5 Reasons to Join a Free Walking Tour
It’s the best way to see the city
via Pixabay
There seems to be an increasing number of tours available these days, from buses to bicycles, rickshaws to Segways. And while each mode of transport has its own advantages, a walking tour is simply the best. Why? You don’t have to compete with anyone for a window seat, you can walk through an underground bunker without having to lock your bike, and you can venture through narrow alleys where rickshaws can't. And unlike Segways, you get some thorough exercise whilst seeing the sights, especially after indulging in the incredibly delicious local delicacies during your travels. Overall, a walking tour means you're able to access and see a lot more than you can with any other type of tour.
It’s a great way to meet people
©HostelCulture
Joining a walking tour is a great opportunity to meet fellow travellers. For many, travelling alone is an exciting adventure with a great sense of freedom. However, it can also get lonely from time to time. Adventure into the unknown and make small talk with others on the tour travelling like yourself where many friendships can be made and travel partners found. The fact that you are joining a group with a common language also creates familiarity, especially when travelling in a foreign country.
You don’t have to plan anything
via Wikimedia
Apart from making sure your camera has a loaded battery and your sunscreen is packed, all you have to do is turn up to the meeting point with a big smile and some energy for the walk ahead. Your local guides take care of the rest. The whole route is planned out in an efficient way, so you don't miss the main sights and still have time to learn about the city secrets only the locals know. Some walking tours also include a break in the middle to take a rest, use the toilet, and satisfy those grumbling tummies.
You get advice from the locals
©Freetour
More often than not, tour guides are natives of the city or have lived there long enough to be considered so. They've done all the hard work for you from visiting museums to attending exhibitions to select only the best stories and recommendations. They make history come alive with entertaining stories filled with historical facts and a joke every once in a while. No tour guide will ever give you a half-hearted experience as they put in 100% commitment, providing you with the best possible experience. Your local guide is always happy to offer you insider tips on places to visit, things to avoid, and the best local eats. By the end of the tour, you will definitely be thinking like a local.
Value for money - It's Free!
via Wikimedia
Whether you're on a tight budget- or not- the most obvious reason you need to join a free walking tour is right in the name: it's FREE! This is the best value for money experience you will find on your travels. In most cases, the tour guides are freelancers who are passionate about sharing their city with visitors and they work for tips, and for tips alone. This means you can pay whatever you think the tour was worth at the end. There's no pressure to pay anything, so you can enjoy your time traversing through the city.
So there you have it. 5 reasons you should book and join a free walking tour the next time you're travelling. Freetour.com offers hundreds of free walking tours across 80+ countries. So get packing and book your tour ASAP! Where are you planning your free walking tour next?.
James Kumar
