The great museums of the world are true treasure troves of the history and culture of civilization. Millions of people visit them each year to appreciate their massive collections of art and artifacts. You can certainly buy an admission ticket and take a self-guided tour but hiring a private museum guide to lead you through the exhibits is a game-changer. Here are the reasons why a private museum guide is well worth the cost.

A private museum guide saves time.

Before you even step inside, you will need a ticket. Virtually all the world’s best museums maintain long lines at the ticket office. When you hire a private museum guide, they will arrange a timed admission in advance, and you can skip the entrance lines. This can save you hours. In some cases, after-hours access times can even be arranged.

Your guide also knows the peak times for premier exhibits and when to visit them for viewing at its best. Private guides know the museum layout intimately and can navigate around the crowds, leading you through the building using lesser trafficked staircases and corridors.

Many of the finest museums are enormous with a maze of exhibit spaces and rooms. For example, the Louvre has three wings with three floors each and over 35,000 artworks on display. That means if you only spent one minute seeing each item, it would take eight hours a day for two and a half months!

You can customize your tour.

A private museum guide will provide a tailor-made tour to see specific artworks, collections, or mediums. You can focus on your interests – archeology, musical instruments, fashion, etc. If you want to see something, just ask. Travel Maestro tip: It’s best to advise your guide of any special requests in advance so they can plan your tour accordingly.  

Communication is engaging and fun.

When you use a private guide at a foreign museum, you don’t have to worry about a language barrier. Better yet, you will not be subjected to a rote, one-size-fits-all commentary or boring lecture. Instead, you’ll enjoy personal conversations with your guide as they take you on a journey. A private guide tells stories about the art and shares tales of historical intrigue, making it easier to understand what you see and to absorb more info. Travel Maestro tip: Hiring a private museum guide for your family is a fun way to engage kids and help them get the most out of the excursion.

Your private guide is an expert.

Many private museum guides hold advanced educational degrees – MAs or PhDs – in their subject of expertise, so they can share detailed knowledge of the exhibits. They usually live in the same region, so they can impart cultural insight and local stories that surround the artifacts you are seeing.

In addition, they know the museum like the back of their hand, so they can uncover hidden gems, offering interesting exhibits that you might not even be aware of but are worth seeing.

Private museum guides provide exclusivity.

It’s always nice to have a bit of elbow room, especially while social distancing is a matter of health. With a private museum guide, you can visit a public place, while only interacting with the people in your own party.

You get your guide’s full attention and don’t have to worry about a stranger monopolizing your guide with off-topic questions. Only your off-topic questions will be entertained, and gladly!

What is the cost of a private museum guide?

Of course, all these benefits do have a price tag. The cost is reflective of the local economy, the guide’s experience and education, and the number in your party. This is in addition to the museum admission fee and a voluntary tip for services well rendered. Without being evasive or misleading, that cost can run anywhere from $50 to $1,000 per hour and may be per person or per party.

The best way to choose a private museum guide is to work with a trusted travel advisor who has built business relationships with reliable providers. The vacation advisors at Covington have connections with great guide services all over the globe, so when you are ready to upgrade your next museum visit with a private guide, be sure to contact us.