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Fewer people, more room

Small Group Tours

Our small group tours carry 10 to 14 travelers in a high-roof van instead of a 55-seat coach, so there are fewer people to wait for at each stop and more room between parks. Most routes run with English and Mandarin speaking guides. Trips cover the Grand Canyon and the Southwest, the California coast and Yosemite, the East Coast, Hawaii and Europe. If you want the vehicle to yourselves, see private tours.

Group size
10 to 14 travelers per van
Vehicles
Standard, Business Class or First-Class high-roof vans

Small group or coach tour?

Many routes run in more than one format. Here is what changes.

Small group Coach tour
Group size 10 to 14 travelers Up to 55
Vehicle High-roof van Full-size coach
Price per person Mid-range Lowest
Best for More room, less waiting Best price

Choose your van

All small group tours use high-roof vans you can stand up in. The van class is shown on each tour page.

Every van has

  • Headroom to stand up inside
  • A seat belt at every seat
  • 10 to 14 travelers, so the guide can look after everyone
  • Starlink Wi-Fi on Business Class and First-Class

Standard

The lowest-priced small group option

Leather seats with headrests and a seat belt for everyone, plus big windows for the views between stops.

Business Class

14 seats

Nappa leather seats with hand stitching, a yacht-style wood floor, curtains and Starlink satellite Wi-Fi.

First-Class

10 seats

Individual reclining Nappa leather seats with armrests, heated, plus Starlink satellite Wi-Fi.

Small Group Tours Travel Guide

Is a small group tour worth it over a coach tour?

It depends on what you want from the trip. A coach tour is the lowest price per person and works well for a first visit. A small group tour costs more, but with 10 to 14 people instead of up to 55, there is less waiting at each stop, the van gets in and out of parking lots faster, and the guide has time for your questions. If you have done a coach tour before, or the time at each stop matters most to you, a small group is usually the better fit.

Standard, Business Class or First-Class: which van should you pick?

All three are high-roof vans you can stand up in, on the same routes. Standard is the lowest-priced option, with leather seats and a seat belt at every seat. Business Class seats 14, with Nappa leather seats, a wood floor and Starlink Wi-Fi. First-Class seats 10, with individual reclining seats, armrests and heated seats. On longer routes with many hours on the road, the upgrade makes the most difference. The van class is shown on each tour page.

Traveling with parents or grandparents on a small group tour

A small group is often easier for older travelers. Getting on and off a van is quicker than a full coach, there are fewer people to wait for at each stop, and the guide can keep an eye on everyone. The high roof means no bending over to reach your seat. For the most comfort, choose a First-Class van with reclining, heated seats, and check the daily schedule on the tour page for walking time at each stop.

When is the best time for a small group tour?

It depends on the region. The Southwest canyons run all year, and spring and fall are the most comfortable. Yellowstone runs in summer only. The East Coast is at its best in fall, when the leaves turn in New England and upstate New York. Hawaii runs all year, with winter a popular escape from the cold. In Europe, late spring to early fall has the longest days and the widest choice of departures.

Which region should you start with?

For a first small group trip in the US, the Southwest is the most popular: the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Zion and Bryce link on one route from Las Vegas or Los Angeles. If you are flying into New York, the East Coast covers several cities on one line. Hawaii pairs well with a beach stay. The regions do not connect on one trip, so pick the one that matches the city you are flying into.

GOOD TO KNOW

Small Group Tours - FAQ

  • Where do small group tours go?

    Small group tours run on the West Coast (the Grand Canyon and the Southwest, the California coast and Yosemite, and Yellowstone in summer), the East Coast, Hawaii and Europe.

  • How many people are on a small group tour?

    Between 10 and 14 travelers, depending on the van. Each tour page states the maximum group size.

  • What vehicle do small group tours use?

    High-roof vans in three classes: Standard, Business Class and First-Class. The class is shown on each tour page. Business Class and First-Class vans have Starlink satellite Wi-Fi.

  • Why do small group tours cost more than coach tours?

    The vehicle and guide are shared by 10 to 14 people instead of up to 55, so each person pays a larger share.

  • What language is the guide?

    Many routes are guided in English and Mandarin. The guiding language is listed on each tour page.

  • Are there fees on top of the tour price?

    Some tours have a mandatory fee, for example for park entry and parking, and a service fee. Both are listed on the tour page before you book.

  • What is the difference between a small group tour and a private tour?

    A small group tour runs on a set route and date with other travelers. A private tour is arranged for your party only, with your own vehicle and schedule.

What Travelers Say

Tips for the driver and guide weren't included in the tour price, so I handed those over day by day, though I can't recall the exact amount now. Having a guide along the whole route meant I didn't have to worry about the logistics myself.

—Sabarinathan · 7-8 Days Golden West Adventure Tour from Los Angeles,Los Angelas/Las Vegas out - Fully Guided (Admissions Inclusive)

Collin and Shawn both were extraordinary guides.only problem we faced was sitting in three seats van from Boston to Newyork.it didn’t have enough space for leg room.

—HASMUKHBHAI · 6-Day Classic East Coast Tour from New York with Airport Transfers

The group was small, no more than a dozen or so of us, in a high-roof van, and the driver would pull over when something worth seeing came up. I liked that pace — no waiting on a full bus to regroup.

—Joan · 4-Day Grand Canyon, Antelope, Zion & Bryce Tour from LA/Las Vegas | Small Group, 5-Star Vegas Hotel

I took the tour and we covered over 40 filming spots, from Carrie's brownstone to Buddakan. Lunch wasn't included, so I grabbed something on my own, but the flow was smooth and fans of the show will enjoy it.

—Bhavana · Sex and the City Hotspots Tour

Overall, the tour matches its online description for the itinerary, pricing, and hotel quality. It is a great option if you want to visit major West Coast sights quickly without dealing with long, tiring drives yourself. The size of the group was about 10 to 12 people, and they traveled in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van; the tour guide can speak Chinese and English Keep in mind that hotel, operator, and tour guide details aren't confirmed until right before or at the start of the tour. The fact that everything runs smoothly and safely, so you don't have to worry. But travelers who like to lock in the holistic travel plan and accommodations well in advance might feel a bit insecure. So it would be best if this area could be improved.

—Marcus · 9-Day 17 Miles, San Francisco, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Antelope and Theme Park Tour from Los Angeles

On the fourth day we drove from Las Vegas all the way to Joshua Tree, stopping in Twentynine Palms for lunch along the way, and that stretch of desert highway felt long. Once inside the park I saw the Cholla Cactus Garden and Skull Rock; the cacti stood packed together and glowed gold in the sun, and I just stood there taking it in for a while.

—rishi · 4-Day Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Zion, Death Valley & Joshua Tree Tour from Los Angeles

I travelled along with my family for the 2N3D trip. Judy Zhang was our tour guide. She managed the tour quite well with good time management, ensuring the tickets for each sightseeing attraction was kept ready to save time & enough time was provided to the group at each attraction. We had short breaks after every 2.5 - 3 hours of travel. The hotel room accomodation were of good quality closer to the super markets/food courts. We were able to cover multiple places within 3 days and we thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I would reccommend this tour to my friends. One area of improvement - to improve the leg space between the seats on the bus, considering the long travel distance between the cities.

—Sudhir · 3-Day Niagara Falls, Washington DC, Philadelphia Tour from New York/New Jersey

On the way back we walked up onto the pedestrian bridge by Hoover Dam. The wind was strong, so I looked down at the dam and the river for a bit and then headed back.

—Mandar · 1-Day Grand Canyon West Rim, Hoover Dam Overlook and Joshua Tree Forest Tour from Las Vegas

Overall the tour was a wonderful experience, very well organised and truly enjoyable! Everything went smoothly and I really enjoyed exploring the different places. A special thanks to our tour guide Mr. Alan, who was incredibly kind,helpful, friendly, and professional throughout the trip. He made sure everyone felt comfortable and helped make the whole experience even more memorable. It was a pleasure to have him as our guide. Thank youAlan, for your excellent service and for making this tour so special! I would definitely love to join another tour with you as our guide in the future. Highly recommended! 😊👏

—Sreejith · 7-Day USA East Coast Family Tour: New York, Niagara Falls, Washington DC & Boston with Airport Transfers

Six days covered the major cities in the eastern US and Canada—a packed but well-organized route. My favorite part was the Niagara Falls night tour; the illuminated water was spectacular. It was a mandatory add-on at $45 per adult, but I felt it was worth it.

—Christena · 6-Day Eastern US and Canada Deluxe Tour from Washington DC

The bus tour took us past the holiday lights and movie locations around New York, linking up spots like Rockefeller Center and Central Park. I especially liked the Central Park segment since it was featured in Serendipity. A guide was on board, and taxes were covered in the tour price, which made things easy.

—Christian · New York Holiday Lights and Movie Sites Tour

I took a 3 day trip to Newyork to see Niagara falls which was a 2 day tour and 1 day tour to Newyork City. I planned with the itinerary given in this trip but the trip had a different itinerary. Though they covered everything mentioned here it would have been really helpful if it was communicated way before. The accommodation provided was great. I am vegetarian and as a family we really struggled with the food though the tour mentioned there will be vegetarian food available where they stop. The tour bus was not upto the mark as most of the time the Air conditioning didn't work and there were a lot of confusions with clubbing people with multiple day tours. Overall its worth your buck but can be improved because with kids it is a bit chaotic.

—Aishwarya · 3-Day Niagara Falls and New York City Tour from New York/New Jersey

The coach had around thirty-something seats, the chairs reclined, and there was Wi-Fi and charging ports. For several long driving days, it was more comfortable than I expected.

—elaine · 7-Day Yellowstone, Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon Tour from Los Angeles or Las Vegas - Ends in Las Vegas | Premium Coach

Before the tour, I received a text messages confirming the guests and instruction where to meet and get picked up. Which is needed for the first time customer joining the group tour. Our tour guide Jason is very exceptional. He is knowledgeable, very patients and took care of the whole group during the tour. The driver of the bus forgot his name is also helpful to the group. Jason had provided me and my friend Uber ride since he cannot drop us off to our last stop. The tour itself is a dream come true specially the Niagara Falls experience. 6 days trip is must go tour. (Tour date experience October 3-8, 2026)

—Josephine · 6-Day Classic East Coast Tour from New York with Airport Transfers, Boston Drop-off Available

The area around Bright Angel Lodge opens up beautifully, and I stood there a while—windy but pleasant. I also checked the 3D relief map at the visitor center, which helped me picture the whole canyon, and I liked that part.

—Fangfang · 1-Day Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tour from Las Vegas [C]

I tipped the guide and driver separately since gratuities aren't part of the package. I left a bit based on how I felt, didn't overthink it, and the service along the way was smooth enough.

—Goutam · 1-Day Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tour from Las Vegas [C]

Hotel pickup made the morning easy—I didn't have to sort out my own ride. Around midday they handed out a simple sandwich and chips, and I ate outside the visitor center before carrying on.

—Abigail · 1-Day Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tour from Las Vegas [C]

The last day was mostly on the bus, and I glanced at the scenery passing through Albany. The ride back felt more tiring than the way there, probably because I was already worn out from the days before.

—Linda · 5-Day Boston, New York, Washington DC tour from Toronto

Having fewer people in the group made everything feel more relaxed. Getting on and off the vehicle was easy, and we didn't spend too much time waiting for everyone. The scenery at the Grand Canyon was unforgettable.

—jap · 6-Day Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Arches & Monument Valley Tour from LA | Max 10 Small Group

It was meticulously planned, we visited all the places but the we need to make sure we are on time else the driver and guide gets upset. They club with many others. We had a 5 day package, few had 3 and others 4, so it was like everyday you meet someone new and based on people the vehicle also gets changed. Hotels were all decent, they stopped at plaza's where there are multiple options to eat. Amount was as shown, nothing extra. I would recommend but request to make sure to keep up the time, and would be great if the vehicles are more better.

—Kaushik · 5-Day New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Niagara Falls and Boston Tour from New York/New Jersey
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