| Bargain hunters don't only go to Chinatown for knock | | | | English. The tour guide will also arrange for the group |
| off designer handbags, they also look there to find | | | | to stop for meals. This is usually simple fare such as a |
| the best prices on bus tours of America. Travelers in | | | | rest stop food court or a Chinese restaurant. |
| east and west coast US cities have come to love | | | | How do they do it? |
| the "Chinatown Bus" for their no-frills service and | | | | $99 for a 3-day tour from Los Angeles to Las Vegas |
| rock bottom prices. However, the bargains do not | | | | and the Grand Canyon; $85 for a 2-day tour from |
| stop there. If you want to find the cheapest way to | | | | NYC to Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia-it |
| see the most popular tourist attractions in the US, | | | | is hard to fathom how they can offer such low fares. |
| try a Chinatown tour operator. | | | | These companies run very streamlined operations |
| Just as Chinatown bus service began by catering to | | | | and work on slim margins. The key to their model is |
| the recent immigrant community, for years these | | | | that the tour buses are full. They tend to operate |
| tour operators have targeting their tours only to the | | | | tours only to the most popular destinations (ie. Grand |
| Chinese speaking community. However, more | | | | Canyon, San Francisco, Niagara Falls, Washington DC), |
| recently they have been discovered by the broader | | | | and they sometimes cancel a tour if not enough |
| market and are increasingly popular for visitors to the | | | | people book it. Often these tour companies use |
| US and residents alike. | | | | charter buses and therefore do not have the |
| Sayaka Singh who lives in New York said that any | | | | expense of maintaining and operating a fleet of |
| time she has family visiting from India they inevitably | | | | buses, something that may not really be their area of |
| want to take a trip to Niagara Falls. She discovered | | | | expertise. |
| several Chinatown tour companies online and has | | | | Since the tour companies run tours on a regular |
| since sent many family members to the Falls with | | | | schedule, they are able to negotiate very good room |
| them. She said, "You can't beat it, for less than a | | | | rates with hotels. Therefore they can still offer low |
| hundred dollars they get transportation in a nice | | | | rates even during a busy time of year. They also |
| motorcoach, hotel accommodations, a tour of the | | | | save money by paying their tour guides very little. |
| Falls area, and several other stops along the way. | | | | Customers are expected to tip the tour guides and |
| They loved it." Several of her relatives then booked | | | | this really their main source of compensation. |
| a tour to Washington DC. | | | | What exactly is included? |
| What to expect | | | | All tours include hotel, tour guide and transportation. |
| These are definitely budget tours, but the value they | | | | Most include entrance fees to any national parks |
| deliver is truly unbeatable. Hotels are usually 2-star | | | | when applicable. Some also include admission to |
| level but they tend to be national chains and are | | | | attractions. Read the tour details carefully or inquire |
| quite adequate. Plan on something equivalent to a | | | | before you book if you are not sure. Optional tours |
| Travelodge, however many times the hotel quality is | | | | can add to the cost of your tour and you should |
| higher. Hotels are commonly not situated in the | | | | budget accordingly. Usually the tour guide will organize |
| downtown core of the city or right near an | | | | the optional tours for the group and you will pay the |
| attraction. | | | | guide directly. |
| In a style typical of tours throughout Asia, the tour | | | | How do I find these tours? |
| itinerary is usually quite full. The pace of these tours | | | | Almost any city that has a sizable Asian population |
| is very rapid. You will see as many attractions as | | | | will most likely have a tour operator specializing in |
| possible but will not stay at any one attraction for | | | | multi-day budget tours. New York, Boston, San |
| very long. This can be frustrating for people who like | | | | Francisco, Vancouver, and Los Angeles have dozens |
| to linger or have time to explore. It is perfect for | | | | of tour operators. Most likely they will not advertise |
| travelers who want to see a lot in a short period of | | | | in the same places that traditional tour companies do. |
| time. | | | | Your best bet is to look online. |
| People from all over the world go on these tours and | | | | These tours are a terrific option for travelers who |
| it is impossible to predict the demographic makeup of | | | | want to see some of America's most popular sights |
| a group. However, do not expect an "all-American" | | | | but do not have a lot of time and want a great |
| crowd. You should expect multilingual tour guide and | | | | value. For far less than you would pay if you went |
| many non-English speakers on the tour. Many people | | | | on your own, you can sit back and have someone |
| cite the mix of people as their favorite aspect of the | | | | else make all the arrangements for you. As an added |
| tours ("I felt like I was part of a UN delegation, it | | | | bonus you will also get to experience a great |
| was great!"). The tour guide will not give an in-depth | | | | diversity of cultures along the way. |
| narrated tour and will speak in both Chinese and | | | | |