Small Group Tours vs Coach Tours

The number of travellers on your tour can make all the difference to your holiday, and it is often hard to decide what the right fit will be for you. It can also be a bit overwhelming trying to get a gauge of how many people will be on your tour, as operators cap their group numbers differently. Sometimes the tour style, destination, and category all play a part in the passenger numbers you will share your holiday with.

To make things a bit simpler for you, Global Journeys categorise small group tours as trips accommodating between 6 and 24 passengers, with other coach tours welcoming anywhere between 26 and 50 guests. So, which do you choose? Truth be told, there is no “ideal” group size - it comes down to the type of traveller you are and how you want to experience the world. Here are just some considerations when choosing the group size for you.

Transport

The type of transport you will find on your tour is dependent on passenger numbers and your destination. If you choose to travel on a small group tour you can naturally expect a smaller vehicle which offers the benefit of exploring back roads that larger coaches cannot access or may not be permitted to travel on.

If you are heading off the beaten track on your small group tour, you can also expect vehicles that are specifically suited to your itinerary – think safari cars in Africa and 4WDs in the Kimberley. You are also more likely to use forms of local transport that won’t be able to accommodate larger groups, like taking regional trains or even tuk-tuks. This is a great way to travel like a local and immerse yourself in a destination, however, sometimes you do have to forgo some creature comforts to do so.

Larger coaches often lend themselves to a more comfortable journey. The size of vehicle can mean a smoother ride, and they are generally equipped with more facilities than their smaller counterparts, including on-board restrooms. If this is important to you, then check the type of coach the operator you are considering uses for your tour.

Accommodation

Less travellers require fewer rooms, so joining a small group tour affords you the opportunity to stay in boutique properties and unique lodgings that do not have the capacity for large group numbers. Your itinerary could include a home stay with a local family, or a night or two in traditional-style accommodation.

On a small group tour, you will perhaps rest your head in a beautifully renovated farm house in Italy, a traditional ger in Mongolia, or in a nomadic camp for reindeer herders in the remote reaches of Russia. However, not all small group tours avoid the classic hotel style stays, so be guided by your itinerary for details.

On the other hand, bigger groups are more commonly accommodated in larger hotels and this can mean there are more amenities on hand during your stay. There may be a restaurant onsite, a pool area to relax by, and other communal facilities to enjoy. Your itinerary will inform the style and inclusions of your accommodation.

Access to Experiences

The beauty of a guided tour is that you will be treated to amazing experiences that have been handpicked and carefully curated for you. A small group tour can be conducive to more intimate experiences, where the whole group shares special moments with the people and the environments that you are visiting. Be welcomed into a local home in Costa Rica to get a glimpse into daily life, enjoy a cooking class with an Italian family, or perhaps be moved by the gorillas playing in the wilderness of Uganda where permits are strictly limited.

Larger group tours do offer intimate immersive experiences as well, but usually the group will be split to do so. On the other hand, large groups can secure exclusive access to sites and experiences that may not be viable for smaller groups, such as a visit to Los Angeles Theatre which has been closed to the public since 1994. If you are comparing a similar trip run as both a small group and large group tour you can identify differences in the experiences in the separate itineraries.

Flexibility and Itinerary Options

A small group tour allows more flexibility to change parts of the itinerary while on tour. The guide will sometimes tweak the trip based on the weather, or other opportunities that present themselves along the way. For example, if your guide hears of a street performance that might interest the group, they can suggest leaving a little earlier to catch it. Or they could stop along the way to point out something special that pops up. The ability to consult a small group, and the logistics of changing things for fewer travellers, makes it easier to make these adjustments on the road.

While this isn’t as easy or common on a larger tour, there can be a greater variety of itinerary options built into your trip. This is not always the case, as many small group tours also offer a range of optional trips, but the nature of a larger demographic sometimes means more alternatives are available to cater to the diverse interests of the group. Day tours are curated with the larger group size in mind and the subsequent mix of interests sometimes means that there are more choices for you.

Group Dynamic

Group size certainly influences the group dynamic and the way you and your fellow travellers interact. There are plenty of pros and cons for both small group and larger tours, and what is a big plus for one person might be less appealing to another. The beauty of touring these days is that there is something for everyone, so you can choose the right one for you.

Small group tours see more interaction between everyone on the trip. With fewer people, you will find that you spend more time with each of your fellow travellers and there is a more intimate bond among the whole group. This is a major draw card if you like to mingle and get to know your fellow travellers well and don’t want to tour with many people.

A large group, on the other hand, does mean that you have a more varied mix of personalities to socialise with. If you like to get to know lots of different people from all walks of life, then touring with a bigger group presents a great opportunity to do so. It also gives you the chance to be as social or solitary as you choose.

There is a common misconception that a larger group means you have to be more social, however, you could find it is just the opposite. The intimate setting of a small group may make some people uncomfortable as everyone is often expected to interact. It is often easier in a larger group to melt into the crowd should you choose. You’ll also choose to spend time with people best suited to you, rather than the group in its entirety.

It is sometimes daunting to join a group tour, but it is an amazing opportunity to get to know likeminded people and share once-in-a-lifetime experiences. No matter which dynamic or touring style you prefer, there is a trip to suit you. Choose your small group tour or explore all tours with Global Journeys.