FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions, answered here for you!
We've collected the answers to common questions people have about us and our tours but might have been too shy to ask. If you can't find the answer to your question, please contact us!
Are your FREE tours actually free?
We do not charge anything up front for our free tours, but they are operated by guides who are working for tips. Please tip them what you feel the tour is worth. If you hate the tour, don't give them anything, but keep in mind this is how they make a living.
How much should I tip the guide?
Most people tip the guides leading the free tours between $10-$20, depending on their budget and how much they enjoyed the tour. On our paid tours, tipping is optional, the amount is really up to you, but it's a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work.
Do you operate free tours year-round?
Our FREE public tours typically run during the peak tourism seasons from spring through summer and into the fall, but in some cities we often have tours in the winter (because we're hardcore) and adjust the route to take advantage of indoor spaces to keep warm.
Do you run paid tours year-round?
Our paid food and drink tours are offered most of the year, but may be closed to the public during the winter. Check our calendars for each city to see what's available. Private and group tours are always available for booking. We welcome winter bookings!
Are dogs allowed on your public tours?
Tour Guys guides LOVE dogs, however, we realize that not everyone does. Our tours are designed with humans in mind, and we do not recommend you bring your pet along, since we can't predict that everyone will be comfortable around your pooch. Private tours can certainly accommodate any companion animal.
What happens if the weather looks bad?
Our tours generally run rain or shine, but we will cancel a tour in the event of extreme weather (torrential rain, freezing cold, etc) and we have a generous cancellation policy if you wish to reschedule for another date. In the last decade we've only had a handful of tours cancelled due to weather events, and our guests usually come properly dressed to enjoy themselves outside, even in the rain.
What are your COVID-19 safety measures?
The health and safety of our guests and guides is our priority. Our guides follow local public health guidelines in each city whether it's wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, or limiting group sizes. Guides who are not feeling well, experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or who have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 are required to stay home. We require our guests to follow the same rules and we recommend that you check to see what the local regulations are before the tour starts, and come prepared with a mask to use.
How large are your groups?
It really depends on the tour and the time of year, and what's happening with the pandemic. Unless we are limited by COVID-19 measures to groups of 10, our typical group size is 10-30 guests for the free public tours, 4-10 for the food and drink tours, and up to 40 for large private groups, with additional guides added for even larger groups. All of our guides are performers and can be seen and heard clearly by everyone in the group!