The Tourism Boom
Tourism is a wide field that includes the hotel and transport industries and other sectors as well. It’s a wide sector that also includes food and attractions. Tourism is crucial in all countries across the globe because it means economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange.
One country in particular that greatly benefits from the industry is England. Group tours in London are booming. Thousands of tourists visit London every year, making it one of the cities with a lively tourism turnout.
Types of Tours
Travel has always been a passion, even an obsession, and for many, it’s a way to rediscover oneself. However, how people choose to travel can vary, depending on their destinations. For many years, the tourism industry has continuously evolved, offering numerous trips customized to meet the different interests of globetrotters.
Sightseeing Tours
These tours are mainly focused on visiting and seeing places of interest, seeing a lot of attractions, and landmarks. These are quick but enriching, which often include popular spots and, at times, hidden gems.
Cultural and Historical Tours
The focus is on exploring historical places. Guided by experts, travelers dive into the past, visiting historic buildings, ancient ruins, battlefields, and other sites that molded history.
Adventure Tours
Designed around physically challenging and thrilling activities. From scuba diving, white-water rafting, to trekking rugged terrains, you get to enjoy all these. These tours are the best for adrenaline seekers and those looking for a dose of excitement in natural and unique settings.
Specialty Tours
Tours are intended for traveling around a certain place of interest or theme. Unlike general or cultural sightseeing tours that cover numerous attractions, these dig deep into a particular place of interest.
Small Group Tours—What Are They?
Small group tours are pre-planned trips with a maximum of 20 travelers. These are designed for a more personalized and intimate travel experience. These can also be considered private touring.
Why Book a Small Group Guided Tour?
- Leverages local insight and knowledge
Local guides of small group tours London provide an educational and informative aspect to locations included in the itinerary. Aside from sharing stories of the places on your itinerary, the guides are happy to show you several hidden gems. Most small tours also allot time for individual exploration. - Offer unusual and unique experiences
Sometimes, it’s amazing to go with the flow. However, there are instances when you just want to travel with plans handled already. Small tours have a fixed itinerary, allowing travelers to live in the present rather than thinking about where to go next.
Also, they allow travelers to visit more unusual places that they may not feel comfortable going to by themselves. - Meet new, like-minded people
If you want to meet like-minded people from other countries, then small tours are for you. Private touring in London is generally capped at 12 or more, but not exceeding 20, with unique itineraries and destinations.
You will enjoy sharing adventures with friendly people, whether you travel alone or as a small group. New friendships could bloom, creating lasting relationships beyond borders. - Adds an element of security
Safety is a main concern for all travelers. Joining a small group can be a great safety net. While it doesn’t mean that it’s always perfect, it’s helpful to have someone to rely on in case something goes wrong.
Guides have a lifetime of local insight and are well-equipped to deal with issues that may arise. There’s also safety in numbers, and you will feel safer sharing experiences with others, such as exploring a night market. - Small tours are affordable
Travel need not be expensive! Small group guided tours usually fall somewhere between private touring and independent traveling.
You can have a great experience and save a lot of time with small group tours without breaking the bank. Because these small tours often have preferential group rates for accommodation, transportation, etc.
Big Bus Tours—What Are They?
The Big Bus Tours Company offers these open, hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tours. They offer a convenient way for travelers to explore cities with routes designed to stop at major attractions or landmarks.
Headphones are provided to passengers that contain live or pre-recorded commentary about places. Travelers can leave the bus and board again at special bus stops on the route without limit. In big cities, such as London, buses have several routes.
Why Go for Big Bus Tours?
- Perfect if you have limited time
The big bus tour is perfect if you only have a long weekend allocated for your travel. You can spend a couple of hours on the bus and choose to go down at places that you like.
You will have a good vibe of the place the next day and can explore the places in the city that you like most. - Walk less, enjoy more
The bus is the easiest alternative to a costly private driver. Big bus tours are convenient for those with problems walking long distances and those with children. Also, these tours can be a great compromise between a day napping in a hotel and getting out if you’re jet-lagged. - Great when transportation is difficult
Some travelers love the challenge of navigating public transportation in a strange city, while others don’t. Big buses are great and are not as expensive as a car or taking taxis.
Compared to bus passes and public subways, the tickets for big buses are costlier. Still, the routes are easy to understand and can get you closer to numerous destinations. You can purchase big bus tickets online and not having to worry about currency problems at subway or train stations. - Language that you can understand
Immersing yourself in a new culture is beautiful, but understanding what’s going on is beautiful too. Big bus tours offer recorded information in various languages. You can choose to listen to English, German, French, Italian, Korean, etc.
After having a hard time with café orders and using translation applications, listening to your native tongue on big buses can be a comforting break.
Small Group Tours or Big Bus Tours—Which Is for You?
The main difference is the group size. Big bus tours accommodate up to 60 people, while small group tours average from 10 to 20 people per group. What to choose? There are several factors to take into account before deciding whether to go for a small group tour or a big bus tour.
Small Tours
- More personalized experience. In general, small tours have fewer people, enabling a more personalized attention from the tour guide and a bigger sense of group camaraderie.
- Access to unique places. Small tours often access places less accessible to bigger tours, like shops, restaurants, and attractions.
- More flexibility. Smaller groups are more flexible in adjusting the itinerary based on the interests and desires of the group.
- Higher quality. Small group tours can have a higher standard of quality because of the ability to provide a more personalized service and attention to detail.
Big Bus Tours
- Convenient. The hop-on, hop-off nature of these tours allows easy exploration of various places and attractions.
- Cost-effective. Big tours can be a more cost-effective way to see the city, especially for family travelers and those on a tighter budget.
- Informative. Most big bus tours offer information and commentary about the landmarks and attractions along the route.
- Great for first-timers. Big bus tours can be a great way for first-time travelers to have an overview of the city.
Conclusion
Choosing between small group tours and big bus tours all boils down to your preferences. If you prefer a more personalized and intimate experience with a chance to interact with other travelers and access unique places, a small tour is a better option.
If you like a convenient and more cost-effective way to see a city, with a focus on a wider range of attractions and informative commentary, then big bus tours are more appealing.
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FAQs
How many people does a small tour consist of?
In general, small tours accommodate 12 to 20 people at most.
What is covered in the price of small group tours London?
Typically, the price covers transportation, accommodation, guided activities, and sometimes meals.
How long are big bus tours?
It could take two and a half hours. Some have 3 hours and 20 minutes, while some only have an hour.
Can I book my tickets online?
Yes. You can purchase tickets online, and you will receive an e-ticket.
How do big bus tours work in London?
London sightseeing tours operate on open-top double-decker buses.
