Cost of RS tour vs. on your own.

Bob,

I've used both travel methods but haven't done an analysis of the cost differences. I've found that the method I prefer most is a combination of a RS tour as well as some self-guided travel. I'll be embarking on another trip of that type in a few weeks (RS Italy plus some time in Germany and Austria on my own).

I found that self guided travel is an enormous amount of work, as I have to do route planning, arrange Hotels, transportation, etc. on my own. One benefit of this method is that it allows me to visit sites that might not be interesting for a group (WW-II historic sites, for example).

After taking my first RS tour, my impression was that this is definitely one of the most efficient ways to travel! All lodgings, transportation, admissions and most meals are taken care of. One of the MOST important benefits is the enormous amount of historical and cultural info that one gets in a short period of time (almost "overload"). Rick's Guides are the BEST!

Happy travels!!

CL,

Hope you have a wonderful time on your Ireland tour! I toured Ireland with RS last Fall and it was a fantastic trip. As I mentioned in my previous Post, Rick's Guides are awesome!

Be sure to have a "wee pint" while you're there. Guinness always tastes better in Ireland!

Happy travels!

I think the Rick Steves trips are an excellent value. I have never come back from one thinking that I did not get my money's worth.

However value is different from cost. For a couple, you could travel well for the same amount of time for less money. However, you will need to do a lot more leg work on your own and you probably will not see as many things. What a RS tour covers in 2 weeks would probably take me 3 on my own. Don't underestimate the logistics of getting from place to place. That is all taken care of for you.

I have been travelling (mostly independently) for more than 20 years. I have also taken 4 RS tours. The trips are extremely efficient. You will get to do somethings that you would probably never know about on your own. I've always really enjoyed the tours and have come back thinking my money was well spent.

We considered taking one of his three week tours, but with four of us, we can do a month for less! Lots of leg work, lots of research and time spent, and I am sure we will never cover everything he does, but it was way too expensive for our family.

I'd say if you can afford the cost of one of his trips, it might very well be worth the money.

I have done the "math" as it relates to my travel style and preferences - and ended up doing the 17 day best of Italy tour and am going on the Ireland tour next month, so the math worked for me.

The RS people are very honest about what is covered, down to the number of meals (all bfasts, half dinners), locations of tours and sites that admissions are included, hotels, transport. I travel solo, so the fact they do not charge extra for this is a major plus. Also the fact that you're not "stuck" with the group 24/7 is also valuable to me - you get to plan some of your own time, including how you get to the to the tour.

In my opinion, having someone else do all the driving/transport and the logistics (hotels, some tours, etc.) is well worth the RS trip cost. Yes, you can do things cheaper if you do it on your own. You can lock in a $1.35 to the euro rate for the 2008 tours (how they figured their trip costs this year).

I have always travelled independently, but this year, enticed by the " Family Tour" concept, and the thougth of a month alone with my 12 yr old daughter and no ability to speak any language other then some french, I decided to take the 14 day Best of Europe Family Tour. I am spending 26 days in Europe, 14 of them on the tour, the rest in Paris( as I said, I speak french and am very comfortable in Paris) .

I am happy that the tour part is paid up ,, 14 nights of hotels , figured when the euro was 1.35,, now its 1.60 and I will be paying for the Paris portion of my trip at that rate, or could be worse!! (trip is in July).

I think doing a combo is a great way to do it.I especially think for seeing a bit of three or four countries RS tours work well, I personally would be less inclined to do a " City Tour" as I figure it is easy to book your hotel in one city , and arrange your own sightseeing, no trains to worry about, and if only staying in one city it is easy to do all the prep.

We would second the "combo". May will be our fourth Rick Steves ETBD tour, and sixth to Europe. On our fist tour we did not know who Rick was and followed one his books, following one of our kids wedding in Germany. On return home we saw the PBS stuff and realized how much we had past right by. So the "value" depends if it is all based on money, or the experience of Ricks guides. We have also enjoyed the "no grump" tour members during the tours. We will spend a week in driving the Basque country and Pyrenees, then join his tour for Spain. Next year were thinking of a RS back to back tour of Turkey and Greece.
We've enjoyed following his book to Ireland twice. It is a really special experience, and we hope your will enjoy your tour!

I have to agree with everyone else. I will be doing my 3rd tour this year, RS Ireland, and after comparing costs with people who have gone by themselves or with "cheaper" tours- Cosmos, Trafalgar,etc.it is the way to go. You know ahead of time what is covered and what isn't - there are no optionals that cost extra. You will see more than you can see on your own. A friend of mine did a Best of Italy with another company and even though she was in Florence for two days, seeing David was not even an optional. Last year I did Paris, Normandy & Loire which has now changed to Paris and Heart of France - the first day, they will teach you to navigate the metro and you will feel like you can go anywhere. I saw more on that trip than a friend who has been to France several times. And if you book for this year, you will be paying about 1.35 per euro instead of the going rate. I realize it is always cheaper for one person than several, but I think in the long run it is still the best deal.

Looking over some RS tour itineraries, what's included, costs & comparing it with what I paid to do virtually the same thing on my own, I paid far less money.

Does it take more planning to create your own itinerary & make all your own arrangements for lodging/transportation? YES. However, most people don't go to Europe spur of the moment & may have 1 to 2 months before they actually get on a plane. Armed with several current guidebooks, maps, internet access & some travel podcasts you can download free off iTunes, you'll find it's not rocket science. You can plan the same itinerary as any tour group. I've taken tours in the past-I didn't enjoy having to stick to a set schedule. There were places I wanted to spend more time at but couldn't & others I could have cared less about seeing, but it was part of the tour. People like tours because someone else makes all the decisions for them & take comfort in travelling with similar people. Just depends what kind of traveler you are.

If you're talking cost then you can definitely do it cheaper on your own. I checked out Rick's Family Tour through France. For our family (2 adults 2 kids) that adds up to just over $ 10,000 + airfaire + lunches + half of dinners. We did a very similar trip as a family a few years back organized totally on our own and spend just over $ 8,000 INCLUDING airfaire, all meals, all souvenirs.

If you're talking value the story looks a bit different. In our case I could count on the help of friends in France who invited us to a few dinners and gave us tipps for some accommodations (but not all) at incredible value. I do speak French fluently and could do all the pre-bookings in French - necessary in out-of-the-way places.

If you can not or do not want to do this kind of leg work in preparing your trip then Rick will do it for you at a good value. And you do get very good guides throughout the tour without relying on whatever is available - or not - at the sites.

contd.

The question of flexibility during your tour is another one. With small kids we don't really want to stick to a schedule and want to throw in a few hours at a beach here and there. Or just going to a small family circus that stopped in the neighbouring village 5 minutes away from where our vacation cottage was. In Switzerland, we took a day off from driving and simply stayed put in our vacation appartment, nobody there to push us along. We sat on the patio reading and listening to the cow bells, and took a small hike through the fields - not just for the kids sake!

We know for sure that we'll be back in Europe many times again and don't have to try to do as much as possible in one trip. If you don't have much time to explore a tour will be much more efficient than solo travel.

Well first off - you can figure in a discounted rate on the exchange - since they base prices on the summer before. For instance the one im doing this year is based on a euro = 1.38. If you had to do the same cost now it would be closer to 1.65 for what we pay. Granted they get discount s and have to add profit - but Im not sure youd save a lot more if you also hired or joined some private day tours in between and stayed at more hostel or cheaper level hotels.

Another easy way is - this board and RS seem to agree 150-200$ per day per person including everything but airfare, with double rooms and not going over budget but not on the cheap either. Take your RS tour and divide their cost/day and its probably 180-250.

I also second the idea of adding a week for exploring on your own (before or after a tour). It can help get you in the swing of things and comfortable in the country and give you the confidence to do a extra personal tour after you leave the group/ You still have to plan a bit - but not as much as the whole trip. Then you can compare for the next trip - did you get more out of the RS week or your own (Cost/value etc). I think the mix is just right. id have to think as a solo traveler its more $$ on ones own!