Real New York Tours - Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pricing for tours per group or per person?

All the tour prices listed are the total cost for the group, not the individuals of that group. If this were the case I would be a very rich man, so do yourselves a favor and don't give me any ideas.

Where do the tours begin?

Because most of our tours are private tours, we will pick you up at your hotel as long as it is in Manhattan. This mostly applies for the Big Apple Tour and the Half Apple Tour. It usually is best to meet at the concierge desk of your hotel so we don't waste precious time sifting through thousands of people outside trying to discern who each other might be. All of our guides have their pictures posted on our website so you can get an idea before hand what they look like and easily spot them when they arrive. If you have another preferred pick up location besides your hotel, this can be discussed with your guide as well.

The Apple Slice Tours and Pub Crawls will usually meet closer to the destination in which the tour takes place. Your tour guide will discuss with you the best possible location for a pick depending on where you are staying and which tour you are doing.

Do the tours go to the Statue of Liberty?

Our tours do not go directly to the statue of liberty, but rather we give people a view of it from the shoreline of Manhattan. To go directly to the statue of liberty requires long lines and security checks, which can take up to two hours. This is precious time taken away from doing our tour. We can certainly guide you on how to get there on your own during your stay in NYC. Another option is to take the hour long Staten Island Ferry, which goes past the statue for a closer look. This might take away time from visiting other sights.

Do tours go out if the weather is bad?

Real New York Tours goes out in rain, snow or shine. We do have indoor options sites we can visit on bad weather days. This will lessen (not eliminate) the amount of outside time we spend in bad weather. Real New York Tours does reserve the option to cancel a tour if we think the weather could be hazardous. If you want to cancel your tour because of bad weather or for any other reason we require a 48 hour notice and you will not be charged. So please do keep a close watch on the weekly weather report for our area during the time of your planned visit.

How much walking do we do on these tours?

The longer the tour the more walking we do. So keep this in mind when booking the Big Apple or Half Apple. Our tours travel by subway and foot. We do not use a bus or car. This is what makes our tours so special. Our tours require the ability to walk long distances. If you have any serious health problems or mobility issues, our company might not be right for you. IF YOU BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR THOUGH WE CAN GO AT WHATEVER PACE YOUR GROUP CHOOSES. Please keep in mind that the faster the pace, the more we get to see. What is most important though is that you are comfortable and enjoy the day. IF YOU HAVE ANY MOBILITY ISSUES PLEASE DO NOT BOOK THE DOZEN APPLES GROUP TOUR. This is our open tour and everyone has to be able to keep the pace. It is possible that you will get left behind if you cannot keep up with the group and we certainly don't want this to happen. You must make a fair assessment of your ability and if you have any doubts we strongly encourage you to book our private tour.

What kind of attire should we wear?

Of course this depends on the time of year. During the winter season we strongly suggest you bundle up and during the summer, the lighter the better. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD WALKING SHOES. (Sneakers or hiking shoes are best) Please do not show up in a pair of high heels. If you do. I can almost guarantee that your feet will suffer dearly. I know New York is the epicenter of fashion but please save your fashion statement for dinner or the theater. Also, please take the time to check the weather report the day before our tour so you can dress appropriately.

Do we stop for lunch on the Big Apple Tour?

Yes! In a city with so much great food, it would be crazy not to. Some people like to grab a quick pizza or a New York City hotdog, and some people like to sit down for a nice relaxing meal in Little Italy or Chinatown. Either is an option, but just know that if we sit down for a relaxing meal we might have to move faster to get in the rest of the sights.

Do the tours cover the cost of Subway transportation and lunch?

Subway cost and lunch are not included. The Subway will cost $6 per person on the Big Apple Tour and $4 for the Half Apple Tour. Lunch costs will depend on where you decide to dine.

Is it okay to tip your tour guide?

Tipping is always optional, and if it means you are not going to be able to feed your children tonight, then please save your money. But if you have a great time and want to thank your tour guide, gratuities are very much appreciated.