Frequently Asked Questions about VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations

What is the difference between the land package and the Air Package Plus?

The major distinction is that our Air Package Plus gives you the convenience of letting VBT make all of your travel arrangements. It includes our roundtrip international airfare for an unbeatable price, an extra night or two of hotel accommodations as listed, transfers and the option to add low-cost pre- and post-trip extensions. Our Land Package includes meals, accommodations and use of VBT bicycles or walking poles. To review the benefits of our Air Package Plus, Click Here. 

Can we do the extensions without your air package?

We can only offer trip extensions to guests that have reserved vacations with our Air Package Plus program.

Can I purchase travel protection through you?

Yes. In fact we strongly recommend purchasing our convenient travel protection package to protect your vacation investment. Find out more here.

Are transfers included?

Transfers are included when you take advantage of our Air Package Plus program.

Can VBT customize my trip?

Some air options can be customized for an additional fee when purchasing the Air Package Plus, but VBT is not able to customize our vacation packages.

How do I reserve a trip?

You can reserve any of our VBT vacations by calling us at 1-800-245-3868. You can also submit a trip reservation request on our website through the Reserve a Tour page. Please have your passport handy if you’re interested in taking advantage of our Air Package Plus program.

Do I need a current passport to make a reservation with air?

While we can make a reservation without an up to date passport, VBT STRONGLY recommends having a current passport when reserving a vacation to avoid any fees that will incur if you need to make changes more than 2 weeks after reserving.  Make sure that your passport is valid until six months after the end of your trip. 

Ex. Martin James Cruz 

If your middle name is abbreviated on your passport, it needs to be the same when you make a reservation:

Ex. Martin J. Cruz

How far in advance do I need to make my reservation?

VBT recommends booking as far in advance as possible to guarantee your preferred tour and date and to take advantage of our Good Buy Discount. Booking inside 90 days prior to departure will limit the availability. However, as long as you reserve your vacation 90 or more days prior to your departure date, no additional fees will incur.

What is NOT included in the advertised price?

VBT’s vacation packages do not include airline taxes. Additionally, fuel surcharges could be added to the cost of your vacation if you do not participate in our Good Buy Plan. Click here for details.

Do I need a VISA?

United States citizens should obtain a VISA for our Vietnam vacation, and for the Sydney pre-extension of our New Zealand vacation. While most international governments do not require VISAs for U.S. citizens, VBT recommends verifying government requirements in your VBT Travel Handbook. Citizens of any country other than the U.S. should check with their national consulate for compliance policies.

Are there age restrictions?

VBT requires that travelers are at least 13 years of age to participate in our United States vacations and we require travelers to be at least 16 years old for our international vacations.

How can I find out about other guest’s experiences?

Our Facebook Page and our blog are great resources for information, photos and other VBT traveler experiences. A VBT tour consultant can also provide guest references for our vacations.

What type of biking or walking surfaces will I encounter?

We bike on mostly paved roads, but you might encounter occasional gravel or cobblestone terrain. Most of the trails we will walk along will be gravel, but we also walk on some soil paths as well as cobbled urban streets. Please see your VBT Welcome Handbook for more information.

Do you accommodate single travelers?

VBT is happy to accommodate single travelers. We’ll do everything possible to make arrangements easy on you and your wallet. There is a single supplement fee for solo travelers. If you are on a tour where sharing is possible and you would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. We will charge you only 50% of the single supplement; if a match is available, we will refund you the single supplement after you return.  Learn More

How many miles will I bike each day?

Our biking options depend on the difficulty level of the tour. For tours rated Easy, travelers can expect to bike between 15-35 miles. For Easy/Moderate vacations, expect to bike 20-40 miles daily. And for Moderate rated tours, expect to spend 25-60 miles on your bike. Most days will include a number of mileage options, and our support van is always available.

Can I bring my own bike?

You may bring your own bicycle on your VBT vacation. However, we do generally recommend taking advantage of VBT’s included custom bicycle. Learn more about our custom VBT Bicycles. Some travelers opt to bring along their own seats and pedals. You can call 1-800-245-3868 and speak to one of our Tour Consultants for more information.

Is tipping included?

All gratuities are built in to the included features of your vacation with the exception of those for your Trip Leaders and drivers. Tipping for your Trip Leaders and drivers is optional and not included in the price of your vacation. Tipping guidelines are included in your VBT Welcome Handbook.

What types of accommodations are provided?

While traveling, VBT travelers can expect to stay at agriturismos, châteaux and 3- 4- and 5-star hotels.

What does FULL van support mean?

Our VBT support van makes frequent sweeps of our biking or walking routes to offer light refreshments, water bottle refills and rides to those that would like them. Please Note: Some walks or rides on bike paths may have limited access to van support. If a particular stretch of one of your daily walks or rides will be made without support, your Trip Leaders will make you aware of this ahead of time and advise you of your options.

Do you offer family, singles or gender specific tours?

While VBT does not organize specific theme tours, we are happy to book a group tour for you and your travel companions. Please contact our Group Tour Consultant, Laura Thompson at 1-800-245-3868 x 3411 or Click here for more details.

Can you accommodate vegetarians or special dietary restrictions?

VBT can only guarantee accommodation of a vegetarian option. We will work with our partners to accommodate dietary restrictions; however we may be unable to meet needs beyond a vegetarian diet. Please be prepared to supplement our included meals if needed. You must advise VBT of any specific requests at time of booking. Not all meals are included; guests will have to manage their diet for non-included meals.

What documents can I expect to receive?

After reserving a VBT vacation you can expect to receive documents according to the following schedule:

Welcome Packet and Handbook – received 7-10 days after booking

Preliminary Air Itinerary - received 100 days prior to date of departure

Tour Itinerary and e-ticket receipt - received 21 days prior to date of departure

Can I pay my balance on-line?

Currently, VBT cannot accept payments online. Please call us, Monday through Friday, at 1-800-245-3868 between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm EST to make your payment via check, credit card or electronic bill payment. If you choose to make your final payment by electronic bill payment — ACH — you will receive a credit of $50 per person to be used toward a future trip.  

What do I need to bring?

Packing recommendations vary depending on the type of vacation you are taking. Please see our sample packing lists for detailed information.

Sample Bicycling Vacation Packing List

Sample Walking Vacation Packing List 

Sample Skiing Vacation Packing List

Are Inca Trail passes guaranteed?

VBT cannot guarantee Inca Trail passes on our Peru: Machu Picchu & The Sacred Valley vacation as pass availability is strictly managed by the Peruvian government. For those unable to obtain a permit for the Inca Trail, VBT will provide transport to the main entrance so travelers can enjoy Machu Picchu. 

Air Specific FAQ’s

Do I need a current passport to make a reservation with air?

While we can make a reservation without an up to date passport, VBT STRONGLY recommends having a current passport when reserving a vacation to avoid any fees that will incur if you need to make changes more than 2 weeks after reserving.  Make sure that your passport is valid until six months after the end of your trip. 

Ex. Martin James Cruz 

If your middle name is abbreviated on your passport, it needs to be the same when you make a reservation:

Ex. Martin J. Cruz 

Can I pick my flights?

VBT works with all major airlines in order to provide the best possible air routing at the best price. Air itineraries are booked based on the airline availability at the time you make your reservation. VBT also offers a Customized Air program for those looking for more flexibility with their air schedule. This option allows our guests the opportunity to take advantage of our inexpensive air costs, while requesting specific routings, specific carriers and specific travel dates. There is an administrative fee levied when taking advantage of our customized air option.

Can I choose my seats?

VBT can request seating, but we cannot guarantee set seating as the final decision is at the airline’s discretion. We recommend contacting the airline directly to secure a specific seat.

What if I have airline miles?

In order to offer the value that VBT is proud to provide, we work within very strict guidelines dictated by our airline partners. Unfortunately, that means that most itineraries cannot be supplemented with air miles. If you are a Frequent Flyer member of an airline, you can submit your boarding passes, as proof of flight, directly to the airline to try to secure some credit. All decisions about air miles are made by the airlines.

What happens if my flight is delayed?

VBT will provide you with a 24 hour emergency assistance number and email address in your VBT Welcome Handbook.

What is a breakaway?

VBT offers travelers the flexibility to depart and/or return on a date that differs from our standard arrival and departure date, provided that travelers arrive and/or depart in the same cities that our tours begin and end in. For example, if you wanted to arrive at your destination a few days prior to your VBT vacation to visit with friends, we can help arrange this for you. Breakaways can be accommodated with our Customized Air program for an additional fee and is subject to availability.

What is custom air?

VBT will try to confirm travelers’ requests for a specific routing, a specific airline or for specific travel dates, based on airline availability. There is a fee associated with this   Customized Air option, but this option allows our guests the most flexibility with their air schedules.