The Prices of Sightseeing Tours to the UK
Jump to: Best Tours | Tour Prices
For travelers who love to explore new places and take in all the iconic sights, sightseeing tours through the UK offer the perfect way to see the region's most famous landmarks and hidden gems. These tours take you to stunning locations, whether it's a bustling city, a tranquil countryside, or a picturesque village, ensuring you don't miss a thing. From guided walking tours to panoramic bus rides, the UK's sightseeing tours are designed to help you make the most of your time in any destination. In this article, we'll explore the costs of sightseeing tours, highlight some of the best options, and share the destinations that are sure to make your travel experience unforgettable.
To help you find the perfect sightseeing adventure in the UK, we've thoroughly researched a variety of tour options. By comparing price ranges, tour quality, destinations, and included amenities, we've identified the best value options for sightseeing enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for an affordable city tour or a more luxurious guided experience, these tours offer the perfect balance of convenience, exploration, and value. So, grab your camera and get ready to see the region's most breathtaking sights.
Why does the UK appeal to sightseers?
The UK enchants sightseers with its diverse landscapes, iconic landmarks, and vibrant culture. 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. York, London, and Inverness are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. You can't miss the nightlife of London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, either. The romance, charm, and excitement of London, Bath, and Snowdonia National Park makes them very popular with couples looking for a romantic trip. The UK's mix of historic charm, modern vibrancy, and natural beauty makes it a must-visit for sightseers.
How much do sightseeing tours in the UK cost?
The average price per day for sightseeing tours in the UK is $302, based on our analysis of 67 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $83 to $818 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $175 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $421 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.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
The Best Tours in the UK
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable sightseeing tours in the UK average $175 per day, with daily prices from $83 to $251. 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 3-Day Isle of Wight and the Southern Coast Small-Group Tour from London here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical sightseeing tours in the UK that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $309 per day. Daily prices range from $264 to $358. 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 4-Day Islay & the Whisky Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh Including Admissions.
Luxury Tours
Luxury sightseeing tours in the UK average around $309 per day, with daily costs ranging from $359 to $818. 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 Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities.
Which tour companies offer sightseeing tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer sightseeing 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.
Collette
Collette is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include the U.S., Italy, Great Britain, and France. 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. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as wine tasting, island hopping, and camping.
Caspin Journeys
Caspin Journeys offers local hiking tours through Italy, Spain, France, and Great Britain. Most participants are adults and the tours range in length from 7 days to 13 days. Although the prices might be slightly above average, the small group sizes provide travelers with a more personal experience. Most of the tours provided by Caspin Journeys are high-end and luxurious with a top-tier level of service. Many of their tours explore the outdoors, giving you opportunities to hike, trek, or spot local wildlife.
See All Tours from Caspin Journeys
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.
Sightseeing Destinations in the UK
Wondering where sightseeing 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.
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye offers some of Scotland's most stunning scenery. There are dramatic hikes and picturesque coastlines that will inspire even the most jaded traveler. The natural setting will take your breath away and you can spend days exploring the island.
More
Other popular destinations for sightseeing tours through the UK include Pitlochry, Fort William, Stirling, Stornoway, and Oban.
Sightseeing 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- Guided tours ensure you see all the major attractions efficiently.
- Professional guides provide historical context and interesting facts.
- You don’t need to navigate or worry about transportation.
- Tickets and entry to popular sights are often pre-arranged.
- Group tours can offer discounts on attractions and services.
- Local guides help you discover hidden gems and lesser-known spots.
- Tours often include additional perks like meals or refreshments.
- The itinerary is planned for you, saving you time and effort.
- You can meet other travelers with similar interests.
- Guides help with language barriers and local customs.
- The fixed schedule may not align with your personal preferences.
- Tours may include stops that don’t interest you as much as others.
- You have less flexibility to explore attractions at your own pace.
- Some tours cater to general audiences and may lack depth.
Independent Travel
Pros- You can create an itinerary tailored to your specific interests.
- Independent travel allows you to spend as much time as you want at each location.
- You have the freedom to explore at your own pace.
- Flexibility allows you to visit attractions on your own schedule.
- You can discover unique experiences not included in standard tours.
- Researching and planning can be time-consuming.
- You must navigate unfamiliar places on your own.
- Managing transportation between attractions can be challenging.
- Popular attractions may sell out or have long lines.
- You might miss out on local insights provided by professional guides.
- Language barriers can make communication more difficult.
- There’s no support system if unexpected issues arise during your trip.
Which is cheaper?
Is traveling independently less expensive than taking guided sightseeing tours? The answer isn't straightforward. Guided tours often include services like hotels, transportation, meals, entry tickets, guides, and activities, all of which you would need to arrange and pay for individually if traveling on your own. To determine the cost difference, you'd need to compare the total cost of the tour package with the cost of booking everything separately. You may prefer a less expensive hotel or splurge on dining, so the cost of a tour could either save you money or cost you more. Be sure to review what's included in the tour package before making your comparison.
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 Historical 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 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.