The Prices of Historical Tours to the UK
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History lovers, prepare for an unforgettable journey through time in the UK. Historical tours provide an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in ancient ruins, historic towns, and rich cultural heritage, all guided by experts who make the past feel alive again. In this article, we'll explore the costs of historical tours in the UK, point out the top options for you to choose from, and recommend the must-see spots where you can uncover the city's storied past.
To help you choose a tour that's both enriching and budget-friendly, we've done the homework for you. We've thoroughly analyzed a wide range of historical tours to find the typical price points and uncover the best values. By comparing cost, quality, destinations around the UK, and included amenities, we've identified tours that offer the perfect blend of education, exploration, and affordability. Get ready to unlock the secrets of history!
Why does the UK appeal to history enthusiasts?
The UK captivates history enthusiasts with its wealth of historical sites, spanning from ancient times through more recent history. London, Edinburgh, and Bath offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Windsor is known for being home to the largest and oldest operating castle in the world. These regional destinations provide a perfect mix of history, culture, and adventure in an affordable package. Plus, the fun and easy itineraries make for a stress-free adventure while creating lasting memories.
How much do historical tours in the UK cost?
The average price per day for historical tours in the UK is $311, based on our analysis of 58 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $83 to $677 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $185 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $432 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in the UK
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable historical tours in the UK average $185 per day, with daily prices from $83 to $268. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Scottish Highlands Escape here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical historical tours in the UK that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $316 per day. Daily prices range from $271 to $368. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities.
Luxury Tours
Luxury historical tours in the UK average around $316 per day, with daily costs ranging from $373 to $677. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is English Odyssey - 14 Days/13 Nights (20 destinations).
Which tour companies offer historical tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer historical tours in the UK. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
CIE Tours
CIE Tours is a smaller tour company that offers tours to 5 countries, including Ireland, Great Britain, Iceland, and Italy. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
On The Go Tours
On The Go Tours is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Many of their tours visit Europe and Africa. Some of their most popular destinations include Egypt, Great Britain, Morocco, and India. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as camping, wine tasting, whale watching, island hopping, snorkelling, camel riding, dolphin watching, kayaking, diving, white water rafting, quad biking, horse riding, and cooking classes.
See All Tours from On The Go Tours
Globus
Globus is a large multi-national travel company which offers tours to destinations around the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Great Britain, Italy, and Canada. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. A large number of their tours fall within in the mid-range price category. Travelers usually enjoy the tour activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, snorkelling, and whale watching.
Highland Explorer Tours
Highland Explorer Tours is a smaller tour company that focuses on Great Britain. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category.
See All Tours from Highland Explorer Tours
Historical Destinations in the UK
Wondering where historical tours visit in the UK? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a city that is grounded in history and architecture. The Old Town is filled with beautiful churches, cobblestone streets, and great restaurants. Looking over the city from a hilltop is the famed Edinburgh Castle. There are also countless museums around town as well the popular Harry Potter Trail.
Glasgow
Glasgow is a culturally rich and lively city in Scotland. There's a large student population and a great party scene, but there is also a lot of history and architecture. It's a port city that sits beautifully along the River Clyde.
Inverness
Inverness is the largest city in the Scottish Highlands, and it is rich in the regional culture. You'll find local restaurants and festivals that really bring the area's heritage to life. The area also has a beautiful natural setting with nearby hikes and scenic spots.
London
London is a world class international city that has charming neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and a vibrant nightlife scene. There are a diversity of attractions that offer something for everyone. Although prices can be steep, there are many free activities as well, with wandering the many markets being a favorite of many visitors.
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Other popular destinations for historical tours through the UK include Pitlochry, Fort William, Stirling, Oban, and Portree.
Historical Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
When deciding between a self-planned trip and an organized tour, remember to evaluate the key features of each travel style.
Organized Tours
Pros- Learn detailed stories and context from expert guides.
- Visit significant landmarks efficiently.
- Access exclusive areas not open to the public.
- Guides bring history to life with engaging narratives.
- Save time on researching destinations.
- Enjoy a curated itinerary of top historical sites.
- Guides answer questions for deeper understanding.
- Group tours can provide a social learning experience.
- Avoid logistical challenges like tickets or reservations.
- Guides help connect the dots between events and eras.
- Less flexibility in the itinerary.
- Group size might impact the experience.
Independent Travel
Pros- Full control over your itinerary and pace.
- Focus on sites that interest you most.
- Flexibility to spend more time at certain locations.
- Explore at unconventional hours to avoid crowds.
- Customize your trip around niche historical themes.
- Requires time-consuming research to plan.
- Risk of missing key details without a guide.
- May overlook important or lesser-known sites.
- Difficult to understand the full historical context.
- Navigation and logistics can be more complex.
- No expert to answer questions during your visit.
- Potential for long waits without pre-booking tickets.
- Self-guided tours may lack the interactive element.
Which is cheaper?
Are guided historical tours worth the money compared to independent travel? It depends on the specifics. Tours combine accommodations, meals, transport, tickets, and activities into a single cost, while independent travelers manage and pay for these individually. To determine which is more affordable, compare the tour's total price with what you'd spend booking everything separately. Preferences like staying in low-cost lodging or indulging in fine dining can influence whether a tour costs more or less. Make sure to check out the tour package to see what is included, or not, very carefully before deciding.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to the UK, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in the UK, The Best 10-Day Tours in the UK, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in the UK, The Best 3-Day Tours in the UK, The Best 2-Week Tours in the UK, The Best Bicycle Tours in the UK, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in the UK, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in the UK, The Best Christmas Market Tours in the UK, The Best Coach Bus Tours in the UK, The Best Adventure Tours to the UK, The Best Eco Tours in the UK, The Best Train & Rail Tours in the UK, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in the UK, The Best Sightseeing Tours in the UK, The Best Cultural Tours in the UK, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in the UK, The Best Walking Tours in the UK, The Best Tours Under $1000 in the UK, The Best Luxury Tours to the UK, The Best Budget Tours to the UK, The Best Tours for Seniors to the UK, or The Best Contiki Tours to the UK for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 3-Day Tours from Inverness, The Best 3-Day Tours from London, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manchester, The Best 3-Day Tours from Glasgow, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Glasgow, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Manchester, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Inverness, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from Glasgow, The Best 2-Week Tours from London, The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Glasgow for more package tour options.
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