trafalgar tours to egypt cancelled

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Travel companies cancel Egypt tours in wake of unrest

AUSTRALIANS with trips booked to Egypt are being offered refunds or the chance to switch to other destinations or future tours

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AUSTRALIANS with trips booked to Egypt are being offered refunds, the chance to switch to other destinations or to travel at a later date in the wake of ongoing violence and political unrest.

The Egyptian Government declared a month-long state of emergency last week, including an overnight curfew between 7pm and 6am.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs is advising Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Egypt.

Travel Corporation brands including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Contiki made the decision this week to cancel tours until September 15, with clients offered refunds, alternative dates or new destinations. Tempo Holidays tours are "on hold".

"Customers can absolutely travel if they wish - Nile cruise vessels are operating and hotels are open to receive guests as normal," a spokeswoman says. "However as the Egyptian Government has closed key tourist sites as a precaution and there is a curfew, Tempo is suggesting to clients that they don't travel as obviously sightseeing will be limited."

Intrepid Travel has cancelled trips until October, but says passengers concerned about travelling after that can transfer to another trip without amendment fees.

Managing director James Thornton says many people were disappointed as Egypt was the trip of a lifetime.

"We're getting information from our Cairo office and they're saying the trouble is in certain parts of central Cairo and while it's intermittently spreading to other cities most of the tourism sites remain untroubled, but it's a fluid and volatile situation," he says.

World Expeditions has cancelled all Egypt trips until further notice. "As people want to be assured they have a holiday that is guaranteed and that they can look forward to, the recent escalation with political and civil unrest in Egypt puts that notion in question," CEO Sue Badyari says. "We believe travellers should be able to make alternative plans as the unrest does not look like it will abate in the near future."

Bunnik Tours has cancelled tours until September 10. It is offering refunds or transfers to other tours, but it has warned it cannot take responsibility for airfares not booked through its office. Tours from September 11-30 will run as scheduled, but passengers booked can cancel or change tours.

While commercial flights continue to operate to Egypt, delays and cancellations of flights have been reported.

For the latest information see smartraveller.gov.au

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Home » News » Travel Corporation axes Egypt tours

Travel Corporation axes Egypt tours

All Travel Corporation brands have cancelled upcoming tours to Egypt as the country remains in the grip of civil violence and unrest.

Trafalgar, Contiki, Busabout, Insight Vacations and Uniworld have all cancelled tours with clients offered refunds, alternative dates or new destinations.

All Trafalgar’s guests who were in Egypt have been transferred out of the country and have joined other tours.

“We are speaking to guests who are scheduled to depart in the next four weeks and working closely with them through their travel consultants to provide options to change their dates, to be transferred onto another Trafalgar guided holiday or alternatively to provide a full refund on their existing trip,” managing director Matt Cameron-Smith said.

Contiki and Busabout said they have cancelled tours for the next 30 days with managing director Fiona Hunt saying it will “monitor the situation for future months,”

Guests travelling in the next month or beyond are being offered the option to transfer to another tour or offered a full refund.

Insight meanwhile has offered guests due to travel up to and including August 31 the option to re-book to a later date, transfer to another destination or receive a full refund.

Egypt has traditionally been a key destination for Insight.

Email the Travel Weekly team at [email protected]

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What to Do If You Have Upcoming Travel to Egypt, Jordan, or Lebanon

This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.

In recent weeks, the war between Israel and Hamas has seeped further into surrounding areas of the Middle East. Violence has reached the southern stretch of the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels have attacked cargo ships off the coast of Yemen, and the US has responded with its own airstrikes. On Israel’s border , clashes between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon continue to intensify.

While it's a no-brainer to reconfigure plans located in the immediate conflict zone, many travelers with upcoming trips to the surrounding region are wondering what to do. Is it safe, or responsible, to embark on a Nile cruise in Egypt at the moment? Or to continue on with a visit to Petra, in Jordan? The questions have become only murkier as the conflict expands.

Following a regional security alert issued by the State Department in October that advises US citizens throughout the Middle East to “take caution,” some travelers have responded by canceling trips, while others have pressed on with plans under the guidance of travel providers.

One luxury tour group, Red Savannah says that all travel they have arranged for clients in Egypt and Jordan is continuing as normal. “While we are holding off selling Lebanon, we believe that Egypt and Jordan continue to be safe destinations to visit,” says George Morgan-Grenville, CEO of Red Savannah. “Feedback from clients who traveled over Christmas was incredibly positive.”

According to data from the travel booking company Hopper, Jordan is currently seeing increased demand from US travelers compared to January of last year. US travel demand to Lebanon has dropped relative to other countries in the region, while bookings for Egypt have remained flat, Hopper tells Condé Nast Traveler.

For many, there's an emotional calculation to make when planning travel to countries in close proximity to conflict zones. “Every person has their own unique risk threshold,” says Dave Dennis, executive director of Cornerstone Safety Group, a risk management organization that supports travel companies. “An acceptable risk for one person can be very different from another.”

We asked safety and industry experts to share advice for travelers considering trips to Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, and the Red Sea in the near future. Here's what travelers should know—from what's happening on the ground, to government advisories, to which choices other travelers are making.

Jump ahead:

Should you travel to Jordan right now?

Should you travel to egypt right now, should you travel to lebanon right now.

• Should you take a Red Sea cruise right now?
• Additional tips

The US State Department has kept Jordan under a “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” travel alert that it first issued on July 13. The only regions that travelers are instructed to avoid are the country’s borders with Syria and Iraq, its refugee camps, and Zarqa, Rusayfah, and the Baqa’a neighborhood of Ayn Basha due to ongoing safety concerns, according to the department’s guidance.

“Jordan, being further from regional unrest, remains at a Level 2 advisory, which is a common category for many regions globally,” says Dennis. As such, most tours throughout Jordan continue to operate as scheduled, and visitors can visit highlights like the Dead Sea , the Wadi Rum desert, Petra, and the capital city of Amman.

The Jordanian Tourism Board told the Times of London in January that the country remains safe for international travel: “In light of the recent developments in Gaza, we want to emphasize that Jordan continues to be a safe and welcoming destination for tourists from around the world,” the agency said in the statement. “Our commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all visitors remains unwavering and we want to reassure everyone that Jordan’s borders are open to tourists.”

Egypt's alert level from the State Department hasn’t changed since July 13, and remains at a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel.” Tourists should continue to avoid travel to the Sinai Peninsula, the land bordering Israel and Gaza and to the east of Cairo, as it is a “particularly dangerous area,” according to the department.

In a December 20 security reminder , the US Embassy in Cairo advised US travelers in Egypt to maintain situational awareness and personal security vigilance, exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests, and to keep a low profile.

Many group tours, like Red Savannah's, which visit sites like the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Valley of the Kings , and Karnak Temple in Luxor, are continuing as normal. But even as many trips forge ahead, some operators are seeing significant cancellations. One firm in Egypt, Amisol Travel, has seen just 40 to 50% of its typical bookings from February and September 2024, according to the New York Times .

Nile River cruises are also continuing to operate as planned. The only changes at this time are cancellations of post-cruise land packages through Israel—most lines have removed these add-on tours for the near future.

“We continue to closely monitor the situation in Israel and Gaza and have canceled a select number of Jerusalem extensions for our Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary,” says a January 11 statement on Viking’s website. “All of our departures in Egypt are operating as scheduled. Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our guests, crew and partners on the ground."

In recent months, AmaWaterways has been making similar cancellations ​​of extended land tours through Israel. “Guests with the post-cruise Israel package scheduled to depart on Secrets of Egypt & the Nile itinerary starting in Cairo up to and including June 21, 2024 will be refunded for the Israel land portion as well as the Cairo to Tel Aviv airfare,” the line said in an emailed statement. “There are no other changes to any other Egypt river cruise or associated land packages.”

Despite most Nile itineraries continuing as planned, lines are seeing an uptick in cancellations from passengers. "The impact has been pretty severe, quite honestly, for the first quarter of 2024," Pamela Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways, told Travel Weekly in early December. "Close to half of our guests canceled for the first quarter of 2024. The rest of the year has not seen as much impact."

As of October 17, the US State Department has had a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” warning for Lebanon. The advisory was last updated on December 19 and recommends US citizens do not travel to the country “due to crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping, and Embassy Beirut’s limited capacity to provide support to US citizens."

The advisory "speaks to inherent dangers of the region and the lack of immediate emergency services if a traveler was in need of assistance from government agencies,” says Dennis.

Clashes between the Israeli military and the Hezbollah militants in Lebanon have continued at the countries’ borders for months. Now, it's appearing more likely that serious conflict could spread even farther into Lebanon. The head of Israel’s military, Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi, said on January 17 that the IDF is increasing readiness for “fighting in Lebanon,” CNN reported .

“The State Department recommends that US citizens in Lebanon leave now, while commercial flights remain available, due to the unpredictable security situation,” says a security alert from the US Embassy in Beirut issued on November 4. (At the time of publication, no new security alerts have been issued from the Embassy in Beirut since).

What's happening with cruises in the Red Sea?

Some cruise lines have begun canceling or changing itineraries that were set to transit through the Red Sea, due to the heightening conflicts there. According to Seatrade Cruise News , MSC has canceled three sailings that had stops through the Red Sea and Middle East: a March 30 voyage on MSC Virtuosa sailing from Dubai to Southampton, England; an April 3 sailing on MSC Splendida from Cape Town to Genoa, Italy; and an April 21 sailing on MSC Opera from Dubai to Genoa.

Silversea has also canceled an upcoming voyage aboard Silver Moon from Dubai to Mumbai that was slated to depart on January 26. “Affected guests and their travel agents have been informed of the reprotection options,” Silversea told Traveler in an emailed statement. “The voyage between Mumbai and Singapore, scheduled between Feb 11 and Feb 29, is currently scheduled to proceed as planned. Our global security team continues to closely monitor the situation in the region and will make any additional changes if required.”

Additional tips for considering travel to the region

1. consider postponing instead of canceling.

The standard guidance in the travel industry, even in harrowing situations, is that postponing a trip is usually a better option than canceling, if you can swing it. That way, local workers and/or travel businesses don't completely lose out on travelers' support, particularly at a time of need. “We highly recommend postponing, or rebooking to another region, over canceling all together,” says Matt Berna, president The Americas for Intrepid Travel. "More than ever the world needs intrepid travelers. We want travelers to do and see incredible things, and for those experiences to have positive social and economic impacts on the host communities they visit.”

One benefit for travelers post-pandemic is that the majority of operators now offer flexible changes and postponements. “Since COVID-19, we have seen a trend towards rebooking flexibility in the travel industry,” says Christina Tunnah, general manager Americas for travel insurance provider World Nomads. “Many US-based airlines retained the credit and rebooking policies from the peak of COVID-19. If you booked with a tour provider, contact customer service to understand what kind of policies may apply in this type of situation.”

Some tour companies allow cancellations within a certain window or will give a voucher toward a future trip if you’d like to postpone. “Should a client feel uncomfortable about traveling, we will always do our best to offer a postponement,” says Morgan-Greenville of Red Savannah.

Jerry Sorkin , a travel specialist with Iconic Journeys Worldwide , says his company gives customers the option to reschedule and apply 100% of their funds toward a future tour to the same destination, up until 30 days before their trip. (Travelers who want to cancel their trip within 30 days of their departure will have to rely on travel insurance for refunds.) “If they did not take out travel insurance, they did so at their own risk and signed a document when booking with us that they had declined to take out travel insurance,” Sorkin says. These types of cancellation policies are standard throughout the industry, which makes understanding travel insurance policies all the more important.

2. Purchase travel insurance

“We always recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon as you invest in your flights, accommodations, and other travel costs,” says Tunnah. “All policies are different, so be sure the policy you select offers the coverage you are most concerned with, such as trip cancellation or trip interruption. And always be sure to read your policy details.” For instance, trip cancellations due to war, invasion, or hostilities between nations are generally excluded from travel insurance policies, but some may offer coverage for terrorist incidents that occur in your departure or destination city, according to Tunnah. (World Nomads’ travel insurance policies for US residents offer trip cancellation coverage in the event a terrorist incident occurs within 30 days of the scheduled departure date, for instance.)

3. Reference international sources during research and consider traveling with a local tour operator

If you decide to go ahead with your trip, there are still precautions to take, too, and ways to be as informed as possible. “I always advocate for travelers to research the areas visited, purchase travel insurance, and talk to insurance providers about coverage and emergency support options should a need arise,” says Dennis, the risk management expert. “Some travel insurance policies won't cover regions listed as a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) government rating, so it's important to verify exemptions prior to travel." Dennis also suggests traveling with a reputable, locally experienced operator: "These organizations typically have deep connections with the communities they visit and are responsible for making itinerary adjustments based on local circumstances.”

In your research, try to include international media sources for the most holistic picture of what’s happening in the area. “It's important to seek out information from multiple sources to find a balanced understanding of regional safety and security,” Dennis says. “This may include reviewing US, UK, Canadian, and even Australian State Department travel warnings, local embassy updates, and if available, gaining access to information from professional security organizations. Each resource may have slight variations of information depending on the audience they serve, so it's important to gather as many perspectives as possible for a balanced approach.”

4. Have an emergency plan

As a precaution, US tourists on international trips should always sign up for the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive important safety alerts from the US embassy in the country they are visiting. Enrolling is free, only takes a few minutes, and will help the embassy contact you in the event of an emergency.

It’s also a good idea to make sure loved ones at home have key information about your travels. “Personally speaking, when I travel internationally, I always leave a copy of my itinerary, passport, and travel insurance policy with my family,” Dennis says. “I also make a check-in plan, so they know when to expect a call, text, or email.”

More than anything, making these difficult travel decisions is about building up a sense of personal intuition for what feels safe and enjoyable.

This article has been updated since its original publish date.

Egypt Tourism Was Having a Record Year, but Cancellations Are Rising

Dawit Habtemariam , Skift

November 6th, 2023 at 1:45 PM EST

If the conflict ends or remains contained, American travel to Egypt could recover faster than expected.

Dawit Habtemariam

• How have cruise operators like Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean responded to the conflict in the Middle East?
• What has been the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on Egypt's tourism industry?
• What historical patterns are tour operators looking at to predict future trends for Egypt tourism?

Select a question above or ask something else

• Egypt's tourism industry is seeing high cancellation rates from American tourists due to the Israel-Hamas war.
• Tour operators and cruise lines have reported significant declines in bookings and have adjusted their itineraries.
• There is cautious optimism for a recovery in 2024, though current booking trends suggest a challenging road ahead.

Egypt's tourism industry, which was experiencing a record year, is now facing a significant number of cancellations from American tourists due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Companies like Great Wonders of Egypt and Intrepid Travel have reported a substantial increase in canceled trips for late 2023. Cruise operators such as Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have also seen a slowdown in bookings and have removed Israel from their itineraries. Despite these setbacks, there is hope that the situation may improve in 2024, drawing on historical patterns where tourism rebounded after initial fears subsided. However, weak bookings for spring trips in Egypt indicate a cautious outlook.

Egypt tourism is facing cancellations from many American tourists due to the Israel-Hamas war.

Great Wonders of Egypt , a Cairo-based destination management company that specializes in cultural tourism and adventure tourism, said over half of its American travelers have canceled their trips for November and December.

Intrepid Travel, which serves a large number of American tourists, has seen an increase in cancellation requests for tours in Egypt through 2023 — with the vast majority opting to book trips elsewhere, said a spokesperson.

“We think the season’s really going to be lost for most operators who handle the U.S. market through the Christmas period,” said Kelly Torrens, vice president of product for Kensington Tours.

Egypt Tourism Impacted Over Fear of War Spreading

When the Israel-Hamas war started on October 7, American cancellation requests came for the two immediate weeks but none came for November and December, said Basem Salah, co-founder and director of operations for Great Wonders of Egypt. Yet as the war escalated, cancellations for subsequent months mounted.

Cruise operators Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean recently told investors that there has been a slowdown in bookings and a rise in cancellations for the Middle East region. Both companies removed Israel from their itineraries. 

Egypt tourism can be affected even though the conflict hasn’t spread there. “They just feel unsafe to be in the region, and this is happening because, to them, they don’t know what’s happening tomorrow for us,” said Salah.

2024 Could Be Better for Egypt

This year has so far been a strong one for Egypt tourism, with a record 10 million tourists in the first eight months. 

“It was going very well. It was busy everywhere. It had been a wonderful season,” said Salah.

Tour operators are hopeful for 2024, and they can look to past history for some positive patterns.

In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, tour operators reported a spike in cancellations in April and May for Ukraine’s neighboring countries. As time passed and fears of the conflict spreading ceased, bookings recovered through the summer. A similar scenario could play out for Egypt.

Yet weak bookings for spring trips in Egypt point toward pessimism.

“We’re hopeful that the winter and the spring will be good, but we just don’t know at this point, and new bookings are still trickling in, but they’re very light compared to what they would typically be for sure,” said Torrens. “We think a lot of [travelers] would rather just make other plans and think about Egypt for 2025, so we don’t think that it’s very short-term,” said Torrens. 

Earlier this month, credit agency Fitch downgraded Egypt’s credit rating . “In Fitch’s view, the Israel-Hamas war poses significant downside risks to tourism,” the agency said .

The Egyptian government responded by saying the concerns were overstated.

Some cruise operators are optimistic about Egypt in 2024.

“We are more bullish about the ability to return to places like Egypt and other places in the Middle East,” said Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Harry Sommer in a third-quarter earnings call.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the month of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was February 2022.

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Tags: egypt , israel , middle east

Photo credit: Americans are nervous about traveling to Egypt as the Isarel-Hamas war rages on. Spencer Davis / Unsplash

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Best of Egypt (Summer, 9 Days)

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• In-depth Cultural
• Fully Guided
• Coach / Bus

Traveled in March 2019

Places You’ll See

• Sail along the Nile and admire the breathtaking scenery
• Join an excursion to the magnificent Valley of the Kings
• Explore Egypt's remarkable temples - Luxor and Karnak
• Head to the Island of Philae and visit the Temple of Isis
• Go sightseeing in Cairo and view the enigmatic Sphinx
• Introduction
• Day 1 Welcome to Cairo
• Day 2 Fly to Luxor and Embark on Your Nile Cruise
• Day 3 A Day to Explore the Valley of the Kings Connect with Locals
• Day 4 Journey to Ancient Kom-Ombo
• Day 5 Onwards to Aswan
• Day 6 Disembark and Fly to Cairo
• Day 7 Discover Colourful Cairo
• Day 8 Admire the Wonders of Giza
• Day 9 Farewell Cairo

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What's Included

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Where You'll Stay

Hilton Heliopolis

Nile Cruise

Ramses Hilton

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5 to 99 years old

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• Overall Rating Good 3.5
• Itinerary Good 4.0
• Guide Good 3.5
• Transport Good 3.7
• Accommodation Good 3.7
• Food Good 3.3
• Tour Operator Trafalgar 4.5

• SA S · 21st August 2021 The perfect tour to see the best of Egypt, which is a country very hard to do on one’s own. The tour director and driver were professional and knowledgeable and the meals and accommodations were great! Trip date: August 2021

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What our customers ask about this tour

Absolutely! On day 5 of the tour, you will sail to Aswan in a traditional felucca.

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As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Typhoid - Recommended for Egypt. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Egypt. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Egypt. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Rabies - Recommended for Egypt. Ideally 1 month before travel.
• Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an infected area for Egypt. Ideally 10 days before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 29th November 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 29th November 2024, a minimum payment of €100 is required to confirm your booking with Trafalgar. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Trafalgar will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Trafalgar" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Trafalgar. Please familiarise yourself with the Trafalgar payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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We did the Paris with highlights of Barcelona tour. The tour was very exhausting and fast paced. Many beautiful sights such as churches were skipped over, and people where only permitted outside photo opps. I ended up excusing myself from the tour early due to exhaustion and never got to see Monaco. I was sad, because I was looking forward to Monaco. I also ended up contracting Covid 19 in Spain. Not a great experience.

Date of experience : September 10, 2024

too many extra costs

We booked our Trafalgar trip trough Europe. We paid the amount which included a guide and porterage services - so we thought. Through the trip we were strongly pressured to tip the guide and bus drive - 4 euros per person per day for driver and 6 euros per person per day for guide. We felt somewhat ripped off given how much we paid for the Trafalgar tour to then pay 20 euros per day for 21 days (extra 420 Euros / $714 AUD). It appears that Trafalgar pay their staff peanuts and then we have to pay this charge so that thye get a fair remuneration for the services Trafalgar brochure says are base level inclusions. It felt like an extorsion. We will try another company next time.

Date of experience : July 31, 2024

Hotels and Schedule were Not a Promoted

Most our hotels were downgraded and were on the outskirts of town. We were supposed to stay on Murano Island, a converted monestary, and in a lakeside hotel. Didn't happen. The last hotel was in the middle of nowhere in Rome with no easy access to downtown or the airport. The dinners provided were minimally OK. The Itinerary was changed and we were provided the times only the day in advance. Also, they had Optional Tours that one had to purchase that were scheduled when one was traveling from one city to another. if you didn't purchase it, what did you do, especially as one had little notice of the time. The total of the Optional Tours amounted to an additional 50% of the tour cost if one purchased them all. I would not book with this company again.

Date of experience : August 28, 2024

Overpriced Traffalgar Contrast of Switzerland tour

We just finished the Contrasts of Switzerland tour. This tour is basically some coach tickets and hotels. You are just traveling in regular coach class. Nothing special about the tour and unlike bus tours they don’t provide any information about the area while you are traveling on the train. Just book the train tickets and hotels on your own and you could save lots of money. In my opinion this tour is a ripoff.

Date of experience : August 25, 2024

Reply from Trafalgar Travel

We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback on your recent experience with us. Our main goal is to ensure our passengers have a smooth and hassle-free journey. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to learn more about your concerns. If you could provide additional information, please email [email protected], and we will ensure your feedback is shared with the relevant departments.

Worst on line company I have ever dealt…

Worst on line company I have ever dealt with. Did not explain things, said look at your flights without explaining that I would have to be staying an extra day with NO FREE Airport shuttle. After I had paid second instalment received 4 emails requesting payment …more concerned with $ than helping. Refused to post documents, even though I ad expressly asked…do NOT book directly, use a travel agent, who will explain, print out documents and HELP:

Date of experience : April 22, 2024

We understand that your experience with our Reservations team may not have been as satisfactory as we strive for, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. At Trafalgar, we want you to have as easy and convenient a journey as possible, so we offer airport transfers to and from your tour hotel on the first and last days of your itinerary for most destinations. If you arrive earlier or leave later than your scheduled itinerary dates, you can purchase your transfer from us, provided you've also bought your extra hotel night(s) through us. We appreciate your request for your travel documents to be printed and posted to your home address. Per our Treadright policy, we are constantly trying to reduce our carbon footprint. One way to do this is by providing our guests with electronic travel documents. Also, our Travel Director is responsible for handling all the travel details to ensure our guests have a stress-free vacation without worrying about the paperwork. We appreciate your trust in Trafalgar and thank you for being our guest.

We signed up for Grand Italian tour and…

We signed up for Grand Italian tour and put on a waitlist as told we would hear back in 7 days. Called and told it could be several weeks but they could switch us to different dates for more $$. Meanwhile they are still advertising for this trip!! Bait and switch. They just lost a potential customer as not organized. We are going back to Globus!

Date of experience : July 07, 2024

Thank you for your honest feedback. We apologise if there was any confusion regarding your booked tour. We are Trafalgar, and we offer our guests the option to hold their bookings for seven days without any obligation. This allows our clients to finalise their plans for future travel or make payments to secure their booking. Even if our tours appear as sold out on the website, we still provide the opportunity to join a waitlist for a space. We understand that plans can change, and if a booking is cancelled, we fill the vacant slot with a reservation from our waiting list. Thank you for your feedback.

Our Best of Holland Tour was Great!

Our Best of Holland Tour was great because we did one country with a enthusiastic, and knowledgeable Travel Director. Our driver was also a very nice man with a good sense of humor. The coach was spotless and comfortable. Our Travel Director was attentive, personable and gave us insights into this lovely country we would never have had if we had not taken this Trafalgar Tour. The included breakfasts were abundant and had something for everyone and the meals were nice too. We went to many cities and experienced both urban and scenic rural areas. I felt we were given a well rounded trip I will never forget. It was well worth the money.

Date of experience : July 14, 2024

At Trafalgar, our speciality is creating lifelong memories through travel experiences with our incredible team. We understand the significant investment of time and resources involved in planning and booking a vacation. We firmly believe every little detail matters and can create lasting impressions for our guests. We thank you for being our guest and hope to welcome you back again.

Highly recommend Trafalgar

We recently took the Capitals of Scandinavia tour. Our tour director, Mike was excellent. He is knowledgeable, personable, professional, and friendly. Our driver, Tom, was also excellent. He drove us through 5 countries expertly. We definitely recommend Trafalgar. Wonderful trip!!

Date of experience : August 03, 2024

We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the services our On The Road Team provided and found them exceptional. They are indeed a valuable asset to our company. Our goal is to provide meaningful and impactful guest experiences, uncovering the hidden gems in each destination. We are thrilled to have achieved this for you. Thank you for choosing us as your travel partner.

Poor customer service

We have not commenced our Great European Tour to depart London on 19/5/24 and already have had poor customer service and disappointment. Our travel agent in Australia received an email stating that the hotel in London had changed. Our agent last October tried to reserve a room at The Tower Hotel but it was booked, so booked a room at Lalit within walking distance and non refundable.We now find out the new hotel, Thistle Marble is over 30mins away by taxi. The travel agent and I both requested either a shuttle or taxi to collect us but were rudely declined.

Date of experience : April 16, 2024

Thank you for sharing your review with us. We apologise that you are not satisfied with your pre-tour experience so far. We strongly recommend that you book your accommodations directly through us at Trafalgar. However, we understand that availability can be limited and may not always be possible. We understand your travel agent has attempted to secure a room at The Tower Hotel. However, if circumstances beyond our control require changes or if we can make improvements, we reserve the right to substitute hotels, as we have done in this instance. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused. We are glad to hear that our Reservations team has been able to assist you with your travel requirements. We look forward to welcoming you on the tour.

Incredible week in Tuscany on the Rome…

Incredible week in Tuscany on the Rome and Tuscan highlights tour. We loved our travel director Tyson, so knowledgeable and full of stories. The hotel in Montecatini was an excellent location, steps away from the town square. We also enjoyed the relaxed pace of the trip. Would do this trip again in a heartbeat.

Date of experience : June 01, 2024

We value your excellent feedback. Thank you for choosing to travel with us at Trafalgar. Planning and saving to book a vacation is a significant investment. Our teams are dedicated to creating and bringing to life the most amazing trips for our guests, so we are thrilled to hear that this has been reflected in your experience. It was our pleasure to host you, and we look forward to welcoming you again.

Never will we travel with Trafalgar…

Never will we travel with Trafalgar again. Paid top price and got budget tour from Madrid to Barcelona bus tour. Very little stopping to take pictures and shown very little tourist attractions. All about going from start to finish and nothing in-between. So disappointed after travelling hard way around the world.

Date of experience : August 05, 2023

Thank you for your review. We hope you had the chance to immerse yourself in the Spanish culture during your trip and enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of the locals, the delicious cuisine and the country’s rich history, which is all unique to this beautiful country. However, we were concerned to learn that you felt certain aspects of the trip could have been improved. Exploring this beautiful country in a condensed amount of time can be quite an adventure, and we strive to include the perfect amount of time at each location for in-depth discovery; there are certain towns where we wish to stay longer. We have shared your feedback with our Operations team as we constantly strive to see where our itineraries can be improved. That said, we still hope you have taken some lasting highlights during your time away with us.

Best of the Canyonlands

My husband and I went on the Best of the Canyonlands - Denver to Las Vegas. It was such a great trip. I enjoyed getting time to hike around the national parks and getting to see so many parks in just a week! And my favorite location was Monument Valley. An absolutely stunning place - the colors, landscape and rich history. It was nice being able to get to all these places and not have to plan the driving ourselves. Can't wait to try out another destination - next on my list is the Northeast!

Date of experience : June 27, 2023

Thank you for being our guest and sharing your feedback with us. It is always wonderful to hear back from our valued guests and know you have enjoyed your journey with us. Our teams constantly strive to curate and bring to life the most amazing trips for our guests, and so it's great to hear that this has come across. Furthermore, we're happy that like-minded people and our professional team accompanied you.

Mostly good...

I have traveled with Trafalgar Travels three times, and my experience was a mix of highs and lows. Here’s an honest take on what to expect. **Pros:** - **Hassle-Free Travel:** One of the standout features of Trafalgar Travels is the ease of travel. The entire journey is conducted via a comfortable coach, which makes the experience stress-free. The coaches are well-maintained, ensuring a smooth ride. - **Friendly and Knowledgeable Tour Guides:** The tour guides are another highlight. They’re not only friendly but also incredibly knowledgeable about the destinations. Local guides are also brought in to provide deeper insights, which added a lot of value to the tour. - **Quality Meals:** Most meals are included in the package, and they are generally of good quality. It’s a relief not having to worry about where to eat, as the food provided was satisfying and diverse. - **Convenient and Comfortable Hotels:** The hotels we stayed at were usually convenient in terms of location and comfort. They were generally clean and provided a good resting spot after a day of exploring. - **Efficient Touring:** The itinerary is well-organized, allowing us to cover large areas in a relatively short amount of time. This efficiency is great for those looking to maximize their sightseeing opportunities. **Cons:** - **Extra Costs for Essential Sightseeing:** One downside is that many essential sightseeing activities are not included in the base package and require additional payment. This can add up quickly, making the trip more expensive than initially anticipated. - **Inconsistent Hotel Quality:** While some hotels were comfortable, others were subpar, akin to the quality of a budget motel. This inconsistency in accommodation quality was disappointing and detracted from the overall experience. - **Complicated Refund Process:** If your tour is canceled, whether by you or Trafalgar Travels, be prepared for a complicated and lengthy refund process. I was quoted 90 days to receive a refund for a tour they canceled, which is frustratingly slow. - **Health Considerations on Coach Days:** Spending long hours in close proximity to others on the coach can raise health concerns, especially in terms of potential illness. It’s something to be aware of, especially if you’re prone to catching bugs.

Date of experience : August 17, 2024

Thank you for your valuable feedback. We appreciate your thoughts on how we can enhance our services. Our team is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences for all our guests. We acknowledge your comments regarding the Optional Experiences and understand your suggestion that they should be included in the base price of the trip. However, we aim to provide our guests with the flexibility to visit restaurants and explore different sights at their own pace, independently from the group. We understand that each guest has unique expectations when it comes to travel. These optional experiences will only be arranged at the client's discretion. We recognise that hotel standards may vary between countries, and we are committed to ensuring that all our designated hotels meet our high standards. Your feedback has been shared with our Quality Control team, and we are dedicated to delivering the best possible accommodation experience for our guests. While we are committed to reminding our guests about basic hygiene practices to minimise health risks, it is ultimately the responsibility of each guest to adhere to health guidelines during group travel. Consequently, we focus on what we can control, such as ensuring that our drivers wipe down all surfaces daily and regularly sanitise and change the air filters. Please feel free to contact our Guest Relations Department at [email protected]. Our team is available to address any concerns you may have about refunds. Once again, we appreciate you sharing your experience with us.

Trafalgar overcharged us for pre paid…

Trafalgar charged us for pre paid gratuities. Suggest you don’t pay these in advance to Trafalgar. We found Trafalgar asked for almost NZ$80 ( allowing for local currency exchange rate) more than the tour leader and driver expected or would have got. So far Trafalgar hasn’t responded to our request for a refund of the overpayment. Also the ‘included’ meals at local venues were very poor quality with the exception of one. Only one hotel had air conditioning. Very few USB charge points on the bus worked. However The tour itinerary and tour leader were great.

Date of experience : June 17, 2023

Never again with Trafalgar Tours

We booked a Splendors of Japan Tour with Trafalgar and my husband was medically unable to go. We gave them 3 months notice and had to write 23 emails and make over 12 calls to get a partial refund. Their service is so poor and the right hand does not know anything about the left hand. We would NEVER use them again and tell all our friends how poorly they treated us. We mostly received these automatic, "no reply" emails and when you actually speak to someone, they put you on hold several times, for a lengthy hold and have nothing to offer except lip service! Terrible business, terrible service and we booked, they never shared with us they would penalize us for canceling 3 months advance!

Date of experience : January 09, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your valuable feedback. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge receipt of your concerns and express our apologies for the level of service you have received from our Contact Centre that did not meet your expectations. We would like to acknowledge the cancellation you submitted three months prior to your scheduled travel date. We understand that you are aware of our booking conditions, which stipulate the industry standard cancellation fees. We cannot investigate the conditions surrounding your booking as we need your booking information. We are committed to providing our customers with the highest level of service. As such, our Guest Relations Department would be happy to assist you with any necessary documentation required to claim your travel insurance. Once again, we would like to thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

Traveled all night USA to Fr

Traveled all night USA to Fr, can’t wait to get to see the hotel to freshen up and do some sightseeing. When I arrive with 4 pieces of luggage, at 9am, I am told, with an attitude, check in is 2pm, so here I am sitting in the lobby with my luggage, my very, very costly vacation is already ruined, never again

Date of experience : September 24, 2023

Thank you for your review. We are sorry that during your booking process, you were not well informed that the official check-in times vary from hotel to hotel. Should your flight arrive in the early morning into the city where your trip begins, you may find yourself arriving at the hotel before noon, and it could be early afternoon before your room is ready (Two pm or Three pm). Hotels try to prevent this from happening, but check-in times cannot be guaranteed. The hotel can suggest how any spare time could be used to sightsee, relax or enjoy local restaurants while your room is being prepared. When arriving at your first hotel, check in at the main reception desk. The reception staff will need to know your name and that you are travelling with Trafalgar. When your trip begins, check-in will be managed by the Travel Director, who will advise you on procedures and hotel features before arrival. They will secure keys and oversee the delivery of your luggage to your room. Thank you for choosing Trafalgar as your travel partner, and we hope that you have an unforgettable travel experience.

Dont risk your money with Trafalgar

Trafalgar cancelled our tour booking without our consent because I asked about if there was availability on another tour. Never did they mention that enquiring about another tour they cancel your existing booking. Now the tour is full and I have spent $18,000 on Qantas airfares and accom. Tour booked in Jan 2023 for Sept 2023 tour. Nobody takes responsible and nobody will call me to discuss. Family of 4 holiday ruined,.

Date of experience : May 26, 2023

DO NOT RECOMMEND!!

DO NOT RECOMMEND!!! Trafalgar cancelled my trip too Santa Fe (which is understandable and accepted as their may not have been enough people booking, or COVID or whatever). The 90-100 days quoted to get a refund for the trip the company cancelled is NOT ACCEPTABLE. It has now been six weeks and Trafalgar still has my $3300. Calls to the service center take HOURS on hold. Horrible customer service. Horrible refund policy. Definitely disappointed.

Date of experience : April 13, 2022

Latest adventure was US National Parks

I have traveled on 3 Trafalgar tours and have enjoyed all of them. (first was Italy in 2019, second one was Croatia in 2023) I just completed my first USA trip with them and had a fantastic group, driver, and tour director. Hotels were great given the parks we were visiting, mainly in Utah. We had easy access to food/shopping nearby. Lodging is limited in many national park areas due to their remoteness. My favorite was actually the one Best Western in Moab. Perfect location so we could walk and explore, plus the staff were so sweet and attentive. Timings to get the most out of our time in the parks worked smoothly and often we had extra time to do longer hikes/walks. Guessing that would depend on the group, but we had a younger mix. I especially loved the Navajo lunch experience during our time in Monument Valley, that steak was pure perfection and what a beautiful setting we had all to ourselves. Being able to see Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley, Bryce, and Zion in a week was ideal and has given me ideas for future trips.

Date of experience : April 27, 2024

Thank you for being our guest. We enjoyed reading your review and are pleased to know that you enjoyed all aspects of the tour. We continually strive to provide the best travel experience for our guests, and we are glad that this was evident during your tour. We hope to welcome you back on tour with us again.

Trafalgar Tours really let us down on…

Trafalgar Tours really let us down on our South American trip. Poorly spoken guides, dirty busses , a very dangerous bus ride and a very boring itinerary with very few extras on offer. The Peru portion was great but the Chille, Brazil portion was very poor and the only reason why we enjoyed Argentina was because we had been to Buenos Aires a few times. The guide in Bariloche was seagull and uninspiring. I have done many trips with Trafalgar and Insight and this one was seriously lacking. What was even more disappointing is I wrote in my review all the complaints and no one apologised or adressed the issues hence my review here.

Date of experience : November 01, 2023

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We appreciate your input and apologise for any inconvenience you may have experienced. Please provide us with your booking information so we can investigate what happened with your booking. We always strive to offer our customers the highest level of service, and our Guest Relations Department is available to assist you with any inquiries or concerns. Please don't hesitate to email our Guest Relations Department at [email protected].

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Popular questions

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What is and isn't included in the price shown online for my trip?

The price you see on the Trafalgar website is per person based on two guests sharing a room. Solo pricing can be found in the first step of the booking process, once you have selected your departure. What's included in this price:

• Breakfast daily and some evening meals as described in the trip itinerary
• All porterage and restaurant gratuities
• All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
• Sightseeing and activities as described in your itinerary

Airport transfers depend on your destination, please see Airport Transfers for more information What isn't included in this price:

• Flights. These can be added during the booking process.
• Extra hotel nights for before and after your trip. These can be added during the booking process.
• Optional experiences. These can be booked and paid for during your trip.
• Travel insurance. This can be added during the booking process. For more information on travel insurance, please see our Travel Insurance page

Can I book flights through Trafalgar?

Yes. Flights are not included in the trip price but you can add flights during the booking process once you've selected a departure for your trip.

Can I book extra hotel nights before or after my trip through Trafalgar?

Yes, you can book extra hotel nights through Trafalgar. Many guests like to give themselves a little more time in a destination before or after their trip.

Additional hotel nights can be added to your booking during the online booking process, simply select your departure date to begin the process. If you have booked through a Travel Agent, please reach out to them and they will add the extra nights to your reservation. If you've booked directly through Trafalgar, you can add additional hotel nights through the MyTrafalgar portal. Alternatively, please Contact Us and we will be happy to add these extra nights for you.  Please note: All hotels are subject to availability.

Where can I find solo pricing?

The price displayed on our trip pages is for a twin room. To check the solo price for a trip, select Continue on the departure of your choice and view the price and availability of solo rooms in the next step. You can check the cost and availability of solo pricing from the itinerary page of your chosen trip. Once you've selected your trip and departure date, select 'Continue' to select your room type and check pricing/availability. If you see the message that the room is 'on request', this means the departure has limited single-room availability. In this instance, we will need to request the single allocation.

Please  Contact Us  if you need any further assistance. If you're a Travel Agent, you can see all pricing and availability in our  Travel Agent Portal (TAP) .

How much are your deposits and when is full payment due?

Our trip deposit amount and full payment due date depend on your trip level. You can check the trip level for your trip using our   trip level document. Our deposit amounts and full payment due dates are as follows: Level 1 - $200 Deposit, full payment due 60 days before departure Level 2 - $350 Deposit, full payment due 90 days before departure Level 3 - $500 Deposit, full payment due 120 days before departure All payment dates and amounts are also on your invoice. Please note, deposit and full payment terms may vary for special offers.

Are airport transfers included?

Trafalgar offers complimentary airport transfers for many trips but inclusion depends on your destination.  For more information, please visit Airport Transfers .

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What is a definite departure and when will my trip become definite?

When viewing Dates and Prices for your trip, you'll see some departure dates shown as 'Definite Departure'. A definite departure has reached a minimum number of guests booked and that particular departure will therefore definitely run barring any extraordinary circumstances.  The number of guests booked can fluctuate, so we can't show exact numbers. However, departures are regularly updated to show as definite. You can still go ahead and book a departure not yet marked as definite and in the scenario, this departure doesn't meet the minimum number of guests you will be offered the best alternative dates or a full refund of any payment made. We will contact you if there are any changes to your departure -definite or otherwise - that you should be aware of.

What does it mean if a departure says Call Us. And what does On Request mean?

A departure listed as Call Us on the website is almost full and availability will need to be confirmed with our Travel Advisors. If you select a departure and then receive a message saying that the departure is On Request, this means availability is limited. You will still be able to complete your booking request but your place won't be confirmed immediately. General tour requests usually take 24 – 72 hours to get confirmation. It is highly likely that your place on an On Request tour will be confirmed. If you have selected additional hotel nights and the hotel is listed as On Request, the time to confirm this can vary. We aim to get requests answered in 24 – 72 hours. If your request is taking longer than expected please know we will contact you as soon as possible.

What age range is classed as a child when booking with Trafalgar?

To book a child on to a Trafalgar tour, the child must be aged between 5 and 17 years at the time of travel.

If I need to correct, or add my middle name to a booking, how can I do this?

If your booking is tour only (no internal or international air through Trafalgar), please email us at [email protected] with the details of the change. If your booking has internal flights as part of the tour or international flights, please call us to speak to one our reservation agents. Any name changes are subject to airline rules and fees.

Can I change my date and/or trip at any time?

Trafalgar guests can book with confidence. You're free to change your travel plans up until your final payment is due. If you are within the cancellation period, additional charges will apply. All changes are subject to differences in rates and availability. This policy only applies to your Trafalgar trip, airlines will have different policies and costs. Please note: Additional amendment fees may be incurred.

What happens if I can't go on my trip?

For bookings made through a Travel Agent, please contact the agent if you're unable to travel. If you booked directly with Trafalgar, please Contact Us. For trips departing within 24 hours, please call us using the phone number on the website.

Can I book a triple room?

Triple room bookings are available on the majority of our tours, suitable for 2 adults and 1 child. When booking your trip, we define a child as somebody aged 17 or under. A triple room is not recommended for 3 adults, as the third bed is often a rollaway, which may not be comfortable for an adult.  If you're on a trip as a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children), then you would require 1 triple room (for 1 adult and 2 children), and 1 double room (1 adult and 1 child).

Flights and transfers

Are flights included in the trip price.

No. Flights are not included in the trip cost shown on our website but you can add flights to your booking during the booking process (subject to availability). Simply select your desired departure and click Continue to start building your trip package.

Yes. Flights are not included in the trip price but you can add flights during the booking process. Ask your agent to book flights through Trafalgar as part of your booking. Or select Continue on your preferred departure on the trip page and add flights during the online booking process.

What airport information do I need to know?

Your departure Generally, check-in times require guests to arrive at the airport a minimum of two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Please allow enough time to get to your flight – be aware that during busy travel periods or at airports with heightened security, you may experience longer queues. Airport check-in All guests including children must have a machine-readable passport valid for six months after your trip return date along with any applicable visas. When you travel internationally, you are responsible for ensuring you have the correct documents to enter and pass through any countries during your trip, and then make your way back home. Airport security Before flying, you will go through airport security. Restrictions on what you can take on board and in hand luggage vary from time to time and from country to country, so we recommend you read the latest security advice before traveling. Please remember that although all airports must adhere to relevant aviation security requirements, security procedures may vary from airport to airport. More information can be found on the website of the airport you are flying from.

Trafalgar offers complimentary airport transfers for many trips but inclusion depends on your destination.  For more information, please visit Airport Transfers.

How can I add transfers to my booking?

We’ll be happy to arrange airport transfers for your booking. If you have booked through a travel agent, please reach out to them, and they will contact us and arrange it.

If you have booked directly with us, you can add transfers once flight details have been added. Do this by going to MyTrafalgar and clicking on the Extras Tab.

If you are a Travel Agent Partner, please visit TAP to add the details under the Extras Tab

Some transfers may require you to contact us to book. If this is required please Contact Us and we will be happy to add these extra for you.

How do I find transfer times and information?

For transfer times and all other information regarding airport transfers, please see Airport Transfers .

If your booking is trip only (no internal or international air through Trafalgar), please email us at [email protected] with the details of the change. If your booking has internal flights as part of the trip or international flights, please call us to speak to one our reservation agents. Any name changes are subject to airline rules and fees.

If my flights were booked through Trafalgar and the flight times change, do I need to do anything?

No. If your flights were booked through Trafalgar then we will notify you or your Travel Agent of any schedule changes. Sometimes the airline will notify you at the same time they notify us. Rest assured, we will contact you if required.

If I booked my own flights and the flight times change, what will happen to my Trafalgar airport transfers?

If you've booked your flights independently and provided flight details for a Trafalgar airport transfer then please Contact Us to let us know about the change. Please ensure you have received a confirmation from Trafalgar reconfirming your transfers, particularly if your departure is in the near future. Transfers are not available in all destinations, please see Airport Transfers for more information. The ability to amend transfers will also vary across destinations. We will do our best to make any adjustments, however, if we are unable to confirm please make your own way to the start hotel.

If flights are booked with Trafalgar, are my airline seats guaranteed?

Airline seats are not guaranteed. Some airlines will allow us to pre request seats in advance, where others will offer advance purchase seating once airline tickets are issued. Most airlines will allow guests to allocate seats at time of check in for flight(s). All seating availability and allocation is subject to the airlines terms and conditions. 

Extra hotel nights

Yes, you can book extra hotel nights through Trafalgar. Many guests like to give themselves a little more time in a destination before or after their trip. If you haven't booked a trip yet Additional hotel nights can be added to your booking during the online booking process, simply select your departure date and follow the booking steps. If you are booking through a Travel Agent, they can add your extra hotel nights during the booking process too. If you have already booked your trip Don't worry, you can still add extra hotel nights even if you've already booked. If you've booked through a Travel Agent, please reach out to them and they will add the extra nights to your reservation. If you've booked directly through Trafalgar, you can add additional hotel nights through the MyTrafalgar portal. Travel Agent Partners, please log in to TAP where you can add these. Alternatively, please Contact Us and we will be happy to add these extra nights for you.  Please note: All hotels are subject to availability.

If I book the same hotel before or after my trip, will I be in the same room as my trip?

The hotel will do their best to keep you in the same room, however this can't be guaranteed. Should you need to change rooms, the hotel will typically let you know at the time of check in.

Is breakfast included when I book extra nights before or after my trip with Trafalgar?

This will vary depending on the hotel. When you receive your travel documents on the MyTrafalgar portal, your hotel booking will show whether breakfast is included.

Solo Travel

What are my room options as a solo traveler.

As a solo traveler you can choose between two room options. Solo room share: You will be matched with another guest of the same gender in a twin room. This option does not incur any solo supplement. This option is not available on trips in Asia, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. Solo room: If you prefer more space, you can opt for a solo room. This option will incur a solo supplement. Solo rooms depend on availability.

What is the solo room share?

Europe, North & South America, Australia & New Zealand trips If you’d rather not incur an additional expense, consider our solo room share option. We’ll accommodate you with a fellow guest of the same gender, on a twin-bed basis. Asia, Africa & Eastern Mediterranean Please note the solo room share option is not available on our Asia, Africa & Eastern Mediterranean trips.

What is the single traveler supplement?

If you prefer the privacy of your own room, you can opt for a solo room. This option incurs a single traveler supplement. The cost will depend on the trip and departure date. To find out the cost of a solo room, select Continue on the departure of your choice and then select the solo room option. On many departures, you can enjoy single room upgrades or reduced single supplements.

Please  Contact Us if you need any further assistance. If you're a Travel Agent, you can see all pricing and availability in our Travel Agent Portal (TAP) .

Group bookings

Can i book a group trip.

We offer enticing discounts when you travel with Trafalgar in a group. Secure between 9-48 places on a set departure and enjoy great benefits. Find out more about our Group Travel Benefits.

Can I book a custom trip for a group?

Yes. If you're traveling a group of 10 or more then you can get in touch with us about arranging a Custom Trip .

How do I use my past guest discount?

If you've traveled with us or one of our TTC Family of brands (including Costsaver, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold) before then you are automatically a member of our Global Tour Rewards program and entitled to a 5% discount of your next trip. This discount will be applied during the booking process. Simply select your preferred departure and Continue. You will be asked to provide details of your previous trips with Trafalgar or another TTC brand, including the trip name and month and year of travel. If you don't have this information available then please Contact Us .

I've signed up to your newsletter, how do I use my travel credit?

When you sign up to the newsletter you'll receive a special code to claim your travel credit. Please see Terms and Conditions for more information.

Is there a discount for group bookings?

If you're booking for a group of 9+ you may be eligible for a discount of 5% per person. For more details see Group Travel.

How can I make a payment towards my booking?

How you make your payment depends on how you booked your trip. If you booked with a Travel Agent, you will need to contact your agent and make payments through them. If you booked directly with us, you can pay via our website by signing up/logging into MyTrafalgar. You'll just need your name and booking reference (for example B123456). Alternatively, you can contact us via chat or email at [email protected] and we will send you a one-time secure payment link to make a payment. If needed our reservations team is available to take payment over the phone. Please note that we are experiencing higher-than-normal wait times. If you are a Travel Agent, you can also make payments directly in our system using our Travel Agent Portal (TAP) . You can also view invoices within TAP.

What payment methods can I use?

We accept credit/debit card payments (Visa, MasterCard) and PayPal.

Our trip deposit amount and full payment due date depends on your trip level. You can check the trip level for your trip , which vary according to when you booked and when your trip departs.

For bookings made after 15 August 2023 for tours departing on or after 1 April 2024 please see the relevant Booking Conditions and Trip Deposit Levels.

Or for bookings made before 15 August or departing before 1 April 2024 please see the relevant Booking Conditions and Trip Deposit Levels.

All payment dates and amounts are also on your invoice. Please note, deposit and full payment terms may vary for special offers.

Is the trip deposit refundable once I have paid?

Once you have placed a deposit on a vacation, your deposit amount is non-refundable. However, we appreciate that plans can change, and we do offer our deposit protection. This deposit protection allows you to use your base deposit of $200 towards a future vacation within the next 5 years. All you have to do is contact us via chat, email [email protected] . or speak with one of our agents to provide the details of your reservation.

How do I gift my Travel Credits to somebody?

If you would like to give someone your travel credit all you need to do is send us an email to [email protected] . Please include:

• Original booking number
• Name of the new guest
• New booking number

Trafalgar will then reach out to verify and move everything over as requested.

After your tour

Read general information regarding your journey, travel documents and airport protocol, as well as some top tips from our expert Travel Directors to help you travel with real ease.

From luggage and packing to travel documents and insurance tips, these insights will ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience with Trafalgar.

Read up on our wellbeing protovol, optional experiences, sustainable travel tips and more, so you can experience your Trafalgar tour with real ease. 

Staying in touch with your Trafalgar travel buddies, exclusive discounts for past guests and more - read up on our After Your Trafalgar Tour advice. 

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