Small-Group Scenic Vehicle Tours

Tourists staying in hotels and rentals, cruise passengers, small private groups and families on holiday.

Price per seat on scheduled trips or a flat rate for private charters, sold directly and through booking platforms and hotel concierges.

• Safe, confident driving
• Guiding and commentary
• Planning routes and timings

• Carrying paying passengers often needs a specific driver's licence class, vehicle inspection and a passenger transport permit, so check with your province and municipality
• Commercial passenger and liability insurance can be costly, so get quotes before buying a vehicle
• Rules for operating in national or provincial parks may require a commercial permit, so check with the park authority
• Strong seasonality, with quiet winters in many regions
• Vehicle costs, maintenance and fuel can eat into margins

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the vehicle you choose, insurance and permits. Get insurance quotes before buying a vehicle, as commercial passenger cover can be costly.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on group sizes, tour length and season. Many regions have quiet winters, and vehicle costs, maintenance and fuel can eat into margins.

Check whether carrying paying passengers needs a specific driver's licence class, vehicle inspection and passenger transport permit with your province and municipality. Also check commercial passenger and liability insurance, and whether national or provincial parks require a commercial permit.