Hint: You Think You Can't Afford it
Our most surprising travel tip is one you think you can’t afford. We think this is one of the best travel tips for traveling internationally. In many countries it can be less expensive than a group tour to hire a private driver. You’ll find this is especially true if you are traveling in a party of four or more. This makes it one our best family travel tips.
What Is This Surprising Travel Tip?
Hire a private driver to better explore your surroundings.
What? I can’t afford that!
In some places you can, and maybe you should.
Hiring a private driver is not just for the wealthy luxury traveler. Sometimes you can hire a private driver and have a better travel experience at lower cost than taking a tour.
In many locations, this is a great family travel tip as it can be less expensive and is certainly less stressful for the kids.
Shockingly, hiring a private driver is sometimes less expensive than traditional guided tours. This is especially true if you have four or more travelers.
This makes it a great family travel tip as you don’t have to make the kids behave in a large bus–and you can stop when you need to. We believe family international travel with children is well worth the trouble. This tip can make it a bit less stressful and more fun for all.
And even if the cost is a little bit more, you might find it worthwhile as it can give you a better experience.
You can hire a private driver for a few hours to show you the main sights–or even for several days. It all depends on your location.
Our Travel Tip: Hire a Private Driver
On a visit to Athens, our party of four hired a private driver for the day. We spent a long day and saw all the main sights. The cost was less than the total for purchasing four tickets on a similar bus tour.
Not only did it cost less, but it was a superior experience. Our driver George waited as long as we wanted at various sites and believe me, we like to linger! Try having a group tour wait an extra 45 minutes for you!
Private drivers are flexible. We had already seen one site on the planned schedule so he simply took us elsewhere he thought we might enjoy.
George took us to a great restaurant for lunch NOT on the tourist trail. The food was very authentic, delicious, and at a very reasonable price. We appeared to be the only tourists in the place. We were not stuck on the inflexible schedule of traditional coach tour.
George told us many personal stories and answered our questions about living in Greece. When we visited the Greek Presidential Guards, he told us what it is like to be one because he had been a guard during his compulsory military service! This created really special memories for us as we felt we got to know him a bit over the course of the day. He was unfailing polite and accommodating. (Yes–we left him a great review and tipped well.)
So Cool We Did It Twice
On the same trip, we took a two day visit to the otherworldly Meteroa. Our driver, another George, took us to places off the beaten path and helped us navigate everything. He helped us by translating at little cafes and hotels. He even explained what a Greek Cafe Freddo is. When found it to be delicious.
Do the Math for This Travel Tip
It’s easy to figure out. First, calculate the cost of your party using a guided tour on a bus. Next, explore private driver options. The easiest way is to Google something like “private drivers in Athens.” Review sites like Trip Advisor often have reviews of these services. See if there are any that meet your needs at a fair price.
Where shouldn’t you use this travel tip? Places where cabs and private vehicles are prohibitively expensive. Sadly, this tip works best in countries, that have poor economies with high unemployment. Having said that, it is always worth doing the math.
One of Our Best Travel Tips for International Travel
Of course, this may not be an affordable option everywhere but ask your travel agent to check on pricing and availability of a private driver. We have even taken two-day trips with private drivers, saving time and money over other options for our itinerary. Even with paying for the driver’s overnight, it was less expensive, more personal, and more fun with a private driver in a comfortable Mercedes sedan. Your travel agent can help you find a reputable company.
Relax and Enjoy
Let’s be honest–travel can be stressful, that’s why love this international travel tip to make it easier. This way, you all enjoy the trip equally. This way you can all have relax and enjoy the sights.
