Planning a tour naturally comes with questions, so we’ve put together answers to the things travellers ask us most often.
If you can’t find what you need here, just get in touch. We’re always happy to help with anything that isn’t covered below.
More than 30 years of travel and tour experience
Martin has more than 30 years of experience in the travel industry, including senior roles with Tucan Travel UK, Nomadic Tours UK and Ventura Travel Germany.
Great tours, with all the vegan details taken care of
GoVegan Travel doesn’t believe a vegan tour should revolve only around being vegan. It should simply be a great tour where the vegan side has already been taken care of.
You shouldn’t have to spend your trip checking menus, explaining what you eat, or worrying about how your needs affect others in your group. We handle that side so you can focus on the places, people and experiences. And because everyone on the tour is either plant based or understands and respects the nature of the tour, there’s no need to worry about your food choices affecting anyone else.
Fair pricing
We don’t believe vegan travel should cost more just because it’s vegan or niche. Our aim is simple: fair pricing, good food, interesting places and a well run tour where the vegan side of things are simply taken care of for you.
A UK registered company
GoVegan Travel is a UK registered company, giving travellers the reassurance of booking with a professional UK registered business.
Based in Asia, close to the tours we operate
Martin is based in Asia with his family and has travelled extensively in the countries we visit throughout his 30+ years in the travel industry. He has first hand experience of the routes and destinations included in our tours, and GoVegan Travel also works with trusted local partners who add an extra layer of local knowledge, local contacts and practical on the ground experience.
Because we’re all different, and we don’t all want to eat the same thing, in the same place, at the same time every day.
We include breakfast every day unless clearly stated otherwise in the itinerary, along with selected lunches and dinners that form part of the tour.
There is always a group meal option
At every lunch and dinner that isn’t included, your Tour Host will arrange an optional group meal at a recommended vegan or vegan friendly restaurant.
You’re always welcome to join the group, but you’re just as free to eat somewhere else, try somewhere you’ve spotted yourself, or occasionally have some time on your own.
More freedom, less rigid planning
We don’t want to lock everyone into the same restaurant, meal and dining time every day. Leaving some meals open gives you more choice and makes the trip feel less regimented.
Explore the local vegan scene
Leaving some meals open also creates the opportunity to explore and discover places independently, for those who want to, while still keeping an optional group meal available at every mealtime for those who don’t. We provide recommendations and interactive maps with vegan restaurants, cafés and other useful spots, so there’s still plenty of help deciding where to go.
Better value
Including every meal would increase the tour price and could mean paying in advance for meals you may not want. In many of our destinations, excellent vegan food is also very affordable, so we’d rather give you that flexibility and keep the overall tour price fair.
It gives you the best of both options: the ease and social side of organised group meals when you want them, with the freedom to do your own thing when you don’t.
We keep our groups small, with a maximum of 15 travellers.
You’ll also have your GoVegan Travel Tour Host with you, along with local guides where needed.
Keeping the groups small makes it easier for everyone to get to know each other, keeps things more relaxed, and gives us much more flexibility when travelling, eating out and exploring together.
In our experience, once groups get much bigger than this, it becomes harder to keep that friendly group feel that is such an important part of our tours.
We’ll always try to run the tour where we can.
Most of our tours have a minimum group size of 5 travellers. If that number isn’t reached and we decide that we may not be able to operate the tour as planned, we’ll contact you at least 8 weeks before departure to review the options rather than simply cancelling without discussion.
Depending on the circumstances, that could include running the tour with a smaller group, offering an alternative departure, making agreed changes to the itinerary, or providing a refund.
Absolutely. Our small group tours are a great fit for solo travellers who want the freedom of travelling independently, while still having a group to share the experience with.
You can choose a private room, or select a shared twin room and we’ll match you with another traveller of the same gender where possible.
Group tours naturally attract sociable, friendly people, and we focus on creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere from the start. One of the big advantages of group travel is the chance to leave with new friends, new contacts and sometimes even future travel companions.
Definitely not. You don’t have to be vegan to join us.
Our tours are designed mainly for vegan and vegetarian travellers, of course, but non vegan partners, friends and family members are very welcome too.
We don’t want our vegan guests to feel they have to choose between joining a tour that suits them and travelling with the people they care about. Our aim is to make the whole experience comfortable for both.
All included meals and organised group meals are vegan, so everyone knows what to expect when eating together.
This is also one of the reasons we deliberately don’t include every meal. When a meal isn’t included, your Tour Host will still arrange an optional vegan group meal at a recommended restaurant, so there’s always an easy group option available. But having some meals left open also gives people travelling with non vegans the chance to venture out and enjoy a little more freedom. And of course, your Tour Host will have recommendations and local options available if you need them.
This gives everyone more flexibility while still keeping the core group experience fully vegan.
It varies, just like the age of vegan travellers generally.
Our tours are open to adults of all ages, and we aim to create a friendly, welcoming group where nobody feels out of place because of their age.
You might be travelling with people in their 20s, 40s, 60s or somewhere in between. In reality, age matters far less than attitude. If you’re friendly, curious, respectful of others and still up for a bit of adventure, you’ll fit right in.
Relaxed, friendly and low pressure.
Most people join our tours because they want to travel with like minded people, enjoy the experience and feel part of a small group without everything feeling too rigid.
Some people are naturally outgoing, others are quieter, and that’s absolutely fine. We focus on creating a friendly, welcoming atmosphere where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves.
There’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy the group side of the tour, while still having enough breathing space to relax and enjoy the journey in your own way.
We don’t do loud party tours, and we definitely don’t do forced fun.
What to expect
Generally, our tours are relaxed and suitable for most people with a reasonable level of everyday mobility.
You don’t need to be especially fit, but you should be comfortable with normal sightseeing days, some walking, getting in and out of different types of transport, and occasionally being on your feet for a while.
Some tours also include activities such as countryside cycling or other more active experiences. These are clearly shown in the itinerary, and where possible we’ll offer a practical alternative if you’d prefer not to take part.
Heat and humidity can also make some days feel more tiring, particularly in Asia, so we build in sensible breaks and downtime wherever possible.
If you have mobility concerns
If you have any mobility concerns, or anything else that may affect your ability to take part comfortably, please contact us before booking. We’ll tell you clearly what to expect on your chosen tour and, where possible, look at practical alternatives for anything that might be difficult.
Absolutely. You’re very welcome to arrive before the tour starts, stay on afterwards, or both.
If you’d like to stay at the same hotel used for the tour, we can arrange extra nights for you, subject to availability. Alternatively, we can suggest other accommodation and help with practical details such as transfers or getting around.
Some tours may also have optional extensions available. Where they are offered, they’ll be clearly shown on the relevant tour page or at the end of the itinerary.
Yes. If you’d prefer to travel privately with your own partner, family or group of friends, we can arrange a private version of one of our existing tours.
We aren’t yet able to offer completely bespoke, tailor made itineraries from scratch, but we can often make sensible adjustments to one of our existing routes to suit your group.
If you’re planning something shorter or simpler, we’re also happy to help with advice, suggestions and practical recommendations where we can.
Private tour pricing will depend on the number of travellers, room choices, any changes you’d like to make, and whether you need a full time private Tour Host or local guide, so contact us directly and we’ll put together the options for you.
That’s not necessarily a problem. Our tours are designed to be enjoyed as complete itineraries, but we understand that sometimes travel dates don’t quite line up.
If you need to arrive late or leave early, contact us before booking and we’ll let you know what’s practical for that particular tour.
Depending on how much notice you give us, we may also be able to help arrange extra accommodation before or after the tour to make your travel dates work more smoothly.
Please bear in mind that we can’t reduce the tour price or refund unused parts of the itinerary, and any extra transport needed to join or leave the group would be at your own cost.
We aim to use comfortable, well located accommodation, usually around a 4 star standard or equivalent, except where the destination itself calls for something different, such as homestays, lodges or more remote local stays.
Where possible, we favour smaller, locally run properties that offer a more personal experience rather than large international chains.
Fully vegan hotels are still rare in many of the destinations we visit, but when we find one that meets our standards, we’ll always consider it. Otherwise, we work with the hotel to make sure suitable vegan breakfasts and other included meals are available.
If a hotel is perfect for the tour but can’t provide a suitable breakfast, we may arrange breakfast at a nearby vegan or vegan friendly café or restaurant instead.
Most hotels and accommodation we use have Wi Fi, and mobile coverage is generally good in the cities and main tourist areas we visit.
In more remote areas, such as rural villages, national parks or some overnight stays, the connection may be slower or unavailable for a while.
For extra peace of mind, you may want to arrange an eSIM or local SIM card before or during your trip. These are usually inexpensive and can be a useful backup when Wi Fi isn’t available.
We’ll let you know in advance if there are any parts of the itinerary where you’re likely to be offline for a significant period.
Arrival transfers are included on most of our tours, making things simple when you first arrive.
We’ll arrange your transfer from the tour’s arrival airport to the joining hotel. If other travellers on the same tour arrive at a similar time, you may share the transfer with them.
Departure transfers
Departure transfers are not included on our tours. Travellers often leave at different times, and arranging these individually in advance can add unnecessary cost. In most cases, it is simpler and more cost effective for your Tour Host to help arrange a taxi or suitable transfer locally when you are ready to leave.
Japan
Japan is the main exception for arrival transfers. Airport transfers there are comparatively expensive, while both Narita and Haneda airports have excellent and straightforward rail connections into Tokyo. For that reason, we don’t include a private arrival transfer in the standard Japan tour price.
If you’d prefer a private arrival transfer in Japan, you can still add one as an optional extra.
International flights to join the tour and return home afterwards are not included.
However, once the tour has started, any flights that form part of the itinerary are included in the tour price. That applies whether it’s a domestic flight, such as Bangkok to Chiang Mai, or an international flight on a multi country itinerary.
You won’t be asked to book or pay separately for flights needed during the tour itself.
We’ll give you the arrival and departure information you need before booking your own flights to and from the tour, including the recommended airport and any timing requirements.
If you’d like help checking suitable flight options before you book, just ask.
Yes. You can reserve your place free of charge for up to 5 days, with no payment, card details or commitment.
This gives you a little time to make sure the tour feels right for you. You can read through the itinerary, do a bit more research, or contact us directly with any questions before deciding.
When you decide to go ahead, you can then pay the deposit shown for your chosen tour and room type to confirm your booking.
To confirm your booking, you’ll need to pay the deposit shown for your chosen tour and room type.
Deposit amounts can vary between tours, so the exact amount will always be shown clearly on the tour page and during the booking process.
The remainder is due 75 days before the tour starts.
Payments are processed in GB Pounds, but you can choose to pay in other currencies on the payment page if that’s easier for you.
Yes. Flexible payment plans are available if you’d prefer to spread the cost of your tour.
Our standard booking is simply a deposit when you book, with the remaining balance due 75 days before departure. If you’d prefer a different payment schedule, contact us directly and we’ll arrange an option that works for you.
In some cases, we may also be able to arrange for part of the final balance to be paid on arrival. If you’d like to discuss this or need a different payment arrangement, please contact us directly and we’ll talk you through the available options.
The full balance is normally due 75 days before the tour starts.
If you’d prefer to spread the cost, flexible payment plans are available. Contact us directly and we’ll talk you through the options.
In some cases, we may also be able to agree a different payment arrangement, including paying part of the remaining balance on arrival.
It’s quick and easy.
If you’re not quite ready to book yet, see “Can I hold a place without paying a deposit?” above. You can also hold your place free of charge for up to 5 days, with no payment or card details required.
At any time, you’re welcome to arrange a quick call or video chat if you’ve got questions or want help deciding.
Absolutely. If you have questions before booking, you’re very welcome to speak with us first.
We can arrange a quick phone or video call, or you can simply send us a message or email if that’s easier.
There’s no pressure to book during the call. It’s simply a chance to ask questions, talk through anything you’re unsure about, and make sure the tour feels right for you.
We understand that plans sometimes change.
If you need to cancel, please let us know in writing as soon as possible by emailing hello@govegantravel.com.
Our current cancellation charges are:
If you cancel within 7 days of paying your deposit, the deposit can normally be refunded, less any non refundable payment processing fees.
Depending on when you cancel, you may also have options such as transferring to another GoVegan Travel tour, receiving travel credit, or transferring your booking to another traveller.
Where we are able to resell your place, we may also be able to refund some of the amount retained.
Please note that this FAQ is only a summary. The most up to date cancellation terms will always be those shown in our Booking Conditions.
We strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book, including suitable cancellation cover.
Please see “Why aren’t all meals included?” in the General section above for the full answer.
We work with food vendors who either specialise in vegan food or have a strong understanding of vegan requirements. Where possible, we prioritise fully vegan venues.
For included meals, our team works directly with restaurant and hotel staff to explain ingredient requirements, cooking methods and the importance of avoiding cross contamination.
We also check ingredients, sauces, stocks and other less obvious items rather than relying on a menu label alone.
Your Tour Host and local guides are there throughout the trip to help double check orders and clarify anything that looks uncertain.
While no system can remove every possible risk in a non vegan kitchen, we take practical steps to reduce that risk as much as possible.
All our tours are fully vegan friendly so no awkward questions and no compromises.
Every included meal is 100% vegan. When a meal isn’t included, your Tour Host will still arrange an optional vegan group meal, while also providing recommendations for anyone who wants to explore independently.
But it’s not just about the food. We also avoid activities involving animal exploitation and, where possible, favour responsible local operators, community based projects and ethical wildlife experiences.
You’ll also be travelling with other vegan travellers, which helps make the whole experience feel more relaxed from day one.
Sadly, we live and travel in a world where plant based lifestyles are still a minority. Fully vegan hotels are not always available, and even vegan restaurants can be hard to find in some of the places we visit.
When we choose our hotels, location is key, especially having vegetarian and vegan options close by. This helps make sure plant based meals are always within easy reach.
Breakfast is included each day unless clearly stated otherwise in the itinerary, and we work with our hotels to make sure suitable vegan options are available.
While cross contamination in non vegan hotels or restaurants is possible, we work closely with our partners to make sure ingredients and preparation methods align with a vegan lifestyle as far as reasonably possible.
Our priority is providing fully vegan meals throughout the tour, but we’ll always do our best to help with additional dietary requirements where possible.
Gluten free, soy free and similar requirements
These can often be accommodated, but it depends on the destination, restaurant and how strict your requirements are. Please let us know before booking so we can check what’s practical for your chosen tour.
WFPB, SOS free and other specific diets
Our tours are designed around vegan food rather than highly specific dietary programmes. We may be able to help with whole food plant based, SOS free or similar diets, but we can’t guarantee that every included meal or restaurant will be able to meet strict requirements throughout the tour.
If a particular diet is important to you, contact us before booking and we’ll tell you clearly what is and isn’t practical.
We’ll always do our best to help, but food allergies need to be discussed with us before booking.
How we can help
We can pass your requirements clearly to hotels, restaurants and local partners, and your Tour Host can help reinforce them during the trip.
What we can’t guarantee
Many kitchens we use also prepare common allergens and non vegan food, so we cannot guarantee an allergen free environment or completely eliminate the risk of cross contamination.
If you have a serious allergy, please contact us before booking so we can assess the specific tour and tell you honestly what is and isn’t practical.
Of course. Non vegan partners, friends and family members are very welcome on our tours.
We simply ask that they’re happy to eat plant based when joining included meals and organised group meals, and that they respect the nature of the tour and the group environment.
For meals that aren’t included, there’s more flexibility. Your Tour Host can recommend restaurants that work well for vegan and non vegan travellers, giving you the freedom to eat somewhere that suits your own group when you want to.
We don’t believe a vegan tour should simply mean filling the itinerary with vegan themed activities. Doing so would mean missing out on some of the best experiences each country has to offer.
You’ll see much more than just vegan restaurants and vegan food. GoVegan Travel tours are designed to help you experience the destination itself, with a mix of culture, history, nature, local life and interesting experiences.
That might include city walks, markets, cooking experiences, countryside cycling, local transport, cultural visits, boat trips and time spent in more rural areas.
The difference is that we take care of the vegan details around those experiences, so you can enjoy the country without constantly having to think about where you can eat or whether something will work for you.
We also avoid activities involving animal exploitation, and anything especially active or unusual will be clearly shown in the itinerary.
What to expect
Generally, our tours are relaxed and suitable for most people with a reasonable level of everyday mobility.
You don’t need to be especially fit, but you should be comfortable with normal sightseeing days, some walking, getting in and out of different types of transport, and occasionally being on your feet for a while.
Some tours also include activities such as countryside cycling or other more active experiences. These are clearly shown in the itinerary, and where possible we’ll offer a practical alternative if you’d prefer not to take part.
Heat and humidity can also make some days feel more tiring, particularly in Asia, so we build in sensible breaks and downtime wherever possible.
If you have mobility concerns
If you have any mobility concerns, or anything else that may affect your ability to take part comfortably, please contact us before booking. We’ll tell you clearly what to expect on your chosen tour and, where possible, look at practical alternatives for anything that might be difficult.
While we include worthwhile and popular activities on most days, we also try to include some free time to relax, explore on your own, or do nothing at all.
Our itineraries are designed around experiences that genuinely add something to the trip, rather than filling every hour just to make the itinerary look busy.
And remember, nothing is compulsory. If you need a breather, you’re free to skip an activity without missing the whole tour.
No. We don’t include activities that involve animal exploitation or entertainment.
That means no elephant riding, animal shows, captive wildlife attractions or similar experiences.
If an itinerary includes a wildlife or animal related experience, we’ll only use options that we believe are ethical and focused on conservation, rescue or responsible observation.
Possibly, but we need to understand your individual circumstances before you book.
What we need to consider
That could include anything from a serious food allergy to a heart condition, mobility issue, anxiety, depression or another medical condition that may affect your own experience on the tour, or the experience and wellbeing of other members of the group.
Limits to the support we can provide
Our aim is never to exclude anyone unnecessarily, but there are limits to the support a Tour Host, local guide or tour operator can safely provide. We cannot guarantee access to medical care, prevent every emergency, or provide specialist medical support during a tour.
Medical facilities can also vary considerably between the destinations we visit. In some remote areas, access to modern or specialist treatment may be limited or take time to reach. If your condition could require urgent or specialist care, this may mean that a particular tour is not suitable for you.
Prescription medication
If you take prescription medication, you must also check the rules for every country on your itinerary before travelling. Some medicines that are legal and commonly prescribed at home may be restricted or prohibited elsewhere, particularly in Japan.
Before you book
Please contact us before booking and tell us anything relevant. We’ll look at the specific itinerary with you and explain what support or adjustments may be practical.
If we believe that your condition cannot be managed safely within the limits of the tour, or could create an unacceptable risk to you or other travellers, we may advise you not to book that particular tour.
Vaccination requirements vary depending on the countries you’re visiting, where you’ve recently travelled and your own medical history.
There are two separate things to consider: vaccinations or health certificates that may be required to enter a country, and vaccinations that may be recommended for your own health while travelling.
Entry requirements
Vaccination or health certificate requirements can depend on where you are travelling from, where you have recently travelled and the countries you transit through. For example, proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required in some countries if you are arriving from a yellow fever risk area.
We’ll highlight any known vaccination or health certificate requirements that may affect your tour, but you should also check the latest official entry requirements for your own circumstances before travelling.
Recommended vaccinations
Even when no vaccination is required for entry, routine boosters and additional travel vaccinations may still be recommended depending on the destination, the places you’ll be visiting and your individual circumstances.
We’re not medical professionals, and we don’t know your personal medical history. Only you and your own healthcare provider can properly judge what may be appropriate for you.
Recommendations can include vaccinations such as hepatitis A or B, typhoid, tetanus or rabies, but what is appropriate varies considerably from person to person and by destination.
Check well before you travel
We recommend checking around 8 weeks before departure with a doctor, pharmacist or travel health clinic. Some vaccinations require more than one dose or need time to become effective, so leaving this until the last minute can limit your options.
Yes. We require all travellers to have valid travel insurance. We want you to enjoy the adventure, but your health and safety comes first.
What your insurance should cover
Your policy should include cover for medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellations and any activities included in your itinerary.
Buy it when you book
We strongly recommend buying your travel insurance as soon as your booking is confirmed. This means you’re covered from the start if something unexpected forces you to cancel before the trip.
During the booking process, our payment provider WeTravel may also show or recommend travel insurance options. Any such recommendation is made by WeTravel or its insurance partners and is not a recommendation or endorsement by GoVegan Travel.
Before departure
You’ll need to provide proof of valid travel insurance at least 30 days before departure.
Be cautious about relying solely on credit card or bank provided travel insurance, as these policies may only cover parts of your journey or provide limited protection.
If you’re unsure what you need, just ask and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.
If you become unwell during the tour, we’ll do everything we can to support you through what can be a stressful and difficult situation.
Getting medical help
Depending on the situation, your Tour Host can help you find a pharmacy, clinic or hospital, arrange transport, assist with communication, and help you contact your travel insurance provider or emergency contacts if needed.
If the tour needs to continue without you
If you need to remain behind to recover or receive treatment while the group continues, we won’t simply leave you to manage everything alone. We work with trusted local partners in the countries we visit and, between them and your Tour Host, we’ll do everything possible to make sure you continue to have practical support.
That may include helping you find suitable accommodation, arranging local transport, assisting with medical appointments or communication, keeping in contact with you, and working out how and when you may be able to rejoin the tour.
If additional accommodation, transport, medical treatment or other costs are needed, you may have to pay these yourself at the time and claim them back through your travel insurance, depending on your policy.
If you incur additional costs because of illness or medical treatment, GoVegan Travel will also provide a covering letter confirming the circumstances and any relevant tour arrangements, which you can give to your insurance company if needed to support a claim.
If you can’t continue the tour
If you become seriously unwell and can’t continue, we’ll still help with practical arrangements such as accommodation, onward transport, communication with your insurer or emergency contacts, and anything else we can practically assist with.
Your Tour Host and local guides are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical treatment or specialist care, and your travel insurance remains your main source of financial protection.
Our commitment to you
At the end of the day, if you’re travelling with GoVegan Travel, we believe we have a responsibility to support you as far as realistically possible until you are safely on your way home. If something goes wrong, we’ll stay involved, keep helping with the practical arrangements, and do everything we can to make a difficult situation easier to manage.
We try to make responsible choices wherever we can, while being realistic that no form of travel is completely impact free.
Our tours are kept small, we avoid activities involving animal exploitation, and we work with local guides, suppliers, restaurants and accommodation providers throughout the destinations we visit.
Where practical, we favour locally owned businesses and experiences that keep more of the benefit within the communities we travel through.
We also look for ways to reduce unnecessary waste and avoid activities or suppliers that conflict with the values behind GoVegan Travel.
We’re still developing this side of the business and don’t claim to have everything perfect. As GoVegan Travel grows, we plan to introduce more formal environmental and animal welfare initiatives.
We’ll send you a practical packing guide before departure, based on the destination, weather and activities included in your tour.
Some tours may also need specific items for activities, weather or local customs, and we’ll make those clear before you travel.
Either is fine. You don’t need to travel with a backpack unless you prefer one.
A medium sized suitcase with wheels is usually the easiest option for our tours, especially as most accommodation has straightforward access.
We do recommend avoiding very large suitcases. Luggage space can be limited in some minivans and other local transport, and internal flights may have lower baggage allowances, often around 20kg.
There may also occasionally be short walks, stairs, boats or more rural stays where you’ll need to handle your own luggage for a short distance.
If a particular tour has any unusual luggage restrictions, we’ll make that clear before you travel.
Yes. Laundry is usually easy to arrange during our tours, either through hotels or local laundry services.
That means you don’t need to pack enough clothes for every single day of the trip, which can make travelling much easier, especially if you prefer to travel light.
Availability, turnaround time and cost will vary depending on the destination, and your Tour Host can help with local options during the tour.
You’ll need a valid passport with sufficient validity for every country on your itinerary. Passport validity rules vary by destination. Some countries require at least six months remaining from arrival, while others may require validity beyond your planned departure date.
If you’re unsure and would rather take the cautious approach, aim to have at least 6 months’ validity remaining on the day you plan to return home, even where the destination itself may require less.
Depending on the destination, you may also need proof of onward travel, accommodation details, vaccination certificates, arrival forms or other entry documents.
We’ll provide general guidance before departure, but entry requirements can change and may vary by nationality, so you should always check the latest official requirements for your own circumstances before travelling.
This depends on your nationality, the countries included in the tour, and how long you’ll be staying.
We’ll provide general visa and entry guidance for each destination before you travel, but it’s your responsibility to make sure you have the correct passport, visa and entry documents for your own circumstances.
Visa rules can change, sometimes at short notice, so we always recommend checking the latest requirements before booking flights and again before departure.
Many travellers won’t need to arrange a visa in advance, but this depends on your nationality and destination. If you’re unsure what applies to you, contact us and we’ll help point you towards the right official information.
Most of the main costs of your tour are already included, but you’ll still need some spending money for things that aren’t part of the tour price.
Meals and drinks
Breakfast is included every day unless clearly stated otherwise in the itinerary, along with selected lunches and dinners. For meals that aren’t included, your Tour Host will always arrange an optional vegan group meal, but you’ll pay for your own food and drinks.
Personal spending
You may also want money for things such as drinks, snacks, laundry, souvenirs, local transport during free time, optional activities and tips where appropriate.
Transfers and other extras
Departure transfers are not normally included, and there may occasionally be other tour specific extras. Anything important that isn’t included will always be shown clearly on the relevant tour page or itinerary.
We’ll also give you practical destination specific guidance before departure so you have a realistic idea of how much spending money you’re likely to need.
A mixture of both is usually the best option.
Cash and cards
In most destinations, ATMs are widely available and cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops. It’s still useful to carry some local cash for smaller businesses, markets, local transport and places that don’t accept cards.
Changing money
If possible, it can be useful to arrive with a small amount of local currency already exchanged. Airport exchange counters often offer poorer rates, so if you do need to change money at the airport, we recommend changing only enough to cover your immediate needs.
Paying by card or using an ATM
When paying by card or using an ATM, you may sometimes be asked whether you want to be charged in your home currency or the local currency. In most cases, choosing the local currency gives your own bank or card provider the chance to handle the conversion and can avoid an unfavourable exchange rate from the ATM or payment terminal.
How much cash to carry
For security, we recommend carrying only a sensible amount of cash rather than bringing large sums with you. Losing cash is much harder to deal with than replacing a card.
We’ll give you destination specific advice before departure, including the local currency, typical ATM access and any cash situations worth knowing about.
We strongly recommend travelling with at least two payment cards, ideally from different banks or card providers.
Keep them in separate places rather than carrying everything together. That way, if one wallet, bag or card is lost or blocked, you still have a backup.
Never put essential cards, cash or other valuables in checked luggage. Keep them with you in your hand luggage or day bag while travelling.
It’s also worth checking your cards will work overseas before departure and making sure you know how to freeze or replace them quickly if needed.
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