What to Check When Choosing a Tour Package: Checklist

The short answer to what to check when choosing a tour is: first check the written contract and brochure, then check the cancellation and refund terms. The brochure must be given to you before the contract is concluded. The withdrawal period, scope and itinerary change clauses should be clear before you make any payment. This page lists the steps to follow from selection to departure.

In brief

• Ask for the brochure before signing; the contract must state the itinerary, scope and cancellation terms in writing.
• Written withdrawal at least 30 days before the tour ensures a refund without deductions, except for legal obligations.
• If the company makes a material change, you may accept it, choose an alternative tour, or withdraw from the contract.
• Get verbal promises in writing; keep receipts and correspondence.

The essence of the rule: brochure first, then contract

The consumer must be given a brochure before a package tour contract is concluded. This is the first filter in the selection process. Be cautious of a tour where payment is requested without a brochure being provided.

Compare the brochure with the contract. If a service listed in the brochure is not in the contract, do not assume you will receive that service. Insist that everything discussed is put in writing; verbal promises are difficult to prove in a dispute.

Look for the following items in the contract:

• The trade name and contact details of the company and, if any, the intermediary
• The tour itinerary, day-by-day route and accommodation location
• Type of transportation and any transfer information
• Services included and not included in the price
• Payment plan and cancellation/refund terms
• Minimum number of participants

If any of these are missing, ask the company to complete them in writing before signing. For a program of the type you are looking for, comparing routes on the international tours page is a good starting point.

Cancellation and refund: the 30-day threshold

The most commonly overlooked issue when choosing a tour is what happens if you decide to withdraw. The rule has two stages.

If you withdraw from the contract in writing or via a durable medium at least 30 days before the package tour begins, the price is refunded without deductions, except for taxes, duties and similar legal obligations. A durable medium is a medium such as email that allows the message to remain accessible later. A notification made by phone is difficult to prove.

If withdrawal occurs less than 30 days before the tour begins, the company may deduct a certain amount or percentage from the price. However, this deduction must be specified in the contract. If the deduction rate is not stated in the contract or is unclear, this is a question to ask before signing.

If you withdraw from the contract, payments made are refunded to the participant within 14 days at the latest from the date of withdrawal. Note the refund date and keep the withdrawal notice and proof of delivery.

Company-initiated cancellations and changes

Not everything depends on your decision; the company may also change the itinerary or cancel the tour. Knowing your rights in this case also determines which company you should trust at the selection stage.

Minimum number of participants. If the contract states a minimum number of participants and this number is not reached, the company may cancel the tour. This cancellation must be notified in writing or via a durable medium within the period specified in the contract and at least 20 days before the tour begins.

Material change. If, for a reason not caused by you, one of the essential elements of the contract changes, or the tour is cancelled before it begins, you may choose one of three options: accept the change, accept the alternative tour offered by the company, or withdraw from the contract.

Compensation. The package tour organizer or intermediary is liable for any damage arising from non-performance or improper performance of the contract. Compensation may also be claimed for wasted holiday time.

For this reason, do not approve a change offer immediately; first ask in writing what has changed and, if there is a price difference, how it is reflected.

Itinerary and scope: what's included, what's not

Two tours describing the same route can differ greatly in content. When comparing, look at the scope, not just the price.

Route and pace

Read the day-by-day itinerary. Evaluate how many cities are covered in one day and whether travel hours exceed free time. For example, on a route with long distances such as Egypt, reading the Cairo, Luxor and Aswan route in advance helps you understand whether the itinerary is realistic.

Included services

Ask separately which of flight, transfer, accommodation, meals, guiding and entrance fees are included in the price. Find out in writing whether extra excursions are optional or mandatory.

Accommodation

If a general phrase such as "four-star hotel" is written instead of the hotel's name, ask which hotels could be used. The hotel's distance to the center is part of how it will affect you throughout the program.

For short holidays, the itinerary matters even more; international route suggestions for the October 29 holiday gives an idea of how much can be seen in a short time.

Common mistakes

Recurring mistakes in tour selection generally stem from the same source: haste and verbal agreements.

• Looking only at price. Services excluded from a seemingly low price can change the total. Ask what is not included.
• Signing the contract without reading it. The cancellation and refund clauses are the most important part; check in particular whether the 30-day threshold and the deduction rate are written down.
• Trusting a verbal promise. If information you heard during a sales conversation is not in the contract or brochure, ask for written confirmation.
• Making a withdrawal notice without writing. Withdrawing by phone or in person is a method that is difficult to prove. Use email or a written notice.
• Postponing the visa and document process. Ask in advance which party will handle the visa application and by when you must submit the documents. For Schengen countries, reviewing the 5-year visa conditions may also be useful.
• Not tracking notifications. Make sure your contact details are correct so you don't miss change or cancellation messages from the company.

Most of these mistakes can be prevented by taking ten minutes before signing.

Step by step: from selection to signing

The following order is a practical way to secure your decision.

1. Determine the destination and date. Clarify how many days off you can take and in which season you will travel.
2. Compare several tours. Compare the route, included services and type of accommodation side by side. You can examine routes against these criteria on the tours page.
3. Request the brochure. It must be given before the contract is concluded; if it is not provided, this is a warning sign.
4. Get the draft contract. Do not sign in a hurry; read it at home.
5. Mark the cancellation, deduction and minimum participant clauses. Have unclear statements clarified in writing.
6. Confirm visa and document responsibility. Get it in writing who will do what, and by when.
7. Keep payment documents. Keep copies of receipts, the contract and correspondence.
8. Plan flight steps before departure. Even if your flight is included in the tour, learn about the online check-in process in advance.

Checklist before departure

Check the following list before signing and before traveling. If any item is left blank, send a written question to the company.

Before the contract

• Was the brochure given to me?
• Does the contract clearly state the company name, itinerary and accommodation location?
• Are the services included and not included in the price stated separately?
• If I withdraw more than 30 days before the tour begins, is there a deduction, or is the price refunded except for legal obligations?
• If I withdraw less than 30 days before, is the deduction rate stated in the contract?
• Are the minimum number of participants and the cancellation notice period stated in writing?

Before departure

• Are my visa, passport and other documents complete?
• Have I received flight, transfer and hotel information in writing?
• If a change notice regarding the itinerary has arrived, did I ask for a written explanation before approving it?
• Do I have copies of the contract, receipts and correspondence with me?

Rules and periods may change. Confirm the current situation with the company and official sources; also check your airline's own rules separately.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check first when choosing a tour?

First check whether the brochure was given to you and whether the itinerary, scope and cancellation terms are clearly stated in the contract. Price alone should not be the deciding criterion. Also find out in writing what is not included.

Can I get my money back if I withdraw before the tour begins?

If you withdraw in writing or via a durable medium at least 30 days before the tour begins, the price is refunded without deductions, except for legal obligations. If withdrawal occurs less than 30 days before, the company may make a deduction if specified in the contract. The refund is made within 14 days at the latest.

What happens if the company cancels the tour?

If the tour is cancelled for a reason not caused by the consumer, you may accept the change or the alternative tour, or withdraw from the contract. Cancellation due to the minimum number of participants must be notified in writing at least 20 days before the tour begins.

Can I claim compensation if the tour itinerary is disrupted?

The package tour organizer or intermediary is liable for damage arising from non-performance or improper performance of the contract. Compensation may also be claimed for wasted holiday time. It is important to keep correspondence and documents.

Can a contract be signed without providing the brochure?

No. The consumer must be given a brochure before a package tour contract is concluded. If the brochure is not provided, request it in writing from the company before making any payment.

Are visa procedures the responsibility of the tour company?

This depends on the contract. Ask in writing before signing who will handle the visa application, which documents you must submit and by when, and what happens in case of visa refusal.

Sources

• T.C. TİCARET BAKANLIĞI Tüketicinin Korunması ve Piyasa Gözetimi — ticaret.gov.tr
• Paket Tur Sözleşmeleri Yönetmeliği - Teftiş Kurulu — teftis.ktb.gov.tr
• Tüketicinin Korunması ve Piyasa Gözetimi Genel Müdürlüğü — tuketici.ticaret.gov.tr