For answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, see below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
tl;dr
- we do not allow pets on public tours
- groups of 6+ can only join name your own price tours with prepayment. Groups of any size can join ticketed tours. We do not allow scout, meet ups, church groups or multiple families travelling together to join name your own price tours; but you’re welcome to join our ticketed prepaid tours with no limit.
- minors must be accompanied by an adult
Can we bring our pets?
A: We love pets, but unfortunately, not all guests do. Pets are not allowed on public tours where other guests may be attending.
We do offer private tours, and many of these can accommodate pets. Service animals trained in a specific task(s) for a disability are allowed on tours.
I am a group of 8, and it’s not letting me make a reservation.
This applies to our name your own price tours. Ticketed tours where you pay per person in advance do not have a group policy.
A: We can only accommodate large groups on name your own price tours with prepayment. Groups of 6-9 (or 5-9 in some cities) can prepay at the time of booking. We consider scout, youth, and two families traveling together as a group.
If one family has 5 people, and one family has 4 people but have chosen to take the same tour at the same time together, that is considered a group of 9.
Please do not make separate reservations to avoid this policy. Your reservation will be canceled, and you will not be accommodated at the start of the tour if you show up.
Verbal harassment of our tour guides because we cannot accommodate you when you ignore our group policy will not be tolerated.
We will make every effort to make your trip fun for your whole group. Please get in touch with us first!
No city can accommodate a group of 10 or more on name your own price tours. You must contact the city directly to inquire about a private tour.
Do I have to make a reservation or can I just show up?
A: Yes. Reservations are required for guaranteed spots on all tours.
Reservations help us determine the number of guides we need to ensure that our groups remain manageable and enjoyable. They also allow us to notify you of changes to the tour due to weather or anything else that could disturb the tour.
If you do not wish to make a reservation, walk-ups can be accommodated if space allows.
We do consider two families travelling together as a group. Walk-up guests for these tours will be permitted if space is available. However, we strongly suggest contacting us before walking up to a tour.
Why should I submit my phone number when making a reservation?
A: You will receive your reservation confirmation and a reminder on the day before your tour via email. However, we recommend that you provide a phone number by which you can be reached on the day of the tour.
This way, your tour guide can contact you if there are any short-notice changes to the tour.
Do I need to include children/babies in my reservation?
A: That depends on the tour and the city. Some sites limit the number of people and do not consider age. A few quick answers:
- All Charleston tours require a reservation for all persons, regardless of age.
- Capitol Hill & Library of Congress in Washington DC requires a reservation for all persons, regardless of age.
- Unless otherwise stated, ticketed tours do not require tickets for those under 4 years old.
- However, name your own price tours should include all persons. If including a baby makes your group larger than our group limit, please contact the city in question.
Can a minor (under 18) attend a tour without an adult?
A: While we love having younger visitors join us, we require that they attend the tour with an adult. We cannot accommodate guests under 18 who are not attending with an accompanying adult.
Can I bring a stroller on the tour?
A: Some tours cannot accommodate strollers unless they can be folded and carried, as there are unavoidable stairs. As many areas we tour are historic, the sidewalks are narrow, bumpy, and not recommended. Please refer to the Accessibility Guide for more insight on what tour may not allow strollers.
What happens if we arrive late to the tour?
A: Please, try to be on time.
We recommend arriving at the starting location around 10 minutes before the tour starts. We also recommend checking with your concierge or online to see how much time you need to make it to the tour on time and allowing some extra buffer time.
You don’t want to be the person arriving late and having to call and interrupt the guide in the middle of a tour. Your email reminder that you receive the day before the tour should list the tour guide’s name and phone number.
Any late arrivals with reservations who do not contact us may have reserved spots allotted to walk-up guests. Not contacting us at a very late notice might affect your future reservations.
I have changed my mind and cannot attend the tour. Should I let you know?
A: Yes! Please give us at least 24 hours’ notice before your tour starts. The number of available spots on any tour is limited, and we often have to send away interested guests because there is no more space. By letting us know in time (at least 24 hours before the tour start) that you cannot make it, we can open up the extra spot to other interested guests.
If you have prepaid for a tour, we require a certain amount of notice for a refund or to reschedule. All you have to do is click reply on your confirmation email and send us a message.
Can I attend a morning and afternoon tour on the same day?
A: That depends. Very few tours in any city end where another tour begins, so please consider travel time between two tours. You may also want to consider setting aside time for meals between tours.
Please do not book back-to-back tours that do not allow travel time since you won’t be able to attend the afternoon tour.
Do the tours ever get canceled for the weather?
A: The show must go on! Our tours go out rain or shine. Dress appropriately for the conditions. If the weather is dreary, your guide will include as many covered stops as possible. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
However, we may cancel or postpone the tour due to extreme weather. Should this happen, all reserved guests will be contacted via email and text. Please get in touch with us or check our website for updates.
Where does the tour start and end?
A: Every tour page has a map for the starting and ending location and map listed.of the starting and ending locations and the
What is an appropriate amount for a name-your-own-price tour?
A: Another good question. We feel that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy a tour at a price they can afford, so some of our main tours are “name your own price”.
Loved your tour and tour guide? Let them know! We appreciate whatever you feel is fair. You name the price. We are that confident in the quality of our tours. How can you beat that?
Will my kids like these tours?
A: That really depends on your kid. But generally, all of our tours are suitable for children. Our tours are designed to be ideal for people of all ages.
For any tours that are not suitable for kids, we label them as Adult Only. There is no age limit – you can decide who is mature enough to attend.
How long are the walks?
A: Most of our tours are a little over one mile (1.6k) in length. The tours are approximately 2 hours in length. Longer tours will walk longer distances.
If you have problems with walking longer distances, we recommend you book a private tour, so you can decide how fast the tour moves.
Do you offer private tours?
A: We do offer private tours! Our minimum is 1, and the maximum depends on the tour, but we can also send multiple guides out at the same time if needed for larger groups. Check out the specific page of the city you’re visiting for more information on our private tours.
Why are some of your tours name your own price?
A: Tours by Foot offers some core tours at no upfront cost. These operate on a pay-what-you-like model.
We believe that everybody should be able to enjoy an educational tour experience and discover and learn about the cities we tour in, regardless of their budget. We also strongly believe that you should not have to pay for a tour in advance without having experienced it first. You should decide how much you think the tour was worth when it is finished. As you can imagine, our tour guides must work extra hard to earn your appreciation. You name the price.
Why do those tours have a booking fee?
COVID and the new Google algorithm have changed how tourism operates. The booking fee allows us to maintain smaller groups, adhere to city regulations, and manage a company that provides so many free resources to travelers.
We use the booking fee to support our guides and to sponsor our Public School Scholarship program in each city.
Why do some tours have a prepaid ticket price?
We aren’t biased when we say we work with the best guides! In addition to tours of the main historic sites, they offer specialty tours that take years to develop and learn. These may be food, ghost, street art, or off-the-beaten-path tours.
We charge for these tours since they are unique, and not every guide can lead them! Most of our guides are full-time, career tour guides, and ticketed tours allow us to support them and provide tours to those not looking for the “traditional free tours.”
I thought Tours by Foot was a pay-what-you-wish company. Why do some tours now have fixed prices?
A: Our company began with a “name your own price” model, which worked well for many years. As we’ve grown and added more specialized tours, we’ve shifted some tours to a fixed price to ensure we can fairly compensate our guides, manage smaller group sizes, and cover operational costs (like permits, venue tickets, and booking systems).
Do you still offer any pay-what-you-wish tours?
A: Yes! In some cities we continue to offer a few “name your own price” tours, often for our classic routes like evening walks or neighborhood introductions. Availability may vary by city.
Why not keep everything pay-what-you-wish?
A: Many tours (like food experiences, museum entries, or specialty routes) include costs we must pay in advance. A fixed price ensures those expenses are covered while still keeping tours affordable compared to traditional operators.
What hasn’t changed?
A: Our commitment to accessibility and quality. Whether ticketed or pay-what-you-wish, our tours are designed to be engaging, affordable, and led by passionate local guides.