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Private Tours in Athens
Short on time? Private tours may work for you.

By , About.com Guide

Want to see Athens? There's almost no limit of very similar group tours you can take in Athens, and almost any of them will get you to and from the sites reliably. You also have the super-budget option of taking the Tourist Bus 400, which will drop you at a number of major Athenian sites in succession, providing a hop-on, hop-off bus to get you between them.

But if you have more money than time, or you just need a more personalized experience, a private tour of Athens may be your best option. If you're on a cruise ship and already tired of always being at the back of a 30-60 person group - wandering around with ten or twelve or more identical groups from your ship and many others - booking a private tour may be well worth it. it may even work out to be cheaper than relying on the tours offered from the ship.

If you are booking your own tour while you're in Athens on a shore stop from a cruise of the Greek islands, please remember than many cruise lines will prioritize the disembarking of passengers who are taking their own from-the-ship tours. If you book your own, you may be among the last people to disembark, limiting your time ashore.

[h2]What to Ask When Booking Your Tour[/h2] Can I pay for my tour by credit card?
Paying by credit card gives you some protection if there is any problem with your tour. However, some private licensed guides may not take credit cards. You should also ask when your card will be charged, and if the price will be charged in dollars or Euros. Some credit card providers will tack on substantial extra fees for foreign transactions in another currency.

Is the quoted tour price per person or per vehicle?
This is a big one - make sure you're clear if the quoted price is per person or if it is for the entire group. Rates vary substantially and this may not be obvious.

Will my guide personally take me through the sites and exhibits?
Many private guides are only licensed to guide you during the driving portions of the trip. You may find yourself forced to pay an additional fee to join a general group at a location if you want detailed information. Aside from the cost, this can also affect your schedule since they often keep you waiting until they have enough people in your language group to start the tour.

How much walking will there be?
If mobility is an issue, check to see how far you'll be expected to walk ahead of time, and let the company know you may need assistance or just extra time. Tour professionals are so used to the steps, slopes, and so on that they usually tend to underestimate the difficulty. A private guide will be more attentive to your needs.

Private Tour Guides List in Greece

Group Tours You Can Book Yourself

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