Some Facts About European Tours, City and Transport Passes, and Transport Services

     There are many European sightseeing tours and passes being offered online and many tourists fall prey to these offers simply because they think it's more convenient to pre-book them. However, upon arriving at their destination, they soon learn that pre-booking tours is usually not necessary and can sometimes be more expensive. Furthermore, some tours offered online are at times different from the actual ones being offered at your destination or they may not include everything mentioned on the website. The weather or traffic may also cause a tour to be cancelled or shortened and it can be more of a hassle to ask for a refund. Except for sightseeing tours that are so popular that they need to be pre-booked, it is better to wait till you get to your destination before booking them. You can always ask for tour information from your hotel or go to the nearest visitor information office.

     As for city and transport passes, it is easy and sometimes cheaper to buy them at your destination. They are sold everywhere in big cities: at the airport, train stations, museums, visitor information offices, and even in some stores. Most city passes can offer tourists some conveniences like easier access to popular museums by not having to fall in line (Take note: lining up to get tickets at some very popular museums and attractions can take more than an hour!). Unlimited transportation rides on buses or the metro for the number of days stated in the pass as well as boat tours are sometimes included too. However, the city pass usually turn out to be more expensive than buying individual tickets because it simply is not possible to see all the museums or attractions included in the pass. Some of them are not even worth visiting and there are usually better options than the tours included in the pass. You may want to check reviews of tours and passes online before leaving for your vacation to see which ones would offer more bang for your buck.

     For Hop-On/Hop-Off bus tours (also known as "Loop Tours"), passes can be bought when you board the bus. You can take these double-decker buses if you just want to visit most of the popular tourist sites in the city with the added convenience of getting on and off right at the sites you want to visit. Tour commentaries are included and the bus allows you to see more of the city, especially if you get to sit at the top of the bus, than if you take the metro or subway train. Of course, you will have to pay for that convenience because Hop-On/Hop-Off bus tours are not that cheap. However, they are usually worth your money especially if you are spending only 2 or 3 days in the city. The Hop-On/Hop-Off bus tour would also benefit those who would rather not use public transport. It can be a safer way to explore the city for tourists who are the usual targets of pickpockets especially in metro trains. If you plan to make it your main transport for going around the city, you might want to stay at a hotel or any accommodation close to one of its designated bus stops. Route maps with the Hop-On/Hop-Off bus stop locations can usually be found online (although sometimes, you need to check several websites before you can find them). The pass would also come with a bus route map whether you buy them online or on board the bus.

     Transport services can vary from city to city. There are times that you can simply take the metro train or a bus from the airport or train station and walk the few steps or blocks to your hotel. You can also pre-book a shuttle service online that would take you to and from your hotel. If you are staying at a vacation rental, the owner would sometimes offer to take you to and from the airport, train or bus station free of charge! If you prefer to take a taxi, it would be best not to assume that the taxi driver would know where you want to go. Travel Tip: print out an online map showing the direction from the airport or train station to your hotel or destination and present it to the driver before or upon boarding the taxi (this is especially advisable if you can't speak the country's language).