Affordable Tours of Europe

[Disneykarem]

Can anyone recommend a tour company that is both reliable and affordable? We are interested in London and perhaps Paris or cities in Ireland and Scotland. Of course, I would love to use Disney's but the cost is just too high for our budget.

Thanks.

 

[ellone]

If you don't mind using the subway London is easily doable on your own. You'll see more too since you don't have to wait on others in a tour group.

Paris is pretty easy on your own as well as long as you research a bit before you go (researching what subway stops to get to things).

 

[Lewisc]

I've used Rachel www.affordabletours.com They can book almost every tour, discount and will give you advice.

In general: Less expensive tours tend to use hotels in less convenient locations and include fewer tours. That means you'll be paying extra to book optional tours or will be doing it on your own. Many tours start the count when you leave the US. That means your first night on the plane, and the meals served on the plane, count in the trip summary. Some tours do this, some only do it if you book air through them and some don't. Make the adjustment when you're comparing tours.

You can can probably do it on your own for less but sometimes it's nice having everything organized.

Disney and Tauk put together good tours but they are $$$. They may fly you or use a train on the tour while less expensive tours may bus you. Disney and Tauk use highly rated hotels, in good locations. They don't care what that does to the price. Other tours cater to customers who care what it costs. They will adjust the hotels in order to market the tour at a specific price point.

 

[jedijill]

I've done all my touring as a DIY using Rick Steves' books. His company offers tours as well...you might want to check into them if you want the guided experience.

Jill in CO

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I was also going to say Rick Steves if you that type of touring. We enjoy his tour books and we like to live like the locals. Yes I really did travel in Europe out of a carry on suitcase for two weeks.

Perhaps get a few of his books and then see if you are that kind of traveler. I think you could travel on your own at your own pace without a tour if plan it out.

We stayed in Europe for two weeks each time, for two years in a row.

Good luck.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You don't need an organized tour for any of the places you mentioned. If you have never visited Europe before, don't try to do too much. A week just in London would be great for a first timer and very easy to do on your own. You can sign up for site tours yourself (such as to Windsor Castle). I suggest you go over to tripadvisor.com and start reading:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g186338-London_England-Vacations.html

 

[distherapy]

London is super easy on your own. We went last year. After spending some time on trip advisor forums, we had a great plan. Tons of recommendations for these, as well - http://www.walks.com/

 

[RachelsMommie]

My parents use Globus and love it. They are still pricey but cheaper than ABD.

 

[Disneykarem]

Thanks for all your help. I think we might try it "on our own". Now I need to hunt for good airfare rates!!

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

London and Paris I would definitely do it on your own. Rick Steves has awesome guides. If you're under 35 maybe consider Contiki. I met quite a few couples on there. Otherwise Cosmos and Gate 1 are more budget oriented. I've only used a guide a couple times in places I wasn't comfortable alone (I travel alone a lot).

 

[Robbi]

OP, check your local universities. Often they sponsor organized tours that are very reasonably priced.

 

[GAN]

You don't need an organized tour for any of the places you mentioned. If you have never visited Europe before, don't try to do too much. A week just in London would be great for a first timer and very easy to do on your own. You can sign up for site tours yourself (such as to Windsor Castle). I suggest you go over to tripadvisor.com and start reading: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g186338-London_England-Vacations.html

Good advice. In fact, we're looking do visit London/Paris June 2014 and I'm in the process of looking for a place to stay and for Airfare -the airfare can wait a couple months or so. For a place to stay, I've found in Europe I'm just as happy in a vacation rental/condo instead of a full service hotel -more space and less $$$. If you go to T/A look under london vacation rentals, or try airbnb.com. I usually reference Rick Steve's books, but also like the DK Eyewitness books(check eBay). The other thing is you can always book a day tour with a reputable guide to get more in depth info on the area.

 

[jedijill]

International airfare often goes on sale in January...I've found some pretty good deals.

Jill in CO

 

[GAN]

International airfare often goes on sale in January...I've found some pretty good deals. Jill in CO

Thanks for the heads up -I will be paying close attention!

 

[uksteveo]

I used tourvacationstogo.com and they were great. I think the company that I toured with was Trafalgar and I would recommend them to anyone. That website has tons of tours available. I did a 10 day tour of London, Paris, Rome, and some other cities along the way. The price included all your hotels, transportation, some meals and admission to the "big" sites as well as airfare.

 

[eliza61]

last May I took 8 family members (2 seniors, 4 kids, sil and myself) to Paris and London for 10 days. we did every thing ourselves. it was ridiculously easy. We arranged museums pass, hours and prices all on line. Both paris and London's transportation is obscenely easy to use. Even squeezed in a day at DLP.

the only thing we used a agent for was to score our airline tickets. mainly because we were able to get a decent discount for having 8 people and she handled our transfers to and from the airports.

 

[dustpixie]

I'm too new to post a link but check Road Scholar at www roadscholar org
My parents recommend these guys for all-included no-surprises pricing and great guides.

DS and I are saving for a UK tour with them in 2017.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Good advice. In fact, we're looking do visit London/Paris June 2014 and I'm in the process of looking for a place to stay and for Airfare -the airfare can wait a couple months or so. For a place to stay, I've found in Europe I'm just as happy in a vacation rental/condo instead of a full service hotel -more space and less $$$. If you go to T/A look under london vacation rentals, or try airbnb.com. I usually reference Rick Steve's books, but also like the DK Eyewitness books(check eBay). The other thing is you can always book a day tour with a reputable guide to get more in depth info on the area.

Be warned, airfare to Europe for the past 2 summers has averaged about $1,200 RT from the east coast. It has not dropped. If I were traveling this June, I would already have purchased my airfare; it's not getting cheaper closer to June.

 

[badiggio]

We used CIE TOURS a couple of years ago for our trip to IRELAND.They were top notch,very affordable and best value imo.We checked Trafalgar,globus,Insight....none could compare for what we paid.Breakfast and dinner were included EVERY day and night ,too.

 

[GAN]

Be warned, airfare to Europe for the past 2 summers has averaged about $1,200 RT from the east coast. It has not dropped. If I were traveling this June, I would already have purchased my airfare; it's not getting cheaper closer to June.

I've been watching the fares for 3-months, we kind of figured it would be between $1-1500. Haven't seen one fare for our dates that has been less than $1200, so you may be right. But to me, if I'm paying $1200 -it's worth it to hold out for something lower even if I end up paying $1400. It's a risk -not much we can do but wait and see. I'll post back.