CIE Tours vs Trafalgar
+ Global JourneysCompare CIE's and Trafalgar's tours, including their travel styles, inclusions, destinations, pricing, accommodation and popularity with past travellers, to see which operator is the better fit for your next journey.
We asked CIE Tours why you should travel with them, here's what they said...
When you travel with CIE Tours, you will get the warmest of welcomes and all the benefits of our 87 years of experience. The itineraries are locally crafted - we set our own high standards for delivering excellent holidays with state-of-the-art luxury coaches; the best hotels; carefully chosen authentic experiences and entertainment.
Our outstanding local tour directors are ready to share their knowledge, stories, passion for their home places - they are our greatest assets. Many of our tours spend 2 nights in each location, and our flexible read more itineraries include a great balance of escorted and free time. We include full breakfasts, most dinners and some evening entertainment. No one has to worry about paying for optional extras on the trip. It’s all included, no hidden extras.
We know how much these trips mean to you and we want to ensure that this is a trip you will treasure forever.
Total No. Tours
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Average price per dayThe low down on CIE from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
CIE Tours are specialists in guided coach tours of Britain and Ireland. With over 80 years of history, the team at CIE certainly have the local ties and experience to deliver you a top-notch touring experience through Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. They have recently dipped their toes into new regions within Europe, including Iceland, Italy and Spain.
CIE are relatively unknown in the Australasian market but are very popular in the rest of the world, so your fellow travellers are more likely to be North American than Antipodean. With itineraries designed to be fully inclusive, putting your hand in your pocket for optional day trips and read more activities is not something you need to worry about.
CIE Tours use, at minimum, 3-star hotels, which offer comfortable rooms and facilities, but many tours feature 4 and 5-star accommodations, which include luxurious amenities like spas, or more unique settings, like castle or manor stays. Breakfasts, along with many lunches and dinners are also included. There's a maximum group size of 44, but look out for selected departures on selected trips that are designed for small groups. Also keep a lookout for CIE's Last Minute Deals, which run year-round and offer savings of up to 15% off the normal retail price.
Guests are predominantly mature North American travellers, mostly couples, with friends, families and solo travellers also joining.
Most travellers are aged around 45 to 70, with most guests generally aged 50+.
Standard guided tours average about 35 guests, with coaches carrying a maximum of 44. Some departures are limited to 26 guests.
Yes. Solo travellers can join any guided tour and receive their own room by paying the applicable single supplement.
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Yes. A single supplement applies and single-room pricing and availability is shown for each departure.
No.
A mix of well-located hotels and more distinctive regional properties, including historic, manor and castle stays on selected itineraries.
Meals not listed in the itinerary, drinks and tour staff gratuities. There are no optional sightseeing options sold as most sightseeing and attraction entries are included.
Yes. A CIE Tour Director accompanies the group throughout the guided tour, managing the journey and providing commentary, with additional specialist guides used where appropriate.
Yes. CIE uses local Tour Directors and specialist local guides to provide destination knowledge, history and cultural insights.
There is some free time built into most itineraries, although sightseeing is included every day. Guests can also skip scheduled touring when staying multiple nights in one location if they want more independent time.
A moderate level of mobility is generally sufficient for standard coach tours, although walking varies by destination. Ireland and Britain tend to be more leisurely, while Italy, Iceland and Spain can involve uneven surfaces, stairs, slopes and up to three or four hours of walking on some days.
We asked Trafalgar why you should travel with them, here's what they said...
We are the world’s leading and most awarded travel brand spanning all seven continents of the globe. From the iconic to the unexpected, our guests connect to the real depth of the places we go. You'll break bread with the locals at our exclusive Be My Guest experiences and unlock the local secrets of our Travel Directors and Local Specialists. Everything is taken care of, so you'll travel with true ease and get the real thing - without worrying about a thing.
We consider how we can positively impact the communities we engage with. Through our read more JoinTrafalgar initiatives powered by TreadRight, guests don't just leave footprints on the ground, but leave a lasting legacy for the betterment of locals and the future of their communities. It’s 72 years of destination experience and feedback from over 5 million happy guests that fuels our innovation to continually delivery simply the best holidays.
Total No. ToursDeparturesAverage tour lengthAverage price per dayThe low down on Trafalgar from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Over 250 coach tours around the world, and one of our clients most popular touring companies, Trafalgar is part of the Travel Corporation, which includes under its umbrella the sister brands of Insight Vacations, AAT Kings, Uniworld, Luxury Gold, Contiki & Costsaver. With a worldwide presence, Trafalgar welcomes guests from around the world so you'll enjoy the company of many nationalities aboard your coach. Sitting between Insight and Costsaver, Trafalgar pride themselves in touring innovation, introducing 'Insider Experiences' (where you get to know and dine with the locals) and travel styles to suit those that prefer smaller groups or those read more that prefer a more leisurely itineraries. Look out for Trafalgar's 'Early Payment Savings' where you can enjoy significant savings on your trip if you book and pay early, as well as further savings if you're a past passenger on any of their aforementioned sister brands.
A broad international mix of couples, friends, families and solo travellers. Trafalgar welcomes guests from around the world
Trafalgar attracts a broad mix of ages, with tours particularly well suited to mature and senior travellers.
Group sizes vary considerably by destination. Europe averages around 40 to 45 guests with a maximum of 53; North America has up to 52, Australia and New Zealand up to 50, Asia generally up to 32, Africa up to 36 and Latin America around 40 to 45.
Yes. Trafalgar is well suited to solo travellers, with guided sightseeing, shared experiences and options to either share a room or book single accommodation.
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Yes. A single supplement applies and single-room pricing and availability is shown for each departure.
Yes. On many itineraries solo travellers can pay the twin-share rate and be matched with another solo traveller of the same gender.
Quality 3 and 4-star hotels together with distinctive Stays with Stories and other destination-specific accommodation.
Optional experiences, some meals and drinks, additional transfers and gratuities.
Yes. A dedicated Trafalgar Travel Director accompanies the group throughout the tour and manages sightseeing, logistics and day-to-day arrangements.
Yes. Local Specialists are used in many destinations to provide more detailed expert sightseeing alongside the Travel Director.
Tours combine organised sightseeing with independent time. Some itineraries include several hours or full days to relax and explore independently, with optional experiences available during some free periods.
Travellers should be medically and physically fit enough to participate independently. Requirements vary by itinerary and can include significant walking, steps and uneven surfaces; Trafalgar's Travel Directors and Drivers cannot provide individual physical assistance.
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