audiovisual: Is it cheaper to travel in Europe using a tour or individually?
I am studying abroad this summer in Greece and want to travel to other countries after my class is done for a couple of weeks (8-14 days). Is it cheaper to use a tour company like EF College Break tours or just travel by myself? Would it be better to spend more time in one country or a few days in lots of places?
Answers and Views:
Answer by nostalgia13
use a company. even if you might find better prices on your own (when you are free to compare and choose where to stay), Europeans are usually tricky when it comes to lonely foreign travelers. for instance, you might get ripped off money by cab drivers or in hotels, just because you’re on your own and you’re not European. also, a company might get you a deal when it comes to plain tickets and so on, while on your own you there’s no chance you can get that. so it’s safer to travel with a company and I’m pretty sure that when you draw the line it’s cheaper on the long run.
A tour can save you money and makes planning your trip much easier but unless it is a independent tour you could lose spontaneity. If you were to put the same trip together as offered in a tour…same hotels, sites to visit, transportation it could cost more however if you are willing to look for ways to save (i.e. less expensive hotels) it might not cost you anymore to do it on your own. What ever you do don’t try to do too much. You want to come away with good memories and experiences and it not just be a blur. Anyway be sure to post your question on the message boards at Frommer’s; it is a site dedicated to travel so you are bound to get some good ideas for your trip.
Hope you have a wonderful time. Enjoy!
Answer by KristyBack in the early seventies I hitch-hiked throughout Europe using that as a major source of getting around. I don’t know if I would recommend that to anyone today, but back then the people I met were warm, friendly, and helpful. Spending more or less time in a country depends upon what you want to see. Remember, Europe as a whole is smaller than the United States, so it’s quicker and easier to go from one country to another within a short span of time. If you’re going to Italy, I suggest going down to the end of the boot to Brindizi and there catch a ferry to cross over to Greece. It’s a good way of getting to see both countries. Rome is breathtaking, and so is Athens.Answer by Doreen
I personally would just do it on your own, unless you aren’t comfortable with that. It’s what I do, and will be doing in just a few more weeks. I will be teaching in Italy for a few days, then have another week on my own to explore. I prefer to make my own plans, but that’s just me, and I feel like it’s cheaper–but also more open to spontaniety and things off the beaten track.
But not everyone is comfortable with that, I know. Some like to know all the arrangements have been made for them, and that they have a place to sleep everynight all planned out in advance. If you are totally inexperienced and comfortable doing this alone, by all means use the agency!
I’m more travel-by-the-seat of your pants. Many countries have tourist offices right at the train stations to help you find accommodations. They are VERY helpful. The public transportation systems in Europe are really great–they go almost everywhere, so you will be fine on your own as far as getting around.
As far as staying in one country or traveling about–again, that’s up to you and your personality. If you are traveling alone, however, you have the option of visiting a city and if it doesn’t hold your interest or you feel you’ve “seen it all” you can move on. With a tour package you might be obligated to so many nights in the city. So that’s something to consider when making the decision of booking with the agency.
I like to hit every spot I can, and hope that someday I will be able to come back and really spend time at the ones that interest me, especially if this is probably a once-in-a-lifetime trip. See as much as you can see–and wear comfortable shoes!
If you do feel a bit uncomfortable at traveling around on your own, then it might be a good idea to stay in one town, especially if it’s one of the bigger ones. See all the sights, and then take day trips to other interesting places if you have the time.
Another good thing about traveling on your own-you meet more people that way. With others along, you have a tendency to hang out only with them and not venture too far from the safety of the group. But if you are on your own, you will soon find out that you NEED someone to talk to occasionally!
Just have fun! I know you will!
Poppet
Answer by Kimberly FI am in the same position you are. I will be going to London, but I definitely want to do about 12 days on my own before the program starts. None of my friends are willing to come with, as traveling to Europe is not cheap. I’m not afraid about traveling on my own through Europe, but it definitely concerns my parents, especially since I am there ‘little girl.’
I’ve been to Europe before and I did it with a tour group – and we took in A LOT of sights. This is primarily why I would like to travel on my own this time around. My tour went all across the continent so I’ve taken in a lot of the main sights. I want to be able to do my own thing this time around, so that hopefully, when I’m older I can come back to the places I’ve already been to and stay there for a longer while to really take in the cities of Europe.
The tour was definitely a nice way to get oriented to being in Europe, but a lot of times, there’s a lot of things I would have liked to change. I would recommend, if you’ve never been to Europe before to consider going with a tour. It’ll take away the worries of having to reserve hotel and transportation for you. The only downside is that they might use coaches as their primary form of travel, which can utilize good sightseeing days in place of travel days. If you have been to Europe before and know what to expect, then break out on your own a little and have an adventure 🙂
How much you save by doing a guided tour and traveling on your own is completely up to you. With a tour, there might be additional excursions available to you, but at an extra cost that you weren’t planning on. But, those excursions might be worth if if they get you into places like the Vatican and the Louvre extremely quickly, because tours usually have arrangements to get their groups in while other travelers on their own may have to wait hours to get into museums and such.
I’ve been doing my research as to how much things will cost me and know what to expect. The better prepared you are will help decide whether it’s in your best interest to travel on your own or go with a group.
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