Are you thinking about booking a small group tour but unsure what to look for?
I’ve taken small group tours close on 20 occasions and have a pretty good system for sorting the wheat from the chaff. Whether you’re a first-timer or looking to avoid past mistakes, this guide will help you find the right tour for you.
Quick Reference Guide: Key Decision Factors
Before you book, check these five non-negotiables:
- Total cost (including hidden fees and single supplements)
- Group size (8-16 is the sweet spot)
- Who you’ll travel with (age range and travel style)
- Pace and free time (will you feel rushed or relaxed?)
- Cancellation policy (flexibility is crucial)
Now let’s get into the detail.
1. Work Out the True Cost
Group tours cater to all budgets, but appearances can be deceiving.
Check if there are fees payable on arrival. Are activities like guided tours or entrance fees included, or do these cost extra? A cheap tour that excludes half the experiences isn’t such a bargain.
Try to figure out if the price reflects what you’re getting. Does a mid-range tour really warrant that price tag when the accommodation is basic? Compare similar itineraries across companies to gauge value.
2. Decide on Single Rooms vs Room Sharing
On group tours, you can share with another traveller (same sex) to avoid the single supplement. If you crave privacy, check that single rooms are available and how much extra they cost.
I always pay for my own room, but a close friend who’s done multiple tours always shares and has never had problems. That said, on a Guatemala tour, one of our group had the roommate from Hell. Caveat emptor.
If you opt to share and there’s no one available to pair with, you typically get a single room without paying extra. Place your bets now.
Single supplements vary wildly between operators. Budget companies might charge 20-30% extra, whilst high-end operators are increasingly waiving the supplement altogether (though their baseline prices are higher).
3. Check the Group Size
Group size is huge for me. I look for between 8 and 16 people.
Fewer than eight and difficult personalities have an outsized impact. More than 20 and you lose that small group feel, it’s harder to bond, and you’ll end up at touristy restaurants purely because of numbers.
Smaller groups are also far more mindful of their environmental impact.
4. Find Out Who You’ll Be Travelling With
The demographics of your fellow travellers matter more than you might think
As an older solo traveller, I need to avoid ending up on a party bus with Gen Z backpackers. Not because there’s anything wrong with that crowd – I used Contiki in New Zealand 25 years ago and it was brilliant – but my priorities have changed.
Beyond just wanting a quieter holiday, travelling with people of a similar age and outlook means you’re more likely to find common ground.
How to check: Look at the “About” section on the tour operator’s website, which usually lists typical guest demographics. Photos from past tours are another good indicator. Budget accommodation (hostels, guesthouses) suggests younger backpackers; upmarket hotels attract older travellers and families.
If you’re still unsure, phone the company. I’ve done this, and they were able to share basic demographic information without breaching data protection rules.
5. Make Sure the Accommodation Fits Your Style
As fancy-schmancy hotels push up the price of group travel, they are mainly used by high-end operators. At the opposite end of the spectrum, low-budget group travel companies use dorms, guesthouses or tents.
Mid-range operators – my usual choice – tend to mix things up. On an excellent Sri Lanka tour, we stayed in some truly luxurious hotels despite the mid-range price point.
Think about what you need to sleep well and enjoy your trip. That’s your baseline.
6. Read the Itinerary Carefully
Small group tours are all about balance.
You want to see the key sights and feel you got value for money, but you don’t want to need another holiday to recover afterwards.
For me, the ideal tour covers the main attractions but also includes free time. Whilst a packed schedule is part of what you pay for, going from place to place can feel relentless, especially on longer tours.
7. Understand the Transport Arrangements
When you are reading the tour itinerary, drill down on how you get from A to B.
Companies typically use either land transport or flights between destinations. Rising at dawn for a bumpy 8-hour bus journey is no joy. If there’s more than one of these in your itinerary, you may be dreaming of a beach holiday well before the trip ends.
Balance is key. Some overland travel adds to the experience, but too much becomes exhausting.
8. Ask About Local Guides
Your tour guide can make or break a trip.
Roshan, my guide in Sri Lanka, was exceptional. He had brilliant organisational skills, gave clear explanations and was committed to giving back to his local community.
However, I’ve also had guides who were disinterested (Cuba) or nursing a hangover whilst showing us around Angkor’s temples (Cambodia).
In my experience, local guides are best. Many companies now use them as standard, but if you’re unsure, call to check.
9. Check the Cancellation Policy
The pandemic taught us to build flexibility into travel plans.
When booking a group tour, examine their cancellation policy carefully. Any decent company will let you cancel or transfer to another trip free of charge. If they cancel your trip, they should refund you in full.
Always check that UK companies have ABTA and ATOL bonding for full financial protection.
10. Look at Their Sustainability Credentials
Tour companies’ approaches to sustainable travel matter increasingly, both for the environment and for supporting local communities.
Any operator worth its salt will display its sustainability and responsible travel policies clearly on its website. If you can’t find this information easily, that tells you something.
Final Thoughts
Group travel has come a long way from coachloads of tourists ticking off sights. The best small group tours focus on local experiences, employ local guides and have strong environmental credentials.
If you’re travelling solo for the first time, a small group tour is an excellent way to do it safely and with built-in company. Just make sure you do your homework before handing over your cash.
Still weighing up if group travel suits you? Check out my assessment of the pros and cons of group travel. Or if you’re over 50, here’s my pick of the best group travel companies for mature travellers.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.