Want To Save on Summer Travel? Here’s Why You Should Consider a Group

Traveling as a group isn’t for everyone, but many people enjoy it, and some wouldn’t go any other way. Besides offering readymade companionship, it can sometimes lead to substantial discounts. So if you’re looking for a way to save on your next summer vacation, joining a group—or even forming your own—could be the route for you. Here is what you need to know to enjoy the perks and bypass the pitfalls.

The Cost Benefits of Group Travel

There are basically two types of group travel: signing up to join a group of people organized by someone else or getting a bunch of friends and family members together to create a group of your own. Either way, you may be in line for bulk discounts on transportation, lodging, sightseeing excursions, and other activities.

Group travel packages are widely available for people of all ages and interests. Any alumni or professional association, cultural institution, or similar organization you belong to may offer them, typically partnering with a travel operator specializing in that business. A few well-known operators are AHI Travel, Gohagan & Company, and Go Next.

Whatever your passions, there is probably a group tour operator catering to them. For example, Smithsonian Journeys offers group travel packages with an emphasis on culture and history. ESPN Experiences is one of several companies focused on sports fans. Road Scholar, formerly known as Elderhostel, specializes in tours for people 50 and over, and Wheel the World is among those offering group tours for people with disabilities.

While group tours typically have price tags running well into the thousands of dollars, the providers maintain that because they are often all-inclusive—covering transportation, accommodations, meals, guided excursions, and pesky charges like port fees and visitor taxes—they are less expensive than if you were to try to put together your own package a la carte.

Shared Expenses and Economies of Scale

Even if you’re forming your own little group of just a few people, you can save some money by sharing hotel or Airbnb rentals and taxi or Uber rides, as well as splitting other costs like meals.

A larger group, however, could entitle you to some attractive bargains. Major airlines, including American, Delta, JetBlue, and United, offer bulk ticket discounts, typically for groups of 10 or more. Amtrak’s Share Fares program has a range of offers, from 15% off for groups of three to 60% off for groups of eight.

Some cruise lines also offer group discounts. Norwegian Cruise Line, for example, takes 15% off for groups that book five or more cabins. Princess Cruises has special group rates and other perks for groups that book at least five cabins.

Group rates at hotels are less standardized and can vary from chain to chain and even from one property to another within the same chain. A review of major hotel websites shows that discounts, when available at all, are usually limited to blocks of 10 or more rooms. But one big difference between transportation providers and hotels is that hotels are often willing to negotiate. 

Access to Exclusive Deals and Discounts

One way that group tours try to differentiate themselves and add value to their packages is by creating exclusive travel experiences not available to solo travelers. For example, Tauck, another major group tour operator, promises “private tours of iconic landmarks, behind-the-scenes access to cultural treasures, and unique dining experiences.”

While many tours are all-inclusive, some offer optional excursions at an additional cost. These may not always be a bargain, but they should at least be more convenient than attempting to arrange a similar outing on your own.

Enhanced Travel Experience

The greatest advantage of a group tour may be that somebody else handles many of the hassles you might otherwise have to, giving you more time to enjoy the sights.

It is also an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. In some parts of the world, traveling with a group and an experienced guide can be safer than wandering alone.

A knowledgeable and honest tour guide can also point you toward good local restaurants, reputable shops, and safe places to exchange currency, and away from the ones that like to rip tourists off.

For all these reasons, as well as the possibility of saving a little money, group travel is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. 

Potential Drawbacks and How To Mitigate Them

For all the possible benefits, financial and otherwise, group tours also have some limitations by their very nature. Some people would rather roam freely than follow the more strictly structured itinerary of a group tour. That said, many tours provide both structured and unstructured time, such as a guided tour of the city center in the morning, followed by a free afternoon to mosey around as you see fit.

In addition, some people are simply uncomfortable being part of a herd. Note, however, that tours today can range from under a dozen people to 25, 30, or more, so you do have some choice in the size of your herd when you sign up.

Finally, you’ll be stuck with the same group of people for the duration of the tour—a plus if you like them and find them engaging, a minus if you can’t wait to escape their company. 

The Bottom Line

Group travel provides an array of benefits, including the possibility of saving some money along the way. With so many providers competing for your business today, chances are you can find a tour that matches your interests and personal preferences in terms of destinations, group size, trip length, and the type of people you’ll be traveling with. So, if the idea appeals, consider trying one this summer, and you may be back for more next year.