Itinerarly
Self-guided audio tour or guided group tour: which is better?
A guided group tour and a self-guided audio tour cover similar ground. The difference is in price, pace and flexibility. Here is how to choose.
| Guided group tour | Self-guided audio tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Paid per person (free "tip-based" tours exist in many cities) | Often free or cheap; Itinerarly's tours are free |
| Start time | Fixed, usually once or twice a day | Whenever you want |
| Pace | The group's pace | Your pace: pause, skip, stop for coffee |
| Questions | You can ask the guide | Only what the narration covers |
| Group size | Up to 20–30 people | Just you, or your friends |
| Languages | Usually one or two per departure | Several; Itinerarly narrates in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Chinese |
| Skip-the-line entry | Sometimes included | No: you buy entry tickets yourself |
When a group tour is better
- Sites where a guide gets you in, such as some archaeological areas or underground tours.
- When you want to ask lots of questions, or meet other travellers.
- When you do not want to look at a phone at all.
When a self-guided audio tour is better
- You arrive late, start early, or your plans change during the day.
- You travel with children or friends who walk at different speeds.
- You are on a budget, or you want to see more than one neighbourhood in a day.
- You want the story in your own language.
How a self-guided audio tour works in Itinerarly
Pick a tour (2 to 7 stops, from about one hour to two and a half hours), and the app walks you to the first stop. When you arrive, a short narrated story plays: the history of the place and the details you would otherwise walk past. Then it guides you to the next stop. There are 134 free tours in 44 cities; see the full list.
Frequently asked questions
- Are self-guided audio tours worth it?
- Yes if you want to start when you like, go at your own pace and pay little or nothing. A guided tour is better when you want to ask questions or need a guide to enter a site.
- Where can I find free self-guided audio walking tours?
- The Itinerarly app has 134 free self-guided audio walking tours in 44 cities, including Paris, Rome, London, Barcelona and New York.
Read next
- One day in Rome: a walking route in the best order
- One day in Paris: a walking route in the best order
- One day in London: a walking route in the best order
- One day in Barcelona: a walking route in the best order
