Is it worth paying more for a private tour?
This depends on the conditions of each tourist. If you are looking for comfort and flexibility, there is no doubt that a private tour is the best option, as a private tour is designed to offer more comfort and personalized attention than a shared tour. However, if you are traveling on a low budget, comfort is not a priority or you want to take advantage of the experience to try to socialize, the shared tour may be a better option, although it will bring higher demands to the client, in terms of punctuality, as explained later in this article.
Here are the main factors to consider when comparing shared and private tours.
Start time of private vs. shared tours
Shared tours have a fixed start time and passengers must show up on time, otherwise they are likely to miss the tour or have to use other means such as public transportation to try to reach the tour vehicle. On the other hand, private tours offer the user much more flexibility in the choice of schedules and the fact that the user is delayed does not imply any risk of losing the tour, since the time is dedicated exclusively to the tour with the client and his companions. What will happen in a private tour if the user is delayed is that there will be less time to comply with the itinerary, since the service has a maximum duration.
Pick-up location of passengers on shared vs. private tours
In shared tours, passengers are usually picked up at one or more previously established meeting points. Users should use other means of transportation to get to the meeting place and should do so well in advance to avoid traffic congestion or crowds that may prevent them from arriving on time. In the case of private tours, the service starts at the address indicated by the user, whether it is a hotel, a residence or any other place.
Can I make additional stops on shared tours?
There is always the possibility that a passenger may need or want to do something that was not in the plans, such as buying a bathing suit, a towel, sunscreen or any other item… exchange foreign currency, withdraw money at an ATM, have breakfast or take a break to eat something light, look for a medicine, etc. The possibilities are numerous. Shared tours follow a schedule of activities with time slots that must be adhered to as closely as possible, which usually leaves no time for additional stops that passengers may require. On private tours, passengers can make these types of stops without restrictions, although they should keep in mind that they will take time away from enjoying the other activities.
Time to enjoy the activities
Shared tours have budgeted time to enjoy each activity and this must be met with the utmost precision. When a stop is made, the guide will inform tourists of the time limit for presenting themselves at the meeting point and continuing with the following stops, so that users who do not follow this indication, whether due to carelessness, contingency or misplacement, will run the risk of losing the tour and having to rely on his own means to rejoin the group. Contrary to this, in private tours, a maximum time limit is established for the duration of the whole experience and travelers may use that time as they see fit. If they enjoy a particular activity more, they are totally free to decide to stay with it longer or, likewise, to reduce or eliminate time for those activities that are not as interesting to them.
Fulfillment of specific requests
In shared tours it will not always be possible to meet a particular need or desire of a tourist, such as, for example, turning off the air conditioning, opening or closing the vehicle windows, choosing the type and volume of the music played in the vehicle, etc. In the private tours all this is decided by the client, as he/she wishes. However, it should be noted that there are certain requests that cannot be acceded to, even in private tours, either because they represent a risk or an expense not covered within the rate.
Space and comfort
In shared tours, each user has a delimited space inside the vehicle and must refrain from invading the space of other passengers; likewise, he/she must always stay in the same seat, to avoid disagreements and friction with other travelers. In private tours, the group decides how to use the space inside the vehicle for their comfort and will only have to keep in mind to use it responsibly.
We hope these explanations have helped you to make your decision about the tour that best suits you. If you wish to book private tours in Medellín, we invite you to take a look at Medellín de Cerca’s tours.
