Private vs Small Group Day Tours: How to Choose

By the BookTours.ca team · Updated October 22, 2026

Choose a private day tour if you want to set your own pace, stops and start time, or travel with family or anyone who needs flexibility. Choose a small group tour if you are travelling solo or as a couple and prefer a set route at a lower cost per person. Compare itemised quotes before deciding.

The core difference

On a private tour, the vehicle and guide are for your party alone. You agree the pick-up time, the stops and the pace, and the itinerary can bend to the weather or to someone getting tired. On a small group tour you share the vehicle with other travellers on a set itinerary and timetable.

There is no universal definition of small group. One company may cap a group at a minivan load while another uses a larger vehicle, so ask for the maximum number of guests.

A middle option is a tour for a pre-formed party of friends or relatives with no strangers. Ask whether this can be arranged for your date.

Who a private tour suits

Private tours work well for families with young children, multi-generational groups, travellers with mobility needs, special occasions and photographers who want extra time at a viewpoint. They are also useful if you have unusual timing, such as a late arrival or an early flight.

Because you pay for the vehicle and guide rather than a seat, a private tour usually costs more per person for couples and solo travellers, and it becomes better value as the group grows. It also gives you privacy for conversation, which some groups value highly.

Larger families can find that a private vehicle works out well compared with buying several separate seats.

Who a small group tour suits

Small group tours suit solo travellers, couples and anyone who enjoys meeting other people. The cost is shared, so the price per person is usually lower, and the guide has run the route many times.

The trade-off is less flexibility. You follow a set timetable, and the stops need to suit the whole group. If you value spontaneity, or you are travelling in a party of four or more, ask for both options so you can compare.

Guides on shared tours often have a good sense of pacing, which helps when you are visiting a destination for the first time.

Questions to ask when you request a quote

These questions help you compare offers fairly.

• How many guests are in the vehicle, at most?
• Where and when is pick-up, and where do we return?
• How long will we spend at each main stop?
• Are admissions, ferry fares, meals and gratuities included or extra?
• What languages does the guide speak?
• Is the vehicle accessible, and can you accommodate dietary or mobility needs?
• What happens if weather or road conditions force changes?
• What are the cancellation and change terms?

What a good quote includes

A clear quote itemises what you are paying for. It should name the date, pick-up and drop-off, the planned stops, the vehicle type, the length of the day and the number of guests. It should state what is included and what is not, with the amounts shown in Canadian dollars.

Be wary of vague wording such as "all the highlights". Specific stops, specific times and listed exclusions make it easy to compare offers on equal terms. If something is unclear, ask before you accept, because the quote is the document you will rely on.

Check that the currency is stated and that any taxes are shown clearly, so there are no surprises when you compare.

When to choose which

Some tours naturally lean one way. Wine tours, city walks and scenic drives work well in either format. Long wilderness days and tight schedules benefit from a private vehicle, because you control breaks and timing. Budget-conscious solo travellers often prefer a shared tour. If you cannot decide, request both and let the totals guide you.

Accessibility needs, such as a wheelchair or walker, are often easier to plan on a private tour, though a shared tour may also be possible if you explain your needs early.

How requests work on BookTours.ca

BookTours.ca arranges day tours by quote request. You send your dates, group size and preferences, and a reply comes by email with an itemised quote in Canadian dollars. There is no online payment on the site.

Tell us whether you want private, small group or both, and mention any special needs. The more detail you give, the closer your first quote will be to what you want.

Frequently asked questions

Is a private tour always better than a small group tour?

No. It depends on your priorities. Private suits flexibility and larger or special-needs parties, while small groups suit solo travellers and couples on a budget.

How small is a small group tour?

It varies by operator, so ask for the maximum number of guests in the vehicle.

Can I request both options in one quote?

Yes. Say so in your request and you can compare the itemised totals side by side.

What should be listed in a tour quote?

The date, pick-up and drop-off, planned stops, vehicle, group size, inclusions, exclusions and the total in Canadian dollars.