Compare cost, pace, flexibility and depth to decide when a private guide is worth it and when a small-group tour gives you everything you need.

Tip-based walking tours are a popular way to start a city trip. Here's how the model works, how to pick a good one and how tipping is usually handled.

When tips are expected on tours, how customs differ by country and tour type, and simple ways to handle tipping on day trips and multi-day tours.

Duration, inclusions, pickup, group size, skip-the-line wording and cancellation terms: what each part of a day tour listing tells you and what to ask.

Compare audio guides, apps, live guides and self-guided visits to decide how to get the most out of museums and historic sites on your trip.