sona tours amsterdam

9 Best Canal Boat Tours In Amsterdam & Your Questions Answered! [2024]

Amsterdam has many canal cruises, but which is best for you? Which one is the most worth taking? No one tour caters to all. I’ve taken some of the best canal tours and will share how to pick the best one for yourself, professional tips, and answer all your questions.

Table of Contents

Which Canal Tours to Take?

This post provides detailed information to help you choose the best canal trip. Click here if you wish to see the best boat tours in Amsterdam right away .

Most Asked Questions When Booking A Canal Tour

You might have some questions about Amsterdam canal tours; I have listed them here.

Is It Worth Doing A Canal Cruise In Amsterdam?

Yes, especially if you visit Amsterdam for the first time.

Taking the canal tours allows you to see the historical and beautiful canal houses, understand Amsterdam’s history, and experience the Dutch vibe on a boat.

You might hear some people saying it is not worth it, but they probably didn’t pick the most suitable tour for themselves and didn’t join a good rating tour. That is why I have this post, so you have the best canal tour experience.

Is It Necessary To Book The Tickets In Advance?

Yes, especially if you take small boat tours or evening dinner cruises . Why?

You won’t find ticket offices selling small boat tours; most only sell big ones. That is why you need to book in advance. In addition, the tours I recommended in this post are top-rated, so be sure to book them in advance.

For dinner cruises, there’s only one boat per evening. Spots are limited!

Do Amsterdam Canal Boats Have Bathrooms?

There’s a toilet on board for big boats, but I advise you to use the bathroom before taking the tour. (You can find the public toilets in Amsterdam here)

For small boats, unfortunately, no restrooms!

How Long Is Amsterdam Canal Ride?

In general, it takes around 60 to 90 minutes. Some tours, like dinner and evening cruises, can take about 3 hours.

Where Do Canal Cruises Leave From In Amsterdam?

There are three places: Damrak, close to Amsterdam Central Station; Near Anne Frank House, and Rijksmuseum.

Most tours depart from Damrak, but I recommend boat tours from Anne Frank House and canal tours from Rijksmuseum since it’s less busy, and you can rest more on the boat after visiting the nearby attractions.

Is the Amsterdam Canal Cruise Better At Night Or Day?

It depends on personal preference.

A day cruise offers better visibility, and the natural light during the day provides excellent lighting conditions for capturing the city’s beauty.

An evening canal cruise offers a romantic and enchanting atmosphere, with the city lights illuminating the canals and landmarks. It is also a good option if you want to see the sunset views in Amsterdam. It’s more relaxing, too, since fewer people are on the street than in the daytime.

Taking A Big Boat or A Small Boat Cruise In Amsterdam?

It depends on what you prefer and what you like; here are the pros and cons of taking big and small boats:

Pros And Cons Of Taking A Big Boat Canal Trip

Some benefits:

• More affordable as more guests are on board
• Have multiple language audio guides for the guests, great for people who need more confidence in English.
• Have semi-open boats, which means you won’t get wet or need a raincoat when it rains. The captain closes the deck once it rains and opens it when it’s sunny.
• The heating system is on in winter; there is no need to bring an extra coat to get on the boat.

Some disadvantages:

• More than 80 people are on board, and the guests don’t get much interaction with the captain/guide
• The trip is with an audio guide, not a live guide
• The standard route might be a bit boring for some people

An excellent choice for people who see comfort as their first priority.

Pros And Cons Of Taking A Small Boat Cruise

some benefits:

• More chances to interact with the guide as there are much fewer guests
• Have a live guide on board
• Some tours include drinks and snacks
• Some tours might be canceled due to heavy rain; please check the details when reserving the spots. However, don’t worry about it from May to early September
• Although some boats have a heating system and most provide blankets, it might still be cold for some guests.
• It’s highly recommended to reserve before leaving for Amsterdam, as there are limited spots only.

A perfect option for people who like fun, interactive tours and want to have local experiences.

Best Canal Cruise Tours In Amsterdam

Here are the best canal cruises in Amsterdam; they are with high rating reviews, and I experienced some of them ourselves:

Cheapest 1-Hour Canal Tour In Amsterdam

Big boats are the cheapest option since more people are on the boat.

It costs EUR 18. Stromma and Lovers are the leading companies offering canal cruises in Amsterdam.

**Here is the special deal for my readers if you book with Tiqets, use the link below to get the lowest price. The link is already applied with the dicount code (CANALCRUISE10).**

Suppose you book the canal tickets together with Rijksmuseum or Heineken entrance tickets. In that case, you get the highest discount for the canal cruise!

Pro Tip When Getting On The Boat

Take the seat in the middle of the boat! It’s a bit noisy at the front since the captain is constantly on the intercom checking the traffic, and it’s smelly if you sit in the back.

Luxury And Environment-Friendly Canal Boat Tours

Friendly, knowledgeable staff made this comfortable canal cruise very enjoyable. I would recommend this tour. Irmgard_C ( read more reviews )

If you prefer a luxury boat with a maximum of 30 guests, this tour is for you.

You can sit comfortably with the cushion by taking this electric, gas-free boat. In addition, there’s a live guide introducing the landmarks in Amsterdam, so you can ask any questions you have!

A big boat trip costs EUR 18, but this tour with a much smaller group only costs EUR 22. It comes with great value and good ratings; no wonder it sells out quickly.

My Experience With This Tour

I took this tour in late November, and I loved it!

Most canal tours come with an audio guide, but this tour has a live guide, which makes it much more enjoyable for a tourist. In addition, it’s with an electric boat, so there is no lousy air, and there are only around 15 guests on that day, so the quality is excellent.

The guide was funny and interestingly shared the old Amsterdam story. If you like interaction with the guide, there’s no problem. I sat next to the guide, so I asked him many questions.

If you decide to join this tour, book the tickets in advance as it is popular. In addition, be sure to get on the boat 10 minutes before departure to get a good spot.

Their boat departs from Central Station, Anne Frank House, and Rijksmuseum!

Fun And No Smoking Canal Tours With Food And Drinks

Can’t say enough how I recommend this tour! James did an awesome job in giving us a tour, with just enough historical information that didn’t make it boring. The food was light but tasty. Dr inks were plenty. A.must do activity! Annette_T ( Check the more reviews )

This is the best canal tour I’ve joined. It has a high rating from past guests as well.

You get to interact highly with the tour guide and ask any questions you have during the cruise. Most important of all, you get on a non-smoking electric boat!

I don’t like smoking and even hate the smell of it; this tour does not allow guests to smoke, while some other small boats only prohibit it if the guests mind.

Their boat departs from Central Station and Rijksmuseum!

Smoking allowed Canal Boat trip With Drinks

Very funny and informative boat ride; not only could you smoke/drink on the boat, but our guide, Anthony and Graham, were amazing. Anthony was a hilarious host and even rolled a customers joint for them! Which I thought was pretty good customer service; the boat itself is stocked up with drinks, and it’s electric, so you can charge your phone, etc, while on tour. Would 100% recommend it as an eccentric alternative to a regular canal cruise! Morad_A ( read more reviews )

Want to take small boats in Amsterdam but also plan to smoke and have drinks? You need a smoke-friendly boat tour !

This tour is more than just a smoke-free boat trip; the tour guides ensure you have a fun ride and see plenty of Amsterdam in a chill way!

Since it is a top-rated tour, be sure to book the tickets in advance in case it is fully booked.

Usual Boat Trip: Pedal Boat

If you already experienced the canal cruise or want a different experience in Amsterdam, the pedal boat is for you.

Most tours come with a captain navigating the boat; this time, you can pedal the boat yourself.

You can design your own route and explore Amsterdam at your own pace. In addition, while most small tours do not allow bringing your own food, you can do that if you rent the pedal boat!

The best part is that one pedal boat can have a maximum of 4 people; it’s also an excellent choice for small groups and families!

There are two locations for the boat: Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein.

Hop-on And Hop-Off Canal Boat Ride

Amsterdam is a canal city; it is perfect to experience it by taking the hop-on and hop-off boat service.

It is ideal for people who want to enjoy a different type of transportation in Amsterdam. There are 8 stops in Amsterdam city center, so you can easily access the attractions by boat!

After Covid, only one company offers unlimited hop-on and hop-off boat service.

You can also buy a combination ticket to enjoy the Amsterdam street view by taking their sightseeing bus!

Private Canal Tours With A Tour Guide: For Small-Groups And Families

If you travel as a family or with friends, joining a private tour with a guide, who is also your captain, is a great idea.

Why not navigate the private boat yourself? There are many private and tourist boats in Amsterdam canals; you need quite some skills or talent if you are new. Besides, with a local guide, you can fully immerse yourself in Amsterdam and enjoy the beautiful canal view like a local.

Remember to bring your own food and drinks as they are not included in the tour!

Evening Dinner Canal Cruise

After a long day traveling in Amsterdam, you should have some good food and quality time to have a perfect ending to the day! That’s why the Evening Dinner Cruise is popular!

This 2-hour tour lets you enjoy a fantastic canal evening view and symbolic buildings in Amsterdam while savoring the local three-course menu dinner.

I joined this tour with some colleagues a few years ago, the atmosphere was cozy, and it was an evening I will never forget.

Luxury Dinner Cruise

If you wish for more privacy and a quiet evening dinner, join this 3-hour long three-course dinner tour with a maximum of 16 guests only . Most importantly, a private table is guaranteed!

Romantic Private Canal Cruise For Couples

Amazing! Relaxing and informative! The tour guide was patient, knew everything about the area, and included complimentary drinks and blankets. Absolutely wonderful would definitely recommend it. Jason_G ( Read more reviews )

Want to have an unforgettable canal tour with your loved one?

This private tour is only for you and your partner, no other guests onboard. Besides, the guide can customize this 90-minute route based on your preference, giving you a special and unique canal cruise experience.

This tour is very popular from April to October; if the evening private tour is not available, try their day tour!

In Conclusion: Which Canal Tour is The Best?

Many options exist, but I like Captain Jack Canal Cruises after taking big and small boat tours.

If you prefer to take tours without drinks, join the Flagship luxury boat tour , which has a high value in terms of price!

If you wish to have a dinner canal cruise, this tour offers a great experience . This private table dinner canal tour is perfect if you want more privacy.

Want a romantic evening with your loved one? Book this romantic private tour with a customized canal route!

Want to explore Amsterdam in an unusual way? Pedal Boat is for you!

hope you enjoy this post; you can read more about Amsterdam travel tips .

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Bali senior citizens

We all senior citizens, ladies went to Bali in Sept 2023 and we had a great time. Despite the food was not to our expectations but Sona tours changed the menus to Indian food which made us feel like not missing home. They had chosen great hotels with amazing breakfast menu. The itinerary with all the sight seeings went smoothly. The local guide was very helpful but had a mix English which confused us but gave us a laugh. Will recommend Sona tours for Bali tour.

Date of experience : 26 September 2023

Reply from Sonatours

Dear Ranjna, Many thanks for your review and giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to giving you exceptional service again. We are happy to hear that you have made some new friends and look forward to seeing you travel again together with Sona Tours. We have posted some pictures in our facebook.com/sonatours to remind you of your fond memories for your trip to Bali. Kindly share amongst your friends. Kind Regards Sona Tours Team

Electrifying Japan tour Sep 23

Overall a very good tour although a little hectic. DJ & Emiko looked after us very well. Emiko was a great guide and very informative. The hotels & breakfasts were all great apart from the set breakfast at Sengokuhara Prince Hotel. On the plus side the hotel's Onsen facilities were great. All Indian dinners were good though spicy. Personally we would prefer less chillies, however we understand that Sona has to cater for the whole group. With regards to the non-Indian dinner of pasta & pizza, we would have preferred more than the one slice of pizza and less of the pasta. Thank you Sona for the wonderful surprise of the sushi cooking lesson. It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed it.Overall we had a great time and look forward to booking another tour in the near future.

Date of experience : 19 September 2023

Hi Harish, Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're glad to hear that you had a positive experience.. Kindly visit our www.facebook.com/sonatours to recollect your memories of pictures on your Japan tour and you most welcome to share it. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.820692206725034&type=3 Kind Regards, Sona Tours Team

Tour taken was Canada Alaska tour

Tour taken was Canada Alaska tour. Guide was very professional and knowledgeable. Canada on land itinerary was good except last two days. Hells Gate excursion was not worth the time and money spent. Staff members at the office in London has inconsistent answers for the same questions asked by individual group members. We paid for category 2c balcony room but ended up getting lower category 2d room.

Date of experience : 08 August 2023

Dear Bharat Acharya, Many thanks for sharing your review and your positive feedback on the guide and the itinerary. To clarify we had a zoom meeting before the tour departed and all was explained with FAQs at the end too. Furthermore, you had the option not to book Hells Gate excursion which was only CAD$40 (£20). Regards to the cabin if you wanted a specific cabin the price was higher, but you opted for the allocated balcony cabin we had. These contracted cabins are allocated by the cruise as we do a group booking with them. Else the specific one will have been booked at the time of your booking with a much higher price. Please accept our apologies on not getting the balcony cabin as you wished, but overall, I hear you all had a good time, and you joined our group for the whale watching tour. Kind Regards Sona Tours

4 day Scotland Highlands trip aug 2023

We took the 4 days Scotland Highlands tour in August 2023(17th - 20th) and by end of fourth day we realised that Sona travels had arranged a bus travel for 4 days with few sightseeing spots. One of the most basic tours with no facilities in the bus. No WiFi, no charging points and even the toilet had restricted use with zero water facilities. Coming to the tour itinerary - the first day started with a delay of 1 hour. We were not provided with the tour manager contact details and no bus information. Cable car in Ben Nevis was cancelled due to weather issues but there was no alternative arranged. What a shame! Extra charge for boat ride in Loch Lomond. Edinburgh castle visit was arranged on a festival day which made the entire sightseeing very stressful and delayed. Most of the spots were just shown from outside or while being inside the bus. One of the worst tour experiences. Last day ended worst with no sufficient stops for toilets. Tour manager - The tour guide/manager had zero knowledge about these historical beauties. She barely knew anything about the city or any basic information. She was polite and hospital. However there was zero entertainment throughout the trip. It expected that when we are given some positive experience. The only positives were the dinner for first two nights and the driver....who drove very safe and maintained the timings. Hotel - As promised 3 star it was not even a budget stay. The rooms were very basic with no facilities like water bottle, phone, AC or cleaning of sheets. We had request for towel change. Only positive was the breakfast....hot and fresh continental range. I will never recommend this travels to anyone. It's a waste of money experience wise.

Date of experience : 20 August 2023

Dear Deepti Iyer, It is always disappointing to be told of instances where a client’s holiday arrangements may not have proved entirely as anticipated and we have, therefore, noted your observations about your recent booking. We are very sorry. To clarify, this is an escorted group COACH tour and we have published the detailed itinerary with other information in particularize all the sightseeing’s, optional tours, and other matters, such as transport (coach), weather and accommodation too. Regarding the delay, we cannot control the traffic being a road closure due to an accident which was the case in yours as our first pickup was on time. Same with the crowd visiting these public and historic sightseeing during August holiday season. We have got great reviews of this guide as seen on the reviews here. We do sincerely appreciate for you positive feedback on the driver, guide and the meals. Finally, we hope that your confidence has not been affected to an extent that it would prevent you from choosing our company again for your holiday requirements. Kind Regards Sona Tours

Recently went on a 4 day trip to…

Recently went on a 4 day trip to Scotland with Sona Tours. Highly recommend. What an amazing trip & a wonderful time we had A very luxury coach driven by an expert driver - Ali -assisted by a lovely tour manager Sabah with a 24/7 smile on her face No complaints what so ever - every moment was tailored to perfection- Sabah is already doing a great job & wish the almighty gives her enough strength to go further higher & higher up

Date of experience : 03 August 2021

Dear Rekha Haria, Many thanks for your review and giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to giving you exceptional service again. Have a wonderful and a pleasant journey. Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

Excellent service

We thank Sona Tours, through Mr Vikas Shah for booking and organising a wonder trip for us to the Masai Mara. We really appreciate the service given to us by Vikas Shah, Sona Tours. This is the second trip booked through Sona Tours, and we look forward to booking more trips with Mr Vikas Shah, Sona Tours, as their service and recommendations are fantastic. Thank you Vikas, Sona Tours. Best wishes Priya and Hetul Chandaria

Date of experience : 12 October 2020

I have just returned from an 8 days tour of Iceland with Sona Tours. Chetan, the Tour Manager's capability to manage the group was excellent,very good social skills,sharing his knowledge and experience was welcomed.The coach driver too was full of historical and geographical knowledge which matched my University lectures'.Hats off to him.The itinerary given was brief,but when experienced after visiting each location was beyond expectation. Sona Tours have selected the best sites of Iceland.Value for money memorable trip. Pratima (Bena) Patel

Date of experience : 30 March 2022

Dear Bena Patel, Many thanks for your review and giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to giving you exceptional service again. Have a wonderful and a pleasant journey. Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

Amazing experience

We take this opportunity to thank Sona Tours for an amazing experience to samburu game reserve this was our 1st time and definitely not the last, driver was on time on pickup with a happy and informative personality.. even the provision for snacks and small gifts made a huge impact on welcoming us.. definitely will book again and highly recommend them for all your bookings.

Date of experience : 21 June 2021

We can’t find any faults with…

We can’t find any faults with sonatours, Best tour manager and local guide. Management was good,every little thing was put on tour,will recommend to friends and family. Thanks everybody .

Date of experience : 09 April 2022

Dear Haresh Patel, Many thanks for your review and giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to giving you exceptional service again. Have a wonderful and a pleasant journey. Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

Just returned from a 8 day Iceland…

Just returned from a 8 day Iceland holiday with Sona Tours and once again the Management was superb, the Coach driver was excellent in his dual role as Guide and Driver, and the winter conditions in Iceland intact added to the experience and pleasure of of the whole trip.Thank you Sona Tours

Date of experience : 28 March 2022

Dear Raj Patel, Many thanks for your review and giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to giving you exceptional service again. Have a wonderful and a pleasant journey. Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

Electrifying Japan

Electrifying Japan Ajay was brilliant, this is a very comprehensive tour,visit a lot of sites, but Group size too big.

Date of experience : 11 April 2023

Dear Bimal DAve, Many thanks for your review and giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to giving you exceptional service again. Have a wonderful and a pleasant journey. Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

Worth it! Thoroughly enjoyed the tour…

We all have thoroughly enjoyed the tour where the highlights being excursions like Cable Car Ride at the Nevis Ranges and Cruise ride at the Lake District. Overall food and hotel experience was also quite satisfying. The best part of the tour was the Lead Tour Manager Miss. Saba, co-manager Miss. Chandani and the driver Mr. Mark. Tour managers were not only able to guide us and educate us about the locations but also made sure to keep our interest going during silo hours by playing games, having individual discussions with everyone and encouraging them to look for the best out of this tour. Saba and Chandani also helped us in celebrating my dad's surprise 70th birthday celebration in a very unique and beautiful way. This gesture strongly proves how Sona Tours staff takes personal efforts to bring smiles on their customers faces. Highly obliged with the way Saba and Chandani has managed the overall trip, Kudos to them. Mark is a great driver and quite patient, calm and composed person. Hat's off to his driving skills and knowledge of the roads. I believe that 3 of them are the real assets of the Sona Tours and truly deserve a huge round of applause and appreciation. I would highly recommend Sona Tours to friends and family after such a wonderful Scotland Highlands tour experience.

Date of experience : 09 August 2022

It has been a great trip to the Lake…

It has been a great trip to the Lake District with the family. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. Thank you

Date of experience : 02 September 2023

Hi Shila Shah, We are delighted you enjoyed your Peak and Lake District trip with Sona Tours! Your feedback is much appreciated! We're thrilled to hear that you've had an enjoyable holiday and we appreciate your recommendation to bring your friends and family along. Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

Thank you for give me good option for…

Thank you for give me good option for tour and good price for 27/05 other companyies is to expensive or remove date

Date of experience : 16 May 2023

Dear Mehul, Many thanks for your review and giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to giving you exceptional service again. Have a wonderful and a pleasant journey. Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

A fantastic experience and a great…

A fantastic experience and a great itinerary packed with lots of sightseeing. Ajay handled the big group very well.

Date of experience : 22 April 2023

Dear Ketan Mehta, Many thanks for your review and giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to giving you exceptional service again. Have a wonderful and a pleasant journey. Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

My awful expriance with sonatours

I booked with sona tours twice before that’s my third time this experience was so bad they didn’t stay with the planned day the driver lost several time took wrong turns we spend the whole day on the coach than the Indian food place was non vegetarian instead of a halal food as I request on the application and it was awful experience , than the hotel was good looking the rooms air condition was not working in either of those nights and Tv was not working in my room complaint to Receiption no results and daughter got bitted by bed bugs awfully the bathroom door lock not working none our bedsheets wore changed . Than tour guide was not so nice he was busy guiding his native peoples.I requested to seat with my family the agent in the office said the tour guide will arrange it than the tours guide also said the once we get all the people than his going to sort out our seats but these 3 day tour he never sorted it out my family we all seat far from each other .than the Disneyland day tour guide give out Disney tickets but not my family he keep saying he has my ticket but didn’t give it us until I got bit angry my kids wore upset not having the tickets.I paid more money as my little one didn’t go on the offer so I paid full ticket price for all of us .experience this rubbish time it would be much better to take euro star never take this service again in my life I would advise everyone better to us other service than this you don’t get full day tour we all stack in the coach for whole first day.

Date of experience : 18 August 2023

Dear Mrs R Ali It is always disappointing to be told of instances where a client’s holiday arrangements may not have proved entirely as anticipated and we have, therefore, noted your observations about your recent booking. We are very sorry. To clarify, this is an escorted group COACH tour, and your booking came in late, less than 2 weeks before departure, after we had closed sales, as you insisted and have travelled with us thus, we accommodated you. We had explained you the reason for paying extra. Which was the contracted ticket to Disney needs to be booked before 30days and we got the group tickets in advance, delivered to our office. Whereas yours was different due to the late booking. Regarding seating arrangement, all the seats were allocated in the bus on first come first serve basis as then not fair to move others to accommodate your family and was communicated at the time of booking. We did request other passengers during the tour, but not keen to move. We were sorry to read of your disappointment about your accommodation. Without wishing to appear unsympathetic, we confirm that the service provided by the hotel is outside of our direct control. We are sorry to read the problems you encountered with your room however we do hope you will appreciate this matter is beyond our direct control. Finally, we hope that your confidence has not been affected to an extent that it would prevent you from choosing our company again for your holiday requirements. Kind Regards Sona Tours

Very happy with the service

Very happy with the service. My holiday was cancelled due to Covid 19. I was kept informed all the time and I was given the full refund without any hassle. I did not have to chase them. I would recommend Sona Tours.

Date of experience : 25 September 2020

Many thanks for your kind and positive words and do appreciate for your patience during this unforeseen circumstances. God bless

Never book with Sona Tours

On 11th February 2022 I booked a package holiday with Sona Tours to go to Alaska. We were supposed to go in August 2022 and there were 15 of us going. We booked the trip in February and each paid £100 deposit. Unfortunately in April I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and would not be able to go on this holiday. My husband went to their office immediately to inform them that we would need to cancel our place on the trip and I sent an email on 25th April confirming the cancellation. We did not hear anything back from Sona Tours. In June, we received an email demanding we pay £3250 (half the cost of the holiday) as a cancellation fee. As you can imagine, this was a huge shock to us and not something we could afford as we had spent a lot of money on my cancer treatment. They also pretended that they could not find our original email informing them of our cancellation (but later they found it). We hoped under the circumstances they would be more understanding of our situation, but they demonstrated no empathy for the toll this was taking on my mental health. Meanwhile my husband contacted our travel insurance, who were extremely supportive, and they thankfully told us that they will pay the amount to Sona Tours directly. We informed Sona Tours of this but instead they sent us a court order and a deadline to pay the amount. They did not want to deal with our insurance company, they only wanted us to pay them. In the end our insurance company paid them £3250 but we still had to pay the court fee (because it’s in their T&C’s that we need to pay the court fee) of £205. They final vulgar act Sona Tours did, was they refused to give us back our deposit of £200 after they had received their payment, and decided to take this as their court fee. I am writing this to highlight what a terrible company Sona Tours is and how disgusting their behaviour has been towards me. Their emails, particularly from Chetan, were extremely rude and threatening. Had it not been for my daughters, who had to respond to them on my behalf because I was too unwell. I should not have had to deal with this stress shortly after being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and having to go through chemo and surgery. I urge anyone considering booking a holiday via Sona Tours to think twice about it and go through their unfair terms and conditions with a fine tooth comb so you know what to expect in case anything should go wrong. I hope this helps prevent someone else from going through what I have had to go through with them.

Date of experience : 11 February 2022

Dear Dipti Shah, It is always disappointing to be told of instances where a client’s holiday arrangements may not have proved entirely as anticipated and we have, therefore, noted your observations about your recent booking. We are very sorry. The facts are that when you booked, signed, and agreed to our Terms and Conditions, we had explained about the low deposit scheme, cancellations and recommended to have a travel insurance and all well covered in our T & C. The original booking form with T & C were returned to you, as we kept a scan copy. We are fully ABTA and ATOL bonded thus prepare our T& C accordingly. Despite the many demands requested for the balance you had not responded. Only when the matter went legal, you initiated the matter with the insurance. Any insurance will not liaise with us as we are a third party to them, and we have no contractual agreement as you expected us to liaise with them. This matter could have resolved with ease. Finally, we hope that your confidence has not been affected to an extent that it would prevent you from choosing our company again for your holiday requirements. Kind Regards Sona Tours

Great team at Sona Tours

Great team at Sona Tours; very pleasant.

Date of experience : 15 September 2023

Dear Simal, Many thanks for your review and giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to giving you exceptional service again. Have a wonderful and a pleasant journey. Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

Well organised.

Hi Jatin Mania, We are delighted you enjoyed your Japan tour with Sona Tours! Your feedback is much appreciated! We're thrilled to hear that you've had an enjoyable holiday and we appreciate your recommendation to bring your friends and family along. You can view all your pics on our FB Japan Sept 2023 Album on www.facebook.com/sonatours and you most welcome to share the shame to your album Kind Regards and be safe Sona Tours Team

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• Testimonies

Testimonials

"Dearest Sona:

Thank you for the wonderful trip to Italy and Greece. I had an amazing time! You made my dream come true, I wouldn't have seen the places or experienced such beauty without your tour. You are an amazing person, I am so glad to have met you. It's people like you that makes the world a better place. Your friendliness and expertise are impeccable. May God bless you, your family, your business and your staff. Wishing you all ample success in the coming years. Love you always"

(Caroline Mektikanyan)

"After few months of organizing, arranging and selecting your tour, we flew to Cuba Nov. 28 three days after Castro’s death. We were uncertain what we are going to face when we arrive to Cuba. You managed and organized a plan under a difficult situation without any interruptions for group of 37 people. I am sure it was very challenging to keep everyone happy under difficult circumstances, especially when the situation was out of your control. I am sure at the end everyone was very happy and pleased. Certainly, I can say on behalf of our group, we were grateful to have you as our tour leader and you pulled a miracle under a tough situation. Especially during the last night at Varadero when we were riding in classic convertible cars to the best dinner and show, it was very high-class. We Left Cuba with great memories.Your local tour guide and driver were exceptionally professional and knowledgeable and our accommodations was exceptional. We will definitely recommend Sona Tours to our friends!"

(Vahe and Anahid Terpanchian)

"The trip to Italy, June 2012 was a dream come true! We've been looking forward to this trip, but never imagined to be able to visit so many places in such a short time. You made it possible! We have so many great memories to cherish for years. Thank you for your professionalism, patience, and sincere care."

(Jackie & Asped Avakian)

"The way that best describes Sona Tours is TLC. We were treated with tender loving care! It is extremely rare to find this kind of personalized service in a regular tour company. The entire staff took care of all our needs and desires! Sona, herself, became virtually our "mom" who took care of us with gentle loving care as well as great warmth, nurturing organization and leadership. It was indeed a terrific experience for all!"

(Victor & Suzie Gabrielian)

"Thank you so much for this first class China Trip. As I said before, Armenians appreciate three things: 1) Good Food 2) Good Company 3) Good Memories The participants on this trip also added to the success of the trip. The majority were easy going, laid back and very friendly people. Thank you for your leadership and detailed organizational skill that you provided to all. God bless and keep up the good work. Thanks alot."

(Anahid Terjimanian)

"We do appreciate all the hard work you have put in planning this trip. Every detail was considered and thought about. We were very pleased with the professional personal care you gave each one of us. Thank you very much for the great memories you provided us. Sonia's very friendly, pleasant personality and communication skills in both languages Armenian & English was commendable. Thank you again."

(Hagop & Ashkhen Krioghlian)

"Dear Sona, This was the 4th trip I have gone with you and it was the best trip I had, but I think that every time upon return and every time you surprise me by presenting a better time. Your caring and pleasant demeanor exceeds everybody's expectations. You treat everybody like a member of your own family, care for their comfort and satisfaction. You have awesome personality and amazing patience. On this trip everything was well organized as usual we had a good food, good time and visited interesting places. Thank you so much."

(Janet Arzumanian)

"Throughout the entire trip to China, every detail of traveling to the five different cities was thought of and taken care of. Sona Tours did a wonderful job of making sure that we didn't have to worry about anything except to enjoy the experiences that our vacation to China had to offer. We stayed at the most amazing hotels and saw the most amazing sites. Thank you Sona Tours."

(Ciara Libaridian)

"I never dreamed of traveling to China. It was never even a thought in my mind. An opportunity and I joined the China Tour with two friends. How glad I am that I did. It was an incredible experience. I departed Los Angeles with 80 strangers and by the time we returned 12 days later we became family. I made new friends and we have already made plans to continue our friendship. Together we enjoyed fun sightseeing, shopping, eating, eating and eating! How fortunate for me. Now I will dream of China."

(Mania Abrahemian)

"The China trip was amazing!!! Extremely pleasant experience. The only thing more amazing was the organizer of the trip, Sona Touloumdjian. Her professionalism, organized skills and the readiness to meet everyone's needs was beyond expectations. Dear Sona, we wish you continuous success in your profession. See you soon again."

(Maral & Navasart Kazazian)

"Hi Sona, Our trip has been a memorable one for us. We felt at home everywhere. Your care and dedication was great. This was our first trip with you. We have traveled with other groups but this one was exceptional. Keep up the good work and thanks and good luck."

(Berj & Nelly Kalamkarian)