Small Group Vs Classic
We are signed up for the 2026 Nov 13 Grand Australia New Zealand tour. We were originally looking for a small group size (24?), but ended up with the Classic (40?) and we were thrilled to get two of the last spots available! Do any of you experienced Tauck travelers have any comments about group size, particularly for this trip? The itineraries and experiences appear to be the same, so just wondering of the group size would cause any unforeseen issues.
We have only one previous Tauck tour under our belt which was a France tour and the group size was only18 after a few dropped off prior to departure. My husband and I do love to meet and talk with people so either group size will ultimately be fine. Group size may largely be personal preference, but I am asking to determine if it is worth the extra 10K trying to waitlist a small group date, as it is so far out, changes will very likely happen.
This forum is so helpful for ideas and tips. Thanks in advance for any comments you may have.
Comments
We usually book small groups, but couldn’t quite justify the cost difference for AUS/NZ. I assume the charter flights are the primary driver of the per person cost. So we took the classic tour last October, and there were indeed 40 people. There were no issues at all related to the group size. I would do it again. Great trip.
It is very much a personal choice. We are not gregarious individuals and prefer the smaller group sizes for their intimacy.
Since you mentioned you love to meet and talk with people, I think you answered your own question.
Have a wonderful trip!
We always try to go for the classic size tour, though that is getting more challenging as there are more and more small group tours.
Our upcoming tour is a classic size which will save us $4000. I haven’t been on a full land tour for ages.
I’ve been on this tour. $ $10,000 more and you are staying in the same hotels, no no no, I would not spend the money! Save it for another tour!
Thank you Dottie D!
kfnknfzk: You may be right, I did answer my own question! I, too, prefer a smaller group, but they were all booked at the time of our reservation. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
I am sure you will have a marvelous journey.
Thank you !
British, I appreciate your comments, it sounds like you have gone on plenty of Tauck trips! I am already exploring where to go next!
A vote for Small Group tours: takes less time getting on and off the bus; comfort stops eat up less of the day. I get to spend more time doing and seeing what I go to do and see.
I agree with you, Goddess. And the group lunches/dinners take much less time!
Thank you Goddess and kfnknfz.
You bothe express valid points, which I had not previously considered. We will likely stay with the classic size for this trip, as all the small group dates are currently sold out. We certainly enjoyed the smaller group during our Normandy Paris trip, so we will have a chance to compare the experiences.
I prefer large group. Even if the cost was the the same, I'd choose large group. First, after 17 tours, I've never been in a group with more than 36 and usually it's low 30s. Second, if there's an a**hole or two in the group, they are easier to avoid in a larger group.
Different strokes for different folks!
DebVEE - I know your trip is a long way off, but I hope you will post a critique of your experiences afterwards. Thanks.
Especially in Europe, the bus drivers have to have breaks of a certain length and regularly so it doesn’t make any difference at rest stops or lunch times.
Now there is so much free time and having to find dinner on your own, it kinda makes the small group tours less of an advantage if there is indeed one.
I’m not convinced smaller groups spend more time at any of the sites.
One definite advantage to small groups when you are 6'6" tall. The coaches don't fill up, which allows you, on any of the longer coach rides, to spread out and get a whole row to yourself. Another advantage on some small group tours (not all), is that you stay at a bit nicer hotel.
You're also, almost twice as likely to have twice as many of them! 😁
Anyone on the March 19 th trip
DebVEE - I agree with those who said it is truly a personal, individual preference. However, since I did do a small group tour (albeit unintentional - we paid for the classic size but ended up with a smaller group) of this particular tour - Grand Australia/New Zealand, I thought I’d share my thoughts, just FYI. I never even considered doing the small tours, but we got one by happenstance and I have to say, it sold us! For one, there are a number of charter flights, which are amazing, but because we were a smaller group, we had the flexibility to sit where we wanted on the plane and move around to different windows to get different views which I enjoyed. I also found we had more time at sights - especially places where people wanted individual photos, etc. Our TD said they still use the same vehicles for the small vs. classic tour so generally there’s more room on the bus and for this tour, the charter flights (which are so awesome!!). Also, maybe it was just our particular group, but we all really bonded (especially because it’s a 3-week tour), and it truly enhanced the experience. But I do understand what some people are saying - if you have a small group and you have a difficult person or people in the group, it could be an issue (and the larger the group, the more likelihood of meeting a variety of folks), but at the same time, if you have a small, cohesive group, it gives you more of an opportunity to get to know people better. That said, I would not pass up the opportunity to do a classic tour if small groups were unavailable; we just prefer the small groups if we can get them.