Egypt Group Tours vs Private Egypt Tours: 6 Key Differences

Egypt Group Tours vs Private Egypt Tours: 6 Key Differences

By Robert | Updated Mar. 29, 2024

Planning a trip to a destination that we have never visited before can be overwhelming. Some travelers choose to save time by simply picking a well-described packed tour with fixed travel dates. Is this really time saving and smart? Let's check it out in detail.

Fixed Dates vs. Bespoke Vacation

Generally speaking, tour packages with fixed dates mean you would share the tour with other travelers. Travel agencies provide fixed-date tours where they normally book the hotels, transportation, and guides before publishing the itinerary (for example, the return air tickets to Egypt, domestic transfers, accommodation, and even the meals in Egypt). Agencies always try to get as many travelers as possible to share the cost, which means a good opportunity to make friends, but the tour experience may be also discounted.

If you prefer a more flexible and customizable holiday (for your honeymoon, or specifically time with family and friends) with flexible dates, you should choose tour companies that could tailor-make a trip for you.

Prescribed Schedule vs. Flexible Route

An experienced traveler knows that there are simply two kinds of tours: a tour with a non-changeable itinerary and one that offers flexibility.

The former usually means that you have to follow the prescribed schedule (the itinerary is tested and timeworn, and the guide will hurry you from site to site). You would have to get up early and check off all the items in the list of things to do on that day like a machine. The itinerary is well-organized, but it cannot be extended even if you want to since everything is timed.

On the other hand, things would be different if you book a private tour. You are encouraged to discuss the day-by-day itinerary with your travel consultant, and they will be more than happy to adjust the day's schedule based on your interests and their experiences. This ensures the best value for your time and budget but the trip would cost you more. If you are looking for a very specific travel plan and itinerary, for example, if you want to spend a whole day at the pyramids or take a vlog at each site, then pick a private tour and you can travel worry-free.

Standard Lodging vs. Selected Hotels

Tour operators tend to choose hotels that are budget-friendly and recommended by thousands of previous customers. This is because tour providers normally book mass hotel rooms in advance and get the rooms at attractive rates. It sounds perfect for most travelers, but if you appreciate good accommodation, such as a quiet, fancy room at an extraordinary boutique hotel (or simply just want to arrange your accommodation using points), you may have to book your trip via a company that provides private tour services. They will customize the itinerary based on your choice of hotel or provide you their insights.

Mediocre Guidance vs. Personal Touch

The guide, undoubtedly, is the most important part of your trip, no matter if it is a group tour or a private tour.

The guides in group tours are seasoned, knowledgeable, and punctual. They serve the group well, attend to every tour member, and normally get a lot of tips. However, you will not be able to get a word alone with them because they always have a lot of things to care about.

This means that you may not have a personal touch with your guide as in a private tour, and the guide may not able to answer all of your queries or care for you 100% during your tour (Google would be helpful in these cases). In fact, your tour guide may have trouble remembering your name even when the tour is nearly coming to a close.

If you are a curious traveler, who enjoys a personalized travel experience,  wants a once-in-a-lifetime friendship in Egypt, try arranging a private tour so that each of your questions will be answered in an acceptable manner and your needs would be met.

Hustle and Bustle vs. Your Own Control 

In a packed group tour, you may sometimes find yourself spending more time driving between sites, waiting for other people to be ready, and being pushed to hurry up, instead of enjoying the attractions. It can make you exhausted, and you may regret not booking a more relaxed tour.

On your private tour, you can discuss with your guide and control the pace and time spent on each site. You can stay longer at the pyramids to take more more photos, start the day trip late to avoid the rush hour, or skip your visit to religious sites because of the crowds or simply because you do not what to take your shoes off.

Having a personal itinerary and guide would be extremely helpful when you are traveling with young kids or senior citizens or you don't want to waste any time waiting for someone else.

Average Set Meal vs. Authentic Egyptian Cuisine

Enjoying local delicacies could be the top priority for some travelers. You may receive the same menu for days if you are on a group tour, as most of the meals are arranged in tourist restaurants. Without a doubt, it is a generalization that tourist restaurants serve foods that is mass-produced at the lowest cost. Travelers should be prepared to arrange for their own meals if they are not satisfied with the very first meal of the trip.

You can ask for different choices during your private tour. You can always discuss and modify the pre-arranged restaurants in your itinerary if needed.

For foodies and travelers allergic to certain types of food, a private tour would be the best way to ensure you receive an authentic Egyptian culinary experience.

Enjoy a Cozy Private Egyptian Tour with Us

To conclude, group tours provide an acceptable travel experience at a reasonable price. Travelers do not have to spend a lot of time planning — just pick the most attractive itinerary, check the date and terms, and pay for it. This may not guarantee the best use of your time and money, but it could hardly go wrong if you are a tolerant, easygoing traveler (with no special plan, idea, or expectation), and enjoy traveling in groups.

Private Egypt tours are made for ambitious travelers looking for quality services and an authentic experience. If you are an experienced traveler with a different concept of visiting an exotic country, if you worry about the language barrier, if you want something more than a group tour, or you simply just don't like traveling in a "herd", then you should search for an ideal private tour.

Global Highlights has been creating private tailor-made tours for over two decades. Our 100,000+ satisfied customers attest to the advantages of choosing a private tour, having explored the world their way.

Our focus is on you. All our highly rated tour plans can be adjusted, augmented, cropped, extended, and otherwise tailored to your requirements.

Why Global Highlights (10,000+ reviews & 98.8% 5-star rating)

  • Save Your Time:
  • Less research, more enjoyment!
  • Real-time 1V1 expert planning
  • Maximize Your Flexibility:
  • Personal local guide and ride
  • Explore at your own pace
  • Celebrate Your Journeys:
  • Specially-crafted family adventures
  • Celebrate milestones with style!

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

9-Day Essential Egypt Tour with Nile Cruise 10-Day Private Egypt Active Family Expedition Tour 12-Day Egypt Luxury Tour with Abu Simbel 12-Day Journey Through Egypt and Jordan's Ancient Lands 2-Week Egypt and Jordan Family Adventure Tour 15-Day Egypt and Kenya Highlights Tour 15-Day Morocco and Egypt Highlights Tour 16-Day Grand Egypt Tour with White Desert

More Travel Ideas and Inspiration

How to Plan a 7-Day Egypt Itinerary 2024/2025: Top 6 Options Top 6 Egypt Itineraries for 8 Days (2024/2025) How to Plan a 10-Day Egypt Itinerary (Best 4 in 2024/2025) Top 4 Egypt Itineraries for 12-Day Trips (2023/2024) Planning a 2-Week Egypt Itinerary 2024/2025: Best 5 Options 2-Week Jordan and Israel Itineraries for First-Timers How to Plan a 3-Week Egypt Itinerary (2024/2025) How to Plan a Trip to Egypt 2024/2025 & Itinerary Ideas
We are here to help you...
start planning your tailor-made trip with 1-1 help from our travel advisors.
Create Your Trip

Sign up to Our Newsletter

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Where Can We Take You Today?

Rated 4.6 out of 5 | Excellence
China Highlights International
Travel Service Co., LTD
Featured on
Global Highlights was featured on these medias.

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China