Group travel is hectic but cheaper

To travel alone or at leisure, you need to have some experience of the city

Planning a trip is never easy. No wonder, Bangalore-based Nidhi Iyer and friends are confused whether to take a leisurely trip of Europe (via free individual travel or FIT) or travel in a group, escorted. With a cost differential of 20 per cent, the latter should be an obvious choice.

Yet, they aren't sure. They not only want to visit many cities — the itinerary includes London, Manchester, Glastonbury, Isle of Man, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and the Shetland Islands — but also explore these, without having to hop, skip and jump from one place to another within hours.

Most feel, given they are travelling for the first time to the cities and alone, a group travel could be better. "While travelling abroad for the first time, families derive a sense of security in groups. Senior citizens and single women also opt for group tours. Repeat travellers or evolved customers seeking to explore at own pace can go for FIT," says Frederick Divecha, head, tour operating, B2C Kuoni India.
 

TEN DAYS IN THE UK
What it costs	(in Rs)
Escorted tour
Cost of package*	1, 03, 148
Flight tickets **	47, 500
Visa	6,000
Free individual travellers
Cost of package*	1, 41, 900
Flight tickets **	47, 500
Visa	6,000

If Iyer and her friends choose the escorted travel option, there will be little or no flexibility. These tours are conducted by a tour director, who takes care of all services, beginning to the end. These include flights, hotels, transportation, most meals and sightseeing. The tour can be quick-paced, with no more than two nights spent in each location, or more leisurely, with more time spent overnight at each.

"This is for the budget and safety-conscious. Since you travel in a group of about 45 people, you do not have to worry about getting lost. It is also more affordable, as the tour operator gets everything at discounted rates, since they are booking an entire group", explains Karan Anand, head, relations, Cox and Kings (India).

He adds since these packages cater to Indians, these include Indian food, important for the Indian traveller who craves it even abroad. But, if you want to try the local cuisine, you can, at your own expense.

Remember, however, you have paid for everything, including meals provided on tour.

But rigidity characterises the entire trip, as it is pre-planned. You cannot, in any way, customise the trip. Also, operators have specific blocks for each tour. SOTC, at the moment, has only one block open for its Summer England, Ireland and Scotland tour, which is a nine-day one.

Operators also try and pack as much in the time span to provide you 'value for money'. A six-day British tour covers England, Scotland and Wales, and stops by quite a few cities.

The other option for Iyer and company is to raise their budget a good 20 per cent for the FIT option. Here, the operator will book the flight tickets and hotels and process visas. He can also provide transport.

If one is willing to cut costs by reducing expenses on shopping and food, this can be viable. Importantly, since they will be travelling without a tour guide, they need to do all the homework.

For Iyer and friends, however, it should be the escorted option this time. FIT, maybe, next time.