"My wife and I were on the 4 day…"

My wife and I were on the 4 day tennessee tour. Our tour guides name was ken i have to say he was polite,charismatic,respectful, and very professional. I would recommend this tour to all my friends and family. My recommendation for anyone considering taking this tour is that you specifically request Ken to be your tour guide ypu will not regret it.

"Think 10 times before booking with…"

Think 10 times before booking with taketours.com . Saying this site and there customer policy sucks is understatement by multiple magnitudes. Within hours of booking they refuse to change or cancel the booking.

There on call customer care hangs call and chat representative end chat on there own.

"To this female dog who has a lot to say about me the other day on the bus, Alice what’s good?"

I am writing a letter of complain regarding one of your employee. Her name is Alice (long hair, skinny, has on terrible eyeliner) and she was our tour guide for the 3 days in San Francisco. My first impression of Alice was okay, my family was very excited to see San Francisco, we flew all the way from Alabama to visit the famous city that everyone raves so much about. The second day of the tour, her attitude got a whole lot worst because she rushed everybody, I understand there is a timeframe, but she refuse to give us the time until the day of, which I can get behind. However, she did not acknowledge the fact that there are children and elders who are also riding along, so whenever we do walk, it’s a little difficult for them to keep up the pace. She kept rushing us and saying we cannot be late again because of some bus policy. Which I understand, but she was unpleasant throughout the whole trip. And to make matters worst, she even threatened to leave us in the middle of the road if we don’t comply with her demands. The people are all upset towards her attitude, myself included. I’ve never had such a terrible experience with anyone, ever. You know it’s bad when a majority of the bus are angry at her and her attitude. Highly unprofessional, let me ask you as a consumers, are you happy to pay in full a fee that promise you a good time? But then not get that as promised? Personally I would be upset, compensation or not. Our tour guide Alice, made it even worst on herself on our very last day of the trip, the people was excited to see Yosemite National Park and be with Mother Nature. We started off with a pleasant morning, and on our first stop, we took pictures (15 minutes) to you it might be a little long for pictures but you have to realize that the park has so many amazing site, we comply and did not complained. We went back to the bus on time. As we make our way onto the next stop around 8:25 the bus tire blew out and smokes was blowing, even the smells was in the bus, which was bound to happen. Then we waited in the bus until she gives us an update. We finally decided to get down and make the best of the situation by taking some more pictures with the time we have while waiting for the bus to be fixed. Then about an hour or two later, the people was getting a little antsy and wanted to know what’s gonna happen but we were patient, knowing it was not anyone fault, things happen. The bus driver and Alice decided its best to move the bus to a different part so it won’t be so dangerous. We tried to see how far we can go, turns out not that far. But the people got down and took some more pictures because again, we still have time on our hands. But the more we waited and got no updates the more upset we became because she kept saying we’re waiting on the mechanics to arrive which was true for the records. But my problem here is Alice need to personally come and make sure that every family was okay and tell them that all the mechanics are still working and she’ll soon come back with an update, but instead we had to come and talk to her to get the updates. The people was hungry and tired and some are even angry that they did not get what they were promised. The people decided to make a petition which concludes of the refunds on the last day of the tour, I will insert it below if I know how lol. But the gist of it was to be compensate the money that day. Everyone came to a conclusion and that’s what I wrote on the paper, and agreement that everyone vote on. We had a majority that signed and wanted our “leader” aka Alice to sign, just as a witness to the situation, she read the petition and even promised to sign the paper, as long as we get on the bus. (This was after the bus was fixed, approximately 4 hours later). The people were reluctant to get on because they felt like she was lying, she came out and basically yelled at them saying that we need to get on the bus because they have a specific schedule, which they do. But the problem I have here is that, if she wants the people to get on the bus, why did she not sign the paper, basically saying she’s a witness to it all. We were all witnesses, so why was she reluctant to sign it? We placed no blame on her in the petition, we didn’t even want to mention her name but to make the paper legitimate, a member of the tour must read and sign it, so we don’t all look like liars. She even made the almost exact same paper and asked us to sign it. But let me point something out, why did she refuse to sign our paper but basically demand her paper to be sign with our signatures? What is she hiding? What is this company hiding? (Btw it’s Taketour, that’s where we booked our tickets). This is where she basically said she’ll be more than happy to drop us off at the side of any road we desire, we just need to say it. She kept snapping back at the elders who refuse to get on the bus. I’ll stop right here, and please keep in mind majority of review above only focuses on today (6/5/2019). Her attitude is just garbage, she can’t crack a smile, tell a joke, or even be the easiest thing, nice. She can’t even be nice, do you want to associate with anyone like that? I would refuse profusely. So please have careful consideration for the very next time you’ll book a tour through this company, I’m not saying that all the employees would be as bad as Alice here but just take it into careful consideration. Thank you for reading this very, very long review. You made it to the end, that is all I had to say, thank you for your time and hopefully careful considerations.

"Waste of time and money"

We took 9-Days tour from San Francisco to Yellowstone. It is very expensive tour for us.
However, We experienced several issues:
1. 1st day our guide talked about an hour in Chinese, but nothing for English speakers. We paid service fee for nothing. On your site it is bilingual tour.
2. We spent 1.5 hour just waiting for a bus in Bakersfield city (it was explained as bus was broken) and one hour more for lunch (so 2,5 hours at the same plaza with nothing)
3. In Los Angeles we didn’t visit Walk of Fame, only passed by. Although it was in tour details on your site. After our question tour guide showed that in itinerary it was mentioned in Chinese.
4. We didn’t visit Delicate Arch. Although it was in tour details on your site. We were not aware about this before Arch Park visiting. We realized this only after we had left the park. For our question Tour guide said it was because of a lot of old people in our bus and it is their policy. We respect old people, but we paid money for settling destinations and probably in such case should be separate tours than. 
Last year we already took tour from you to Grand Canyon and were very glad.
Last year our guide just notified if people can. Not go for a long, they just stay in the bus. Other will go. 

We wrote to the company but didn’t here any informative respond from them before the end of our tour.

The last day of our trip was also waste of time. 
We were asked to pay $5 per person for 17-miles drive, although it was not mentioned as Mandatory or Optional fee in tour details at all. The guide wanted to drop us off.

We were stopped only at The Lodge At Pebble Beach.
No Lone Cypress, no Lovers Point Park.

During the day guide talked mostly Chinese. All we heard about 17 miles drive in English was “17 miles drive”. Why then we pay the same service fee as Chinese language tourists?

In the beginning of the day we were told that we will not change the bus heading to San Francisco (last day guide).
Actually we were waiting for another bus for 35 min on the street while rain and storm.
After bus came, we were heading not to San Francisco, but to Dublin.
Only after that to San Francisco. We arrived at Union Square past 9PM. And previously we were told that we will be in San Francisco at 6-7PM.
We were out of cell phone charge (as during the day it did not work in the bus). We even could not call Uber to commute home.

We arrived home past 10PM.

We contacted company and all we were told that company has right to change the route without notice. What rights do customers have??? None. No money return for inconvenience.


We took a lot of vacation days at work to visit all destinations, we wanted to show my mother a lot of places as she came from Europe for first USA visit and we are just wasting time (4 from 9 days) for a big price. And we are very disappointed.

"Bad experience"

Initially I could see a good Itinerary about the tour.Good thing, you don't have to drive and dont have to search parking spots. That makes life easier on this tour. When you actually join the tour it is damn hectic schedule with not spending much on all the places.You have to start early around 6.30 Am and tour ends around 9Pm-10Pm by the time you reach hotel. Marking as Recommended as Not recommended wont be posted

One of the worst thing happened: At Niagra fall, opted for Touch of the Falls (Goat Island + Luna Island+ Cave of the Winds Fastpass) which was optional tour. They charged us 35$ but Goat Island and Luna is free so ideally it would be cost of Fastpass. They didn't provided the fast pass and asked to get it on our own. What did we paid 35$/ head for then? I asked for explanation and it was for guided tour but the guide on tour explained about the place for 10-15 mins only and rest have to do on our own. Felt cheated here

Places: All the places covered but you wont be given ample time. The guide will explain something about the spot and wee would head to next one. No time for photographs. If you want, you will have to come back once he is done explaining. That too time given to explore is too less. Its difficult to catch to the pace of Guide. He is literally running and wont bother if you are with him or not.

About Hotels: They said they will upgrade our hotel on availability. I saw/Inquired in hotel the availability, it was available but was never upgrade. Hotels provided are average. The rooms we got at Washington was dirty. But we didn't complained as we were too tired to invest time on changing the room again. I feel like they are booking the Cheapest room available in the hotel.

About Bus: The bus was Horrible and many folks complained about it to guide but he said he was helpless. Lot of sounds of screeching on breaks applied, leaking emergency window and literally sitting near window got wet. Charging points are broken on most of the seats. felt like the bus should not have been certified for travel even.

Food Stops: Mostly it was not dedicated food stops except few points. Lunch and Dinner places are not actually defined and you have to pick/eat whatever available at that place.You would be ask to get something at the place you visiting. They arranged the dedicated Chinese buffet but should have done the same way for Indian.

Over all it not a good tour to go if you want to get tired rather than relaxing.

"Avoid it, If you can."

We booked 4-Day US East Coast Deluxe Tour Package, and the overall Experience was anything but Deluxe.

Firstly, the price advertised does not include a service fee. (mentioned in small font deep down below). 4 people for 4 days is $160, which makes the trip not economical anymore.

Secondly, the Bus was not well maintained, Seemed dusty, found few bugs as well, the toilet was broken and no wifi. On top of it, the Driver was very rude. Yelling on us when we wanted to access luggage at break time.

Thirdly, the guide didn't seem to know a lot about the attractions, didn't guide us properly about light show and fireworks at Niagara, didn't help us set up with an optional Rollaway bed in Hotel. He was more interested in collecting the service fee(plus attraction fees) from day one, He might have reminded me more than 10 times before I gave it on the 3rd day.

Finally, the worst experience of all, we were transferred to another bus in NYC. We were made to walk thru the Chinatown streets(about a mile) to a public Chinese bus station office to club with other passengers who were not a part of the tour. (could have at least arranged a shuttle.) With small children and old people with all the luggage, just were made to walk, So insensitive I thought! We were kept waiting in the small office with not many chairs to seat and no AC, just fans on a hot afternoon for 2 hours 30 minutes. Not a very good experience overall.

"Not as bad as expected"

I took the 1 day Trip from Montreal to Montmorency Waterfall and Quebec City. Before booking I read the reviews on the internet. So I was aware of the risk, but I was willing to take it since they were so much cheaper than any other agency and even regular bus Lines. And I‘m glad I did.
Yes, the guide spoke English poorly and offered next to no information. But that wasn‘t what I was looking for - I just wanted to get to these places and then explore them myself.
To my surprise, there was no pressure whatsoever to take any of the extra activities to be paid for in Addition to the tour price beyond what is marked as „mandatory“ in the Tour description. So no extra costs I had Not been aware of. The only catch is that two of These extra activities take Place in the middle of nowhere so there‘s nothing to do in the meantime.
Finally, I find it odd that the bus for such a tour would not have safety belts.
However - fair value for money.

"Bad experience with big scam."

Bad experience with big scam.
Take tours are really a big scam. They just want money from the travellers. When I was booking a tour I was confirmed by them that breakfast is included and when I reached at hotels they just told me you have to pay for breakfast. This is very rude to me. And to confirm I talked again with take tours they talked very rudely and don’t give any concessions.

"NIGHTMARE - this agency stole $2030 from me!!!!!! SCAM!!!!!!!!!!"

Do not - I repeat, DO NOT BOOK WITH TAKE TOURS. THIS IS A SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To make the long story short - I was traveling with my mother / took 10days tour. There was not s room for us in Las Vegas so we spend the evening at the lobby of a three star hotel with no breakfast / nobody said “I’m sorry”. The tourist guides Harry and the another extremely rude girl / both Chinese / spoke English so bad that nobody understood them. They were asking extra money from us all the time. Very interesting thing was that all Chinese people ladies additional $90 for a Grand Canynon, except for my mother and I / Caucasian / we were asked to pay for the same $100 each. Laters we were asked to pay fee $10 each and then $10 tip for the Chinese girl-tour guide. Since I have a big mouth and I’m not afraid of asking “WHY” the Chinese tour guides throw me and my mother out of the tour and said that I’m no longer welcomed because now other Chinese don’t want to pay extra expenses. I was told to get my $1015 per person which makes $2030 refund. Guess what - NEVER DID.

This agency took from me $2030 and never returned the money back, I was thrown out of the tour after 1 and a half days. I keep on trying to call the operators but every time when I call I talk to another agent who has no clue what’s going on. I also send emails all the time. No reply.

SCAM

"Horrible customer service--AVOID AT ALL COSTS!"

This review is for the one-day Lower Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend tour in Arizona. It was a horrible experience as I did not even get to go on the tour due to the company and tour guide majorly screwing things up.

Tour Date: Apr. 30, 2019, original bus pick-up time @ 5:40 am, Bally’s Hotel (Las Vegas)

Firstly, the tour bus arrived very late (6:25 am instead of 5:40 am). I was not notified by email about the delay. It was not until another girl who was also part of the tour that notified me—when she checked the site—that we found out about it. Neither she, her friend who was with her, nor I received an email. It was too late by then.

The two girls who were part of the tour and I waited from 5:35 - 7 am at the front North entrance of Bally’s (where all the tour buses pick up everyone). I had called the tour guide Frank (from the subsidiary U Tour company that Take Tours partnered up with) before 6:25 am to see where he was at. He said he will be there by 6:25 am.

I did not see Frank at the main entrance before, at, or after 6:25 am. He apparently came to the front entrance of Bally’s at 6:25 am, but I didn’t see him anywhere. He said he called out my name several times but I didn’t hear anyone. I was at the entrance the entire time. He didn’t bother apologizing on the phone when I called him later about where he was.

This kind of situation has never happened to me before. Frank told me that he called my number that I gave to the company. A day before the tour, I had called the 24 hour line to update my number as the one I gave them initially was my local number. Apparently, Take Tours never updated it. But Frank could have called the updated Vegas number I had called him earlier on.

While waiting for Frank, I called the customer service line (the local line as well as the 24/7 line) but no one picked up the phone.

After I found out that the tour bus left without me, I called Take Tours and U Tours about the issue. I had wasted significant time waiting for the bus (1 hour and 20 mins) and called Take Tours and U Tours back and forth for hours to try to resolve the issue. No one picks up the phone immediately when you call the 2 companies. You have to either call them back or wait on the phone for at last 13 minutes for Take Tours to answer. What kind of customer service is that?!! Hire more staff, for goodness sake! After much back and forth arguing, I still could not get a refund back. They said I had to pay in full if I want to re-schedule the tour. I was furious. Finally, Take Tours told me that I can try to email the complaint department for a potential refund.

I have emailed the complaint department for a full refund of $55.30 US from Take Tours. But I still have not heard back from them and it has been over 2 weeks. Save your money, time, and energy and go with a more professional tour company! Avoid Take Tours and their subsidiary company U Tours!! Wished I had read the reviews on here first. I thought I could trust the good reviews on the Take Tours website.