Guided tours are a great way for you, as a senior, to explore various landmarks and attractions. In fact, it’s a great way to safely see the world and get a great deal more out of the experience when compared to venturing out alone. Unfortunately, guided tours aren’t always budget-friendly, making them out of reach for some in their retirement years. Thankfully, there are some ways to stick to a budget and still enjoy guided tours with the following helpful tips:

Opt For a Free or Virtual Tour

Instead of spending money on a guided tour with a professional guiding you along, you can opt for a free downloadable walking tour to various locations worldwide. Some of these apps do charge a small fee for specific walks, maps, features, or guided directions. Others are completely free. In many cases, these app-led tours can be just as interesting as they include interesting information on landmarks and history, and highlight what to look at when visiting various locations. There are many apps to consider. A few of the most common are listed below:

Tours by Foot

GuruWalk

FreeTour

VoiceMap

GPSmyCity

VoiceMap

Visit in the Off-Season

Of course, there is something to be said about having a person in real life showing you what makes a particular area great. It’s also helpful when visiting cultures unlike our own to ensure that you don’t accidentally offend anyone simply because you don’t know the customs. Therefore, if you do want to go on a guided tour but need to stick to a budget, consider visiting off-season. Thankfully, as a senior, you are likely retired, or have at least cut back on working hours or enjoy more flexibility. This affords you the freedom to travel wherever other people are working. Therefore, when visiting a location, consider the time of year they get the most tourists and simply visit at a different time. Contact the guided tour company and ask for a discount if you don’t see it listed when booking. Many times, they will offer you a discount for booking a tour when they will typically be slow in off-peak season. This also gives you a better experience because your guided tour won’t be bursting at the seams with guests.

Ask for a Discount

Many companies will provide discounts for seniors, and guided tour companies are no exception. If the guided tour you want to go on seems a bit pricey to you, simply ask if they would consider giving you a senior discount. In many cases, they will be glad to comply. It never hurts to ask for a discount. The worst that can happen is they tell you that they don’t offer any discounts.

Go With a Group

Another way to make guided tours more affordable is by purchasing said tours as a group. Many companies offer a group rate deal if a certain number of people sign up together. Therefore, if you travel as a group, you can possibly enjoy more discounts than a company would be able to provide you with on your own or even as a couple.

Be Willing to Visit Less Popular Areas

Traditional tourist areas will generally be the most expensive to tour. Therefore, if budget-friendly tours are the name of the game, think outside the box. Instead of going to a popular destination, consider botanical gardens, national parks, and more to get that much more out of your experience. Combining this with visiting in the off-season is a way to enjoy even more savings.

Plan Ahead

It likely comes as no surprise, but like most things in life, you do better budget-wise when you plan well in advance. Often, you can pre-purchase guided tours for months, and even in some cases, years out. This will give you the most savings and allow you to budget more effectively for the entirety of your trip. You can get better deals on hotels, flights, and more as well simply by planning ahead and not waiting until the last minute to make a reservation. In addition, planning further out will allow you to be more picky in terms of the time of your tours (time of day they start), as some time slots will fill up quicker.

Do Your Homework

Last but not least, save money on guided tours by doing a bit of homework. Read reviews, look at previous guest suggestions, consider calling the areas and asking the locals what guided tours are the best and which ones will give you the best deal. See if you can combine your guided tour with your hotel cost or get a guided tour at a discounted rate when booking other aspects of your trip. Many times, combining several activities together can save you money overall. Ask questions, do your research, and then be flexible as far as when you visit, and you will likely be able to save a significant amount on the overall cost of a tour.

Don’t Miss Out

Cost is no reason to miss out on the benefits of a highly skilled guided tour. By keeping the tips listed above in mind, you can enjoy traveling while sticking to a budget and even experience some fabulous guided tours.