Frequently Asked Questions

Cox & Kings offers Small Group Tours and Tailormade Journeys to more than 100 destinations across the world.

Small Group Tours follow carefully planned itineraries, are led by expert local guides, and include scheduled, group sightseeing and time to explore independently. Some of these tours are categorised as Specialist-Led Tours and are led by guides and a specialist lecturer– often drawn from academia, publishing or the museum sector – who’ll enrich your understanding of the place even further.

Tailormade Journeys are created around your interests, pace and requirements. They can be designed for almost any group – including couples, families, friends, clubs and societies – with your itinerary, accommodation and experiences arranged to suit your specific wants and needs.

A Small Group Tour has a set itinerary and gives you the opportunity to travel alongside other guests, with sightseeing and experiences arranged in advance.

A Tailormade Journey is created specifically for you, allowing you to choose when and where you go, how long you stay for, the accommodation you prefer, and the experiences you would like to include.

Our Small Group Tours have a maximum of 18 guests, with an average group size of 14. Our Solo Traveller Tours have a maximum group size of 14 and an average of 10. The group size of the tour is stated on the individual journey pages of our website and our brochure.

Yes. Solo guests are always welcome on all Small Group Tours. We also offer dedicated Solo Traveller Tours, which are designed specifically for those travelling alone and have a maximum of 14 guests. On these dedicated Solo Traveller Tours, we don’t levy any single supplements.

On other tours, single supplements vary. Please check the individual page on our site or in our brochure for details.

Most of our Small Group Tours offer guaranteed departures. When a departure is marked 'Guaranteed departure’, it is confirmed to operate.

For departures not yet guaranteed, the minimum number of guests required varies by tour. For most tours, this is six guests. Once the required number of guests has booked, the departure is guaranteed to operate.

Your sales consultant can advise which departures are guaranteed and how many guests are currently booked on other dates.

Terms and conditions: Guaranteed departures will operate except in exceptional circumstances of force majeure, including where the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to the destination.

Transfers to join or depart our group tours are not included. However, our travel consultants will be pleased to arrange these for an additional supplement.

You can book directly with Cox & Kings or through a travel agent. To book directly, speak to one of our travel specialists who can answer your questions and guide you through the booking process.

A minimum deposit of 15% of the total booking cost is normally required to secure your booking, although the amount can vary. Your travel specialist will confirm the deposit required when you book.

Your confirmation invoice will confirm when your balance is due. The exact payment schedule can vary.

We will always try to accommodate changes, subject to availability and any applicable charges. Some changes may involve additional supplier or airline costs. Please contact your travel specialist as soon as possible if you need to amend your booking.

You can cancel your booking, but cancellation charges may apply. The cancellation terms are set out in our Booking Conditions, which you should read before booking.

International flights are not included in the price of your Small Group Tour or Tailormade Journey. Your Cox & Kings consultant can arrange international flights for you, including flight upgrades, at an additional cost.

Flight upgrades may be available depending on the airline and route. Your travel specialist can advise on the options and additional cost.

We will discuss available flight options with you, where appropriate. Flight schedules, airlines and availability are subject to change, and the options available will depend on your journey and departure date.

Your baggage allowance depends on airlines and flights. Details will be provided with your travel documentation. Some regional or domestic flights, particularly those using smaller aircraft, may have lower baggage limits. Additionally, a small number of a train journeys have baggage limits. Please speak with your travel specialist for further details.

Visa and entry requirements vary by destination and nationality and can change. You are responsible for ensuring that you have the correct documentation for your journey. We recommend checking the latest government advice for your destination and speaking to your travel specialist if you have any questions.

Yes. All guests travelling with Cox & Kings are required to have appropriate travel insurance. Your policy should provide adequate cover for the value of your booking and include cancellation and curtailment, medical expenses including evacuation and repatriation, baggage, personal liability and any activities you plan to undertake.

Health requirements and recommendations vary by destination. We recommend speaking to your doctor or a specialist travel health clinic four to six weeks before departure. You should also check the latest destination-specific guidance before travelling.

Your packing requirements will depend on your destination, season and itinerary. We recommend practical, comfortable clothing suitable for the local climate, comfortable footwear and any specialist equipment required for activities on your journey. Your travel documentation will include destination-specific information where relevant.

Every journey is different. Some involve long days of sightseeing, walking on uneven ground, steep steps, high altitudes or early starts, while others are less physically demanding. Individual journey pages provide information about the pace and physical demands of each itinerary, listed as ‘activity level’, which varies from ‘leisurely’ to ‘moderate’ to ‘active’. If you have any concerns, speak to your travel specialist before booking.

You can expect a carefully planned itinerary, knowledgeable local guides, included sightseeing and a balance of organised experiences and free time. Group sizes are deliberately kept small on most journeys, with a maximum of 18 guests.

Most Small Group Tours include some free time, although the amount varies by itinerary. Your journey details will explain which activities and sightseeing are included and where you have time to explore independently.

We select accommodation for its location, character, quality and suitability for the journey. Depending on the destination, this can range from established luxury hotels to characterful smaller properties, lodges, camps and other distinctive accommodation.

Meals vary by journey. Your individual itinerary will specify which breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included. Any meals not included can usually be arranged independently during your free time.

Small Group Tours are accompanied by an experienced national tour manager, supported by local guides who provide in-depth insight into each destination. Specialist-Led Tours are accompanied by a specialist lecturer and a national tour manager, alongside local guides.

Cox & Kings has a network of destination offices, local partners and representatives who can provide support while you are travelling. Your travel documentation will also contain the relevant emergency contact details.

This varies by journey, but can include flights, accommodation, transfers, sightseeing, guides, meals and entrance fees. The individual journey page and your quotation will clearly set out what is included and excluded.

Common exclusions include visas, travel insurance, personal expenditure, some meals, gratuities and optional excursions. These vary by journey, so always check the inclusions and exclusions within your specific itinerary.

Financial protection depends on the arrangements included in your booking. Where applicable, ATOL protection is provided for eligible flight-inclusive journeys and you will receive an ATOL Certificate. Your booking documentation will confirm the protection that applies to your journey. We also abide and comply with the EU's International Passenger Protection standards.

Yes. You can extend your stay before or after a Small Group Tour, with additional nights or an extension tailored to your interests, subject to availability. Speak to your travel specialist to explore the options. You can also extend a Tailormade Journey to suit your plans.

Depending on the destinations and departure dates, it may be possible to combine journeys or extend your holiday with additional arrangements. A small number of our tours, such as Ravenna: Mosaics and Marble and Rome: Patricians to Popes, are scheduled so that they can be taken together. Speak to a travel specialist and they can advise on the options.

Please speak to a Cox & Kings travel specialist. They can provide advice on destinations, individual journeys, flights, accommodation, travel requirements and creating a Tailormade Journey.