In part three let’s take a look at the costs involved in either a tour or workshop. Prices for the tour or workshop can range from $295 for an extended weekend to $35,000 (2 week top tier National Geographic Cruise, anyone?). This is obvious, but choose a tour or workshop in your price range that fits your time horizon. If you can only get 3 days away from work, the extended weekend tour may be ideal. If you are luxuriously enjoying retirement, the Nat Geo cruise may be just what you are looking for! Keep in mind that the less expensive tours may be led by less experienced photographers, so manage your expectations likewise.
Beyond the cost of the tour or workshop itself there are other expenses. Here are some questions to ask before you book that tour or workshop:
- Can you drive to the destination or do you need air transportation?
- Does the price include airfare? Most photography tours do not include airfare.
- Does the price include transportation from the airport to the host hotel or from the host hotel to photography destinations?
- If it includes location transportation, you may still need a rental car to get from airport to the host hotel. Consider how close you can get by air to the starting location or if you need 3-4 additional hours travel by car after landing. In some cases you may need to arrive a day early to get to the rendezvous spot on time which increases hotel expenses.
- If no transportation is included you will need a rental car and will likely caravan in a stream of cars to locations.
- Does the price include hotel?
- If not, has the tour operator arranged group rates at the host hotel? Is the host hotel moderately priced or more of a luxury hotel?
- Do you need to pay a single supplement if no available roommate?
- Does the price include all meals, some meals, or no meals? Most likely meals are not included. Check in advance if you can get special dietary needs met. Beverages, snacks, etc should all be considered.
- Travel Insurance – generally recommended to cover workshops or tours that are not refundable beyond a certain date, useful for airfare coverage for lost or delayed bags, help with medical emergencies, etc – not all policies are the same so read the fine print for what is covered.
- Do you have the recommended gear for this trip or will you need to purchase new lenses, boots, tripod, etc – these items need to be factored into the cost before you book the trip.
Make sure you know all of the facts before signing up, and if required, are able to book your own airfare/hotel/car rental in advance. I like to keep in mind that paying for airfare is immediate, along with a deposit or full remittance for the tour. Hotels and car rentals are usually paid for at time of service (unless included in the tour price), as well as meals and incidentals, so costs can be spread out a bit. And don’t forget to check out the refund policy. Often you will see a table showing amount refunded based upon number of days cancelled before the start of the tour or workshop, or it could be dependent on whether another participant can be found. If you think there is the possibility of cancellation you should ask if non-refunded amounts may applied to a future workshop tour with that leader. Know before you sign up so you can factor in any mitigating circumstances that may be occurring in your life.
Next time we’ll examine how to pick a tour operator/workshop leader.
