Self-Guided & Independent Only ground transport Tours &...

Self-Guided & Independent Only ground transport Tours & Trips

1,125 Self-Guided & Independent trips. Tours from 248 tour companies. 1,246 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

408 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Only ground transport
Walking tour in Alentejo, the "Tuscany" of Portugal
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By Intura Travel
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
94 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
They are true experts in walking & cycling trips in France & Portugal, exploring places and routes few other operators offer.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Alentejo, Lisbon

Highlights

  • Evora: a whitewashed city, perched on a hill and protected by its exterior walls
  • The rich and diverse historical and archeological heritage of Alentejo
  • Monsaraz, a perched village overlooking Lake Alqueva
  • 1 dinner & 2 picnics included
  • The great food and warm hospitality of the locals
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Themes

Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"The variation in the scenery from La Brigue to Menton was spectacular, especially as we took it day by day and could see the gradual difference as we descended through the Maritime Alps. Our favorite towns were St. Agnes and Menton. We did our one-week tour in June, with super weather both in the Alps and down on the coast. This was the perfect way to get away for one week, but feel like we had been on a two-week holiday - fresh air, exercise, good food and nothing to arrange or worry about. Thank you"

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Dolce vita on lake como: walking from Lenno
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By Intura Travel
Local Expert
Verified by Travelstride as locally operated and in the top of their field for customer reviews, local knowledge, and safety.
5/5 Excellent
94 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
They are true experts in walking & cycling trips in France & Portugal, exploring places and routes few other operators offer.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Panoramic walking paths between the lake and the mountains
  • 4 nights in Lenno, a pretty & peaceful little village
  • Boat cruise nearly every day to the start of the walk
  • The famous "must-see" villas & gardens: Villa Carlotta, Balbianello, Melzi
  • La dolce vita including swimming in the lake

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Nature & Wildlife, Photography

What travelers are saying

"The variation in the scenery from La Brigue to Menton was spectacular, especially as we took it day by day and could see the gradual difference as we descended through the Maritime Alps. Our favorite towns were St. Agnes and Menton. We did our one-week tour in June, with super weather both in the Alps and down on the coast. This was the perfect way to get away for one week, but feel like we had been on a two-week holiday - fresh air, exercise, good food and nothing to arrange or worry about. Thank you"

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Two Wheels Cycling Tour
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5/5 Excellent
7 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
With their deep local expertise, they can show travelers all the off-the-beaten-path gems and offer a truly authentic experience.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amman, Aqaba, Dead Sea, Jerash, Madaba, Perugia, Petra, Wadi Rum

Highlights

  • Visit the St. George Church, with its famous mosaic map and the Archaeological Park.
  • Explore Petra
  • Enjoy a city tour in Amman
  • Biking to Kerak Castle

Themes

Cycling & Biking, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"My husband and I booked a trip with Why Jordan Tours in February. Working with Ahmad, to plan the trip, was a great experience. We communicated via email and he was always very quick getting back to me with any questions I had. On our arrival in Jordan, we were greeted by a representative who brought us to our driver. Our driver, Mohammad, gave us his phone number. This way we were able to communicate with him, via What's App, if we had any questions or concerns. Mohammad was excellent and did everything to ensure we had a great time visiting the sights he drove us to. We visited Amman, Jerash, Mt. Nebo, Madaba, Little Petra, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Bethany, and the Dead Sea. All the guided tours booked for us were excellent. It was very nice having either Mohammad, or a tour guide for the area we were visiting, buy our tickets and get us into the sites. The hotels booked by Ahmad were all very nice and the night we spent in the Wadi Rum Camp was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend Why Jordan Tours for your travels in Jordan. Thanks again Ahmad and Mohammad."

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Best of Curacao
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5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
Their accessibility specialists have traveled with their own disabilities so they have a deep understanding of how to accommodate different needs.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Visit Curacao
  • Enjoy Sea Aquarium
  • Visit West side tour
  • Visit East side tour

Themes

Accessible & Limited Mobility, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"I recently booked a trip to Mexico with Tarita for my family. I use a wheelchair and have two small children, and Tarita was a wealth of knowledge about which resorts would be both accessible AND kid friendly, which was awesome. Access was at the top of her list and she handled all the details. Really happy that I found her!"

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Accessible London
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5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
Their accessibility specialists have traveled with their own disabilities so they have a deep understanding of how to accommodate different needs.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Abu Simbel, London

Themes

Accessible & Limited Mobility, Cultural, Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"I recently booked a trip to Mexico with Tarita for my family. I use a wheelchair and have two small children, and Tarita was a wealth of knowledge about which resorts would be both accessible AND kid friendly, which was awesome. Access was at the top of her list and she handled all the details. Really happy that I found her!"

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Mediterranean Sea
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5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
Their accessibility specialists have traveled with their own disabilities so they have a deep understanding of how to accommodate different needs.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Jerusalem

Highlights

  • Enjoy swimming in the Mediterranean Sea
  • Exploring the streets of Netanya
  • Archaeological Museum of Davidson

Themes

Accessible & Limited Mobility, Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"I recently booked a trip to Mexico with Tarita for my family. I use a wheelchair and have two small children, and Tarita was a wealth of knowledge about which resorts would be both accessible AND kid friendly, which was awesome. Access was at the top of her list and she handled all the details. Really happy that I found her!"

Trip dates & details
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From Athens to Santorini – 8 days
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5/5 Excellent
5 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Akrotiri, Athens, Parthenon, Santorini

Highlights

  • See the highlights of the Acropolis and Parthenon at sunset
  • Stroll through the atmospheric streets of Plaka
  • Enjoy an amazing sailing day cruise around the volcanic islets of Santorini
  • Experience amazing Caldera sunsets and unforgettable wine tastings on Santorini

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Dimitris was everything we could have looked for in a travel agent. Following the parameters we laid out for him, he provided us with the absolute best options for our travels. He was both honest and patient with us, and made sure we took as much time as we needed to finalize a trip that felt right for our group. Dimitris informed us on everything that was going on throughout our booking and travel process, so there were no surprises along the way. He answered every question we had and made sure we were prepared when we arrived in Athens. Andreas went above and beyond in his role as our skipper for the week. He was patient and thoughtful with our group, and put so much effort into making sure we had the best trip possible. We felt very safe and protected throughout all of our travels, and were taken to some of the most incredible place – places that weren’t even on our initial itinerary. Andreas’ expertise in his craft and his companionate demeanor are the reasons our trip was as fantastic as it was. He exceeded all of our expectations and genuinely made this trip one of the best of our lives. Thank you, Dimitris and Andreas, for giving us a week we will never forget! We can honestly say we would not have had the same experience if it wasn't for all of your help and consideration."

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We Love Egypt
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5/5 Excellent
16 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
Their accessibility specialists have traveled with their own disabilities so they have a deep understanding of how to accommodate different needs.
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor Temple, Pyramid of Giza

Highlights

  • Visit Giza Pyramids
  • Explore Alexandria City
  • Visit Catacombs
  • Visit Egyptian Museum
  • Enjoy Nile River

Themes

Accessible & Limited Mobility, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I recently booked a trip to Mexico with Tarita for my family. I use a wheelchair and have two small children, and Tarita was a wealth of knowledge about which resorts would be both accessible AND kid friendly, which was awesome. Access was at the top of her list and she handled all the details. Really happy that I found her!"

Trip dates & details
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408 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Only ground transport

Self-Guided & Independent Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
1,246  Reviews
See all Self-Guided & Independent tour reviews
Excellent
218
Great
49
Average
7
Disappointing
2
Terrible
3
D

David & Frances

Jan 2023

Written on

The actual walks were all terrific and we enjoyed them very much, and all the accommodations were excellent too

We loved the trip and only have good things to say about the experience. The only thing we might have changed would be to have put a rest day in the middle of the it...

G

Gordon & laurel

Jan 2023

Written on

Thank you again for your good work making our trip so wonderful !

The roadbook notes were generally excellent! The Fort De Buoux was fascinating. Should not be missed but needs at least 1 hour for planning purposes. The recommende...

J

Jayne & patricia

Jan 2023

Written on

Everything was so beautiful yet varied. It’s hard to single out a highlight : so many !!

Everything was so beautiful yet varied. It’s hard to single out a highlight : so many !! We are planning to do our next walking tour in Portugal with Intura Travel, ...

B

Beth & Frederick

Jan 2023

Written on

We enjoyed the scenery, all hotels except in Avignon, the food, and the people we met

We enjoyed the scenery, all hotels except in Avignon, the food, and the people we met. Yes, I would travel again with your company and would recommend to friends. Th...

C

Cheryl & Michael

Jan 2023

Written on

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The hikes were fantastic, the route notes very accurate

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. The hikes were fantastic, the route notes very accurate (we only were confused one time and missed a turn but it didn't take long to ...

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Self-Guided & Independent Tour Selection Trips

A self-guided or independent tour offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility, but it's essential to keep a few key tips in mind:
  • Research your destination thoroughly before your trip.
  • Plan a rough itinerary to maximize your time.
  • Pack light to ease mobility and navigation.
  • Stay connected with reliable communication tools.
  • Prioritize safety and security throughout your journey.
  • Embrace local transportation for an authentic experience.
  • Keep important documents organized and accessible.
  • Learn basic phrases in the local language for convenience.
  • Always carry a water bottle and stay hydrated.
  • Budget wisely to avoid overspending during your trip.
  • Stay open-minded and embrace unexpected adventures along the way.
 

Additional details

Who Will Enjoy Self guided & Independent Tours?

Self guided and independent travel is great for anyone that wants to see the world on their own time, at their own pace and completely tailored to their personal interests. These travelers enjoy working with a tour operator to create a plan, book accommodations and check all the boxes for their perfect trip. They aren’t scared of being alone in a new place but embrace the adventure and responsibility of getting from point A to point B.

This type of travel is great for an independent individual. They enjoy exploring, experiencing and seeing. Traveling with a group is great, but adventuring in a new place with only yourself brings the immersion and freedom to a new level. 

Independent travel isn’t just for the adventure traveler who loves backpacking and adrenaline highs. It’s for any traveler that wants to see the world and experience all the sights, culture and people. It may take a level of boldness to go alone and be entirely responsible for getting to each destination and activity as well as catching flights and trains. However, any traveler, no matter the style whether its luxury, nature, sightseeing or active can be an independent traveler.

Self Guided & Independent Tours Commonly Combined with Budget Travel

Independent travel is often associated with budget travel. This is because when traveling alone, the price for a trip as well as accommodations will be cheaper and easier to book than when traveling with a group.

Self guided and independent travel is great for the budget traveler because when traveling alone, you can decide where the money goes. You can work with a tour operator to include all the things you want but also exclude all the things you don’t want.

Traveling for cheaper will allow you to travel for longer. Instead of traveling for a week with a group it can turn into three weeks alone. While budget travel isn’t for everyone due to the cheaper food, accommodations and transportation, it can be exciting for the independent traveler.

Budget travel is a great way for travelers to unearth hidden gems of an area. This could include finding the best tasting food at a street stall, making great cultural connections through a homestay or making new friends when staying in a hostel.

Staying Safe

It is always important to remember safety when traveling, especially if you are traveling alone. One challenge when traveling alone is not having anyone else there if something does go wrong. However, there are things travelers can do to ensure safety.

Make sure to have back up plans in case your set itinerary falls through or you miss transportation. It’s also a good idea to know where local authorities are if you find yourself in an unfortunate situation or need help when out exploring or doing activities such as hiking or cycling.

Travelers shouldn’t be afraid to go on self guided and independent tours, but it’s always a good idea to be more prepared than less. It’s important to do research both on the destination but all planned accommodations and places that you plan on visiting.

How to Prepare for Self Guided & Independent Travel

One of the most important things to remember about self-guided travel is that you will be on your own. This means that there are important steps you should take when preparing to explore the world independently.

Research:Whether it’s where to go, which hotel to stay in or what to do while you’re there, research is key when it comes to traveling independently. Research is an important part of creating your dream trip because it will ensure you’re including the right destinations and activities that are right for your travel style.

Work with a Tour Operator:When crafting your trip, working with a tour operator is a great way to take the stress off your shoulders. Self guided tours can be pre-planned or custom depending on the tour operator. Depending on how hands on you want to be for the creation of the itinerary you can either choose to decide each thing that is included or allow someone else to do the heavy lifting so you can simply focus on experiencing.

Traveling independently is often related with budget travel. Working with a set budget may deter travelers from working with a tour operator especially when traveling alone because they fear it will be too expensive. However, tour operators often have the key knowledge and understanding of travel to get you the best experience for the best price. It can also save you time and stress.

Pack appropriately:It is essential that you plan appropriately when going on a self guided or independent tour. Often, you will be alone whether exploring, traveling or finding your accommodations. This means that you are responsible for where you’ll go and what you’ll see which also means you should pack according to your personal plan.

If you’re going hikingdon’t forget your gear and hiking boots. If you know you’ll be doing a lot of walking, you’ll want to pack comfortable shoes that won’t hurt your feet after a long day. Depending on what you intend on doing, make sure to not only pack appropriately but bring extras or precautionary items in case things don’t go as planned.

Top Considerations

When traveling independently there’s a lot of factors to keep in consideration. There’s a lot that goes into planning a trip and when you’re crafting a self guided tour there’s a lot of decisions that need to be made.

Right Company: One of the most important considerations when planning a self-guided tour is picking the right tour company. Many of the major companies provide itineraries for solo tours or book your hotels or dinners. However, if you are looking for a particular destination or activities, picking the right tour agency can be extremely important.

Best Location:Not every country is ideal for self-guided tours and some countries may not match well with your travel style. Selecting the best location for your self-guided tour can not only lead to an amazing adventure, but will keep you safe as you travel.

Pre-Bookings: With selecting the right travel agency to help you plan your self-guided tour, it’s important to note how much help the agency can provide. Do they book your hotels and meals, only your transportation, or do they create a simple itinerary? If you are unsure about your travels or need a little more guidance, make sure the agency you use provides the additional services you want.

Always Find the Best

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