All-Inclusive Trip Packages: Does the trip price match the value?
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Booking all-inclusive trip packages can be a great way to simplify your vacation, but it’s important to look beyond the advertised price to understand the true value.
One Table Less Traveled traveler told us, “At the beginning of the trip, we thought the price was on the higher end (maybe too much). At the end of the trip, we thought the value was excellent. I believe we got more than our money’s worth. At no time did I think I was being short-changed or nickel-dimed to death. That’s a good feeling.”
We want you to have this feeling before you book your trip!
Many all-inclusive trip packages come with hidden costs or exclusions—such as meals, activities, or transportation—that can significantly increase what you’ll spend during your travels.
With so many all-inclusive trip packages available, how do you know which one offers the excellent value that you’re looking for?
In this post, we'll break down the key components of various all-inclusive trip packages, helping you compare offerings and uncover any extra expenses so you can make an informed decision. If crunching the numbers isn't your thing, don’t worry - we’ve done it for you!
We compared our 11-day Inside Japan trip with two other similar small group trip experiences that focus on gastronomy, artisans, and exclusive experiences and that travel to comparable cities.
Number of Days, Group Size and Season of Travel
The first key factors to consider are the number of days, group size, and season of travel. Beyond the total price, it's important to compare value on an equal basis, which is why we calculated the average daily cost by dividing the total trip price by the number of days.
When it comes to group size, smaller is better, especially in Japan. Groups larger than 12 can feel unwieldy and limit access to more intimate, exclusive experiences.
Season of travel also matters. Peak season offers its own advantages (i.e. cherry blossoms and fall foliage) but often comes with a higher price tag and, of course, crowds.
As for trip length, consider how many stops are included and how long you'll spend in each destination. We recommend staying at least two nights in one place to avoid feeling rushed and truly immerse yourself in the destination.
The results:
When you break down the numbers, while the The Table Less Traveled trip has the highest total price, it’s more affordable per day than Trip 2.
Inclusions vs. Exclusions
Now that we’ve lined up these comparable all-inclusive trip packages, it’s time to dive into what's included—and what’s not.
A high quality all-inclusive trip package should always have:
24/7 tour host
English-speaking guides
Boutique accommodations
All transportation
All experiences from the moment you meet your group to the time you depart
This is where trips start to differentiate themselves. Many packages leave you responsible for transportation to and from the airport. And while most meals are usually covered, alcoholic beverages are typically excluded unless there's a special event like a sake tasting.
It's not uncommon to see itineraries where you're on your own for a meal or two, and we recommend this as well. It’s your vacation, and having some unstructured time can be refreshing! However, an itinerary with too many meals left on your own is a red flag. After all, no one wants to pay for a trip where they have to hunt down their food half the time or worry about covering the bill.
When we plan The Table Less Traveled Inside Japan Trip, we carefully design dining experiences that add immense value, transforming a meal into a cultural or culinary event. This is why we include as many meals as we do. Food is not just sustenance to keep going - food is a way to deepen our understanding of the culture and tradition, whether it’s ordering ramen using a vending machine or a traditional Buddhist lunch.
Japan can also present challenges when it comes to accommodating dietary restrictions—especially for vegetarians, vegans, or those avoiding soy or gluten, as shoyu (soy sauce) and dashi (soup stock made from fish and kelp) are commonly used.
Some tours even specify that they don't offer dietary accommodations for this reason. This can be a deal breaker for travelers who need special meals. Finding a tour that can cater to these needs adds significant value.
Finally, consider taxes and tips. It’s easy to overlook, but city taxes at hotels and tips for guides can quietly add up over a 9 to 11-day trip. Although tipping in Japan is not common in restaurants and hotels, it is becoming acceptable to tip guides and that expense should be included in your trip budget. Rarely will you find a package where all of these are included, but finding one can save you from unexpected costs later on.
If these services aren’t included in your trip, here’s what you should expect to pay:
A private transfer and airport meet and greet will typically cost between $200 and $300.
Budget around $30 to $50 per meal on average.
And don’t forget tips—plan on $10 to $15 per tour guide.
These seemingly small expenses can significantly increase the overall cost of your trip if they’re not accounted for in advance. In addition, they can eliminate some of the ease you were looking for when you booked an all-inclusive group trip. If you’re mentally juggling tips, being on time, directions, and transportation, it can distract from being present and relaxed during your trip.
This is exactly why TTLT includes the level of inclusions that it does. You deserve to immerse yourself in your trip without any distractions.
Once you factor in the additional costs of the trip exclusions, the picture changes.
TTLT trip exclusions:
Two meals
Trip 2 exclusions:
Airport transfers
Tour guide tips
Additional meals
Trip 3 exclusions:
Airport transfers
Tour guide tips
Additional meals
Alcoholic beverages
The results:
When you do the math, including the cost of the exclusions changes Trip 3's per-day cost to be on par with the TTLT trip, even though it initially appeared much cheaper. Plus, Trip 3 is three days shorter!
And while Trip 2 seemed like a better deal at $1,000 less than the TTLT trip, once you account for all the extra expenses, the total cost ends up being nearly the same. Plus, Trip 2 is two days shorter!
Types of Experiences and Intangible Value
So far we’ve only taken into account the logistics and numbers when assessing the value of a trip. However, that is not the only thing you should take into consideration when deciding on an all-inclusive trip.
High-quality all-inclusive trip packages offer much more than just covering the basics. The second part of your evaluation of the value of a trip is to look at what kind of experiences are included and their intangible value. This is where a small group trip adds real value through immersive and exclusive experiences.
Look closely at how many cultural activities and hands-on experiences are included, versus how much unstructured free time you’ll have on your own. A well-curated itinerary strikes a balance between guided experiences and personal exploration. Too much free time can leave you feeling disconnected from the destination and confused as to why you booked an all-inclusive trip if you were just going to fill your time yourself.
Travel isn’t only about what you’ll do, but also who you’ll meet. Pay attention to whether the itinerary introduces you to local artisans, experts, or community members, and how you’ll engage with them.
Meeting locals and gaining deeper insights into their culture can elevate a trip from a simple vacation to an enriching, memorable journey. We talk about this further in our blog post Red Flags When Booking a Small Group Trip to Japan.
Read through the itinerary and make sure that your goals for the trip are achieved through the experiences you’ll have.
One of our Inside Japan travelers told us that she picked our trip because our itinerary wasn’t stuffed with temple and shrine visits, one after the other. She didn’t want to spend her entire trip to Japan visiting sites. She liked that we had hands-on experiences like a bowl carving experience, cooking classes, knife sharpening workshops, and more.
Look closely at the itinerary because an itinerary that only highlights the sites you’ll see might be a sign that the tour lacks variety and depth.
Traveling is about creating memories that go beyond the typical tourist experience (aka sightseeing). A well-rounded itinerary should include a healthy mix and balance of famous attractions and off-the-beaten-path, hands-on experiences.
In conclusion, when choosing between all-inclusive trip packages, don’t just focus on the total price—consider the overall value. Take into account what's included, from meals and transfers to immersive experiences, and weigh the potential costs of any exclusions. By looking at the full picture, you'll be better equipped to select the trip that offers the best balance of experience and expense for you.
When you look at the final tally, if you’re looking for the best value in terms of money well spent, reducing your mental stress during your trip, and filling your time abroad with immersive and exclusive experiences, our Inside Japan trip is definitely the best fit for you.
