Key difference: The key difference between the terms ‘trip’ and ‘travel’ is based on their individual definitions wherein the term ‘trip’ is defined as the act of going to another place, for a short period of time, and returning. The term ‘tour’ is defined as the journey from one place to another over a period of days or weeks, generally a holiday.

Often, people find the terms ‘trip’ and ‘tour’ quite confusing because of their similar meanings. Though, the terms are analogous in nature and at times used interchangeably, both ‘trip’ and ‘tour’ are technically different from each other. Thus, this article further signifies the diversity between the two terms.

According to Dictionary.com, the term ‘trip’ is defined as:

• A journey
• A voyage
• A journey or voyage between two points

Thus, from the above definition, the term ‘trip’ can be referred to a short journey from one place to another with intent to return back to the point of origin. Also, trips are considered as short because trip is described as traveling to one place and then returning back to the original place on the same day. For example: the trip to the beach, the trip to the museum, or the trip to the market, etc. Now, in the given examples, the term ‘trip’ used in the sentence indicates the movement of the person and also implies on the visit made by the person. Thus, the term ‘trip’ is also used to define the purpose of the journey made by the person.

On the other hand, according to Dictionary.com, the term ‘tour’ is defined as:

• A traveling around from one place to another
• A long journey including the visiting a number of places in sequence

Thus, from the above definition, the term ‘tour’ can be described a pleasurable journey taken from one place to another by with planned stops at several places. This tour or journey is taken with a view to enjoy and relax the entire time. There are many types of tours available such as museum tours, cricket tours, relaxation tours, and camping tours, etc. Hence, the purpose of every tour differs such as in a cricket tour, the players of one country visit another country to play and take part in the cricket matches. Though, there might be short trip made by the players to relax and enjoy. Thus, we can say that ‘trips’ can be a subset of the term ‘tours’.

Based on the above definitions, the differences between the terms ‘trip’ and ‘tour’ are quite easily understandable. And, further differences between the two terms can be read in the table below.

Comparison between Trip and Tour:

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