If you want to save money on your next vacation, think Group Travel! Why? For the same reason you buy certain products in bulk, like paper towels or socks. The more you buy the less you pay per item, or in the case of group travel, per person. But what exactly IS group travel and how do you find a group to travel with? That takes a bit more time to explain!

Group Travel is defined as 10 or more people traveling together to/from the same destination, according to the airlines. The cruise lines define it as 16 people traveling on the same cruise in cabins holding 2 people. And hotels vary in the number they consider a group. The one thing they all have in common is that a multiple number of people are doing the same thing at the same time.

Where can you find a group to travel with though? There are actually a number of ways to find a group.

Group Trip to Peru

You could travel with a group of family members or friends. Some people travel with their church, choir or community groups. Any group of people with a common interest could be turned into a group that travels together. These trips can be fun because you already know the people going, so the comfort level is high. Generally the more people that can go, the better the savings rate will be.

Another way to benefit from group pricing is to travel with an existing escorted tour. Tour companies put together travel packages and then sell them to individuals to build the group. This means that everyone benefits from being part of this group, even though you don’t necessarily know each other.

If you don’t like the idea of spending your vacation with the same people the entire time, there is another way to save money using group travel. You may be the independent type of traveler that likes to go your own way at your own pace, but still wants to see the local sites and learn the history. Consider adding group day tours to your itinerary, which would save you a lot over private tours. You simply sign up for a tour that is run for multiple people and spend just the tour time with them. After the tour, you’re back to your own pace.

Group Trip to Costa Rica

One of the benefits of traveling with groups beside the savings is the comfort level. Especially if you’re heading to an international destination where you don’t speak the language, it’s nice to be with people that you can communicate with and that can help you if needed. Escorted tours have a tour guide that’s usually bi-lingual and knows the area which gives a greater level of security.

Another great bonus of group travel is the friendships that are formed while you’re traveling together. When local people get together for a group trip, often the relationships they build while on vacation continue when they get back. We have several groups that have maintained friendships long after the vacation is over.

So if you’re thinking of going on vacation and you want to save a little money, look around for a group to travel with. If there isn’t an existing group, create your own or talk to your Travel Consultant about an escorted tour that you could join for the same type of savings. Remember, when it comes to fun and savings, the more the merrier!!