Costco Travel AU | AAT Kings 'Know Before You Go'

Before you Book

Before booking with AAT Kings, you want to know exactly where you stand. We provide the most relevant information to keep you up-to-date and well informed about making a booking with us.

Booking

What is included in the price shown online for my Guided Holiday?

The Guided Holiday price you see on the AAT Kings website is per person, based on two guests sharing a room. Solo pricing is available on request

What's included in this price:

All hotels
Breakfast daily and some other meals as described in the trip itinerary
Sightseeing and activities as described in your itinerary
Some internal flights where indicated on selected itineraries

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.

What isn't included in this price:

Flights, excluding internal flights on selected tours where indicated
Extra hotel nights for before or after your trip. These can be added during the booking process
Optional experiences. These can be booked and paid for during your trip

Please refer to the itinerary online for the inclusions of your specific tour.

Solo Travel

What are my room options as a solo traveller?

Travelling solo with AAT Kings doesn't mean you have to travel alone. On nearly all of our itineraries you can choose to matched with a same gender traveller and only pay the twin share price. Alternatively, we offer single room supplements across out tours if you prefer to enjoy a room to yourself. Simply choose your tour and select your room preference in the booking process.

What is the solo room share?

If you'd rather not incur an additional expense, consider our solo room share optoin. We'll accommodate you with a fellow guest of the same gender, on a twin-bed basis

What is the single traveller supplement?

If you prefer the privacy of your own room, you can opt for a solo room. This option incurs a single traveller 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.

Group Bookings

Can I book a group trip?
If you're travelling in a group of nine or more guests, we offer a range of group travel deals - you may be eligible for a discount of 5% per person. For more details see Group Travel.

Before you Travel

Add extras to my booking

Do I need travel insurance?

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.

Getting ready to travel?

What should I pack for my AAT Kings trip?

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.

How much luggage can I bring?

Guided Holidays:

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.

Sustainable Travel

How can I travel sustainably with AAT Kings?

With AAT Kings, you can be sure you'll be contributing to local sustainability through our initiatives that safeguard natural heritage, preserve biodiversity, and protect sites of cultural significance.

Special Requests

Can I bring a wheelchair or a motrised scooter on my trip?

For all specific requirements, including requests such as this, please tell us at the time of booking so that we can ensure we are able to meet your needs.

How can I add dietary requirements to the booking?

Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can assist with accommodating your needs where possible. Hotels and restaurants will be told in advance and suppliers will do their utmost to provide alternative options however due to the remote locations visited, these cannot be guaranteed.

On the Road

Coach Travel

How long will we spend on the coach?

Guided Holidays visit multiple destinations and have the most amount of time on the coach. Australia is very big and some itineraries will have long drives to get to your next destination, however we ensure there are stops every couple of hours to take photos or have a rest.

Day Tours and Short Breaks visit one or two regions that are close to your starting point. If the time on the road will exceed 2 hours, we will ensure there is a photo or rest stop along the journey.

What are the coaches like?

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.

Are there bathroom facilities on the coach?

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.

Can I smoke or vape on to the coach?

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

Group Size

How many people will be on my holiday?

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.

Hotels

Will I be able to get laundry done?

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

Do the hotels listed on the itinerary ever change?

Yes, hotels can change from those listed on the website or in your travel documents. This might be due to a variety of reasons and is often out of AAT Kings' control. If this does happen, we will ensure the new hotel is in a similar location and meets our high standards and guests will be notified prior to their departure.

Is luggage handling provided?

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

Food and Drink

What do I need to know about meals and beverages on my trip?

Food and drink is at the heart of every Australian and New Zealand trip. Your Guided Holiday trip itinerary contains information on included meals and your Travel Director will provide recommendations for places to eat in each new place.

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.

Drinking Water

We care about the planet. With that in mind, we recommend you pack a reusable water bottle for your trip to reduce your plastic waste.

Find out more about how we MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

Where do I find which meals are included?

This information is included in the itinerary for your trip

Itinerary

Will I have free time?

Yes. We want to ensure you get all you want out of your trip. 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.

Trip Experience

What's included on my trip?

On an AAT Kings Guided Holiday, you'll roam beyond the ordinary, uncovering the best Australia & New Zealand have to offer, accompanied by our expert guides

Your Guided Holiday includes:

All hotels
Breakfast daily and some other meals as described in the trip itinerary
Sightseeing and activities as described in your itinerary
Some internal flights where indicated on selected itineraries

What is a Travel Director?

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.

Will I travel with people from other countries?

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.

Optional Experiences

What are Optional Experiences and when can I book them?

AAT Kings itineraries include plenty of free time for you to explore destinations in your own way. Optional Experiences are a great way to make the most of your time and tailor your trip to your interests.

Available Optional Experiences are listed on the trip itinerary. No need to book or prepay, you can do this with your Travel Director on trip and payment can be made by credit card or cash.

The majority of Optional Experiences will be offered to you by your Travel Director at the beginning of your trip. Our optional experiences cannot be pre-booked. Some may be subject to change, depending on the time you are travelling or local circumstances including weather and days of the week. Further information will be provided by your Travel Director.

Wellbeing and Safety

What if I become ill on my trip and am unable to continue?

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.)

Can I drink the tap water in Australia or New Zealand?

Yes, the tap water in Australia and New Zealand in general is safe to drink and the water quality standards are high. If you are unsure, please check with your Travel Director or Driver Guide.