Arriving late for RS Tour

Of course a person can be late. Do let your guide know ahead of time, via the office, if possible. There have been times when tour members arrive the next day, or late on the first day.

Stan and I once missed the "meet & greet" in Palermo, because I was at the emergency room with bronchitis. When we got back to the hotel, I headed to bed, but Stan was met by the assistant guide (some tours have them) who took Stan to join the group at dinner.

It's always nice to be on time, but things happen. Like, getting on the wrong train. We were once quite late for our meet and greet because of that. We had no way to let the guide know. They left instructions at the hotel desk for us letting us know where to find them.

It happens. But if you’re going to be late try to get word to the hotel so they can let the guide know and arrangements can be made for you to meet up with the group if they have already left for dinner or a city walk or whatever is planned after the meeting.

And you can email RS office to let them know ad they can let the guide know.

This happened to me on the Best of Adriatic tour in 2023. I emailed the Rick Steves office and they let our guide know I would be late due to travel issues outside of my control. By the time I got to the hotel, the guide had been informed and they knew to look for me. After the orientation and checking in I met with the guide 1:1 to go over anything I missed. As long as you let the team know the situation they’ll communicate to the tour guide. If you arrive after the tour leaves the hotel for the first night walk, the guide will leave the address of the restaurant where dinner will be and the time.

If it is planned late arrival, contact the tour department before you leave so they can let your guide know. If it is an unexpected late arrival, you will get information in your tour packet. I looked at my most recent tour information and they gave us phone numbers for a relay service they use to communicate with guides in emergency situation (not just late arrival). Make sure to note the phone numbers somewhere safe before you depart the US.

FWIW, I just noticed your other question about train times, so I'd suggest taking an earlier train so you have plenty of cushion. Or move along to Koblenz a day ahead of the tour and do things around there - Russ gave you some ideas of things to do, but I also recommend Marksburg castle, it is wonderful.

Let your tour guide (and even the RS office but only for a late tour first day late arrival) know ahead of time if it’s a situation involving missing the orientation meeting. Based upon your time of arrival (if you know it’s only 2 hours late) they can tell you what the itinerary is for that evening, and where you could opt to meet them because usually after the orientation meeting there is a walking city tour and then a group dinner.

We’ve had people miss due to delayed flights. No big deal. Just remember communication is the key.

Our Sicily tour had several people late. Some joined us at dinner and some the next day. It was due to weather in the US and flight delays. Our guide knew ahead of time through the RS office and/ or the hotel. Everyone adjusted.

Transportation issues, etc. can happen, but if you’re actually asking if it’s important to be there at the beginning of the tour meet up, I would recommend not missing it. It’s the time when you will initially get to know the other tour members & guide and get a feel for the tour, expectations, the excitement, etc. plus people are choosing their “buddy check” person. Yes, you can eventually obtain this, but it’s nice to have it from the beginning.

Thank you all for your input on my first trip to Germany. This forum is invaluable to a solo traveler such as me to make travel decisions. Cheers!

I agree with Jean. If what you are asking is if the meeting is optional then I would say not really and recommend that you attend. The guide has a lot of knowledge to share that you need to know and making the guide have to repeat it again and someone chose a buddy for you because you chose not to attend is probably not a good way to start off.

100% agree with Margie and Jean. Hadn’t considered that it was a choice to be late. Been on 3 tours so far. Definitely don’t skip (especially as a solo traveler) because you’d rather do something else. It’ll be an important part of finding your way within the group.

We had a couple miss the first night entirely because they were visiting family in the area and one of them had an emergency and the whole visit got pushed out. It was fine, but we never did develop a connection with them.

You’d probably be fine but you really should as RS..