What's Not Included in Tour Prices? Extra Cost List

The answer to what's not included in a tour price varies from tour to tour: the regulation does not provide a complete list of excluded items — the list is written in the agency's brochure and contract. In the contracts reviewed, visas, insurance, museum entrance fees, extra drinks and extra tours are left out. Legal taxes and fees that are not included in the price must be stated separately.

In brief

• There's no standard list of excluded items; what's binding is the agency's brochure and contract.
• Taxes, duties and fees not included in the price must be written separately in the contract.
• In the contracts reviewed, visas, insurance, entrance fees, extra drinks and extra tours were excluded.
• If you're asked for a price difference, request the justification in writing and read the price-change clause in your contract.
• Compare offers using the same line items, based on total cost, and get answers in writing.

The essence of the rule: the list is in the contract

Package tour legislation does not provide a single standard list for items not included in the price. The verified requirement regarding excluded items is this: the package tour's total price in Turkish Lira, including taxes, must be written together with the taxes, duties, fees and similar legal obligations not included in the price (Regulation Article 8). There are other provisions in the regulation on this subject; this article focuses only on excluded items.

The practical meaning is this: every item you can call "not included" must be looked up in the brochure and contract of the agency you're buying from. Two different agencies selling tours for the same city, even at the same price, may cover different items.

That's why general lists on the internet only provide guidance. What's binding is the contract you sign. Before purchasing, ask for a sample contract and read the "included in the price" and "not included in the price" headings side by side. When comparing programs, check these two headings in the descriptions on the international tours page as well.

Frequently excluded items

The examples below are taken from two agencies' contracts and are specific to those agencies. They may not apply exactly to your tour; they only show what you need to check.

• Transportation: In one agency's contract, the round-trip flight or bus expense is not included in the price.
• Visa and passport procedures: In both contracts reviewed, visa expenses are excluded.
• Meals: In one contract, breakfast on the first day, all lunches, and dinner on the last day are not included.
• Drinks: In the contracts reviewed, extra drinks at hotels and meals are not included in the price.
• Museum and archaeological site entrances: Not included in the price in both contracts reviewed.
• Insurance: In one contract, travel and health insurance is excluded.
• Extra tours and personal expenses: Goods and services outside the program and extra tour fees are paid separately.

The lesson from these examples: don't assume that the phrase "guided tour" means entrance fees are covered. Ask separately whether the entrance fee is included for every visit listed in the program.

Legal taxes, fees and price changes

Taxes, duties, fees and similar legal obligations not included in the price must be stated separately in the contract. In other words, if an obligation collected at places like ports or airports is not included in the price, you need to see this clearly stated in the contract.

Price changes may also be linked to these items. According to the verified rule, a price change can be made if it results from changes in taxes, duties, fees and similar legal obligations collected at places such as ports and airports. This should not be read as the only possible justification: we cannot verify in this article whether other justifications allowing changes exist and how they are written in your contract. Check the current regulation and the price-change clause in your own contract.

If you encounter a request for a price difference, do the following:

• Request the difference claim in writing.
• Ask what justification and which changed item the request is based on.
• Re-read the price-change clause in your contract.

For details on objection periods and rights, check your contract and the current legislation; this article does not provide a period or rate.

Differences and common mistakes

Differences by agency

In the same destination, one agency may include a particular meal while another excludes the same meal. Part of the price difference may come from these items. A tour that looks cheap can become expensive with extras; so compare total cost, not just the headline price.

Not everything written in the program is included

Verify from the contract whether activities marked "optional" in the program are included in the price. For activities like balloon flights, it may help to check the Cappadocia balloon tour and nature activities guide and evaluate these separately before the tour.

Common mistakes

• Looking only at the total price without reading the contract clauses
• Not accounting for the risk of visa refusal; see what to do after a visa refusal for next steps
• Assuming insurance is "already included"
• Not adding tips and personal expenses to the budget
• Not getting verbal promises in writing

Step by step: what to do before purchasing

1. Ask for a sample contract. The short list in the brochure may not match the contract text; what's binding is the contract.
2. Mark the "not included" heading. Check one by one for transportation, visa, insurance, meals, entrance fees and extra tours.
3. Ask about legal obligations. If there are taxes, duties or fees not included in the price, confirm they are written separately in the contract. Our recommendation is to also ask whether the amount and payment timing are written down; this is not a verified legal requirement, just a measure to reduce uncertainty.
4. Read the daily program line by line. Note who is responsible for the entrance fee for each visit.
5. Map out the meal plan. Which meals are included, which are yours? Write it day by day.
6. Get answers in writing. Information confirmed via email or a contract annex is more reliable than a verbal explanation.
7. Calculate total cost from multiple offers. To compare using the same items, put similar programs side by side from international tours.

These steps reduce the risk of unexpected payments during the tour. Make it a habit to get a written note from the agency representative for any item left out of the contract.

Checklist before setting off

Before completing your booking, check off the following items one by one.

• Is transportation (flight or bus) included in the price?
• Who is responsible for visa fees and appointment expenses?
• Is there travel and health insurance, or do you need to get it separately?
• Are taxes, duties and fees not included in the price written in the contract?
• Which stops in the program have museum and archaeological site entrances included in the price?
• Which meals and drinks are not included?
• What are the extra tours and optional activities, and how are they booked?
• What justifications does the price-change clause list?
• Is your budget for personal expenses and tips clear?

If you want to rent a car or travel independently during the tour, plan your documents in advance; the how to get an international driving permit article explains the steps for this. Check the current terms of the relevant company for rules on items like airlines or hotels that fall outside the tour.

Frequently asked questions

Is the visa fee included in the tour price?

In the contracts of the two agencies reviewed, visa expenses are not included in the price. This is not a general rule; your tour may differ. Check the "not included" section of the contract.

Are museum entrances included in the package tour price?

In the two contracts reviewed, museum and archaeological site entrances are not included in the price. Other agencies may include certain entrances. Ask in writing who is responsible for the entrance fee for each stop in the program.

How are taxes and fees not included in the tour price shown?

In the package tour contract, the total price including taxes is written together with the taxes, duties, fees and similar legal obligations not included in the price. These items must be stated separately. If you don't see this in the contract, ask the agency for an explanation.

Can an agency increase the tour price later?

Changes in taxes, duties, fees and similar legal obligations collected at places such as ports and airports can justify a price change. Whether other justifications are valid depends on your contract and the current regulation. Request the basis of the claim in writing and check the price-change clause in your contract.

Are meals and drinks included in the tour price?

This varies by contract. In one contract reviewed, breakfast on the first day, all lunches, and dinner on the last day are not included; in both contracts, extra drinks are excluded from the price. Check the meal plan in the program and contract day by day.

Is travel health insurance included in the tour price?

In one of the contracts reviewed, travel and health insurance is not included. Coverage may differ with another agency. Before purchasing, ask about the policy coverage if included, or how to obtain it separately if not.

Are extra tours and optional activities included in the price?

In the contracts reviewed, services outside the program and extra tour fees are not included in the price. Verify from the contract the scope of activities marked "optional" in the program and add them to your total budget separately.

Sources

• Package Tour Contracts Regulation - Inspection Board — teftis.ktb.gov.tr
• Package Tour Contracts Regulation — tursab.org.tr
• Package Tour Contract — endemictours.com
• Package Tour Contract — gezerekogrenen.com