Utah, United States
City tours from $20, wildlife expeditions, and what you really get for your money.
Salt Lake City’s tour catalogue is dominated by bus tours (47%) and private or luxury offerings (59%), with 184 experiences in total. Nearly half of all tours are under $100, but the overall median price is $125 due to high-priced private options. The best-reviewed tours are often boat rides on the Great Salt Lake, wildlife expeditions, and city sightseeing, with ratings above 4.7 stars and hundreds of reviews each.
Experiences range from $11 audio walks to multi-day national park trips over $1,000, but 35% of all tours are under $60. Most city and lake tours include admission or transport, while wildlife safaris and longer excursions often offer extras like snacks, binoculars, or hotel pickup. Tours with the highest satisfaction tend to be those that deliver on their advertised inclusions and provide knowledgeable, engaging guides.
Salt Lake City offers 184 tours, with almost half priced below $100 and 35% under $60. A significant portion—37%—cost over $200, and 19% are over $1,000, due to private and multi-day options. The catalogue-wide median of $125 is pulled up by private tours priced per vehicle, but most single-ticket experiences are much less. Bus tours are the largest category, but their median price of $813 reflects a mix of budget sightseeing and high-end private charters. 'Private and Luxury' is a broad label, covering both affordable walking tours and expensive custom trips, so the $500 median is not a reliable guide to what you’ll pay for a typical tour. Nature and wildlife tours make up a third of the catalogue, with a median price of $688, again reflecting a mix of short excursions and full-day or multi-day trips. Only 7% of all tours are rated below 4 stars, and these are most often historical or private sightseeing tours. Free cancellation is standard on 70% of tours. The catalogue includes everything from short city walks to multi-day national park adventures. The mix of category labels means prices can look inconsistent, so it’s important to check what’s included—admission, transport, or meals—before booking.
| Private and Luxury | 108 | $500 |
| Bus Tours | 86 | $813 |
| Nature and Wildlife Tours | 62 | $688 |
For travelers wanting a city overview, bus and trolley tours around $52–$67 deliver the main sights, often with hotel pickup and guides included. The Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour and the Trolley Tour both cover major landmarks, but the trolley spends less time at stops (32 minutes out of 90) compared to the bus (97 out of 150), and includes snacks and theatrical guides. If you want more time at each location, the bus tour offers better value for the same price.
Boat tours on the Great Salt Lake start at $29 for a 45-minute ride, with the option to swim for $61 on a two-hour trip. Both are highly rated, but the longer tour includes snacks and more time on the water. Note that the $29 tour does not include the $10 park fee per car. Wildlife and nature tours range from $95 to $109, often including admission, transport, and equipment like binoculars. The Antelope Island Wildlife Expedition ($95) offers 250 minutes at stops out of 300, with all fees and gear included, making it one of the better values for a half-day wildlife experience.
The best-reviewed tours—boat rides, wildlife safaris, and city overviews—consistently mention knowledgeable guides and clear inclusions. Poor reviews most often cite missed itinerary stops (historical tours), guides skipping advertised content (private sightseeing), or discomfort due to heat or vehicle issues (nature tours). On the Salt Lake Ghost Tour, some found the ghost stories underwhelming, while the Tabernacle Choir tour drew criticism for charging for a choir rehearsal that is free to attend independently.
Where money is best spent: tours that clearly state what’s included and deliver most of their time at the actual sites, not just in transit. Tours that disappoint tend to be those with vague or misleading itineraries, or that focus more on transport than on the advertised experiences. For private or high-end options, check that the extras—like hotel pickup, admission, or meals—justify the higher price.
Almost all Salt Lake City tours confirm instantly, with only a small number requiring manual confirmation. Sell-out warnings are most common on wildlife and nature tours, especially those to Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake. If you’re set on a specific wildlife or boat tour, booking several days ahead is wise, as these are flagged as likely to sell out. For city bus or ghost tours, last-minute booking is usually possible, but early booking secures your preferred time.
Lowest price of the twelve, but includes only stories—no admission or snacks.
4.4 ★ · 144 reviews · 1 h
Includes All Fees and Taxes
Cheapest boat tour, but park entry fee is extra; shorter than the $61 swim tour.
4.7 ★ · 1,017 reviews · 45 min
Includes Lake history and stories · Bottled water · Big smiles and a laugh
Covers more time at stops than the trolley for the same price; no snacks included.
4.8 ★ · 1,718 reviews · 2 h 30 min
Includes English-speaking tour guide
1 h 37 min at the stops, of 2 h 30 min in total
Same price as the bus tour, but includes snacks and a musical show; less time at stops.
4.8 ★ · 642 reviews · 1 h 30 min
Includes Trolley Treats (old-fashioned bottled sodas and Cracker Jacks snacks) · A musical sightseeing show on wheels, you've never seen a trolley tour like this! · 3 theatrical entertainers and sightseeing tour guides
32 min at the stops, of 1 h 30 min in total
Includes park admission and hotel pickup, but half the time is spent in transit.
4.3 ★ · 206 reviews · 2 h
Includes Air-conditioned vehicle · State Park Entrance Fees · Professional Tour Guide
1 h at the stops, of 2 h in total
Only boat tour with swimming included; almost all time spent on the lake.
4.9 ★ · 322 reviews · 2 h
Includes Bottled water · Light snack
Only one to include Tabernacle Choir admission; some reviewers note choir is free to attend.
4.7 ★ · 719 reviews · 3 h 30 min
Includes 2.5 hour fully-guided city tour with local expert · Tickets to Hear Tabernacle Choir Live Sunday Broadcast (Thursday attends an open rehearsal
2 h 6 min at the stops, of 3 h 30 min in total
Most time at wildlife stops of any half-day tour; all gear and admission included.
4.9 ★ · 201 reviews · 5 h
Includes Trekking poles · Applicable Taxes and Fees · Professional guide
4 h 10 min at the stops, of 5 h in total
Wildlife tour with private transport and binoculars; higher price than Antelope Island tour.
4.8 ★ · 413 reviews · 4 h 30 min
Includes Private transportation · All Fees and Taxes · Use of Binoculars
Longest wildlife viewing of the twelve; all fees included, but no hotel pickup.
4.8 ★ · 322 reviews · 5 h 30 min
Includes Applicable Taxes and Fees · Bottled Water · Professional Local Tour Guide
4 h 30 min at the stops, of 5 h 30 min in total
More time at the Salt Flats than the $95 tour; snacks and gear included.
4.8 ★ · 162 reviews · 6 h
Includes Bottled water · In-person guide is licensed or certified · All Fees and Taxes
Highest price, but only one with custom itinerary and private guide throughout.
5.0 ★ · 183 reviews · 4 h 30 min
Includes Entrance fee · Air-conditioned vehicle
Sold by Viator. Prices and review counts checked on 07/09/2026.
Nearly 60% are labeled as private or luxury, but this includes both private and group tours. Check each listing for group size and whether the price is per person or per vehicle.
Most city sightseeing tours cost between $20 and $67 per person, with the majority under $60. Private options can be much higher.
Some tours include admission, especially wildlife and city tours. Others, like certain boat rides, require separate park fees. Always check what’s included.
Wildlife and nature tours, especially to Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake, are flagged as likely to sell out. Booking ahead is recommended.
Most tours confirm instantly, but for popular wildlife or boat tours, book several days in advance to secure your spot.
Yes, 16% of all tours are priced under $25, including some walking and audio tours.
Poor reviews mention guides skipping advertised stops (historical tours), underwhelming stories (ghost tours), or charging for free events (Tabernacle Choir tour).
Yes, 70% of tours offer free cancellation. This is standard and not a special feature.
Walking tours, day trips and experiences around this area, on GetYourGuide.
Search flights and places to stay. Prices come from Expedia and update live.
Booking is handled by Viator, part of TripAdvisor. Live prices, free cancellation on most.