FAQs

Where can I book my tour?

You can book a Rabbie’s tour online, by email, over the phone, and in various Tourist Information Centres and hotels.

How can I book attractions for the tour? 

You can book certain attractions before the tour departs. These prices are separate from the cost of the tour and can be added on during check-out. Please note some attractions can only be purchased while on tour.

How far in advance should I book?

We accept reservations up to the day of departure on most of our tours. But they sell out fast, so it’s best to book in advance.

Please let us know if anyone in your group booked their tour separately, so we can get you on the same mini-coach.

What’s the maximum number of people I can book the tour for?

Eight is the maximum number of people you can book a tour for. If you want to travel in a larger group, please have a look at our private tours section for further information and suggestions.

Are tours available all year round?

We operate tours all year round, however there are less choices and departures throughout the winter. Click here to check tour availability.

Can I bring my child/children on the tour?

We don’t carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know in advance so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

*Unfortunately, we don't accept children on Europe tours in Switzerland, Portugal, Italy and Spain.

Is there an age limit for your tours?

No. From five years’ young to over 100 years’ young, we take passengers of all ages. Get in touch If you wish to enquire about the physical demands of particular tours.

*Please note that the age limit for our Europe tours in Switzerland, Portugal, Italy and Spain is 16+.

Do you offer concession prices?

Yes. On our UK & Ireland tours; students (anyone at school or university in the UK and internationally), seniors over 60 and children (between five and 15 years old) receive a concession price.

*Unfortunately, there is only one price for our Europe tours, there are no discounts for seniors or other concessions.

Do I need a visa to go on a Rabbie’s tour?

This depends on your country of citizenship and where you’re visiting. You can find up-to-date and reliable information on the official tourism website of the country you’re visiting, or from their embassy or consulate. To find out whether you require a visa to travel within the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) see here. To determine whether you need a visa to visit the Republic of Ireland, see here. And to find out about visas to Europe, see here. Visa applications take time, so organise this ahead of your departure date. Also remember to double check your passport’s expiry date.

Will my passport be checked between borders?

Passports aren’t checked when crossing between countries within the United Kingdom and Europe.

 UK & IRELAND TOURS (excluding Islay)

Is accommodation included in the tour price?

Our UK and Ireland tours exclude accommodation. When you book your tour, you can ask us to reserve accommodation for you, or if you prefer, you can make your own overnight arrangements.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc).

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

I want Rabbie’s to book my accommodation, what happens now?

When booking your tour just tell us what kind of accommodation you’d like to stay in and what type or room(s) you need. It’s crucial that you also let us know of any other preferences or special requirements, so we can ensure your needs will be catered for.

Our expert team manually checks each request and allocates accommodation to match. If your first choice isn’t available, we’ll book your second choice. You won't be able to choose a specific named property or choose from different options, so if this is important to you, we recommend that you book your own accommodation.

We’ll e-mail your accommodation details to you at least 72 hours ahead of your tour departure and your driver-guide will drop you off with your hosts each day

You should pay your hosts directly unless otherwise notified. Some smaller properties may only accept cash payment – we recommend checking this with your hosts when you check-in so that you can withdraw cash locally as required.

What are the different room types?

Single Room – Sleeps one person in one individual bed. This type of room is limited, so you may receive a larger double or twin room for single occupancy.

Double Room – Sleeps two people in one bed. The bed may be either standard double, queen, or king size.

Twin Room – Sleeps two people in two individual beds. 

Family Room – Sleeps three people in either two or three beds. This room type is limited and is only available on request. If unavailable, you will be split between two rooms.  

What’s the difference between B&B ‘standard’ and ‘en-suite’?

B&B Standard – You have your own private bedroom and a communal bathroom that you share with other guests.

B&B ensuite – Both your bedroom and bathroom are for your own private use. The bathroom is usually located within your bedroom but on rare occasions it may be accessed through a communal hallway.

What should I expect from a B&B?

B&Bs are traditionally small family owned and run properties offering a handful of guest rooms. They are usually residential properties, so they tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants.

It’s unusual for a B&B to offer any additional services like concierge, porterage, evening meals or room-service. Wi-fi is usually, but not always available and it’s worth bearing in mind that access can be unreliable in more remote locations.

If you have difficulty with stairs, please request a ground-floor room as lifts will not be available in this type of property.

What should I expect from a Hotel?

Hotels vary in size but tend to be larger properties run by a team of staff. They usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. They are often housed in traditional old buildings and bathrooms are always for private use and are typically en-suite.

The services and facilities offered by hotels varies considerably so you should make a special request at the time of booking if you expect anything specific such as concierge, porterage, bar, restaurant, room service etc. Wi-fi may only be available in communal areas and access can be unreliable in remote locations.

If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.

Will I be staying in the same property as the rest of the tour group?

We’ll try to ensure there’s another tour member staying alongside you, but this will depend on what others’ have requested and on what rooms are available. It’s common for the group to be spread between several different B&Bs and Hotels.

If you and your travel party require multiple rooms we’ll try to accommodate you together in the same property, but we can’t always guarantee this. You might like to consider booking your own accommodation if you’re part of a larger party, to avoid disappointment.

How do I get to/from my accommodation?

Your guide will drop you off at your accommodation after each touring day and collect the following morning. They’ll confirm the timings with you during the tour.

You’ll need to make your own way to and from your accommodation in the evenings and should be prepared for a short walk (up to 30 minutes) to local pubs, restaurants, and facilities. You can book taxis locally if required.

What are the accommodation cancellation terms?

If you’ve asked us to book accommodation for you, this is regarded as a confirmed accommodation booking. If you change your mind, contact rooms@rabbies.com within 48 hours of making the request and we’ll cancel or amend your request free of charge.

If you change your mind more than 48 hours after booking the tour, this is classed as a cancellation and amendments aren’t guaranteed and may carry a surcharge. Please refer to our full terms and conditions.

I think I’d prefer to book my own accommodation – what do I need to know?

Please just make sure your chosen accommodation is located within the specified overnight location. If it’s relatively central (~2km from the town centre), your driver-guide will be able to drop you off and collect you each day. If you’re unsure about the location or where you need to book, please check with us first.

You should let us know the name and address of your accommodation provider(s) at the time of booking – or as soon as possible after booking by contacting rooms@rabbies.com.

I have more questions, who can help me?

Our dedicated accommodation team are on hand to assist with any further questions you may have. Call us on +44(0)131 226 3133 and press option ‘3’ - or email rooms@rabbies.com.

EUROPE TOURS

How does the accommodation work?

We’ve hand-picked three and four star hotels in remote coastal villages, bustling towns, and mountain valleys.

Your accommodation is included in the tour price; and when you book your trip, you can choose whether you want double rooms, twin rooms, or single rooms.

How does the accommodation pricing work?

The prices on our website is for all your tour's accommodation and for the tour itself. The figure is based on shared accommodation. When you're booking your tour and select a single room, there will be an additional cost added to the price.

I have more accommodation questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions about accommodation, feel free to call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, or email rooms@rabbies.com.

What is guaranteed departure?

We’ll never cancel your tour because of minimum numbers. At times, we may need to cancel due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances which are outwith our control, or which might jeopardise your safety. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Is there flexibility to change my tour?
You can transfer to another tour if there is availability, as long as the request to do so is outside the tour cancellation period. You must inform us by email. We won't charge a fee for this, but you will pay for any difference in price where the cost of the new tour is higher. Please note, any amends may affect your accommodation choices.

What are your cancellation policies?

Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked. 

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure.

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure.

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure.

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure. 

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued. 

To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you. 

Click here to view full terms and conditions.

What languages are your tours in?

All of our tours are conducted in clear spoken English.

Can I view my tour itinerary in a language other than English?

Our website pages are written in English. You can use Google Translate to assist with translation.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

Our tours often include short walks on uneven ground or cobblestones. Your trip may also visit historical sites with access restrictions. Everything is optional, so you're welcome to do as much or as little as you please.

So we can ensure you're comfortable travelling with us, let us know about any special requirements or needs at the time of booking. It's essential that you give us prior notice if you're bringing a wheelchair (14kg/31lb max), a mobility aid, or need an accessible room.

Click here for more information about accessibility and send us an email if you have any questions or need any advice.

Should I take out travel insurance?

We always advise you to take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Rabbie’s Trail Burners Limited ABTOT number 5396, and in the event of their insolvency / financial failure, protection is provided for the following:

• Accommodation only
• Linked Travel Arrangements (LTAs) where two or more different travel services are purchased for the same trip or holiday with the separate contracts facilitated by Rabbie’s Trail Burners Limited

ABTOT cover for LTAs extends only to the transport arrangements; your accommodation provider remains responsible for fulfilling your accommodation. ABTOT will provide for a refund of your transport costs in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if you are on a trip.

Please note there is no repatriation cover if your LTA does not include transport provided by Rabbie’s Trail Burners Limited.

Please note that your LTA is not covered under ABTOT if you have only purchased transport from Rabbie’s Trail Burners Limited and have arranged accommodation yourselves.

Please note that bookings made with Rabbie’s (Ireland) Limited are not covered by ABTOT.

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made

What is TOPP?

You're protected by TOPP for our tours in Ireland when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

How much luggage can I take with me?

You’re restricted to either 14kg (31lbs) or 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person on our UK tours. This varies by tour. Please check the Tour Details section on the relevant tour page for specific luggage allowance.

On our Ireland tours, you're allowed up to 20kg (44lbs). This may consist of a small bag for onboard personal items and a larger suitcase or rucksack.

On our Europe tours, you're allowed up to 20kg (44lbs). This may consist of a small bag for onboard personal items and a larger suitcase or rucksack.

We wish we could let you carry more, but this is a legal requirement in place for your safety. We can refuse to carry luggage over these limits, and there’s a possibility you may not be allowed onboard if you’ve not stored your excess baggage.

Do Rabbie’s provide luggage storage facilities for excess baggage?

Unfortunately, we do not have the facilities to store extra luggage for you. There are, however, several safe and secure luggage holding facilities close to our departure points. You can use this website to help find a place to store your luggage. Or, for more information, click here.

What should I wear?

We like to give you plenty of opportunities to go on nature walks, so we recommend you bring comfortable waterproofs and footwear for your tour. Check out our Essential Packing List for more ideas on what to bring for a tour with us.

Do I need to bring my own lunch?

You don’t need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

What currency should I bring with me?

In the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland), the Pound Sterling is the currency. The Republic of Ireland, Spain, Italy, and Portugal accepts Euros. Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc.

Will most places accept card payment?

Some businesses in the small towns and villages may only take cash or not accept your card type. So, we advise you have cash on hand to avoid disappointment and inconvenience.

Do you offer hotel pickups?

We only pick up from the departure point stated on your confirmation email. `

This allows us to leave the city via the most direct route and reduce the pollution and carbon footprint of our tours.

Where do your tours leave from?

We have various departure points across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. Click on this link for more specific information.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, our tours can’t wait for you if you’re late.

What documentation should I bring with me to check in for my tour?

After you book a trip with us, we send you a confirmation email. Please take an electronic version of this to your departure point. 

Are there toilets at your departure points?

Most of our departure points are located at public transport stations and hotels which have toilets. If you want more information, please contact the station directly.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don’t recommend bringing a car to your departure point. Trust us, it’s usually harder to find parking spaces than just hopping on a bus.

What happens if I am late or miss my tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

How big are your mini-coaches?

Our mini-coaches comfortably seat 16 passengers.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

You cannot pre-book a seat on the bus because of logistical reasons.

Are there toilets on your mini-coach?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but your driver-guide will make regular comfort breaks.

Can I take food or drinks onto the mini-coach?

Hot drinks can be taken onto the mini-coaches as long as they’re secured with a lid. Drink bottles are also allowed. Cold food can be taken onto the bus but always check the rules for eating on board with your driver.

Is there free WiFi on your mini-coaches?

We don’t provide WiFi on our mini-coaches. This is a chance for you to disconnect, unwind and take in the scenery. But don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for you to get your updates when you get to your hotel.

Are there charging ports on your mini-coaches?

We recommend charging all of your devices in advance as charging points cannot be guaranteed.

Do your driver-guides use microphones?

Yes, you can hear your driver-guide loud and clear from anywhere on the bus.

We believe the best way to enjoy your trip is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Our driver-guides like to take you off the beaten track so you can experience the remote locations many tour companies cannot access. So, naturally, you may not have mobile reception in some of the places you visit.

No. Entry expenses are not included in the tour price. However, you can pre-pay for certain attractions before you go during check-out. Other attractions can only be purchased on the day. Most locations accept both cash and card. Many of the places we take you to also offer a discount for Rabbie's travellers. 

* Some entry tickets to attractions on our Europe tours in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland are included in the price. Please have a look at the itineraries for more details.

You don’t have to participate in all the activities or pay to enter all the sites visited on your tour. This means if you want to skip a castle and read your book by a mountain view, you can.

Will my driver-guide pick me up from my accommodation at the start of each day?

If you’ve reserved your accommodation through us, your driver-guide will pick you up each morning. Hotel pick-up is up to your driver-guide’s discretion if you’ve booked your own accommodation. A meeting point may be arranged if your accommodation is outside of the city or town centre.

Hotel pickups aren’t offered on the first day of your tour. You always begin your tour from the arranged departure point in your departure city.

Will there be places to eat within walking distance of my accommodation?

When booking your accommodation through Rabbie’s, we endeavour to offer central hotels, hostels and B&B’s within walking distance of a variety of places to eat.

Will I have much free time?

Because we travel in small groups, we’re quite flexible. If you’d like extra free time, simply ask your driver-guide. In the evenings, your time will usually be your own to do as you please.

Is my luggage secure when left on the mini-coach?

Yes. When your tour group and your driver-guide are away from the bus, your luggage will be securely locked inside. But we recommend you take valuables such as money, passport and cameras with you whenever you leave the bus.

Some of them love to tell the ancient myths as if they lived it themselves, others know the rock types and age of every mountain, and every one of them wants to make you love their country as much as they do. They keep you entertained on the journey with music and stories and give you plenty of free time to explore the beautiful locations your own way.

Let’s be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky wee bonus. But it’s up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

We love to see what you’ve been up to on our tours! You can share photos of your adventures on Instagram by using the hashtag #rabbiestours. Not on Instagram? You can also email us your photos to marketing@rabbies.com. 

We always welcome feedback on our tours. You can contact us directly via phone +44(0) 131 226 3133 or email feedback@rabbies.com if you wish to discuss your experience or suggest improvements. You can also leave a review on TripAdvisor or Google Reviews or fill in a survey we send to you after your tour.

We have limited storage and can only hold unclaimed items for two weeks, after which time they will be donated or disposed of. Perishable items will be disposed of immediately.

Items may be stored in different locations, so please contact us at tours@rabbies.com to report your lost property in the first instance. The more details you share about the item and when/where it was lost, the better.

If we find anything matching your description, we will be in touch to let you know how it can be reclaimed. You will need to cover postage and handling fees if you are unable to collect the item in person.