Tour Prices

Prices for the following tours are as follows:

Note that we are required to collect sales tax of 8.25% on all tours.

You will require the free Adobe Reader in order to read the pricing documents. You can download the latest version of this software by clicking this link.

For all other tours, please inquire when making reservations.

Please read the following policies before selecting a tour. Thank you.

Deposits:

All tours that are scheduled at more than one month in advance should have a non-refundable deposit submitted one month in advance to reserve the tour. The deposit should be at least one-half of the price of the tour or the total amount of the tour if the tour is $250.00 or less. An insufficient deposit will not reserve a tour, a large van, or a bus.

All tours that require Houston Historical Tours to reserve transportation using a bus MUST be paid in full at least 14 days in advance of the tour.

All tours that require Houston Historical Tours to reserve a full size van to hold 6 to 14 passengers MUST have a non-refundable deposit to cover a minimum of 6 people at least 7 days in advance of the tour.

Policy List

Guaranteed Personal Tours:

If you would like to guarantee having a private tour for only you and your party, one must pay for either 5 seats in a small van or 14 seats in a large van.

Policy List

Holiday Prices:

Add $10 per hour per party for groups of 1 or 2 people.
Add $20 per hour per party for groups of 3+ people.
Add $25 for the total for step-on guides for 1 to 17 people.
Add $1.00 per person for step-on guides for 18 or more people.

Holiday prices apply to the following holidays:

  • New Year's Day
  • First Night of Passover
  • Easter
  • Memorial Day Monday
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Rosh Hashanah
  • Yom Kippur
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas

Policy List

Meeting and Parking:

Effective May 1, 2017, most tours begin at the:

  1. Heritage Society in Sam Houston Park at 1100 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002.  This is used for most driving tours Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
  2. The rotunda of City Hall at 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002 or outside of the northern entrance City Hall on Walker Street.  This is across from Tranquility Park.  This site is used for downtown walking and tunnel tours.
  3. Outside the former Spaghetti Warehouse at 901 Commerce Street, Houston, Texas 77002 on Sundays, for walking downtown haunted tours, and when festivals are taking place in the vicinity of Sam Houston Park and City Hall.  Metered parking is free on Sundays and after 6:00 PM on all days.  The Spaghetti Warehouse has been closed since August 25, 2017.  Thus, plenty of free parking exists there.

Sam Houston Park has a free parking lot that can be entered and exited from two locations.  You will not see a written address.  Use the following fictitious addresses on a GPS to find the entry points:

  1. 412 West Dallas Street (at Clay Street), Houston, Texas 77002.
  2. 262 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas 77002.  The entrance to the free parking lot is on the right side.  On the right side, two signs identify the site.  A brown sign reads “Museum and Home Tour Parking.”  A green sign reads “Heritage Society Parking Only.”  If you reach Bagby Street, you have driven too far.  If this happens, turn right onto Bagby Street.  Bagby Street will curve to the right and become West Dallas Street.  You will approach the entrance  at 412 West Dallas Street on the right side, directly across from Clay Street. 

Houston’s City Hall is at 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002.  Metered parking for up to 3 hours is available in the 500 block of Walker Street and on the north side of the 500 block of McKinney Street.  Walker Street is on the north side of City Hall and McKinney Street is on the south side of City Hall.

However, on Wednesdays from September through May, the city sponsors a food festival by the Hermann Square on the east side of City Hall and most of the metered spots are reserved for vendors.  Plan on parking in a garage.

Garages behind the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (HCPA) and underneath Tranquility Park are available.  Each will cost about $12.00 to $15.00.  You can enter the above ground garage at the HCPA by using the fictitious address of 621 Walker Street in your GPS.  Turn right.  You can enter the subterranean garage beneath Tranquility Park by using the fictitious address of 510 Rusk Street in your GPS.  You will see a sign for Theater Parking 2 and turn right over Metro railroad tracks.  The HCPA parking garage has an advantage of a higher ceiling that enables big pickup trucks or vans to

enter without scraping the vehicle’s roof.

Beware of using smart phone GPS units.  They are INACCURATE over 50% of the time.  Be prudent and print out directions from an online map service.

 

Alternative Meeting and Parking:

If for some reason we cannot meet at the Visitors Center, we generally meet outside a Target store that has a bathroom and Starbucks, located at 2580 Shearn Street, Houston, Texas 77079, off of Taylor Street and I-10, Exit #757B.

Policy List

Pickup and Drop-off Service Within Downtown:

As a service to our guests, we offer free pickup and drop-off service within downtown Houston. As of July 23, 2014, this includes the following hotels shown in alphabetical order:

  • Aloft Houston Downtown
  • Athens Hotel
  • Club Quarters Hotel
  • Courtyard by Marriott Houston Downtown
  • Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Houston Downtown
  • Embassy Suites
  • Four Seasons
  • Hampton Inn Houston
  • Hilton Americas
  • Holiday Inn
  • Holiday Inn Express - Houston Downtown Convention Center
  • Homewood Suites by Hilton
  • Hotel Alessandra
  • Hotel Icon
  • Hyatt Regency Houston (Downtown)
  • JW Marriott (Downtown)
  • Lancaster Hotel
  • Le Meridien
  • Magnolia Hotel
  • Mariott Marquis
  • Residence Inn by Marriott Houston Downtown/Convention Center
  • The Sam Houston Hotel
  • The Westin Houston Downtown
  • The Whitehall (formerly the Crowne Plaza (Downtown)

Downtown is bounded by three highways that cover 5.4 miles/8.9 kilometers:

  1. I-10 on the north
  2. 1-45 on the south and west
  3. US 59 on the east

Some hotels claim to be in downtown and are not, in fact, in downtown. In some cases, they are miles/kilometers from downtown.

Policy List

Pickup and Drop-off Service Within I-610:

I-610 is a 38-mile/61-kilometer interstate highway circle around the inner city. This area includes the Medical Center and the Museum District areas. Outside of downtown and within the I-610 Loop, for groups of:

  • 1-5 people, a surcharge of $10 will be assessed
  • 6+ people, a surcharge of $20 will be assessed

Policy List

Pickup and Drop-off Service Outside of I-610:

This includes the Galleria and Uptown Park area.
For groups of 1 - 5 people:

  • A $30 surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off between I-610 and Beltway 8.
  • A $60 surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off between Beltway 8 and either State Highway (SH) 6/FM 1960/SH 146.
  • A $90 surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off between either SH 6/FM 1960/SH146 and the Grand Parkway/SH 99.
  • A $120 surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off between the Grand Parkway/SH 99 and 50 miles from downtown Houston/Exit #47 on I-45 and Exit #769 on I-10.
  • A $40 per hour surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off beyond 50 miles. For example, if you request pickup and drop-off from:
    1. Austin, the mileage is 161 miles (259 kilometers) each way x 2 x 2 round-trips = 644 miles (1,036 kilometers). Each way is approximately 2.75 hours. Each trip has to be made 4 times for 2 round-trips. 2.75 hours x 4 trips = 11.0 hours. 11 hours x $40 per hour = $440. One-way = $229.
    2. College Station, the mileage is 93.6 miles (151 kilometers) each way x 2 x 2 round-trips = 374.4 miles (603 kilometers). Each way is approximately 1.75 hours. Each trip has to be made 4 times for 2 round-trips. 1.75 hours x 4 trips = 7.0 hours. 7.0 hours x $40 per hour = $280. One-way = $140.
    3. Galveston, the mileage is 53.6 miles (86 kilometers) each way x 2 x 2 round-trips = 214.4 miles (345 kilometers). Each way is approximately 1 hour. Each trip has to be made 4 times for 2 round-trips. 1.0 hours x 4 trips = 4.0 hours. 4.0 hours x $40 per hour = $160. One-way = $80.
    4. San Antonio, the mileage is 196 miles (315 kilometers) each way x 2 x 2 round-trips = 784 miles (1,262 kilometers). Each way is approximately 3 hours. Each trip has to be made 4 times for 2 round-trips. 3.0 hours x 4 trips = 12.0 hours. 12.0 hours x $40 per hour = $480. One-way = $240.

If individuals have luggage for 5 people, a larger van will be necessary. Please see the information below.

Policy List

For groups of 6 - 14 people:

  • A $60 surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off between I-610 and Beltway 8.
  • A $120 surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off between Beltway 8 and either State Highway (SH) 6/FM 1960/SH 146.
  • A $180 surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off between either SH 6/FM 1960/SH146 and the Grand Parkway/SH 99.
  • A $240 surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off between the Grand Parkway/SH 99 and 50 miles from downtown Houston/Exit #47 on I-45 and Exit #769 on I-10.
  • A $80 per hour surcharge will be assessed for pickup and drop-off beyond 50 miles. For example, if you request pickup and drop-off from:
    1. Austin, the mileage is 161 miles (259 kilometers) each way x 2 x 2 round-trips = 644 miles (1,036 kilometers). Each way is approximately 2.75 hours. Each trip has to be made 4 times for 2 round-trips. 2.75 hours x 4 trips = 11.0 hours. 11 hours x $80 per hour = $880. One-way = $440.
    2. College Station, the mileage is 93.6 miles (151 kilometers) each way x 2 x 2 round-trips = 374.4 miles (603 kilometers). Each way is approximately 1.75 hours. Each trip has to be made 4 times for 2 round-trips. 1.75 hours x 4 trips = 7.0 hours. 7.0 hours x $80 per hour = $560. One-way = $280.
    3. Galveston, the mileage is 53.6 miles (86 kilometers) each way x 2 x 2 round-trips = 214.4 miles (345 kilometers). Each way is approximately 1 hour. Each trip has to be made 4 times for 2 round-trips. 1.0 hours x 4 trips = 4.0 hours. 4.0 hours x $80 per hour = $320. One-way = $160.
    4. San Antonio, the mileage is 196 miles (315 kilometers) each way x 2 x 2 round-trips = 784 miles (1,262 kilometers). Each way is approximately 3 hours. Each trip has to be made 4 times for 2 round-trips. 3.0 hours x 4 trips = 12.0 hours. 12.0 hours x $80 per hour = $960. One-way = $480.

If groups of 11 or more have luggage, a bus will be necessary and will cost more money.

Policy List

Miscellaneous Pricing Information:

The prices are based on your party or group.  Like flying on a plane, riding on a train, taking a bus, or entering a movie theater, it is not affected by anyone else who might be on the tour or attending.

At 15 or more people, we use chartered buses that are expensive. This is the reason for the price increase at 15 or more people. If people have luggage, we we use charter buses at 11 or more people and the price will have to be adjusted.

A gas surcharge of $5 is added to the total when gas is between $4.00 and $4.99 per gallon.

A gas surcharge of $10 is added to the total when gas is between $5.00 and $5.99 per gallon.

If any out-of-town request involves driving before 8 AM or after 9 PM, a $100 charge will be added for a hotel expense to arrive early or stay late in the city of the pickup and drop-off.

Policy List

Payment Methods:

  1. Credit carda: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. Complete the Credit Card Form to make your payment.
  2. Check, if received at least 2 weeks in advance. Complete the Check Accompanying Form and send with your check to make the payment.
  3. Money order, if received at least 2 weeks in advance.
  4. Cashier's check, if received at least 2 weeks in advance.
  5. Wire.
  6. Bank transfer.
  7. Overnight check via FedEx.
  8. Western Union.
  9. Cash at the outset of a tour if the tour is called in less than 24 hours before the tour.

All money is to be paid in United States currency; no foreign currency is acceptable.

Payment should be made payable to Houston Historical Tours at:

Houston Historical Tours
P.O. Box 262404
Houston, Texas 77207-2404

Policy List

Basic Information to Provide with Your Payment:

With any checks or money orders sent through the mail, please include the following information on a separate sheet of paper that is not stapled to the check or money order:

  1. Your name. If you are scheduling a tour for someone else or some other group, please provide the name of the lead person.
  2. The day and date of the tour.
  3. The category and letter of the tour. For example, Haunted Tour B, City Tour A, or African American Tour C.
  4. The number of people in your party.
  5. Your email address, so we can send you an acknowledgment to confirm your tour.
  6. A domestic cellular telephone number that you or the lead person will have turned on, on the day of the tour. We need to be able to contact you.
  7. The name, address with the city and zip code, and the telephone number of the place if Houston Historical Tours is picking you up at a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, hostel, private residence, or other location.

Policy List

Scheduling:

All of our tours are scheduled by appointment. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. If Houston Historical Tours has a scheduled tour for a specific party or person, we have reserved a tour guide and possibly an assistant tour guide or driver, as well as a vehicle, van, or bus for that party or person. We may have turned away other tours to accommodate that party or person. Furthermore, we have spent time and fuel to meet that party or person somewhere and if the tour requires a step-on guide, we have probably spent money for parking. Thus, Houston Historical Tours is losing money by not accepting other tour requests as we planned to serve that party or person who originally made a reservation and Houston Historical Tours has spent money in preparation to meet and greet that party or person when we arrive to conduct a tour and the customer does not come.

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Cancellation Policy:

Failure to arrive for a tour without any or appropriate notification is a cancellation. See the categories below. Any money put down for a tour is forfeited and will not be refunded.

A $50.00 cancellation fee exists for any potential client who had not previously paid a non-refundable deposit and who cancels less than 48 hours in advance.

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Rescheduling Policy:

One must notify in writing via email at least 48 hours in advance of the tour to be able to reschedule. One will have 6 months from the time of the original tour to take a tour subject to the availability of Houston Historical Tours, also. If one does not reschedule a tour to take place within 6 months of the original tour date, it is a cancellation. See the cancellation policy.

Weather Rescheduling:

Houston Historical Tours has never canceled a tour due to weather. If a client wants to reschedule a tour due to inclement weather, the client must notify in writing via email or text message on the day of the tour at least 2 hours in advance of the beginning of the tour that the client wishes to reschedule. See the cancellation policy.

Policy List

Late Policy:

Tours are scheduled for specific times with a beginning and ending time. We normally wait 10 minutes before departing for large groups using a bus. If a tour departs late because the group arrives late or has members who arrive late for whom we wait, the tour will still end at the same scheduled time.

Example #1: If someone has scheduled a tour from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM, and arrives at 6:30 PM to begin the tour, the tour will still end at 9:30 PM.

Example #2: If a group has scheduled a tour from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and some members of the group have slept late or are still eating or about to eat breakfast and someone who is present tells Houston Historical Tours that we should wait for the late people, the tour still ends at 3:00 PM. Houston Historical Tours is paying by the hour for the tour guide and the transportation. The price of the tour remains unchanged, as Houston Historical Tours was present at the time that was scheduled for the tour. The tour guide, driver, and/or vehicle may also be used for another tour later that afternoon.

Policy List

Meals:

Unless specified otherwise, no tour includes the prices of meals and or snacks. Bring lunch money if necessary. Let the tour guide know if you have any preferences for food. We will be glad to accommodate you. All tours of 5 or more hours have a stop for lunch or dinner. This is indicated on the descriptions of the tours. If no tourist wants to eat, our tour guides still receive 1 hour for lunch.

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Tips:

For groups of 6 or more and for customized tours, it is normal to add a 15% gratuity.

Policy List