guide requires a unique set of skills and qualities that go beyond simply knowing the facts about a destination. In this article, we will explore the 25 qualities of a practical tour guide and how they contribute to creating memorable and enriching travel experiences.

Being an effective tour guide is not just about knowing the destination but also about possessing a range of qualities that enhance the overall experience for travelers. From excellent communication skills to a deep passion for the subject matter, a practical tour guide can make all the difference in creating memorable and meaningful experiences for their guests. 

In this article, we will explore 25 essential qualities for any tour guide looking to excel in their profession. Whether you are already a tour guide or aspiring to become one, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights and tips to enhance your skills and become an exceptional tour guide.

Table of Contents

What Qualities Do I Need To Be A Tour Guide?

To be a successful tour guide, there are several essential qualities that you should possess.

• Firstly, strong communication skills are vital. As a tour guide, you will need to convey information to your clients clearly and engagingly effectively. Excellent verbal and written communication skills will help you effectively communicate historical facts, local customs, and interesting anecdotes.
• Secondly, a deep knowledge and passion for the subject matter is crucial. Whether you are guiding tourists through a historical city, leading a nature hike, or conducting a food tour, you should have a thorough understanding of the area’s history, culture, and attractions. This knowledge will not only enhance your credibility as a guide but also enable you to answer questions and provide interesting insights to your clients.
• Lastly, being personable and friendly are essential qualities for a tour guide. You will interact with people from various backgrounds and cultures, so being approachable and adaptable is critical. Your enthusiasm and positive attitude will not only make the tour more enjoyable for your clients but also help create a welcoming and inclusive environment.

In conclusion, to be a successful tour guide, you should possess strong communication skills, a deep knowledge and passion for the subject, and be personable and friendly. These qualities will help you effectively engage and connect with your clients, making their experience memorable and enjoyable.

What Skills Make A Tour Guide With 5-Star Quality?

Regarding being a tour guide with 5-star quality, several critical skills are essential. Firstly, excellent communication skills are crucial. A tour guide must effectively convey information, engage with their audience, and answer questions. Clear and concise communication is essential to ensure tourists have a memorable and enjoyable experience.

In addition to communication skills, a tour guide should also have extensive knowledge and expertise in the area they are guiding. This includes historical facts, cultural insights, and local tips and recommendations. A 5-star tour guide is well-prepared and can provide accurate and exciting information, enhancing the tour experience.

Furthermore, a tour guide with 5-star quality must possess exceptional customer service skills. They should be friendly, approachable, and able to create a positive and welcoming atmosphere. A great tour guide understands the importance of personalizing the experience for each tourist and goes above and beyond to ensure their satisfaction. From anticipating needs to providing an exceptional level of service, these skills are vital in creating a memorable tour experience.

What Is The Most Important Quality Of Becoming An Effective Tour Guide?

When it comes to becoming a practical tour guide, several qualities are important to possess. However, one of the most crucial qualities is knowledge. A tour guide must have extensive knowledge about the destination they are guiding tourists through. This includes knowing about the history, culture, landmarks, and other important aspects of the place. Being well-informed allows the tour guide to provide accurate and interesting information to the tourists, enhancing their overall experience.

In addition to knowledge, communication skills are also essential for an effective tour guide. Communicating clearly and concisely is important in delivering information to the tourists. A tour guide must be able to articulate their thoughts and ideas in a way that is easily understandable to a diverse group of people. Good communication skills also involve listening to the tourists’ questions and feedback and being able to respond appropriately.

Lastly, enthusiasm and passion for the job set apart a great tour guide from an average one. A tour guide who is genuinely excited about the destination and their role in showcasing it will be able to create a positive and engaging atmosphere for the tourists. Their enthusiasm will be contagious, making the tour more enjoyable and memorable for everyone involved.

What Are The 5 Roles Of A Tour Guide?

A tour guide plays multiple roles in ensuring a successful and enjoyable travel experience for their guests. Here are the five primary roles of a tour guide:

1. Informer:  The primary role of a tour guide is to provide accurate and relevant information about the destination. They should be knowledgeable about the history, culture, landmarks, and other significant aspects of the place. Tour guides should be able to answer questions, share interesting facts, and engage their guests in informative discussions.

2. Interpreter:  Tour guides bridge the gap between different cultures and languages. They act as interpreters, translating information and conversations for their guests. They ensure effective communication between locals and visitors, enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the destination.

3. Organizer:  Tour guides are responsible for planning and organizing the itinerary. They arrange transportation, accommodation, and activities, ensuring a smooth and efficient travel experience. They handle logistics, such as coordinating schedules, managing reservations, and running any unforeseen circumstances that may arise during the trip.

25 Qualities Of An Effective Tour Guide Pdf

To view a PDF document that provides more detailed information on these 25 qualities of a practical tour guide, please click the link below: 25 Qualities of an Effective Tour Guide PDF.

25 Qualities Of An Effective Tour Guide Ppt

https://www.slideshare.net/jen199629/qualities-of-an-ideal-tour-guide

Skills Of A Tour Guide

• Communication Skills:
• Clear and confident speaking voice
• Appropriate language for the audience
• Ability to engage and connect with travelers
• Responsive to questions and concerns
• In-Depth Knowledge:
• Strong understanding of the destination’s history, culture, and attractions
• Staying updated on current events and changes in the area
• Organization and Time Management:
• Creating well-planned itineraries
• Efficient coordination of transportation and accommodations
• Handling unexpected situations effectively
• Interpersonal Skills:
• Building rapport with clients
• Friendliness and approachability
• Patience and attentiveness
• Sense of Humor:
• Creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere

These skills and qualities collectively contribute to a tour guide’s ability to offer travelers an exceptional experience during their journey.

Characteristics of an Exceptional Tour Guide

• Knowledgeable:  Possesses in-depth knowledge of the destination’s history, culture, and attractions.
• Excellent Communication Skills:  Communicates information clearly and effectively to travelers.
• Enthusiastic:  Inspires excitement and engagement among tour participants with their passion for the subject matter.
• Flexible:  Adapts easily to unforeseen situations and changes in the itinerary.
• Organized:  Ensures a smooth and efficient tour experience through careful planning and preparation.
• Problem-Solving Abilities:  Capable of finding solutions quickly and efficiently, especially in challenging situations.
• Multilingual:  Speaks multiple languages to cater to a diverse group of travelers.

How to Become an Effective Tour Guide

• Gain Extensive Knowledge:  Conduct thorough research to acquire a deep understanding of the destination you’ll be guiding.
• Develop Communication Skills:  Practice and consider attending public speaking courses to improve your ability to convey information effectively.
• Cultivate Enthusiasm:  Stay curious and continuously learn about new attractions and experiences to maintain a high passion for your subject.
• Enhance Adaptability:  Seek opportunities to work in different environments and practice handling unexpected situations to become more flexible.
• Improve Organizational Skills:  Create detailed itineraries and proactively plan logistics for a well-organized tour.
• Sharpen Problem-Solving Abilities:  Participate in scenario-based training programs or seek advice from experienced tour guides to become a more effective problem solver.
• Learn Additional Languages:  Consider taking language courses or participating in immersion programs to become multilingual.

10 Characteristics Of A Tour Guide

• Knowledgeable
• Communication skills
• Flexibility
• Organizational skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving
• Professionalism
• Sense of humor

As A Tour Guide, How Will You Manage Tourist With High Expectations?

Strategies for Managing Tourists with High Expectations

1. Listen Actively:  Listen to tourists’ expectations, interests, and preferences.

2. Manage Expectations:  Be transparent about what the tour can realistically offer and set clear expectations.

3. Provide Detailed Information:  Ensure tourists have comprehensive information about the tour itinerary, attractions, and activities.

4. Be Knowledgeable and Professional:  Demonstrate expertise in destinations, history, culture, and local customs.

5. Offer Personalized Experiences:  Tailor the tour to cater to individual preferences, arranging special interests-based activities.

6. Maintain Effective Communication:  Keep tourists informed about changes and provide alternative options.

7. Handle Complaints Professionally:  Address dissatisfaction empathetically, offering solutions to resolve concerns.

8. Seek Feedback:  Encourage tourists to provide feedback after the tour to improve future experiences.

What makes a great tour guide and host? | Rick Steves | TEDxSeattleSalon

In conclusion, a practical tour guide is vital in crafting unforgettable travel experiences. With extensive knowledge, excellent communication, and adaptability, they enrich journeys and create lasting memories. Beyond information, they foster a sense of camaraderie and storytelling, making them essential for exceptional adventures.

In conclusion, an effective tour guide plays a vital role in crafting unforgettable travel experiences. With qualities such as extensive knowledge, excellent communication, and adaptability, they enrich journeys and create lasting memories. Beyond information, they foster a sense of camaraderie and storytelling, making them essential for exceptional adventures.

Travelling Without a Passport

8 Reasons Why Being a Tour Guide is the Best Job

Everyone is telling you to quit your day job, live the dream, escape your office cubicle and travel the world, right? You’re sitting at your desk reading this, dreaming of open roads and stunning sights, but probably wondering ‘how the hell can anyone afford that?’

The answer, my friends, is to earn while you’re travelling.

There’s a number of different paths to earning as you travel; teaching English overseas, working remotely for your company, becoming a virtual assistant or even travel blogging – but only one option that will enrich your travel experience. Becoming a tour guide is one of the most rewarding and exhilarating ways to see the world, learn about a country’s culture and history while sharing your love of travel with people just like you.

Here’s 8 reasons why being a tour guide is the best way to travel the world and still earn a living.

1. You’ll learn a valuable skill set for a future career

Tour Guides wear multiple ‘hats’ while running a trip. It may look like your guide is having a relaxed holiday alongside the group, but the reality is that a tour guide is a travel agent, therapist, accountant, event manager, historian, conflict resolution manager, tax and currency expert and professional public speaker. All skills which carry across impressively to any future career.

Depending on what types of tours you decide to lead, you’ll also be required to become certified in a few different core competency areas which are irreplacable skills to possess for your own travels as well.

2. You will see more countries & cities than you ever thought possible

In most cases, a tour guide does not just do the same tour loop for an entire season. A fully trained tour guide will have the opportunity to guide many different itineraries for their tour company – meaning you will visit, study and experience new destinations multiple times! Start racking up that country count, you’re about to become a professional full-time traveller.

See Also: The Truth About Being a Tour Guide: Exposed

3. You will be living the dream

You will be paid to travel. Your job, every day, will be to show first-time travellers their way around a new destination. As a tour guide, ‘work’ means being a part of someone’s happiest holiday memories. You are actually required to have fun for a living while travelling! Be warned – most of your friends back at their desk jobs will be insanely jealous of your daily updates from Monaco, Barcelona and Bali.

4. You’ll become an expert on history, art and architecture

To be a truly excellent tour guide, you need to know your stuff, which means studying up on architectural styles, historical fun facts and the best places to eat, drink and party. This isn’t your boring old history teacher studying – think researching the funniest stories of a royal family or the perfect recipe for goulash to share with your groups.

Pretty soon you will be an expert in Corinthian columns, traditional eating habits in multiple countries and the hilarious history of inter-country grudges. Your pub quiz score is going to go through the roof once you’ve become a tour guide!

5. Your colleagues will be just like you!

Forget trying to make friends with Steve from HR who just doesn’t understand your wanderlust obsession. When you work in the travel industry, all your colleagues are as crazy about travel as you are! You will finally be surrounded by people who understand and encourage your need to see the world and experience new cultures. It will be a relief and inspiration all at once. (Sorry Steve)

See Also: The 11 Best Travel Jobs In The World

6. You can save while travelling

When you are guiding, your transport expenses, accommodation and some meals are all covered – meaning half of what you earn can be saved. With no rent, car payments or gas bills, you can accrue a decent amount in savings while you travel. This means that at the end of a season of guiding you will have some cash stashed for your own travel adventures!

7. You will become a destination expert

Knowing a destination inside out means you’ll know all the best restaurants, bars, cafes and insider tips to maximize the fun you’ll have while also getting the best possible price on meals and drinks.

8. You’ll have friends all over the world

Just like anyone who takes a tour, at the end of a trip you are best friends with the other people who shared the experience with you. That means, as a tour guide, you will have hundreds of best friends who were on your tours scattered across the world.

Next time you go backpacking in Australia, Mexico, South Africa or Canada you’ll have local friends from your tours ready to show you their home towns, and maybe even a free couch to crash on. What an excellent excuse to do even more travelling!

Becoming a tour guide isn’t easy, there are some intensive training and a long interview process, but if you manage to score the job, it is undoubtedly the best way to travel the world and still earn the cash you need to enjoy it! 

So, are you ready to abandon the 9 to 5?

Carly Hulls

Carly Hulls writes at Austrian Adaptation about her expat life in Vienna and the places she discovers on her part-time travels. She is an Australian writer, traveller, brunch-fiend and book-nerd who can’t resist a good castle or historic monument. After 5 years travelling to over 34 countries she currently calls Vienna home, facing the daily struggle of the German language! You can follow her adventures on Facebook , Twitter and Snapchat @CarlyHulls.

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How Much to Tip a Tour Guide? (Read This First!)

When you’re on vacation, one of the best ways to get a feel for the local culture is to take a guided tour.

And when you take a guided tour, it’s customary to tip your tour guide. But how much should you tip?

And why should you tip at all?

In this blog post, we’ll answer all of your questions about tipping tour guides!

Table of Contents

What is a tour guide, and what do they do?

A tour guide is a person who leads a group of people through an area, pointing out landmarks and giving information about the history and culture of the place.

A tour guide might work for a company that provides tours, or they might be self-employed.

Tour guides usually have a lot of knowledge about the area they’re showing you, and they’re also good at keeping people entertained!

Why should you tip your tour guide?

Tour guides work hard to give you a good experience, and they don’t always get paid very well.

Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation for their work.

How much should you tip your tour guide?

10% and 20% of what the tour cost.

For example, if the tour cost $100 per person, you should tip $20.

But there are other things to consider when deciding how much to tip.

If the tour was especially long or difficult, you might want to give a larger tip.

And if the tour guide went above and beyond to make sure you had a good time, you might also want to give a larger tip.

When in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of giving too much rather than too little.

What if you can’t afford to tip?

If you can’t afford to tip, that’s okay!

You can still show your appreciation by saying thank you.

Remember, tipping is just a way of showing your appreciation – it’s not required.

If you can, leave a review on TripAdvisor or Google Maps so other people can see what a great job your tour guide did!

What are some other ways to show appreciation to your tour guide?

In addition to tipping, there are other ways to show your appreciation for your tour guide.

You could write a positive review on TripAdvisor or Google Maps, or you could recommend the tour to your friends and family.

You could also send a thank-you note to the tour company – they’ll be sure to pass it on to your tour guide!

Tipping tour guides is a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work.

Should You Tip Tour Guides?

Yes, you should tip tour guides!

Tipping is a way of showing your appreciation for their work, and it’s customary to tip tour guides.

Tour guides usually work for a company or they might be self-employed, and they work hard to give you a good experience.

What Is the Standard for Tipping Tour Guides?

In general, the standard for tipping tour guides is 10-20% of what the tour cost.

For example, if the tour cost $100 per person, you should tip between $20.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding how much to tip:

• The length of the tour
• The difficulty of the tour
• If the guide went above and beyond
• What the tour cost

In general, it’s always better to give a little more than you planned on giving.

How to Tip Tour Guide?

At the end of the tour, you can hand the guide cash or you could leave it in an envelope with a note.

If you’re leaving a tip in an envelope, you can put the money in first and then write a note saying thank you and how much you appreciated the tour.

Your guide may make a quick joke about now is the time you tip me, or they may some way to get your attention to tipping.

If that is the case, they will tell you how to Venmo or PayPal them the tip.

They may also pass around a hat, which means this is where you can put the cash for tip-in.

How Much Do You Tip a Private Tour Guide?

A private tour guide is someone who works independently and not for any particular tour company.

The standard for tipping a private tour guide is also 20% of the total cost.

For example, if your tour cost $500 for the day, you should tip $100.

As with any other type of tour guide, you can always give more or less depending on how happy you were with the tour.

Some people prefer to tip private guides in cash, but you could also Venmo or PayPal them the tip.

How Much Do You Tip a Tour Guide and Driver?

A tour guide and driver are two different people.

Your tour guide is the person who walks with you, telling you about the sights.

The driver is the person who drives the vehicle between destinations.

There are no hard and fast rules for how much to tip a tour guide and driver , but a good rule of thumb is to tip them each for about $20 per day.

Do You Tip Museum Tour Guides?

Museum tour guides do not need to be tipped.

Museums do not allow their employees to accept tips because it could be seen as a conflict of interest.

Keep in mind that this is not expected or required, and most museum guides will be happy with a simple thank you.

Do You Tip Ghost Tour Guides?

Ghost tour guides are no different than regular tour guides, and you should tip them the same amount – about 20% of the cost of the tour.

These tours can be a lot of fun, and your guide will appreciate your appreciation!

Ghost tours average around $20 dollars, so your tip should be around $5 dollars per person.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to tipping your tour guide, there are no hard and fast rules.

However, the general guideline is to tip between 10-20% of what the tour cost.

This percentage usually depends on how pleased you were with the tour.

It’s always a good idea to give more than you planned on giving, especially if your guide went above and beyond.

The bottom line is this: if you had a good time and learned something, show your appreciation with a tip!

Do you have any questions about tipping tour guides?

Let us know!

And don’t forget to check out our other blog posts for more travel tips and tricks!

Related posts:

John Goldsmith

You asked: How do I find a local tour guide I can trust?

Traveling has always come with complications. Our By The Way Concierge column will take your travel dilemmas to the experts to help you navigate the new normal. Want to see your question answered? Submit it here .

“We’re stopping in Casablanca for one day on an upcoming cruise. How can I find a reliable local guide? I’ve found several sites promoting local guides, but I don’t know whether any of them are trustworthy.” — Edith G., Laurel, Md.

A quick Google search will turn up the major tour companies operating in a city — or the ones paying for ads and searching juice — but you’re looking for the right guide to transform your understanding of a new place and avoid tourist traps .

This has become even more challenging as third-party companies and unauthorized guides have proliferated in tourism hot spots, scooping up tickets and driving up prices. Travel is already complicated; a guide should make it easier.

I’ve found plenty of reliable tour guides through social media and Airbnb Experiences . Before a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, I went down rabbit holes on Instagram , looking at local food influencers and tour companies. Along the way I ended up on the account of Lily Palma, a guide who founded Zapotec Travel by Lily . We coordinated a custom experience over WhatsApp, I sent a deposit in advance and paid for the rest in person, and had a magical time with one of her guides.

Using Airbnb Experiences required far less trawling. For food tours on a trip to Southeast Asia , I looked for local guides and strong reviews in Phuket , Thailand, and Vietnam and was delighted with the outcomes. In Bangkok, I took a risk on a new tour that looked unique but had no reviews; it paid off, and I had a spectacular time learning to cook with Prawit “Wit” Chankasem and his mom Maew at their coconut farm.

To get you started on your hunt, I took a spin through the Casablanca Airbnb Experiences options and thought this history and food tour sounded like a solid pick. In the many detailed reviews, customers described the Moroccan guide as flexible and adaptable, informative and in-depth. You could go on one of his small group tours for $60 per person or book a private one for $300. Another guide had similarly strong reviews, so strong that his tour is described by customers as a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.

I was curious what other travel professionals do, so I reached out to some hotel concierges, travel planners and tour guides for their advice. Multiple industry insiders warned against using mass market sites like Viator or Tripadvisor — which aren’t tour operators themselves but search aggregators.

“The challenge with some those big-box operators is that it is hard for them to vet every experience provider and so there’s a lack of consistency,” said Annie Sim, founder and CEO (chief eating officer) of the Table Less Traveled .

“We recently had a guest of who booked through a big website,” said Sue Yoon, VIP concierge supervisor at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver, Canada. “They prepaid and everything and the driver never showed up.”

Yoon says her hotel always opts for local guides they’ve personally vetted and recommends travelers always ask their hotel for input — even if the traveler has already booked something. Many will be happy to double-check your pick. In your case, you could ask your cruise concierge.

Katie Parla, a tour guide in Rome and cookbook author, says to seek out locals who specialize in a field that interests you. If you’re more into food than museums, search for a food historian or a food writer in town who may do tours on the side. Look for expert titles in your guide searches. “Certified guide” doesn’t tell you as much as “art historian” or “former chef.”

Aaron Millar, a British travel writer and host of the “ Armchair Explorer ” podcast, said some of his best experiences were with people who were experts in their field, including a biologist in Costa Rica and a paleontologist in Utah.

“You’ll get next-level insight, but also passion,” Millar said in an email.

You can also skip the search yourself and turn to a well-established travel adviser or planner to help coordinate a custom trip with one of their preferred guides. Such companies tend to have decades-long relationships with independent guides and can vouch for their services, says Haisley Smith, vice president of product development at Internova Travel . They’ll be able to handpick the right guide for your travel style, “for example, one who specializes in food or architecture or history or maybe that is good with families,” Smith added in an email, recommending you try Abercrombie & Kent’s Morocco office .

It usually won’t cost you more to go through a professional. However, Clio Morichini, head of travel and events for Italy Segreta , a magazine and travel planning company, says you can usually expect a higher price point with a locally based or boutique operation versus ones you might find on Viator. But you get what you pay for, Morichini says, as they’re more likely to have vetted their guides several times before — not only to be qualified, but entertaining.

Lastly, Seda Meral, director of the front office for the Hotel Nikko San Francisco , recommends crowdsourcing information through Facebook travel groups or Reddit , or going to a city’s tourism office. She plans to check in with London’s to find tours for her upcoming trip to the United Kingdom.

What does a tour guide do?

Would you make a good tour guide? Take our career test and find your match with over 800 careers.

What is a Tour Guide?

A tour guide provides assistance, information, and guidance to individuals or groups of tourists during their travels. Their primary role is to enhance the travel experience by sharing knowledge and insights about the destinations, attractions, and cultural aspects of the places being visited. Tour guides are well-versed in the history, geography, culture, and traditions of the locations they cover, and they use their expertise to educate and entertain the tourists.

Tour guides are responsible for organizing and leading tours, ensuring that the itinerary is followed, and the group stays on schedule. They may work in various settings, including cities, historical sites, natural landscapes, or cultural landmarks. During tours, guides provide commentary, answer questions, and engage with the tourists, creating an interactive and immersive experience. They may also assist with logistical matters, such as arranging transportation, coordinating entry to attractions, and recommending places to eat or shop.

What does a Tour Guide do?

Tour guides bring destinations to life by providing valuable expertise and insights. While guidebooks and online resources can offer information, tour guides offer a unique and personalized experience that cannot be replicated.

Duties and Responsibilities Tour guides have a range of duties and responsibilities to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for tourists. Some of the key responsibilities include:

• Planning and organizing: Tour guides research and plan tour itineraries, considering factors such as the duration of the tour, the interests of the group, and the availability of attractions. They arrange transportation, accommodation, meals, and any necessary permits or tickets, ensuring that everything is well-coordinated.
• Providing information and commentary: A primary role of tour guides is to offer informative and engaging commentary about the destinations being visited. They share historical facts, cultural insights, and interesting anecdotes to educate and entertain tourists. Guides should have a deep understanding of the locations, including their history, architecture, local customs, and traditions.
• Leading tours and managing groups: Tour guides are responsible for leading the group throughout the tour. They ensure that the group stays together, follows the itinerary, and adheres to any safety guidelines. Guides should have good organizational and leadership skills to manage groups of varying sizes and diverse backgrounds.
• Assisting with logistics: Tour guides handle practical aspects of the tour, such as coordinating transportation between sites, arranging entry to attractions, and managing timing to optimize the itinerary. They provide directions, answer questions, and offer recommendations for meals, shopping, and other activities.
• Ensuring safety and security: Guides prioritize the safety and security of the tourists. They inform the group about potential risks or hazards, and they take necessary precautions to prevent accidents or incidents. In emergency situations, guides should be prepared to provide assistance and follow appropriate protocols.
• Interacting and engaging with tourists: Tour guides create a welcoming and interactive environment for tourists. They foster a positive and friendly atmosphere, encourage questions, and actively engage with the group. Guides should be approachable and adaptable, catering to the needs and interests of the tourists.
• Resolving issues and addressing concerns: Tour guides act as a point of contact for tourists, addressing any concerns or issues that may arise during the tour. They handle complaints, resolve conflicts, and provide assistance or alternative solutions when needed.
• Promoting responsible and sustainable tourism: Guides play a crucial role in promoting responsible tourism practices. They educate tourists about local customs and cultural sensitivities, encourage respectful behavior towards local communities and the environment, and advocate for sustainable travel practices.

Types of Tour Guides There are various types of tour guides, each specializing in different areas and catering to specific types of tours. Here are some common types of tour guides and a brief description of what they do:

• City Tour Guides: City tour guides specialize in providing tours within a specific city or urban area. They are well-versed in the history, architecture, landmarks, and culture of the city. Their role is to guide tourists through popular attractions, historical sites, and local neighborhoods, offering insights and commentary along the way.
• Cultural Tour Guides: Cultural tour guides focus on highlighting the cultural aspects of a destination. They provide in-depth knowledge about local traditions, customs, festivals, and arts. These guides may accompany tourists to museums, art galleries, cultural events, or religious sites, helping them understand and appreciate the cultural significance of these places.
• Ecotourism Guides : Ecotourism guides are responsible for designing and planning itineraries that are environmentally and culturally responsible, researching the destination, developing educational materials, preparing necessary equipment, and coordinating logistics such as transportation, accommodation, and meals.
• Adventure Tour Guides: Adventure tour guides lead tours focused on outdoor activities and adventure sports such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, or skiing. They possess skills and knowledge in the specific activities offered, ensuring the safety of participants while providing guidance and instruction. Adventure guides may take tourists to remote and challenging locations, coordinating logistics and providing a thrilling experience.
• Historical Tour Guides: Historical tour guides specialize in providing detailed insights into the history of a destination. They are knowledgeable about specific historical periods, events, and significant landmarks. These guides often work in historical sites, monuments, or archaeological sites, sharing historical context and stories that bring the past to life for tourists.
• Specialized Tour Guides: Specialized tour guides cater to niche interests or specific types of tours. Examples include food tour guides who focus on culinary experiences, wine tour guides who provide expertise on vineyards and wine tasting, or art tour guides who lead tours in museums and art galleries, offering interpretations of artworks.

Are you suited to be a tour guide?

Tour guides have distinct personalities . They tend to be social individuals, which means they’re kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly. They excel at socializing, helping others, and teaching. Some of them are also enterprising, meaning they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic.

Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if tour guide is one of your top career matches.

What is the workplace of a Tour Guide like?

The workplace of a tour guide can be quite diverse and dynamic, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor environments. One aspect of their workplace involves cultural and urban settings. City tour guides, for instance, operate within bustling cities, leading tourists through streets, squares, and iconic landmarks. They may work in vibrant neighborhoods, historic districts, or cosmopolitan areas, immersing tourists in the local culture and urban atmosphere. These guides navigate through crowded streets, interact with locals, and provide insights into the city's history, architecture, and vibrant lifestyle. They may also lead tours in museums, art galleries, or cultural centers, where they can showcase the city's artistic and cultural offerings.

Another significant aspect of a tour guide's workplace is outdoor settings. Nature and wildlife tour guides find themselves working in breathtaking natural landscapes, such as forests, mountains, or coastal areas. These guides lead groups on hikes, nature walks, or wildlife safaris, sharing their knowledge about the local flora, fauna, and ecosystems. Their workplace is characterized by stunning scenery, serene environments, and opportunities for visitors to connect with nature. Adventure tour guides also operate in outdoor settings, taking tourists on thrilling activities like rafting, rock climbing, or skiing. They work in adventurous and often remote locations, ensuring the safety of participants while providing an adrenaline-pumping experience.

Additionally, the workplace of a tour guide can extend to various modes of transportation. They may lead tours on buses, boats, trains, or even walking tours, utilizing different forms of transportation to explore diverse attractions and destinations. This allows guides to provide a comprehensive experience, showcasing various facets of a region while offering comfort and convenience to tourists.

Tour Guides are also known as: Tourist Guide

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• Travel Tips

The Ultimate Country-by-country Guide to Tipping in Europe

Here's how much to tip in Europe, from hotels and restaurants to taxis and tour guides.

The staycations and trip cancellations from the past two years are giving way to a big travel year, and European countries are top of mind for many. Much has changed within the travel space since the COVID-19 pandemic, and among the questions tourists have now is: How much should I tip?

This uncertainty is nothing new, actually. Most travelers are aware that tipping practices differ between the U.S. and Europe. Rick Steves, author, TV host, and expert on European travel, recently told Travel + Leisure , "People overthink tipping in Europe." Steves' website also begins with similar advice: "Don't stress over tipping."

Still, some guidelines can be helpful. Customs change, and there's even some thought that pandemic-related restaurant and hotel shutdowns have created a need for larger gratuities. On that topic, Steves said, "There's really no rationale for bigger tipping because of COVID, in my experience."

We also contacted several Europe-based travel professionals for their insight. According to Simone Amorico , co-owner and CEO of Access Italy , "At restaurants in Italy, an average of 10% to 15% is appreciated. When it comes to drivers and tour guides, it all depends on the experience. Average is 10%, but many leave more, especially post-pandemic." He added, "At hotels, guests may tip the concierge or guest relations, depending on the services requested, as well as housekeeping, but the figure varies."

Richard Nahem, longtime Paris resident and owner of Eye Prefer Paris Tours , said, "The tip is usually included in the bill, and it's sometimes called the service charge. It's perfectly acceptable not to leave a tip, but it's customary to leave 3% to 5% as a courtesy. Most restaurants and cafes are not equipped to add a tip to your credit card bill, so it's best to have some coins with you. Hand the cash tip to the server, rather than leaving it on the table." Nahem added, "It's also customary to tip the concierge at hotels, and for taxis, a euro or two is fine."

Travelers to Europe often take group tours and want to reward an especially entertaining or accommodating guide. For a two-hour walking tour, for example, a tip of two to five euros per person is appropriate, according to Rick Steves. For a smaller group, the tip should be more, and for a private guide, 10 to 20 euros for the group is fine in most cases, unless extra service is provided. At bars in Europe, tips are not customary, but leaving change or a few euros is always appreciated, if not expected. For takeaway food or drinks, counter dining, or stand-up service, tips are also not customary.

Clearly, even the advice from experts varies when it comes to tipping customs, and in many cases, it comes down to personal judgment. However, all would agree that no matter how many euros a traveler leaves, it's most important to treat servers and hospitality workers with courtesy .

Here are a few guidelines on tipping in Europe.

The service charge (servizio) is usually included and noted on the check. If there's no service charge, a 10% to 15% tip is fine. A cover charge (coperto) may be indicated, but that is generally not for the waitstaff. At hotels, tip around two euros per bag, and for housekeeping, one euro per night is appropriate. For taxis, no tip is necessary, but leaving the change for the driver is customary. Tips for tour guides vary, but consider 10% an average.

In restaurants, a service charge is often included, but if not, 5% to 10% is normal. At hotels, tip one to two euros per bag for porters, and the same per day for housekeeping. Taxi drivers expect about 10%, and about the same for tour guides, but you may wish to add more if your guide provides special service.

Service is generally included on restaurant checks, but if not, 10% to 15% is considered generous. No tip is necessary for taxis, but rounding up or leaving the change is fine. One euro per bag is customary for porters at hotels, and one euro per day for housekeeping is appreciated, but not required. Tour guide tips vary, depending on the type of tour. Start at 10%, but offer more for a private tour.

As in most other countries, add 10% to 15% if a service charge is not indicated on the restaurant check. For taxis, leave the change or round up if paying cash. In hotels, leave about two euros per night for housekeeping, and tip porters approximately one euro per bag. Tour guide gratuities should be about 10% as a starting point.

Switzerland

A service charge is typically included in the check, but it's customary to add about 10%, depending on the service. For taxis, rounding up to a few Swiss francs is fine. At hotels, a few francs for porters, doormen, and housekeeping is normal for services provided. Gratuities for tour guides will vary depending on the type of tour, with 10% as a general base.

Iceland and Scandinavian Countries

Tipping in these countries is different from most of the other European destinations in that gratuities are not expected. Most restaurants include service in the bill; at most, round up or leave change if paying in cash. Hotel employees don't expect tips for services, but you may still provide a small amount for extra help. Taxi drivers don't expect tips, either, nor do tour guides. However, for a guide that offers something special, or for a private or full-day tour, you may want to give 10% or so.

CAREER PATHWAYS

Looking for the perfect job? Explore our Career Guides!

How to Become a Tour Guide

By Alyciah Beavers

Published: February 28, 2024

If you’ve been wondering how to embark on a fulfilling journey as a tour guide, this article is your roadmap to a career that lets you explore the world while sharing its wonders with others. Here, we discuss the role of a tour guide, how to become one, and some of the tour guide skills you should possess. Plus, we’ll delve into what the tour guide salary is like, helping you make an informed decision about this exciting profession.

Career Summary

Tour guide salary.

Are you wondering how much a tour guide earns in the United States? Well, the average tour guide salary is $40K per year. However, there is an estimated addition of $18K each year in bonuses, commissions, profit sharing, and tour guide tips from clients.

According to Glassdoor , here is the breakdown per each level:

• Entry Salary (US$45k)
• Median Salary (US$59k)
• Executive Salary (US$79k)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average wage in the US is $61,900, meaning that tour guide salary falls behind the national average of other occupations.

What does a Tour Guide do?

A tour guide, also called a tour leader or local guide, plays a considerable role in promoting and preserving a town, city, organization, or country’s historical and cultural heritage. These are certified professionals licensed to lead other people on trips and tours while providing an informative, educational, and enjoyable experience.

Tour Guide Career Progression

• Entry-Level Tour Guide :  Leading basic tours, assisting with logistics, and providing introductory information to tourists.
• Tour Guide :  Leading a variety of tours, providing in-depth information, and ensuring an enjoyable experience for tourists.
• Senior Tour Guide : Taking on more complex and specialized tours, training and supervising junior guides, and often acting as a point of contact for clients.
• Specialized Tour Guide : Specialized tour guides focus on specific niches or interests within the industry, such as history, art, adventure, wildlife, or culinary tours.
• Tour Manager : They oversee the logistics and operations of multiple tours and ensure that all aspects of a tour, including transportation, accommodations, and activities, run smoothly.
• Tour Company Owner or CEO : At the highest level, a tour company’s executive director oversees the entire business. They set the company’s vision, strategy, and direction, manage financial aspects, and make critical decisions impacting its growth and success.

The Pros and Cons of Working as a Tour Guide

• You will live your dream and share your exploration and traveling passion with others.
• It is an opportunity to interact and relate with people from diverse walks of life and learn about different cultures.
• You are constantly learning about the history, culture, and geography of the places you guide.
• It is an opportunity to assist people in having memorable experiences and creating lasting memories.
• Tour guides may have to give the same tour multiple times daily, leading to repetition and potential monotony.
• Career growth and advancement opportunities may be limited for tour guides, as it’s often a front-line, customer-facing role.
• Sometimes, tour guides must work in various weather conditions, which can be uncomfortable and challenging.
• Guides may need to work with tourists who speak different languages, creating communication challenges.

Useful Tour Guide Skills to Have

• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Public speaking Skills
• Storytelling Skills
• Multilingual Skills

Popular Tour Guide Specialties

• Historical and Cultural Tours
• Culinary Tours
• Wildlife and Eco-Tours
• Religious and Spiritual Tours

Do I Need A Degree To Become A Tour Guide?

You only need a high school diploma to become a tour guide. However, different tour guide jobs need a degree. For example, to become a tour guide in a museum, you might require a degree in history-related fields.

Here are some key points to consider in determining whether to get a degree or not:

• Location and Regulations : The requirements for becoming a tour guide can vary by country and region. Some places may have specific regulations or licensing requirements for tour guides, which may or may not include the need for a degree. It’s essential to research the rules in your specific area.
• Type of Tours : The tours you want to guide can also influence the educational requirements. For example, leading historical or cultural tours may require more specialized knowledge and may be more likely to necessitate a degree in history , art, or a related field.
• Tour Company or Organization : Some tour companies or organizations may have specific requirements. Some may prioritize experience, personality, and local knowledge over formal education, while others may prefer candidates with relevant degrees or certifications.
• Tourist Demands : Understanding the needs and interests of the tourists you plan to guide is crucial. Some tourists may prefer guides with in-depth knowledge, which a degree can provide, while others may prioritize guides that offer a unique and engaging experience.
• Language Skills: Fluency in one or more languages can be a valuable asset for a tour guide. Language proficiency may sometimes be more important than a formal degree.
• Local Knowledge : For tours in a specific location, deep local knowledge, history, and cultural insights are often precious. This kind of expertise doesn’t necessarily require a formal degree.

What are the Benefits of Getting a Degree in Tourism?

Getting a degree in tourism can be important for several reasons, depending on your career goals and the specific context of the tourism industry in your region.

Here are some reasons why obtaining a degree in tourism can be beneficial:

• Knowledge and Expertise : A degree in tourism provides a comprehensive understanding of the local culture, history, geography, and other relevant information about the destinations you’ll be guiding people through. This knowledge can enhance the quality of your tours and make you a more informative and engaging guide.
• Professionalism : A degree can help you develop the tour guide skills and professionalism required to excel in the field. You’ll learn about customer service, communication, and safety protocols, which can enhance the overall experience for tourists and ensure their safety.
• Legal and Regulatory Requirements : Tour guides must be licensed or certified in many places, and a degree in tourism can help you meet these regulatory requirements. It can also provide a strong foundation for passing required exams or assessments.
• Career Advancement : A degree can open up more career opportunities within the tourism industry. For example, you might qualify for higher-paying positions, such as managing a team of guides or working as a travel consultant or planner.
• Networking : While pursuing a degree, you’ll have the opportunity to network with other students, professors, and industry professionals.
• Global Perspective : Some tour guide programs cover international tourism, which can be especially valuable for working in a worldwide or cross-cultural context. It can help you understand the needs and expectations of tourists from diverse backgrounds.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Degree In Tourism?

The time it takes to earn a degree in tourism can vary depending on several factors, including the degree level and whether you’re pursuing the degree full-time or part-time.

Here’s a general overview of the different types of degrees in tourism and their durations:

• Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism : It takes at least two weeks to complete a certificate in tourism and hospitality, where you will also get on-site training.
• Associate’s Degree : An associate’s degree in tourism or a related field takes around two years of full-time study. You will find these programs at community colleges or vocational schools.
• Bachelor’s Degree : A bachelor’s degree in tourism or hospitality management takes about 3 to 4 years of full-time study. The exact duration can vary by country and specific program requirements.
• Master’s Degree: A master’s degree in tourism or a related field usually takes 1 to 2 years of full-time study after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Some programs may offer accelerated options, and the duration may also depend on the specific master’s program.

How Much Does It Cost To Study Hospitality And Tourism At University?

The cost of studying Hospitality and Tourism at a university can vary widely depending on several factors, including the region where you choose to study, the specific university or college you attend, your residency status, and the level of the program, whether undergraduate or postgraduate.

On average, public colleges charge $9,300 per year for in-state students, whereas out-of-state students pay $26,400 for a bachelor’s degree . 

Here are factors that can influence the cost:

• Location : Tuition fees can vary significantly from one state to another. 
• University : The reputation and ranking of the university can impact tuition costs. More prestigious universities may charge higher tuition fees.
• Degree Level : Undergraduate programs are typically less expensive than postgraduate programs such as a master’s program.
• Duration of Program : Longer programs will cost more than shorter ones.
• Additional Costs : Consider other expenses, such as housing, textbooks, transportation, and living costs, when calculating the total cost of your education.
• Scholarships and Financial Aid : Many universities offer scholarships and financial aid to help students offset the cost of their education.

Can I Become A Tour Guide Through Online Education?

Are you researching how to become a tour guide and wondering if you can study online? Yes, you can . And, it is cheaper to study online to become a tour guide.

Here’s a general outline of the steps involved in becoming a tour guide and where online education can fit in:

• Research and Familiarization : Start by gaining in-depth knowledge about the area where you wish to become a tour guide. This may involve online research, reading books, and watching documentaries or online courses related to the region’s history, culture, and geography.
• Formal Education : Many universities and colleges offer online degrees or certificates in tourism , hospitality, history, or cultural studies, which can provide you with a strong educational foundation. 
• Customer Service and Soft Skills : Effective communication, people skills, and customer service are crucial for tour guides. You can improve these skills through online courses, workshops, and books on customer service and interpersonal communication.

What Are Some Web Resources To Learn Skills To Become A Tour Guide?

Here are some web resources to help you develop the necessary tour guide skills and knowledge related to tourism and hospitality:

• National Tour Association (NTA) : The NTA provides resources, education, and networking opportunities for tour professionals. Their website offers webinars, articles, and publications on tour guiding and tourism.
• International Tour Management Institute (ITMI): ITMI offers online courses and resources for tour guides and directors. They cover various aspects of tour management, from group dynamics to destination knowledge.
• Tourism e-Lab : This e-learning platform offers a wide range of online courses related to tourism and hospitality. Courses cover tour guiding, travel management, and customer service.
• World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) : The WFTGA website provides information about professional tour guiding standards, international tour guiding events, and educational opportunities.
• Tourism and Hospitality Schools’ Websites : Many universities and colleges with programs in tourism and hospitality offer free resources, such as lecture notes and presentations, on their websites. These resources can help gain a more in-depth understanding of the field.
• Forums and Online Communities : Joining forums and communities of tour guides can be a great way to learn from experienced guides, exchange tour guide tips, and get advice. Look for platforms like TripAdvisor’s forums forums or dedicated tour guide forums.

Practical Experience

What are internship opportunities for a tour guide.

Internship opportunities for a tour guide can be a great way to gain practical experience and develop the skills necessary for a career in tourism and hospitality.

Here are some internship opportunities that can help you on your path to becoming a tour guide:

• Tour Companies : Many tour companies offer internships for individuals interested in becoming tour guides. These internships may involve shadowing experienced guides, learning about different tour routes, and assisting with tour logistics.
• Museums and Cultural Institutions : Museums and cultural institutions often offer internships related to guided tours. These internships may involve researching and developing tour content, leading tours, and interacting with visitors.
• National and State Parks : If you’re interested in nature and outdoor activities, consider internships at national and state parks. These opportunities can provide you with experience in guiding hikes, wildlife tours, and educational programs.
• Historical Sites : Historical sites and landmarks often employ tour guides. Interning at such locations can give you hands-on experience sharing historical and cultural information with visitors.
• Travel Agencies : Some travel agencies offer internships that involve assisting clients with tour bookings, creating itineraries, and learning about various travel destinations.
• Cruise Lines : If you’re interested in working as a tour guide on cruise ships, consider internships with cruise lines. These internships may involve assisting with onboard tours and excursions.
• Hospitality Industry : Some internships in the hospitality industry can also be relevant for tour guides. Working at hotels, resorts, or hostels can help you gain customer service and guest interaction skills.

What Skills Will I Learn as a Tour Guide?

Here are some of the critical skills you’ll develop as a tour guide:

• Knowledge of the Destination : A tour guide must have in-depth knowledge about the location they are guiding in. This includes historical, cultural, and geographical information and up-to-date information on local events and attractions.
• Communication Skills : Effective communication is crucial. You need to convey information clearly and engagingly to your clients. This includes public speaking, storytelling, and interpersonal communication.
• Adaptability : Tour guides must be flexible and adapt to unexpected changes or challenges during tours, such as weather, transportation issues, or last-minute schedule changes.
• Leadership : You will lead a group, manage their behavior, and ensure they follow the tour’s rules and guidelines.
• Time Management : Tours often have tight schedules, so keeping the group on time and track is crucial.
• Safety Awareness : Ensuring the safety of your clients is paramount. You need to be trained in first aid and emergency procedures and understand the local safety regulations well.
• Cultural Sensitivity : Be aware of cultural norms and differences to respect the traditions and customs of your clients, especially in a multicultural environment.
• Navigation : Familiarity with the area’s layout and understanding of maps and GPS systems are valuable for navigating destinations.
• Storytelling : Being able to tell engaging and informative stories about the location’s history, culture, and landmarks can make the tour more enjoyable and memorable for your clients.
• Knowledge of Tour Logistics : Understanding the logistics of organizing and conducting tours, such as transportation, entrance fees, permits, and other administrative tasks.
• Conflict Resolution : Dealing with client disputes or conflicts within the group diplomatically and effectively is an important skill.
• Technology: Proficiency with technology, including audio equipment, multimedia presentations, and mobile apps, helps guide the tourists, thus enhancing the tour experience.

What is the Work-Life Balance of a Tour Guide?

A tour guide’s work-life balance can vary depending on several factors, including the type of tours they lead, their company, their experience, and their personal preferences.

Here are some key considerations:

• Seasonality : Tour guides often work in a seasonal industry. Summer seasons and holidays, for instance, have long, busy workdays with limited time off. In contrast, during the off-season, they may have more flexibility and free time.
• Hours of Operation : Some tours, like day tours or city tours, have regular working hours, while others, like multi-day or specialized tours, may require irregular or longer hours. Evening and weekend work is common in the industry.
• Flexibility : Independent tour guides may have more control over their schedules and can better manage their work-life balance. On the other hand, guides employed by larger tour companies may have less flexibility and be subject to fixed plans.
• Physical Demands : Tour guiding can be physically demanding, as guides often spend long hours on their feet and may need to keep up with a fast-paced itinerary. This can impact their work-life balance and overall well-being.
• Personal Preferences : Some tour guides may prefer a more flexible, on-the-go lifestyle, while others may value a more structured work schedule. The balance between work and personal life can vary based on individual preferences.
• Time Off : Tour guides work when others have time off, such as weekends and holidays. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, as it allows them to meet tourists during these high-demand periods but can limit their leisure time.
• Burnout : The nature of the job, with its long hours, repetitive information delivery, and the need to cater to tourists’ needs, can lead to burnout if not appropriately managed.

What’s the Career Outlook for Tour Guides?

According to BLS, the projected employment outlook for a tour guide will change drastically from 2022 to 2032, with 4,300 new jobs each year and an 8% growth in this industry.

However, the career outlook for tour guides depends on the location, the type of tours offered, and economic conditions. 

What Are The Job Opportunities Of A Tour Guide?

Job opportunities for tour guides can vary depending on their location, specialization, and skills.

Here are some common job opportunities for tour guides:

• City Tour Guide : City tour guides lead tourists on tours of urban areas, providing historical, cultural, and architectural information about the city’s landmarks, neighborhoods, and attractions.
• Museum Tour Guide : Tour guides work in museums and art galleries, offering explanations and insights about the exhibits and artifacts.
• Nature and Adventure Tour Guide : These guides lead outdoor tours, such as hiking, wildlife safaris, or adventure activities like rafting or zip-lining. They share their knowledge about local flora, fauna, and outdoor experiences.
• Cultural Tour Guide : Tour guides showcase a region’s local culture, traditions, and customs. They often lead tours to festivals, historical sites, and cultural events.
• Wine Tour Guide : Wine tour guides work in vineyards and wineries, leading tours that include wine tastings and education about the winemaking process.
• Food Tour Guide : Food tour guides introduce tourists to local culinary delights, taking them to restaurants, markets, and food-related events to sample regional dishes.
• Historic Tour Guide : Historic tour guides specialize in providing insights into the history of a particular location or landmark. They may lead tours of historical sites, battlefields, or architectural wonders.
• Educational Tour Guide : Educational tour guides work with school groups or educational institutions, providing informative tours focused on history, science, or culture.
• Cruise Ship Tour Guide : Cruise ship tour guides organize and lead shore excursions for cruise passengers at various ports of call.
• Language-Specific Tour Guide : If you are proficient in a foreign language, you can be a language-specific tour guide for tourists who speak your language. This is especially valuable in regions popular with international tourists.
• Private Tour Guide: Some tour guides offer private tours tailored to the specific interests of individual or small groups of travelers.
• Virtual Tour Guide : With the rise of virtual tourism and online experiences, there is a growing demand for virtual tour guides who lead tours via video conferencing or virtual reality platforms.

What Type of Organizations Hire a Tour Guide?

The type of companies or organizations that hire tour guides can vary based on the tours’ nature and the guiding services’ specific focus.

Here are some examples:

• Tour Operators
• Travel Agencies
• Museums and Cultural Institutions
• National and State Parks
• Cruise Lines
• Historical Sites and Landmarks
• Zoos and Aquariums
• Adventure and Eco-Tourism Companies
• Walking and Segway Tour Companies
• Bus and Trolley Tour Companies
• Language Schools
• Event and Conference Organizers
• Educational Institutions

Should I become a Tour Guide?

Looking at all the information we have discussed above, becoming a tour guide will help you develop new skills such as adaptability and communication skills. There is a chance to grow and move from entry-level to CEO based on your specialty.

However, the annual average wage is relatively lower than other occupations, which might challenge some. Therefore, look at your skills, passion, and lifetime goals to determine if the career works for you.

Careers Related to Tour Guide

• Customer Service Representative
• Event Planner
• Travel Agent

About the Author

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• Travel Guide

How Much To Tip A Private Tour Guide

Published: December 12, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Andrei Cade

• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Tips

Introduction

Embarking on a private adventure tour is an exciting and luxurious way to explore the world. Whether you’re hiking through breathtaking landscapes, exploring ancient ruins, or discovering hidden gems in bustling cities, a private tour guide can enhance your experience by providing expert knowledge and personalized attention. But when it comes to tipping your tour guide, how much should you give? Tipping is an important aspect of many service industries, and adventure travel is no exception. In this article, we will explore the factors to consider when tipping a private tour guide, customary tipping practices, and guidelines to help you navigate this aspect of your journey.

When determining the appropriate amount to tip your private tour guide, it’s crucial to take several factors into account. The level of service provided, the length and difficulty of the tour, and the destination are all key considerations. A knowledgeable and engaging guide who goes above and beyond to ensure your enjoyment and safety deserves recognition. On the other hand, a guide who falls short of expectations may not warrant the same level of appreciation.

Customs and tipping practices can also vary greatly from one country to another. It’s essential to educate yourself on the local customs to avoid inadvertently offending your guide. Some countries have a strong tipping culture, while others may have more modest expectations. By familiarizing yourself with the specific customs in your destination, you can show respect for the local culture and add an extra touch of appreciation for the exceptional service provided by your private tour guide.

Although there are no strict rules when it comes to tipping private tour guides, there are some general guidelines that can help you make an informed decision. It is customary to tip private tour guides between 10% and 20% of the total cost of the tour. However, this percentage can vary depending on factors such as the quality of service, your satisfaction, and your budget.

While tipping is customary and appreciated in most cases, there are situations where it may not be appropriate or expected. For example, if your tour guide is the owner of the company or if they have already included a substantial service charge in the tour price, tipping may not be necessary. Additionally, if you encounter a tour guide who provides poor service or behaves unprofessionally, it is within your rights to withhold a tip.

Tipping a private tour guide is a gesture of appreciation for their expertise, dedication, and the memorable experiences they provide. By taking into account the factors discussed and following the guidelines for tipping, you can show your gratitude while respecting local customs. Remember, the ultimate goal is to build a positive and mutually rewarding relationship with your private tour guide, ensuring that your adventure is truly unforgettable.

Factors to Consider when Tipping a Private Tour Guide

When deciding how much to tip your private tour guide, several factors should be taken into consideration. These factors can help you determine the appropriate amount to show appreciation for the service provided. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Quality of Service: The level of service provided by your tour guide is an important factor in determining the tip amount. Consider whether your guide went above and beyond to enhance your experience, provided insightful information, and ensured your safety and comfort throughout the tour.
• Length and Difficulty of the Tour: If your private tour was an all-day or multi-day adventure, or involved physically demanding activities, it is worth considering a higher tip amount. Guides who put in extra effort and energy to accommodate your needs and make the tour memorable deserve recognition.
• Destination: Tipping customs and expectations can vary from one destination to another. Research the local culture and tipping practices in the country you are visiting to ensure you adhere to their customs. Some countries may have a strong tipping culture, while others may have more modest expectations.
• Personal Satisfaction: Your personal satisfaction with the tour and the guide’s performance should also influence your tipping decision. If you were exceptionally pleased with the service provided and felt it greatly enhanced your experience, you may want to tip on the higher end of the customary range.
• Budget: While it’s important to acknowledge and appreciate your tour guide’s efforts, it’s equally important to consider your own budget. Tipping should be within your means and not put a strain on your finances. It’s perfectly acceptable to tip at the lower end of the customary range if that is what fits comfortably within your budget.

By taking these factors into consideration, you can arrive at an appropriate tipping amount that reflects the quality of service, the nature of the tour, and your personal satisfaction. It’s important to remember that tipping is a discretionary gesture of appreciation, and there are no strict rules or requirements. However, being mindful of these factors can help you make an informed decision and show your gratitude to your private tour guide.

Customary Tipping Practices for Private Tour Guides

Tipping practices for private tour guides can vary widely depending on the destination and cultural norms. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the customary tipping practices of the country you are visiting to ensure you show appropriate appreciation for your guide’s service. Here are some general guidelines for customary tipping practices when it comes to private tour guides:

• Research the Local Customs: Before embarking on your adventure tour, take the time to research the tipping customs of your destination. This will give you a better understanding of what is expected and help you avoid any cultural misunderstandings.
• Percentage of the Tour Cost: In many countries, it is customary to tip private tour guides between 10% and 20% of the total cost of the tour. This percentage can vary depending on factors such as the level of service, your satisfaction, and your budget. Consider the quality of service provided and your overall experience when determining the tip amount.
• Consider Group Size: If you’re traveling in a group, it’s important to consider whether the tip should be given individually or pooled together. Some countries have different customs for group tips, so it’s important to clarify with your tour guide or tour company how they prefer to handle tips for larger groups.
• Check if a Service Charge is Included: In some countries or with certain tour companies, a service charge may already be included in the total cost of the tour. This means that tipping may not be necessary or expected. However, if you received exceptional service, you may still choose to give an additional tip as a token of your appreciation.
• Show Appreciation in Local Currency: When tipping your private tour guide, it’s best to give the tip in the local currency to make it more convenient for them. Additionally, using the local currency shows respect for the local customs and demonstrates your understanding of the cultural norms.
• Consider Additional Support Staff: In some cases, your private tour may involve additional support staff, such as drivers, porters, or local guides. It is customary to also tip these individuals separately, as they provide essential services throughout your journey.

Remember that these are general guidelines, and it’s always a good idea to be flexible and adapt to the specific customs and expectations of the country you are visiting. By following these customary tipping practices, you can show your appreciation for the exceptional service provided by your private tour guide and ensure a positive and respectful interaction.

Guidelines for Tipping a Private Tour Guide

When it comes to tipping a private tour guide, it’s helpful to have some general guidelines to ensure you show your appreciation appropriately. While there are no hard and fast rules, the following guidelines can help you navigate the tipping process:

• Consider the Level of Service: Evaluate the level of service provided by your tour guide. Did they go above and beyond to make your experience memorable? Did they demonstrate extensive knowledge and expertise? Tipping should be reflective of the quality of service received.
• Tipping Range: Typically, tipping private tour guides ranges between 10% and 20% of the total cost of the tour. However, this can vary depending on factors such as the destination, the length and difficulty of the tour, and your personal satisfaction. Use this range as a starting point and adjust accordingly based on your own assessment.
• Be Mindful of Your Budget: While it’s important to show appreciation for exceptional service, it’s equally important to stay within your budget. Tipping should not place undue financial strain on you. If you’re not able to tip at the higher end of the range, tipping at the lower end is still a gesture of appreciation.
• Personalize Your Tip: If you had an exceptional experience with your tour guide, consider personalizing your tip. You could include a handwritten note expressing your gratitude for their efforts or a small gift that symbolizes your appreciation. Personal touches can make the tip more memorable and meaningful for your guide.
• Consider Local Customs: Familiarize yourself with the local customs and tipping practices of the country you are visiting. Some countries may have different expectations or customs when it comes to tipping. Being aware of and respecting these customs shows cultural sensitivity and appreciation for the local culture.
• Evaluate Additional Support Staff: If your private tour involves additional support staff, such as drivers or local guides, it’s customary to tip them separately. These individuals also contribute to your overall experience and should be acknowledged for their efforts.

Keep in mind that tipping is a discretionary gesture of appreciation and there are no hard and fast rules. The most important aspect is to recognize and express gratitude for the service provided by your private tour guide. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your tip reflects the quality of service received while respecting the local customs and staying within your budget.

When Not to Tip a Private Tour Guide

While tipping is a customary practice for private tour guides, there are certain situations where it may not be appropriate or expected. Here are some instances where you might consider withholding a tip:

• Owner of the Tour Company: If your private tour guide is also the owner of the tour company, tipping may not be necessary. In this case, the guide already benefits from the profits of the tour, and an additional tip may not be expected. However, if the guide provided exceptional service, you may still choose to give a tip as a token of appreciation.
• Price Includes a Substantial Service Charge: Some private tours may already include a substantial service charge in the total cost. In such cases, tipping may not be necessary, as the service charge already compensates the guide for their services. However, if you were exceptionally pleased with the service or received personalized attention, you can still consider giving an additional tip.
• Poor Service or Unprofessional Behavior: If your tour guide provides poor service, behaves unprofessionally, or fails to meet your expectations, it is within your rights to withhold a tip. Tipping is meant to acknowledge and appreciate exceptional service, and if that service is lacking, you are not obligated to give a tip.
• Not Customary in the Local Culture: In some cultures or destinations, tipping may not be a customary practice for private tour guides. It’s important to research and respect the local customs when it comes to tipping. In these cases, showing appreciation through verbal praise or a thank-you note may be more appropriate.
• Tour is Inclusive of Tips: There may be instances where the tour package you booked already includes tips for the guide and other support staff. In these cases, it is not necessary to give an additional tip, as it has already been factored into the overall cost of the tour.

Remember, tipping is a personal decision based on the quality of service received and the specific circumstances of the tour. It is important to consider these factors and make an informed decision about whether or not to tip your private tour guide. However, it is always encouraged to acknowledge and express appreciation for exceptional service in some form, whether it be through a tip, a kind gesture, or a positive review.

Tipping a private tour guide is a way to show appreciation for their exceptional service, expertise, and dedication to making your adventure memorable. While there are no strict rules when it comes to tipping, considering factors such as the quality of service, the length and difficulty of the tour, the destination, and your personal satisfaction can help you determine an appropriate tip amount.

Researching the local customs and tipping practices of your destination is crucial to ensure you adhere to cultural norms. It demonstrates respect for the local culture and shows your understanding and appreciation for their customs. In some countries, tipping private tour guides between 10% and 20% of the total tour cost is customary, but this can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. Ultimately, your tipping decision should be based on your own assessment and budget.

It’s important to remember that tipping is a discretionary gesture of gratitude. In some instances, such as when the guide is the owner of the tour company or if a service charge is already included in the price, tipping may not be necessary or expected. Similarly, if your tour guide provides poor service or behaves unprofessionally, you may choose to withhold a tip.

By following guidelines, being mindful of cultural customs, and evaluating the level of service and your own satisfaction, you can ensure that your tip is a genuine expression of appreciation for your private tour guide’s efforts. Always remember to show respect, use the local currency, and consider tipping additional support staff if applicable.

Tipping is just one way to express your gratitude. Verbal praise, a handwritten note, or a positive review can also go a long way in acknowledging and appreciating the outstanding service provided by your private tour guide. The ultimate goal is to foster a positive and mutually rewarding relationship, ensuring that your adventure travel experience is truly unforgettable.

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• Tour Account ›
• Travel Forum ›
• Travel Forum
• To the East
• Touring the Acrop...

Touring the Acropolis with a guide - yes or no?

Do you recommend touring the Acropolis and other associated sites with an experienced guide, or just taking a guidebook and doing it yourself? My girlfriend & I are visiting in 2 weeks and can't decide if we should sign up with one of the walking tours or not. Is it really worth the money?

I'll start the voting. No, it's not worth it. You'll be fine with a good guidebook and your own instincts.

A good-and current-guidebook will go a long way to providing a general overview of facts but a well-educated tour guide will be able to provide better historic, political and anthropological perspectives. It really depends on how much detail you're after.

I didn't use a guide, and don't think it's really worth the money to get one (I also felt the same way about Ephesus). I had a good guidebook and researched the historic sites beforehand, so I don't feel like I missed anything.

For first-timers, the Rick Steves new guide Athens & the Peloponnese is the ticket. Costs $20 or so,... but a licensed guide tour = 30+€ each. The Steves' guide has a step-by-step approach that is helpful ("stand here, and look to your left, you will see a hole in the wall.."). NOTE:you should follow up your Trip up the ROck with a visit to the wonderful New Acropolis Museum... and Rick's Book is very scanty on this (it was on press when it opened). However, they give you a good folder at the opening (AND you can "lurk" and listen to guides addressng groups). Best strategy; go EARLY to Acropolis, it opens at 8 am... crowds start arriving at 9:30. Then walk down... either through Agora, or down through the Theatres ... go to the Museum, on the pedestrianized walkway just south of Acropolis. It has a lovely terrace restaurant looking up at Parthenon for nice Reasonable lunch.

I am with Lee. Nothing like to good guide to provide insight and answer questions. We have done it both ways but will always opt for a guide if available. There is a limit to what a guidebook can include and almost unlimited what a guide can say. Last time in Athens we used Athens Walking tours or something similar to that. Well worth the money. Think about, you have traveled thousands of miles to get there, spent hundreds of dollars, and at the last minute you want to save 10 or 15 dollars by just reading a guide book????

I toured without a guide and I didn't feel a guide would have been worthwhile, just get a good guidebook. Be super carefully when walking at the sight the marble is badly worn and very slippery.

See the Acropolis with as much information as you can afford. If a guidebook is your limit then that is the way to go. If you can afford a qualified guide I feel sure that one can expand your experience. Sometimes you can share the cost with fellow travelers.

I find it interesting that someone who has never used a guide is quick to say that a guide is not worth it. The one thing that I haven't tried that might be a fair substitute for a guide is an ipod cast. But will take make the argument that a guide book or even a ipod cast cannot answer questions.

EDIT: For my part, I have used guides in the past, which is why I don't use them now. I like the freedom of exploring ancient sites on my own, with my own thoughts and reflections. A guide intrudes on that and disturbs my peace. I can tune out the crowds, but it's hard to tune out someone jabbering away at me. It is also because I am a very visual person as are a lot of other people. It is easier for me to comprehend the the written word over the spoken word. ...edited due to confusion on my part. :)

The controversy over using a guide or not is a matter of affordability, and that differs widely. For some people, €28=30 for a 3.5 hour tour, along with about 15 other people, led by a reputable licensed-guide (the athenswalkingtour.com package) is fine, and worth it. Others cannot afford this. Still others find it "Worth it" to hire a licensed guide at 50-€100 per hour (shared by 3-4 people), and are at the income level where this is deemed very affordable. So... people who are upper income and want a private guide shouldn't judge others who have to scrimp. All I would say is ... if you want to get the most out of it as a D-I-Y, prepare prepare prepare. IT will make the experience much more meaningful.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

4 travel tips to put your mind at ease during your next trip

The season of summer holiday travel is just around the corner. 

You might find yourself heading to one of the U.S.’s many national parks, exploring a historic European city or jetting off somewhere tropical, like the Maldives.  

That all sounds like fun, but unfortunately, travel mishaps may also happen. Luggage gets lost, passports get misplaced and phones may not work at international destinations when they aren't connected to Wi-Fi.  

To avoid the headaches and prepare for whatever may come your way (or what accidentally gets left behind), follow these simple tips.  

Watch this video to see the four things you should do before your next trip.

Learn more: Best credit cards of 2023

Pre-Travel Tips 

All you need to get travel-ready is your smartphone.

• Take pictures. 

Take pictures and screenshots of the important items and documents before you leave for your trip. 

This would include: 

• Your luggage
• The photo page of your passport
• Your ID cards
• Any travel-related confirmations
• Location and contact details for the places you’re staying

Creating an album on your phone or marking the images as favorites will make it easier to find them should you need them. 

It couldn’t hurt to also share these pictures with a trusted loved one, like a significant other or close friend.

• Turn on Notify When Left Behind

Turn on Notify When Left Behind if you use Apple products.  

The feature, available on some iPhones, iPads, Macs, and AirPods, will notify you if you are separated from your items, like if you forget your AirPods in your hotel room. 

To turn Notify When Left Behind on or off, open the “Find My” app, select the device and then toggle the setting on or off.  

• Tell your credit card company about your plans

Have you ever had your card payment declined when paying for something on a trip? That’s probably because your credit card company is picking up unusual activity and flagging it as suspicious. 

Prevent that from happening by informing your credit card company of any upcoming domestic or international travel by setting a travel notification. 

Many credit card companies allow you to set the notification online or via the app, though some companies may not require one at all. 

• Check international phone plans

If you want to use your phone when you're not connected to Wi-Fi while traveling, see what international phone plans your mobile carrier offers that fit your budget. An international plan will allow you to do things like make and receive phone calls, access social media and find directions as long as you have cell service. Without a plan, those functions will only be available when the device is connected to Wi-Fi.

Bonus tip, you can download maps to use offline and easily navigate a new place!

Reviewed-approved travel recommendations  

Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.    

Reviewed helps you find the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of experts test everything from sleep masks and travel pillows to luggage and packing cubes to help you shop for the best of the best.  

• Tracking game-changer: Apple AirTags  
• Our favorite sleep mask: Mzoo Sleep Eye Mask  
• A top wireless charger: Yootech Wireless Charger   
• Must-have luggage: Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Luggage  
• Organization hack: Amazon Basics 4-Piece Packing Cubes Set  
• The best portable battery pack: Mophie Powerstation Plus   
• Our favorite travel pillow: Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow  
• Top-rated adult coloring book: Cindy Elsharouni Stress Relieving Adult Coloring Book  

Expert Picks: Masters Tournament

Expert Picks

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How it works: Each week, our experts from PGATOUR.COM will make their selections in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf. Each lineup consists of four starters and two bench players that can be rotated after each round. Adding to the challenge is that every golfer can be used only three times per each of four Segments.

Aside from the experts below, Golfbet Insider Rob Bolton breaks down the field at the Masters Tournament in this week's edition of Power Rankings .

Betting picks

WILL GRAY (Lead, Fantasy & Betting)

• Winner: Scottie Scheffler (+400) – It’s not sexy, but I’ve spent too much time trying to rationalize a pick on someone else. At the end of the day, Scheffler was red-hot heading into his 2022 Masters triumph – and he’s playing materially better this time around.
• Top 10: Ludvig Åberg (+225) – We all know the trends against first-time winners, but they don’t apply to the finish markets. Åberg led the Valero field in SG: Tee-to-Green last week and has all the skills required to contend in his major championship debut.
• Longshot: Russell Henley (+6000) – The former Georgia Bulldog finished T4 here a year ago and has been known to heat up on the greens from time to time. Two top-5s in his last three starts show signs of promise.
• H2H: Chris Kirk (-120) over Keegan Bradley – There aren’t a ton of course comps for Augusta National, but there are some undeniable parallels with the terrain of Kapalua. Expect the Sentry champ to play well, having finished T23 here last year, while Bradley has missed three of four cuts entering the week.

BEN EVERILL (Senior writer, Fantasy & Betting)

• Winner: Xander Schauffele (+1600) – Look, we all know Scheffler has the chance to take this tournament and run with it but my process of elimination story brought me a winner last year and I’m banking it can do it again. Schauffele is ready to contend again… and you have to be knocking on the door to eventually be let in. Back off my blacklist and into the furnace!
• Top 10: Sahith Theegala (+320) – I really like Theegala as an outright option here over the next few years. T9 a year ago with a hot finish and another year wiser to his game. He still has more foul balls off the tee than I’d like but if he can get away with those this week he’s a chance.
• Longshot: Jason Day +6600 – Longshots don’t win the Masters and my campaign to move the threshold to +4000 this week fell on deaf ears (Zalatoris, Finau, Smith…). But how can I not plump for the man who – in his prime – had me declaring he’d win two green jackets in his lifetime? Multiple chances in the past… why not another.
• Head to Head: Shane Lowry (-110) over Collin Morikawa – Lowry’s Tee-to-Green game has been good of late whereas Morikawa is in a ball-striking slump compared to his usual high standards. This is as much a Morikawa fade as anything else.

CHRIS BREECE (Senior Content Manager Golfbet)

• Winner: Scottie Scheffler (+400) – I’ll be that guy. My three finalists were him, Spieth and Schauffele. It came down to who I trusted most to win. And it’s not even close.
• Top 10: Matt Fitzpatrick (+275) – I’m staying patient and not backing off my support of him. He had the best weekend of anyone in San Antonio and I still feel like he has great golf ahead of him.
• Longshot: Max Homa (+5500) – I know what you’re thinking. However, name me a player with more talent/star power whose odds are above +5000.
• H2H: Shane Lowry (-110) over Collin Morikawa – I almost picked Lowry for the top 10. Generally plays well here and has been in good form.

MATT DELVECCHIO (Social content manager, Fantasy & Betting)

• Winner: Will Zalatoris (+4000) – Beware the hungry dog runs faster. It’s comeback time for the previous major runner-up. He’s come back to good form from his back surgery with a three-game stretch of T13, T2 and T4 earlier in the year. He played with Tiger on Monday and saw how great he looked recovering from his own surgery. Will even talked about the influence Tiger's comeback has had on his own journey. People are sleeping on Zalatoris' comeback because of his MC at THE PLAYERS and T74 in Houston. Augusta will bring something out of him. Zalatoris is ready to be among the top players in the world and will show it this week.
• Top 10: Bryson DeChambeau (+300) – It’s been four years since he called Augusta National a par 67. He is older and wiser now to say such a thing. DeChambeau's game fits Augusta well and I see him taking a big charge at this championship in a quest to become a two-time major champion.
• Longshot: Sam Burns (+5500) – The only reason I’m taking him here is that I’ve liked him to win for the past couple of months now and he hasn’t. A wise man once said, “if you like a player to win soon, more likely than not they will”.
• H2H: Lowry (-110) over Morikawa – Collin’s game is a mystery this year. Most alarming has been his iron play which in past years has been seen as unstoppable. Combo that with the fact that Lowry does like Augusta and is in relatively good form as of late. I’ll take the current form over past success.

Odds were sourced on Tuesday, April 9. For live odds, visit BetMGM .

Want to see how to set up your PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf lineup? Scroll below.

THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN OUR EXPERTS? The PGA TOUR Experts league is once again open to the public. You can play our free fantasy game and see how you measure up against our experts below.

Joining the league is simple. Just click here to sign up or log in. Once you create a team, click the "LEAGUES" tab. Then click on "FEATURED," and then on the PGA TOUR Experts league that populates.

*Brett Jungles joined the Expert Picks league at the beginning of Segment 1 and did not accumulate any points from the FedExCup Fall.

Golfbet experts longshot: 0-14

For resources to overcome a gambling problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER today.

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How to Buy the Nike Kobes Dropping for ‘Mamba Day’

Celebrating the anniversary of Kobe Bryant's final NBA game.

This Saturday will mark the eight-year anniversary of Kobe Bryant playing his final NBA game on April 13, 2016. To celebrate the illustrious career of the late Los Angeles Lakers guard, Nike has prepared three special Kobe releases that pay tribute to three key locations that helped mold him into one of the greatest basketball players ever.

The upcoming releases include rereleases of the "Philly" Kobe 4, the "Italian Camo" Kobe 6, and the "Venice Beach" Kobe 8. The Kobe 4 is inspired by the city of Philadelphia, the birthplace of Bryant, while the Kobe 6 pays homage to him moving to Italy with his family when he was a child. The Kobe 8 in the set celebrates Bryant's 20-year career in Los Angeles and the city's iconic Venice Beach.

April 13 isn't the only day of the year that "Mamba Day" is observed. Fans also celebrate "Mamba Day" annually on August 24, as the date represents both of Bryant's 8 and 24 jersey numbers.

Readers will be able to cop all three Nike Kobe Protro styles on Saturday, April 13, via SNKRS and at select Nike retailers for $190 each.

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‘It’s plain elitist’: anger at Greek plan for €5,000 private tours of Acropolis

Archaeologists and guides among critics who say scheme goes against what symbol of democracy should represent

J ackie and Malcolm Love stood amid a bevy of tourists in the heart of Athens taking in the Acropolis with a mixture of awe and admiration. The Greek capital’s greatest classical site was truly magnificent, they said, but the crowds had been such, even in April, that they preferred to experience it from a distance.

“We didn’t go, not with all those people,” said Jackie, looking up at the fifth-century monument from the cobbled boulevard below. “We didn’t think it’d be the best thing to do, did we?” she said, nudging her husband.

The couple, enjoying a city break from Ipswich, their English hometown, had pondered whether to do a private tour instead. The Greek culture ministry is planning personalised visits to the ancient complex – at €5,000 (£4,285). “We wouldn’t pay that,” said Malcolm, a lorry driver. “Crazy prices,” Jackie chipped in. “Certainly not for people like us.”

The Acropolis is by far Greece’s biggest attraction, drawing more than 22,000 visitors a day last summer, forcing authorities to introduce tough controls , including a time-slot system.

This year, officials have gone a step further, announcing a scheme that allows sightseers to beat the crowds and experience the Periclean masterpiece on an exclusive basis. The initiative foresees up to four groups of five people being guided by expert archaeologists around the site between 7am to 9am and 8pm to 10pm – before opening and after closing times – to avoid the thousands of selfie-snappers who hourly ascend the rocky hill. “We’ve had requests from tour operators for this for a very long time,” said Nikoleta Valakou, the president of the Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development, a state body connected to the culture ministry.

The ministry, she said, was prepared to permit tours for individuals, provided they were willing to pay the group fee. “There’ll be souvenirs too,” added Valakou. “A replica of a coin, perhaps, or copy of a small statue … something to conjure memories of the unique experience.”

But the measure – part of an overhaul of ticketing policy at more than 350 archaeological sites and museums managed by the Greek culture ministry – has triggered anger and derision, including from archaeologists. Guides have described it as impractical and critics have argued it runs counter to the spirit of everything the world’s pre-eminent symbol of democracy is supposed to represent. “The next thing you know people will be making marriage proposals and drinking champagne up there,” said Despina Koutsoumba, the vice-president of the country’s archaeologists’ association. “They’ll feel entitled, if they’ve spent that sort of money, to do whatever they want at the site.”

The very idea, she said, was “unacceptably exclusive”. After all, the monument was the emblem of democratic Athens in which citizens enjoyed equality before the law.

“What this says is Greece is willing to give people who have money the ability to enjoy the Acropolis in a very exclusive way while leaving out those who simply don’t have such means. We’re utterly opposed to it,” Koutsoumba added.

Previously, only world leaders, royalty and the odd celebrity had been granted access to the site out of opening hours.

The public, with the exception of academics and preservationists, have one day – the August full moon – to savour the temples at night.

As opposition has mounted, critics have questioned the wisdom of the decision at a time when the wealth gap between the rich and poor has become ever more accentuated. “It’s plain elitist,” said Costas Zambas who headed restoration works at the Acropolis for over 25 years.

“The very notion goes against the spirit of a place that we associate with democracy. It doesn’t sit well.”

With Athens at the sharp end of the climate emergency, tourist guides have raised objections over the workability of a scheme that for the vast majority will mean the site opening at 9am instead of 8am. Last summer the Greek capital – continental Europe’s southernmost metropolis – experienced record temperatures of up to 45C (113F), compelling officials to take the unprecedented step of closing the Acropolis for several days.

“If they push back opening hours to 9am because of these private tours it’s going to be a disaster,” said Kriton Piperas, who until recently was the head of the 4,000-strong Panhellenic Federation of Tourist Guides. “For several years our union has been pressing for the Acropolis to open earlier precisely because of the changing weather. Don’t forget with the lack of shade it’s that much hotter up there.”

Increasingly, he said, Greece’s pro-business centre right government saw culture through an exclusively commercial lens. “They look at the Acropolis and anything associated with tourism as a product,” he said. “This idea of unique tours is like putting a price tag on the site, it reminds me of an auction where the highest bidder wins and is told ‘you can have it all to yourself’. It’s wrong and bound to lead to trouble.”

Ticket-holders on cruise ships, which are the source of ever more day-trippers to the Greek capital, often book months in advance and are on a very tight schedule. Most are waiting in line at the Acropolis by 8am.

In her office overlooking a central Athens boulevard, Valakou said the culture ministry had taken the criticism onboard. The tours, it is estimated, could bring in up to €40,000 a day, with proceeds going to cash-starved cultural projects.

“Revenues will be reinvested,” she said. “As the Acropolis will be the first for such tours it’ll be a pilot programme and we’ll be open to change.”

The omens are not all bad. The scheme has been met with delight by some in the Greek diaspora where the well-heeled have already suggested they will be signing up.

“I’ve heard from dozens of friends who’ve expressed interest in joining these bespoke tours,” said Peter Poulos, the executive director of the Hellenic Initiative, a global Greek diaspora philanthropic organisation.

“Why not relieve people of their money if it’s going to help protect and preserve our cultural monuments for generations to come? We all support the loftiest of ideals but at the end of the day ideals aren’t going to pay the hard costs needed to run a site of this magnitude.”

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