Best European Tour Companies (2024)
If you're planning a trip to Europe, choosing the right tour company can make a huge difference. Here are some of the best European tour operators, categorized by travel style and budget:
1. Guided Group & Escorted Tours (Perfect for first-time travelers & hassle-free experiences)
- Trafalgar – Well-organized, culturally immersive group tours.
- Globus – Classic European itineraries with experienced guides.
- Insight Vacations – Premium, small-group luxury tours.
- Rick Steves' Europe – Small groups with in-depth historical focus.
- Cosmos – Budget-friendly guided tours covering multiple countries.
2. Small-Group & Adventure Travel (Ideal for active travelers & off-the-beaten-path experiences)
- G Adventures – Small-group tours with cultural and adventure focus.
- Intrepid Travel – Eco-friendly, sustainable travel experiences.
- Exodus Travels – Specializes in hiking, cycling, and wildlife tours.
- Backroads – Luxury active tours, including biking and walking trips.
- Explore! – Adventure-focused, budget-friendly European tours.
3. Luxury & High-End Tours (Exclusive experiences, private guides, & top-notch accommodations)
- Abercrombie & Kent – Ultra-luxury, tailor-made European tours.
- Tauck – High-end escorted tours with unique cultural access.
- Luxury Gold (by Insight Vacations) – Small-group, 5-star experiences.
- Kensington Tours – Personalized, private European travel.
- National Geographic Expeditions – Exclusive, expert-led journeys.
4. Budget & Youth Travel Tours (Great for backpackers, students, & solo travelers)
- Contiki – Fun, social group tours for ages 18-35.
- Busabout – Flexible hop-on-hop-off tours across Europe.
- Topdeck Travel – Budget-friendly trips for young travelers (18-39).
- EF Ultimate Break – Designed for students and young adults.
- Euroventure – Customizable rail travel itineraries.
5. Food, Wine & Cultural Tours (Best for foodies & history lovers)
- Secret Food Tours – Local culinary experiences in major European cities.
- Devour Tours – Small-group food and wine tours.
- Culinary Backstreets – In-depth, authentic local dining experiences.
- Walks of Italy & Walks of Europe – History-focused walking tours with expert guides.
- Wine Paths – Luxury wine and vineyard tours in France, Italy, and Spain.
6. Self-Guided & Rail Travel Tours (For independent travelers who prefer structured itineraries without a guide)
- Railbookers – Custom European rail journeys.
- Eurail – Flexible train passes across Europe.
- Inntravel – Self-guided walking and biking tours.
- Macs Adventure – Self-guided hiking and cycling trips.
- Zicasso – Custom-tailored luxury itineraries.
7. River Cruises & Scenic Tours (For relaxed, scenic travel across Europe’s rivers & coasts)
- Viking River Cruises – Luxury cruises on the Danube, Rhine, and Seine.
- AmaWaterways – High-end boutique river cruising.
- Avalon Waterways – Modern, spacious river cruise experiences.
- Uniworld Boutique River Cruises – Luxurious all-inclusive river journeys.
- CroisiEurope – Affordable, family-run European river cruises.
8. History & Heritage Tours (For history buffs & cultural immersion seekers)
- Smithsonian Journeys – In-depth historical and cultural tours.
- Odyssey Traveller – Educational tours for mature travelers.
- Context Travel – Private, expert-led city tours.
- Road Scholar – Learning-focused tours for seniors.
- Martin Randall Travel – Classical music and art history tours.
9. Specialty & Unique Tours (For niche interests like photography, castles, or war history)
- Photography Tours Europe – Workshops in iconic European locations.
- Historic Battlefield Tours – WWII and medieval history tours.
- Jack the Ripper Tours (London) – Mystery and crime-themed walks.
- Dark Rome – Haunted and underground tours in Italy.
- Game of Thrones Tours – Filming locations in Ireland, Spain, and Croatia.