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Are you going to be heading to the UK for a vacation any time soon? If so, then you may have decided that you want to find a fantastic tour operator to help you out. Using a tour company ensures that you don’t have to stress about planning activities for yourself, or leaving any stone unturned as it were.
They offer you the unique opportunity to actually relax, not having to worry about a single thing, while taking care of you every step of the way. But, which companies are the best, and why is this the case? That’s what we’re going to be taking a look at down below, so feel free to read on if you would like to find out more about the top 5 UK tour operators right now.
*This is a collaborative post. For more details, please see my Disclosure Policy.
Braw Scottish Tours
The first company that we’re going to be talking about are Braw Scottish Tours, a luxury driver-guided business who offer tours of Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, and more. Initially starting with Scotland, they expanded their reach and they are now able to provide their services to a larger number of people than ever before.
With their expert guides, they can take you to some of the absolute gems across the various countries, ensuring that you don’t miss out on a single thing while you’re here. Whether you want to go with a pre-made itinerary, or you want to let the company know how long you’re staying for and let them create a custom option just for you, you will have the best time, jam packed with activities to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Pros:
- Private, expert drivers to provide tours
- Fully customisable tours and itinerary
- Flexible cancellation
- Luxury, comfortable transportation
Cons:
- Hidden fees you may not have thought about or budgeted for
- Not ideal for those in a larger group
Exodus Travels Ltd.
Exodus Travels Ltd are more than just a UK tour operator, they are also a large, well known option for all things travel related. However, they do offer an exceptional UK tour guide experience, with options suitable for everyone. If you are more interested in a self-guided tour so that you can go at your own pace, and experience things as and when you’re ready, that’s something that is on offer here.
Or, if you would like to delve a little deeper, the guided tours on offer here provide you with a range of information, giving you a deeper insight into the history of the country you’re in, and other little tidbits of knowledge that you didn’t even know you wanted to know.
Pros:
- Expert local travel guides for the most authentic experience possible
- Small group sizes enhances the personal experience
- Flexible travel options
- Sustainability is a focus of the company
Cons:
- Potential issues with the loyalty bonus program
- Sometimes the accommodation has been standard rather than luxury
- Sometimes they are slow to reply to customer service queries
STM Tours
If you’re looking for a company that can offer you a UK tour now, but you would like to use the same company for worldwide travel, then STM Tours are a fantastic option to consider. With a whole host of destinations available, you are spoilt for choice here. Specifically on their UK tours though, they are fantastic at finding those hidden gems that you might not get to experience anywhere else.
They have pre-arranged itineraries for those who want something more general, or if you would like to customise anything you see, you just need to get in touch with the team. Someone will be more than happy to assist you with this, ensuring that you get the trip to the UK that you have always dreamed of.
This company only offers partially guided tours, meaning that the guide will accompany day tours only, so that’s something to keep in mind.
Pros:
- High quality service
- Fantastic tours that have clearly been thought through well
- Great value for money
Cons:
- Limited control over your trip, even though customisation is possible
- Potential for poor customer service, especially during busy season
The Hairy Coo Tours
If there is just one destination you are interested in, Scotland, then this is certainly the company for you. They specialise in all things Scottish, from single day to multi-day tours across the whole of Scotland. These tours are incredibly popular and can range from one day to five days and you will see everything that you want to tick off your bucket list. You can even see if you can find the Loch Ness monster on your travels.
You will need to weigh up your options here as many costs are included in the base price you pay. This could be meals and entrance fees to touristy destinations.
Pros:
- Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and local driver guides
- You really do get a personal touch with this company
- Great value for money
- Opportunities to see beautiful destinations
Cons:
- No definitive group size as they use different vehicles
- A lot of driving in one day
- Rushed stops so you can fit everything in
Trafalgar Tours
Lastly, Trafalgar Tours might just be the world’s most established and largest tour operator. You will always receive a five star experience from this company and they specialise in offering first class experiences that you will never forget. They are slightly different to the smaller, lesser known companies as they offer much larger guided tours. So you need to be confident that this is definitely the type of trip you want to take before you book.
They cover UK tours of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. You can also incorporate many different countries into one trip, for instance, Scotland and Ireland. If castles are your thing then they even have a tour that is titled castles and kilts. As with all companies there are of course pros and cons, let’s take a look.
Pros:
- All-inclusive travel options with Trafalgar handling everything from accommodation and certain meals
- 4* accommodation options in all countries
- Certain sights have skip the queue access
- Expert tour guides
Cons:
- Larger group sizes, typically around 45 guests.
- Early starts to get everything in
- Rushed sightseeing opportunities