Frequently Asked Questions

We are committed to your wellbeing. Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with AAT Kings. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their trip due to their failure to comply with these requirements. This policy is subject to change at any time without notice.

Please check your destination’s entry requirements, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues to ensure that you’re prepared for your journey:

• New Zealand (NZ): https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/border-closures-and-exceptions

Any testing that is required pre travel will be the responsibility of the guest to organise, as these requirements will be in accordance with airline policies, and the entry requirements of the destination you are travelling to. During your tour, your Travel Director will facilitate any mandatory testing and this will be done with as little impact as possible to your experience. This testing will be at the expense of the guest. Any testing required post travel will again be the responsibility of the guest to organise.

If a guest tests positive while traveling with us, they will need to isolate in that country for the required number of days as stipulated by the local government and/or until such time that they obtain a negative Covid test result. The associated costs are the responsibility of the guest.

We highly recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover situations such as these. Please be sure you are covered for the complete dates of your tour and validate that you have the appropriate level of coverage for:

• Trip Interruption
• to cover the cost of the trip, including air
• Trip Delay
• Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation
• Medical Expenses from illness (covering individual or pandemic event).

If someone gets sick while travelling, we are not expecting the tour to be cancelled, however it will depend on the specific situation as we will need to follow the advice of local government and health authorities.

We highly recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover situations such as these. Please be sure you are covered for the complete dates of your tour and validate that you have the appropriate level of coverage for:

• Trip Interruption to cover the cost of the trip, including air
• Trip Delay
• Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation
• Medical Expenses from illness (covering individual or pandemic event).

Depending on the airline you travel with, you may be required to show proof of vaccination and/or testing, and similarly the destination you are travelling to may have specific requirements with regards to the vaccine and / or testing.

In terms of travelling with AAT Kings, we highly recommend you purchase travel insurance ahead of your tour that covers you for unexpected events including trip interruption, accident and illness (such as Covid-19). We also recommend that you pack a supply of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for personal use in case you wish to test for Covid-19 whilst on tour for peace of mind. In terms of testing requirements, vaccine passports etc, you should check the relevant government websites for the latest information. The cost will depend on the country you are travelling to and their specific testing requirements as well as the testing requirements of your home country for your return.

COVID-19 requirements vary from country to country and region to region and are constantly evolving. If you test positive while traveling with us, you will need to isolate for the required number of days as stipulated by the local government and/or until such time that you obtain a negative Covid test result.

We highly recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover situations such as these. Please be sure you are covered for the complete dates of your tour and validate that you have the appropriate level of coverage for:

• Trip Interruption - to cover the cost of your trip, including air
• Trip Delay
• Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation
• Medical Expenses from illness (covering individual or pandemic event).

AAT Kings has clearly outlined protocols in place and would additionally work with local authorities in the event of an outbreak on tour. Our Travel Directors have also been fully briefed and trained in this regard.

As Covid-19 still remains a threat to the health of individuals, we ask that you please take personal responsibility for your wellbeing and be conscious of the effect your personal situation may have on the health and wellbeing of others. AAT Kings may decide you will not be able to continue to travel with the group, if your health situation appears likely to endanger your wellbeing or that of other guests.

The New Zealand government mandates that anyone who has tested positive to Covid-19 is required to isolate in line with their current regulations which can be found here: https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/

Any testing that is required pre travel will be the responsibility of the guest to organise, as these requirements will be in accordance with airline policies, and the entry requirements of the destination you are travelling to. During your tour, your Travel Director will facilitate any mandatory testing and this will be done with as little impact as possible to your experience. This testing will be at the expense of the guest. Any testing required post travel will again be the responsibility of the guest to organise.

You will need to wear a mask whenever your Travel Director advises it is mandatory to do so, and as you wish to do so for your own peace of mind and assurance. Please note that airlines and other establishments may not accept washable cloth masks but only medical masks. All tour groups will be required to comply with local travel requirements, which your Travel Director will clearly explain to you.

Where an internal flight is included in your itinerary, whether you will be required to wear a mask on your flight will depend on the policy of the airline you are flying with. We highly recommend you check the airline's policies before travelling to ensure you are prepared.

We continue to follow government guidelines regarding our coaches. Groups travelling together will be seated together, and face coverings will be required where mandated, otherwise it is the choice of our guests if they wish to wear face coverings when travelling on the coach. Additionally, all surfaces will be disinfected multiple times per day, and due to our high performing air filters the air within the coach will be completely filtered and changed every 2-3 minutes.

To comply with local health authorities we may be required to collect and share personal information for contact tracing purposes, for example at hotels, restaurants or areas of gathering. This information can then be used by local health departments to alert you if you may have been exposed to COVID-19.

You can change your trip and/or departure date up to 60 days (land only) or 90 days (air inclusive/3rd parties) before your trip is due to depart without incurring change fees (for most trips). See our Terms and Conditions.

Many agents and companies have different policies. Our policy has always been based on offering our guests risk free and flexible booking conditions. Read our Booking Conditions.

Depending on the holiday you choose and the time of year you're travelling, our group sizes will vary. Guided Holidays will be a maximum of 48 guests; Short Breaks and Day Tours will be a maximum of 58 guests. So whichever holiday you choose, there is a great opportunity to mingle and make new friends.

We accept credit/debit card payments (Visa, MasterCard) and direct deposits. There is a 1% surcharge per transaction on all bookings paid by credit card.

Please note, there is a 1.92% surcharge on all bookings paid by American Express. American Express is available for online bookings in all regions and for telephone bookings in Australia only.

To allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy seats at the front of the coach, AAT Kings has a seat rotation policy on all Guided Holidays. This means that everyone changes seats daily during the tour and means that you can meet new people throughout your journey.

It is not possible to reserve seats on Short Breaks and Day Tours.

The beauty of travelling with AAT Kings is that you won't be travelling alone. You'll be travelling with a group of like-minded travellers and soon to be friends to share in the experience with. AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room.

Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost. This feature is not available on Short Breaks and Guided Holidays operated by our third-party partners.

With such a diverse range of holidays and tours, we offer sightseeing options to suit everyone. However, some will require a higher fitness level than others. If you are unsure, please check with our expert reservations team for advice before booking.

Yes, it’s essential that we know of any mobility, medical conditions, special or dietary needs you may have at the time of booking so that we can ensure, as much as possible, your needs are met on tour.

Guests requiring particular needs are welcome onboard AAT Kings Holidays providing they are accompanied by an able-bodied companion capable of providing all necessary assistance and do not require special assistance from AAT Kings personnel, or anyone else on the tour. To help you decide if a Guided Holiday will be suitable take a look at our Special Assistance Page. Prior to your booking being confirmed you will need to complete a Particular Assistance Form and return it to AAT Kings so that we can request confirmation of travel.

Please advise us of special meal requests at the time of booking, or no later than 14 days prior to departure. Please note that while all effort is made to accommodate special dietary requirements, due to the remote locations visited, these cannot be guaranteed.

We are more than happy to accommodate children; however, some restrictions may apply. Children are welcome on our Guided Holidays but are required to be a minimum age of 5 years.

On our Short Breaks and Day Tours we offer special infant and children’s rates – infants under 2 travel free of charge and children 2–15 years are entitled to travel at the child rate (some restrictions apply).

We do recommend that people travelling with children consider whether the itinerary is suitable, in particular the activities involved and the duration of the tour, to ensure the comfort of small children. For all tour types children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

We strongly recommend that all guests have a travel insurance policy to ensure your peace of mind before and while travelling. As extra security we also offer Gold Seal Additional Protection on our Guided Holidays. AAT Kings Gold Seal Additional Protection can be purchased by Australian and New Zealand residents at the time of booking. Click here for full details.

We have a selection of Available - Definite Departures on offer to guarantee that your Guided Holiday will operate as scheduled. Some departures (Available) are not yet guaranteed to depart; AAT Kings will determine if the tour will operate no later than 6 weeks prior to departure. If the departure is withdrawn, we will work with you to offer a suitable alternative.

On our Guided Holidays, we pride ourselves on having the finest fleet of fuel-efficient, fully air-conditioned coaches, all with reclining seats, seatbelts and restrooms. The high vantage point from your coach’s window means you can take in all the glorious scenery, whether it’s a vast rural landscape or an urban city centre. We also have onboard Wi-Fi.

On our Short Breaks and Day Tours, our fleet varies. On the majority of these tours, the experience will be as above, however we sometimes use mini coaches to accommodate smaller groups which do not have a restroom or reclining seats.

Each itinerary offers the perfect balance of downtime and discoveries. We also give you the opportunity to tailor your trip with Optional Experiences. You might choose to enjoy a scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Ranges or maybe a cruise to Whitehaven Beach in the heart of the Whitsundays.

We have a dedicated Special Language Department who operate selected tours departing Ayers Rock in Japanese, German and Italian.

We also offer language audio devices for selected Short Breaks and Day Tours in Mandarin, Japanese, Italian, German, French and Spanish. If you would like more information on our language devices, please contact us on 1300 228 546 (Outside Australia +61 2 9028 5180) .

The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

We have a range of different holiday styles to suit your needs:

• Guided Holidays – Our fully guided touring experiences.
  From 4 to 22 days, an AAT Kings Guided Holiday lets you fully explore a destination and immerse yourself in its landscape, history and culture. Our friendly Travel Directors will enhance your experience with their stories, local knowledge and sense of fun.
• First Choice Guided Holidays offer premium accommodation in central locations, more meals and sightseeing inclusions plus unique 'Be My Guest’ dining experiences and wine with dinner.
• Best Buys Guided Holidays offer great value, comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres and more free time.

• Inspiring Journeys – Immersive and boutique small group journeys.
  On an Inspiring Journey we’ll introduce you to rich and immersive experiences in an intimate small group setting (maximum 20 guests). You’ll travel in luxury coaches or 4WD vehicles and stay in boutique retreats, lodges and resorts with cuisine to match.
  
  Visit: inspiringjourneys.com

• Short Breaks – 2 to 7-day breaks with your choice of accommodation.
  Short Breaks combine the must-see highlights of a destination with your choice of accommodation along with selected meals. You’ll travel with a different Driver Guide each day, so you’ll benefit from the breadth of their combined knowledge and experience. Plus, you’ll meet a different group of like-minded travellers each day.

• Day Tours – Full Day and Half Day Tours
  With Day Tours across Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Darwin, Uluru, Alice Springs, Perth and Adelaide, leave the stress of driving in an unknown city to a friendly local expert as we show you the must-see sights of the region and share our knowledge of its history and culture.

Our Travel Directors come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all share a passion for travel and their country. These experienced professionals guiding you on our Guided Holidays itineraries show you what the guidebooks can’t – a true insider’s perspective of each destination. Each Travel Director has been through a bespoke training program and many have at least five years’ experience under their belt.

On our wide range of Short Breaks and Day Tours, a passionate regional expert will join you as your reliable Driver and tour guide.

While International travel between New Zealand and Australia is now possible, both governments advise you to exercise increased caution when travelling to and around New Zealand or Australia. While the COVID-19 risk to you may be considered low, outbreaks can occur and authorities could implement measures at short notice, which may impact your ability to move freely. It is possible that either government could close borders with limited notice, which may cause disruption to your travel. This is at your own risk, and cannot be the responsibility of AAT Kings Tours Pty Ltd.

If you are travelling on a First Choice Guided Holiday, AAT Kings includes an airport transfer at the start and end of your tour, or in conjunction with pre or post accommodation booked with AAT Kings. We ask you advise your travel agent or our reservations team of your flight details at least 6 weeks prior to departure so airport transfers can be booked. For guests travelling on an AAT Kings Best Buys Guided Holiday, we recommend taking an Uber or Taxi upon arrival at the airport to your starting hotel.
We can also arrange airport transfers, at an additional cost, for Short Breaks.
We do not offer airport transfers for our Day Tours.

Passports are needed when travelling outside of your home country. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of your trip.

You are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to the departure of your holiday. Depending on your nationality, you may need visas to enter certain countries included on your trip. Please note that obtaining visas can take up to six weeks prior to your departure. It is strongly advised that you consult your Travel Agent and the local Consulate or Embassy of the country you are visiting well in advance to determine which visas they require and how to obtain them.

Visitors to Australia should consult https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing for information on visa requirements for entering Australia.

Visitors from visa-waiver countries must request an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) prior to coming to New Zealand. You may also have to pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). For more information on the ETA and IVL, visit Immigration New Zealand.

You can bring one suitcase per person with the approximate dimensions of 76cm x 46cm x 25cm (30" x 18" x 10") and weight not exceeding 23 kg (50 lbs) due to the limited space on the coach. We suggest you have wheels on your suitcase, as there are certain places where assistance is not available (e.g. airports, railway stations and cruise terminals). You may also bring a backpack or day pack to take on the coach.

Passengers booked on a small group tour operated by Heritage Tours are only permitted to carry a small soft carry bag (30x30x70cm) with a maximum weight of 10kg, plus a small day pack.

If you are travelling on a Day Tour, we may be able to accommodate some luggage depending on the tour, but this is not guaranteed.

Porterage is included at hotels on all AAT Kings Guided Holidays. One suitcase per person will be delivered to your room.

’If you have been pleased with the services of your Travel Director and Driver, you may wish to express your satisfaction with a gratuity. As this is a matter of private and individual nature your gratuity should be sealed in an envelope and given to your Travel Director and Driver at the end of your trip. An guideline of $6-$8 per person per day to your Travel Director and your Driver

On our Guided Holidays, all breakfasts and many dinners (quality buffet or a la carte) are included. There are some meals we intentionally don’t include, like lunches and some dinners, to give you the flexibility to explore in your free time and try all kinds of local cuisine.

Breakfast generally comprises of cereals, fruit juices and a selection of cooked dishes such as eggs, bacon and sausages, plus toast, preserves. Dinner is accompanied by dessert options.

On our First Choice Guided Holidays we also include special Highlight Dinners, like a barbecue dinner under the stars at Uluru or a traditional Maori Hangi feast. Our ‘Be My Guest’ dining experiences give guests unique meal experiences, with the opportunity to feel the true essence of a destination through its history, its locals and its produce.

Lunch is provided on some Day Tours and is an optional extra on others. Please refer to the tour itinerary for full details on your selected tours.

To allow for maximum flexibility and choice, our Short Breaks packages do not include meals unless specified in your itinerary.

A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, weatherproof jacket, a water bottle and good walking shoes are a good starting point for all our holidays.

What clothing to bring will depend on your personal preferences, the destinations you are visiting and the time of year you are travelling (for example, insect repellent in the Northern Territory). You should also take into consideration the activities and outings you will be going on. We generally recommend casual, lightweight, drip-dry clothing, which requires little or no ironing.

Laundry facilities are available at most of the places we stay, however, take enough clothing to last for about a week. Most people dress casually throughout the day, however, for the occasional evening out, you might want to pack something a little more formal.

We recommend that you also bring any personal protective equipment you may need to make you feel comfortable, such as additional hand sanitiser, a washable face mask, gloves etc. We also recommend that you pack a supply of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for personal use in case you wish to test for Covid-19 whilst on tour for peace of mind. 

Guided Holidays: 

We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.

Short Breaks and Day Tours:
E-documents will be emailed to you within 24 hours of full payment being made.

Every travel moment counts and to ensure that your trip runs seamlessly, as well as making sure we can contact you in the unlikely event of an emergency, we require all our guest to register before they travel. We will be able to personalise your trip based on your interests, dietary and rooming preferences. In line with our sustainability initiatives, you can now unlock your e-Documentation via My AAT Kings.

Your trip will be seamless, from hotel check-ins to passports and security checks, and we will have your emergency contact details on file in the unlikely case we'll ever need them. You will be able to view your itinerary, trip map day-by-day and all other documentation, and check all the relevant travel and booking details 21 days prior to departure.

If you've booked a Guided Holiday, you can register your details securely to save time at the beginning of your holiday by visiting My AAT Kings.

Please have the following information ready:

• Your AAT Kings booking number and last name
• Emergency contact details, including email (should an unlikely event arise)
• Passport details for international travellers (for each guest on your booking)

Once you have registered, be sure to update your dietary requirements, contact details or make a special request on the My AAT Kings Portal, Manage My Booking or by contacting us.

Yes, we recommend that you do reconfirm Short Breaks and Day Tours 24 hours prior to departure, just in case your departure or pickup time has changed, and we’ve been unable to get in touch with you.

There is no need to reconfirm your Guided Holiday. Please refer to your documentation for meeting instructions or pick-up information or give us a call.

To reconfirm your reservation in Australia, or to ask us any last-minute questions, please call 1300 228 546 (Outside Australia +61 2 9028 5180) (Opening hours: Monday - Friday 7am -8pm, Saturday 7am - 5pm).

My AAT Kings is your one-stop-shop for your profile, bookings, trip itineraries and important travel documents. You’ll need to register to get all the information you need and to complete your emergency contact details.

https://my.aatkings.com/register

We realise that everyone likes some time to themselves, which is why we’ve left free time on all our itineraries. If you want to get the most out of your destination, our Optional Experiences let you tailor your trip your way. Your Travel Director will tell you about all the Optional Experiences available on the first day of your trip. Payment can be made by credit card.

Our tours operate during public holidays and festivals around Australia and New Zealand, but occasionally minor changes to the standard itinerary may be required. Retail shops, banks, museums and other commercial businesses could be closed, but your Travel Director will ensure you are well advised in case of special holidays or public holiday trading.

It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.

Check with your travel agent or our reservations staff for the starting time of your tour to ensure you allow time to connect into the city where your tour commences. We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a trip, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

Your Travel Director will assist you in making a doctor's appointment or getting to a hospital should you require. Our Operations Department in Australia or New Zealand will contact you to offer assistance and advice and keep in touch until you are able to re-join the trip or return home. This service is included in the cost of your trip; however, it is not a replacement for travel insurance, which we strongly advise you to purchase. 

We highly recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover situations such as these. Please be sure you are covered for the complete dates of your tour and validate that you have the appropriate level of coverage for Trip Interruption; (to cover the cost of your trip, including air); Trip Delay; Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation; and Medical Expenses from illness (covering individual or pandemic event; etc.)

Electrical plugs and outlets differ throughout the world. We recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor that’s suitable for Australia and New Zealand if coming from overseas.

For more information on power plugs in Australia and New Zealand, visit here.

Many hotels have laundries with washing machines and dryers. It is recommended you use these facilities at hotels where you have two-night stays.

On Guided Holidays,  Short Breaks and Day Tours, we suggest you pack a refillable water bottle, so you always have one on hand plus you’re helping the environment at the same time.

It is recommended you carry plenty of drinking water, particularly in warmer climates. Some Northern Territory holidays require you to carry a minimum quantity of drinking water for your safety and comfort, and you will not be able to participate in some tour activities if this minimum requirement is not met.

On travelling days, you will stop every 2 to 3 hours at a rest stop where you will have access to food and facilities or for sightseeing, activities or free time.

For security reasons the coach must be empty and locked at every stop. Please see your Travel Director or Driver Guide if any assistance is required to locate a rest spot.

On our Guided Holidays, we pride ourselves on having the finest fleet of fuel-efficient, fully air-conditioned coaches, all with reclining seats, seatbelts and restrooms.

On our Short Breaks and Day Tours, our fleet can vary, and mini coaches are sometimes used to accommodate smaller groups. These mini coaches do not have a restroom or reclining seats.

There is a no smoking policy when onboard the coach. We do, however, make plenty of comfort stops.

On our Guided Holidays, USB charging ports are provided for guests to charge their devices. On our Day Tours and Short Breaks, this experience may vary if mini coaches are used to accommodate smaller groups.

We pride ourselves on having the finest fleet of fuel-efficient, fully air-conditioned coaches, with on board Wi-Fi for our guests’ convenience.