Free walking tours

[Bayside Flyer]

Not a free walking tour but currently in Siem Reap I have a fabulous Tuk Tuk driver that only asks for a very modest amount. He takes me to local places so I don't pay tourist prices, takes me to a better money changer, provides me with ice cold water and we usually finish the day sitting around just chatting and sharing a couple of beers.
Yesterday he drove me to the circus and picked me up for my return. Didn't want payment. We then sat around for about 2 hours sharing a couple of beers.
I am going with him today and will make sure he's rewarded.

I have some friends who live there right now

 

[Investor7]

Are there many "solo travelers" on walking tours? I want to travel the world alone. I like the idea of walking tours to pass the time, so long as there are no social expectations.

 

[Forg]

Are there many "solo travelers" on walking tours? I want to travel the world alone. I like the idea of walking tours to pass the time, so long as there are no social expectations.

If you don’t want to talk to anyone & aren’t going to see them again, do you care if they think you’re a bit odd for not wanting to talk to anyone? The various tours I’ve been on have been attended by groups, they’re usually pretty happy talking among themselves.

I’m pretty shy & introverted, and generally don’t have a huge interest in meeting new people; but the Scottish guy running the tour in Edinburgh had lived in my suburb of Sydney for 5 years ‘til a few months before said tour & we just ended up naturally chatting while on the move and there was nothing for him to Guide about.

 

[Cynicor]

Absolutely solos, couples, larger groups sometimes. Families. It’s a really eclectic mix of people.
We tend to do it for first day or so in a new city to orient ourselves.

 

[Lynda2475]

Are there many "solo travelers" on walking tours? I want to travel the world alone. I like the idea of walking tours to pass the time, so long as there are no social expectations.

Yes, I travel solo frequently and have done many walking tours, mostly paid ones as I favour food tours. Sometimes there are multiple solos, sometimes just me, I care not.

Just last month I signed up for an architectural walking tour in new orleans via an historical society, not only was it inexpensive and excellent, no one else wanted to brave the heat (it was 41C) so I got a private tour. Tips not allowed as volunteers but I did buy her an iced coffee at the end.

 

[kpc]

Just booked 3 more "free" walking tours for Helsinki, Stockholm and Talinn for later this month...if the group is smaller and tour good I tip more; if large and average, I tip less.

 

[pauly7]

Like anything some good ones and average ones - who put a lot of pressure on everyone to tip heavily basically from the word go. People started dropping off that one 5 minutes in…

 

[Magoo]

I used Paris Greeters last year and had a brilliant tour.

Because of my total disorientation in the northern hemisphere, I was over 30 minutes late, but the Greeter waited for me (I had no way to contact him). We did a tour if the area around Opera, which used to include furniture and upholstery artisans (his family used to have a business there). I would neve have seen or known any of this without his input.

Because we started so late, the tour went through lunch time, and I needed to eat, so paid for his lunch. The Greeters are a no tipping group, bit I made, in advance, a donation.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

The free walking tour I did in Rangoon in 2019 was fantastic. Probably the best one of any other city I've tried it.

 

[VPS]

For the people that do these tours, can you specify how long you want the tour to be?

 

[burmans]

For the people that do these tours, can you specify how long you want the tour to be?

You usually have a set period given it’s a group but on a couple of occasions with a smaller group some flexibility was allowed.

 

[Buzzard]

For the people that do these tours, can you specify how long you want the tour to be?

I find 3 hours is a good time.

 

[RooFlyer]

You usually have a set period given it’s a group but on a couple of occasions with a smaller group some flexibility was allowed.

You mean the Greeters? I thought it was just you and them.

 

[burmans]

I was talking generally about free tours, the Greeters are a smallish minority but yes, in this case you have a lot more input into what and how long.

 

[maxwelljames]

Is anyone else a fan of "free walking tours" where you tip the guide at the end of the tour?

I've probably done over a hundred of these in many cities around the world - particularly in Europe. I also recently did one in Singapore which was excellent. I find they're a great way to learn about a place, get your bearings and some tips to make the most of your stay, and also to meet other travellers.

What are your thoughts on free walking tours and have you done one that you particularly enjoyed/didn't enjoy?

I have also done a couple of these, the last one was in Brussels. It was very efficient and no pressure for any money. Melbourne also has at least one, as has London.

 

[kpc]

Just did one in Kigali and another in Stone Town. Both were very good and we tipped USD30 for the 2 of us. The one in Stone Town turned out to be a private one as there were just the 2 of us. Unfortunately due to fatigue and illness, we had to cancel the one in Dar es Salaam.