Frequently Asked Questions

Deciding on your next holiday can be a big decision and you’ll probably have a few questions. To help we’ve prepared the following questions and answers. However, if you cannot find the answer to your question below then give us a call on 1300 664 170 and we’ll be happy to help. 
 

To help you find the information you are looking for we have grouped the questions into the following categories:
 
General tour information

Q: What are the average ages of people travelling on a Bunnik Tour?
A: Our group tours have been specifically designed for ‘the not too young and not too old’. There are lots of tour companies out there catering for the younger party crowd or the older traveller so we like to think of our tours as being for the forgotten age group in between, that’s people aged 45-65. However, we have many people enjoying our tours who are younger than 45 and older than 65. So you’ll find we never discriminate on the basis of age. Please note though passengers over 70 will be required to obtain a doctors clearance before traveling.
 
Q. Can I bring my children on tour with me?
A: Children aged 14 and over can travel on our group tours. For families with younger children we recommend a private tour – this way we can tailor the itinerary to meet your needs. Just ask for details on private group departures. 

Q. You say all your tours operate in small groups, what are the group sizes?
A: Group size is important when travelling. We believe we have struck the right balance so there are enough people to meet and make new friends but not so many people that you are always waiting for everyone to get on and off the bus.
Our group sizes are limited to: Asia 4 to 25, Middle East 6 to 26, Africa 6 to 20, Europe 15 to 30 and in the Americas 10 to 28.

Q. I am a single traveller, am I still able to travel on one of your group tours?
A: Single travellers are welcome on all of our tours and make up a fair number of our passengers. You can choose to have a single room and pay a single supplement or you can ask us to match you up with another traveller of the same gender and pay just the twin-share rate.
 
Q:  Are your tours escorted from Australia?
A:  Our tours are not escorted from Australia. You will be met on arrival at your destination by our local guides and your tour will begin from there. However, we do organise a limited number of escorted tours each year and these are advertised accordingly.
 
Q. Do I have to be physically fit in order to travel on a Bunnik Tour?
A: Our tours do require a certain level of fitness and mobility. You should be able to carry your own bags as porter services are not always available at all hotels, and you should be able to walk over 2km on uneven ground and climb several flights of stairs.
Passengers who are 70 and over will be required to obtain a doctor’s clearance before travelling.
 
Q. Some of your tours are labelled as Partner Tours, what does this mean?
A: In addition to our own program we are proud to offer a range of partner tours. These tours are operated by our Europe based partner companies and have been specially selected for their quality and value. Like our tours, they also offer unique itineraries. All partner tours attract an international clientele and are escorted by a locally based tour director.

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Airlines

Q. Airfares are included in the tour costs, but what airlines do you use?
A: We use a number of different airlines depending on your destination these include; Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Malaysia Airlines, Lan Chile, Air New Zealand and Swiss Air.

Q. Can I upgrade my flights to business class or premium economy?
A: Yes of course. You can even choose a different airline to the one we use on our tours. However, please keep in mind that you will need to pay the difference in the fare you choose compared to the airfare included.
 
Q: Is it possible to go on a tour if I have already organised my own flights?
A: Certainly, for every tour in our program we also have a land only price which excludes the airfares.

Q. What if I want to book my own flights, can I just book land only arrangements with you?
A: It is normally better value to book our air and land packages. However, our tours can also be purchased without the flights just ask your travel consultant at time of booking.

Q. Can I pre-book seats on the flights that I am taking as part of my Bunnik Tour?
A: We use Singapore Airlines for many of our tours and seats for these flights cannot be pre-booked. We can only request a window or an aisle seat. You are able to check in online between 2-48 hours prior to your departure date at which time you will be able to view a seat map for the flights and if you are not happy with the seats which have been allocated to you then you are able to change them to any seats still showing as available. For all other airlines used with our tours we are able to pre-book seats for you subject to availability and restrictions by some airlines for certain flights.
 
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Travelling dates and optional tours
 
Q. I want to travel on a Bunnik Tour but the departure dates do not fit in with my travel plans, can I request a certain date?
A: Many of our tours are available to be taken as private departures. You can follow the same tour itinerary but travel on a date of your choosing, based on a minimum of two people travelling together. As it will be your own private tour you can change the itinerary to suit your needs and add in other components to create a specialised tour. Ask one of our consultants for further details.
 
Q: Can I depart earlier than an advertised departure date and return home later than the tour end date?
A: Yes, your flights are fully flexible with the departure and return dates. You can depart from Australia earlier than the rest of the tour group and return home later after the end of the tour. Bunnik Tours is a fully licensed travel agency and apart from booking Bunnik Tours for clients we can arrange any other holiday requests for you before and after your tour. This includes; flights, accommodation, car hire, rail passes and cruises.
 
Q. Can we do other travel arrangements before or after our tour?
A: To help you make the most of your tour we offer a range of pre and post tour add-on options as well as extensions and stopovers. The options are endless, just ask your consultant at time of booking. 
 
Q. What extra options are available while I am on tour and how and when do we book these?
A: Optional tours are available on all of our small group tours and a list of these will be given to you with your tour documentation approximately three weeks prior to departure. These optional tours can be booked with your guide while you are on tour and some are subject to minimum numbers in order to operate. These optional tours will be priced in local currency and can be paid for in the cash currency as listed on the optional tour list.

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On tour
 
Q: What is the best way for me to take money overseas?
A: Travellers cheques are not recommended as they can be difficult to exchange in many destinations. A combination of cash and a credit/debit card along with a travel card are the best methods of taking care of your money needs while overseas. ATM’s are readily available in all major cities and places visited while on tour. You can obtain cash from the ATM’s with your credit/debit card and travel card which comes out of the ATM in the local currency of the country that the ATM is located in.
 
Q:  What currency will come out of an overseas ATM?
A: The local currency of the country’s ATM you are using will be discharged from the ATM machine. 
 
Q:  How much money will we need each day?
A:  This will depend on the destination. However, $50 per person per day is usually enough to cover additional meals and expenses in Asia, the Middle East, South & North America. For Europe, $75 per person per day should be adequate.
 
Q. Are meals included on tour?
A: Many of your meals are included on your tour and these will be specified on your itinerary and are listed in our brochure and on our website. We include many meals but not all so that you can sample some local cuisine on your own and experience the local culture. 
 
Q: What dining options do I have where meals aren’t included in the program? 
A: Your tour guide is your best resource when it comes to ‘where to eat’ as they can recommend restaurants/cafes in the local area. Alternatively if you wish to stay in, why not dine at the hotel’s restaurant.
 
Q. On some of your tours you have a tipping made easy program how does this work?
A: In many parts of the world tipping is a customary practice and often makes up a large part of people’s wages so it’s important to get it right. Our tipping made easy program is a simple system that sees us collect tips at time of booking. We then pay these tips to our local staff and they take care of all the tips. Easy! Please note on tours where ‘tipping made easy’ operates it is compulsory that all tour members participate. 

Q. The tour I am interested in doesn’t have tipping made easy, it says tips are payable locally what does this mean?
A: On tours where tipping made easy doesn’t apply we advise you how much you should allow for tips, which should be paid in the local currency. If you are unsure how much or who to tip then your guide can advise you.
 
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Passports, travel insurance and visas
 
Q. Will I need travel insurance in order to travel?
A: Yes you will need to have travel insurance. Unfortunately this is not a choice it’s compulsory as we’d hate for something to happen and you not to be covered. We can arrange insurance for you, just ask your consultant at time of booking.

Q. How long does my passport have to be valid for in order for me to travel?
A: We recommend that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia.
 
Q: I need a new passport before the tour, do I have to have a current passport when booking the tour?
A: No, so long as we have your new passport details at least 60 days prior to your departure from Australia this is fine.
 
Q. I understand that I may need a visa for the country I wish to travel to, do I have to arrange this or will you do it for me?
A: Australian travellers require visas for a number of countries such as China, Vietnam, India, Russia and others. We can obtain these for you but the one thing to note though is they can take time to arrange so early booking is therefore recommended
 
Q: What visas are needed prior to departure for tours to South America?
A: On an Australian passport a visa is required for Brazil only, which we can process on your behalf. Should you be travelling on a New Zealand or British Passport no visa is required.

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Accommodation and free time on tour
 
Q: What standard of hotels do you use on your tours?
A: On our tours we use good quality 3-4 star hotels. However, rather than concentrate solely on star ratings and creature comforts we choose our hotels based on the following criteria: cleanliness, great service, atmosphere and location.

Q. How much free time will I have on tour?
A: Our team of expert travel consultants plan every itinerary to create the perfect balance between organised sightseeing and free time for you to explore.

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Egypt

As one of our most popular holiday destinations we have prepared this section to specifically address questions relating to this destination…

Q: How should I dress in Egypt?
A: Dressing modestly in Egypt is highly recommended; covering your shoulders and knees is adequate and for ladies we recommend covering the chest area. Take clothing which you can layer as evenings can get quite chilly at times. Ensure you take a hat, sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes! Smart casual clothing for the evenings is also acceptable.

Q: Are there laundry facilities available while on tour in Egypt?
A: Yes! A great opportunity to take advantage of laundry facilities is on your 3 or 4 night Nile Cruise as the cruise is usually in the middle of your tour itinerary.
 
Q: Can we go inside the Great Pyramids of Giza?
A: Entry inside the Great Pyramids of Giza is now highly restricted as the Egyptian Government are trying to preserve them. For this reason we cannot guarantee that you will be able to enter one of the Great Pyramids of Giza. However, there are a number of Pyramids throughout Egypt where you may have the opportunity to go inside.
 
Q: Can I take photos inside Pyramids or Tombs?
A: Photo’s cannot be taken when inside tomb’s or pyramids as the Egyptian Government are trying to preserve them. If you are caught taking photos Egyptian authorities reserve the right to confiscate your camera equipment and even serve you with a hefty fine.
 
Q: Is there a special dress code when visiting Mosques and Churches in Egypt?
A: It is recommended to dress modestly in Egypt and to keep your shoulders and knees covered when visiting religious buildings. We also suggest that women do not wear any revealing clothing.

Q: In Egypt do I have to travel on the train between Cairo and Aswan or Luxor?
A: No, on all tours to Egypt it is also possible to travel by air instead of rail, please speak to one of our consultants for further details and the supplement required.

Q: How early should I book my tour to Egypt?
A: Our Egypt Tours between October and March frequently sell out so early booking of at least six months prior is highly recommended. Early booking for all of our tours is always highly advised.

Q: When is the best time to go to Egypt?
A: Egypt’s hottest seasons are during our Australian winter with daily averages in Cairo of around 36 Celsius from June until August. Cairo’s coolest months with averages of around the mid to low 20s Celsius are November through to March. For more details see Egypt's weather chart.

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