Escorted Tour
Holiday Packages

Escorted tours versus independent travel

The alternative to an escorted tour is an independent multi-centre holiday. Flights, hotels and airport transfers are still booked for you, but you plan your own days in each place. An escorted holiday suits a first visit to a country, travellers who would rather not drive or book local trains, and anyone who wants the sights explained by someone who lives there. Independent travel suits people who like to set their own pace. Our multi-centre holiday cost guide covers what drives the price of that option.

How to choose between escorted tours

• Pace: compare the number of stops with the number of nights. More stops means more packing and more time on the road. Set a single-country route such as the Luxury Golden Triangle Tour of India’s Regal Wonders against a two-country one such as the Vietnam and Cambodia Tour Package: Angkor to Ha Long Bay, or a city-to-city trip like New York Washington Boston | 10-Day Luxury USA Holiday Package.
• Guided versus free days: count how many days have a guide booked and how many are yours. Two or three free days on a longer route give you time to rest or revisit a favourite place.
• Price month: the price on each card applies to the month named beside it, so check the fare for your own dates before comparing.
• Season: the best month depends on the region. See our India tours guide and Vietnam and Cambodia tours guide for regional planning.

What to check is included

Read each tour's inclusions list before comparing prices, because two routes at a similar price can include very different things. Items worth looking for:

• meals beyond breakfast
• entrance fees at each sight
• tips for guides and drivers
• visa fees
• flights, trains or road transfers between stops

Entry rules for multi-country routes

Each country on a route sets its own entry rules, and a transit stop can have rules of its own, so check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice for every country you pass through. India is a common example: British citizens need a visa unless they hold an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, and your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you arrive, with at least two blank pages. Allow plenty of time for a visa application to be processed.

Escorted tours FAQs