Crystal Clear Pricing
No surprises.
No games.
Just Cincinnati’s/NKY’s most trusted path through the Bourbon Trail.
Private tours are simpler than most people think — here’s exactly where your money goes.
Every private bourbon tour has four cost buckets.
How Bourbon Trail Pricing Works
- Transportation
- Distillery Experiences
- Restaurants
- Taxes
- Groups of 9 or more are quoted individually, as larger parties are typically handled as private event bookings at the distilleries.
- You’re not paying for a tour — you’re paying for a private driver, a Bourbon Trail expert, and a perfectly planned day.
1. Transportation (The Foundation of Every Tour)
Private transportation is usually the largest cost of any Bourbon Trail experience.
Queen City Bourbon Cruise provides only 100% private luxury transportation from Cincinnati/NKY in our high-top touring van or an oversized Party Bus.
Our Rate: Groups 8 or less
$110 per hour – High Top Van
Typical Tours Last 9-11 hours
National Average for private transportation:
$150+ per hour
That means our transportation pricing is well below the national average for private charter service.
Why transportation matters:
✔ Door-to-door pickup in Cincinnati /NKY
✔ Experienced Bourbon Trail driver
✔ Custom itinerary planning
✔ No rideshares or logistics headaches
This is the core of Tier 1 — Transportation and Custom Itinerary Planning Only.
2. Distillery Experiences
Distillery experiences are the second major cost bucket.
These fees go directly to the distilleries, not to Queen City Bourbon Cruise.
Depending on your tour tier, distillery experiences may include:
• Public tours and group tastings
• Guided tastings
• Premium tastings
• Private VIP tour and tasting experiences
Typical distillery costs range from:
$15 – $100+ per person per stop
For Tier 1 – Pay-As-You-Go Tours, we still make your reservations, but guests pay the distillery directly at the time of the visit.
These distillery costs are included in the price for all-inclusive tours such as:
Tier 2 — Curated Bourbon Trail Tour– all-inclusive
Tier 3 — Private Reserve Experience – all-inclusive
3. Restaurants & Food Stops
A typical Bourbon Trail day runs 9–10 hours, so most groups include a lunch stop.
Depending on your tour tier:
Tier 1
Guests pay restaurants directly.
Tier 2 & Tier 3 Private Reserve
Lunch reservations are optional as part of the experience.
Typical lunch cost:
$20 – $40 per person depending upon customer’s preference
4. Taxes
Some tours may be subject to Kentucky state transportation tax.
Total Tax is usually less than $70 total for the entire trip.
This applies when:
• Pickup occurs in the state of Kentucky
• The tour operates entirely within Kentucky
When applicable, Kentucky transportation tax will be clearly listed on your invoice.
Tours that originate in Ohio and return to Ohio typically do not incur Kentucky transportation tax.