A possible shape for your day.
1. Share the route you already have
Send the stop list, preferred pace, date, and start area. Ask which portions a guide could reasonably accompany and what should remain self-guided.
2. Check the person and fit
Request a genuine introduction, relevant subject knowledge, spoken-language sample, and the exact role on the day. Ask how a substitute would be handled.
3. Agree on service limits
Write down the hours, meeting place, travel method, guide fee, extra costs, and end point. Clarify that admissions and transport are separate unless specifically itemized.
The details that make a difference.
Guide is not driver
Do not assume the guide can drive, provide a car, or arrange every ticket. Ask for each responsibility to be assigned explicitly.
Language is personal
A general fluency label does not show whether the guide’s accent, pace, and vocabulary suit your group; use an actual sample or call if offered.
Protect independent time
Mark where you want to explore alone and ask how the guide’s hours and fee are affected by breaks or an early finish.
What should your quote include?
Ask for an itemized total for your party, the settlement currency, and any exchange or payment fees. A service request is not a confirmed reservation.
- Guide fee, including the quoted service window and party-size basis.
- Transport fares or private vehicle charges, with waiting costs explained.
- Admissions and any reservation work, identified separately from guiding.
- Overtime, replacement, cancellation, and payment-processing costs.
Use the costs and inclusions checklist and confirm what happens when plans change.
Before you decide.
Can a guide follow my own route?
A provider must review the route and confirm availability, timing, and any venue restrictions. Share it before agreeing to a service.
Will the guide arrange tickets?
That depends on the venue and provider. Ask whether ticket help is included, a separate task, or not offered, and how success is confirmed.
What proves that a guide speaks English well?
A direct conversation or a genuine speaking sample is more useful than a label. Check that the person assigned is the person whose sample you reviewed.