Separate the service from the expenses
Ask for the guide fee, vehicle and driver, admission or reservation charges, food, and optional experiences on separate lines. Confirm whether the guide’s transport or meal expenses are included.
A guide-only quote should say how you will move between stops and who pays for public transport or taxis. A car quote should state vehicle capacity, luggage allowance, parking, tolls, and any out-of-area charges.
Define the time you are buying
Write down the meeting time, end time, and whether transport belongs inside the service period. Ask when waiting starts and what counts as overtime. For airport pickup, clarify how delays and a late-night arrival affect the price.
If your party may finish early, ask how that affects charges. A shorter day does not automatically mean the provider can refund prepaid time or third-party tickets.
Make the comparison in one currency
Ask whether the quote is per person or for the whole party. Confirm the settlement currency, payment method, exchange-rate treatment, card or transfer fees, deposit, and balance due date.
If a provider shows a U.S. dollar estimate but charges in Chinese yuan, ask which amount is fixed. Do not assume that a converted display amount is the final charge.
Check the easy-to-miss items
Ask about gratuities, shopping stops, minimum restaurant spend, optional boats or tastings, and tickets for accompanying children. There should be no need to guess what is expected at the end of the day.
For booking assistance, distinguish the official ticket or reservation cost from the assistance fee. A free venue can still have a paid third-party assistance service, but the quote should make that distinction explicit.