Backroads Terms & Conditions

Backroads is providing new, more flexible booking policies to help you as you plan your future travel.

Our Standard Booking Policies

BOOKING A NEW TRIP

How to Sign Up: Ready for your next adventure? Reserve your trip anytime at backroads.com or call 800-GO-ACTIVE (462-2848) Monday–Friday 7–5 PT, and weekends 7–3 PT, to speak with one of our Trip Consultants. 

Price: Prices are per person based on double occupancy (two people per room) and quoted in US dollars. Prices are valid at time of publishing and are subject to change based on timing and availability. Please see online trip pages for date-specific prices or call us. Trip prices include accommodations, most meals, bikes, baggage transfers, porterage, all ground and air transportation during your trip and port fees on active cruises. Airfare and other forms of travel to/from the trip start/end are your responsibility. Additional local taxes may apply in select destinations. Optional single occupancy and room upgrades incur a supplemental fee. Please see the online trip pages for more specifics on all items included in the trip price. A 4% processing fee applies to payment method changes that require a refund and reprocessing of any transaction. Note: Pay by Bank savings apply only when the transaction is initiated and completed using this payment method. By making a payment to Backroads, you agree to these terms.

Trip Hold Policy: Complimentary 3-day holds are available on most trips, allowing time to research travel plans before booking. During this period, Backroads will temporarily reserve space on the selected departure and lock in the current trip price. If payment is not received by the time and date specified in the hold confirmation, the reservation will be automatically canceled, the space will be released and the price is subject to change. Holds are subject to availability and cannot be extended. Limited to one active hold per guest. Learn more.

Booking after the Final Payment Due Date: For reservations made after the final payment due date, full payment is due upon confirmation (see the cancellation fee schedule below). If additional hotel rooms are required for your trip, Backroads will first validate your credit card before proceeding. No payment will be taken at this stage, but a valid card must be provided to initiate the request. Hotel confirmations typically take 3-5 days, but may take up to 7 days. If your rooms are confirmed within 7 days, your card will automatically be charged for the full trip cost. If you cancel at this point, standard cancellation fees will apply. If Backroads is unable to confirm the requested rooms within 7 days, you may cancel the request with no financial commitment. If your request remains pending within the first 7 days and you choose to cancel, a deposit will be charged: $750 per guest for Standard Departures, and $1,000 per guest for Special Departures, Ship Trips, and Private Trips. If the confirmed rooms differ from your original request, we will contact you before processing payment. You will not be charged unless we confirm what you need.

Traveling Solo: Backroads prices are based on double occupancy. If you're traveling solo and prefer to share a room, we'll do our best to find you a roommate of the same gender. If we're not able to pair you with a roommate, you will be responsible for the single occupancy charge. The earlier you book, the more likely we can find you a roommate.

Travel Protection Plan: We strongly encourage you consider the Arch RoamRight Travel Protection Plan, or any other travel protection plan you prefer, to help protect against financial loss due to cancellation fees. Visit backroads.com/travel-insurance for a detailed plan summary and more information. 

Paying Your Balance: The balance of your trip price is due in US dollars only on the final payment due date according to the chart below. We automatically process your final payment based on the default payment method on file on the final payment due date unless you instruct us otherwise. Balances may be paid by major credit card, Pay by Bank, check, money order or wire transfer (please contact us if you prefer to use a payment option other than credit card or Pay by Bank). If final payment is not received when due, Backroads reserves the right to cancel your reservation. 

Pay by Bank: When selecting this as an available payment method, you acknowledge that it is your responsibility to: provide accurate banking information; ensure sufficient funds are available in your account when payment is due; and account for any processing time required by your bank. Please note that payments may take an additional 7–10 days to clear, during which time your payment status may appear as confirmed. Backroads will reach out to help resolve any returned payments. Check with your bank regarding daily transfer limits for Pay by Bank transactions and secure any necessary approvals or allowances prior to payment dates to ensure your deposit and final payments are made in accordance with our Terms and Conditions. If you need to update your account or routing numbers, your bank may require written notice. Pay by Bank is not available for all transactions. When using Pay by Bank, you authorize Backroads, its bank and agents to verify the bank account details being entered for payment. Transactions processed by Cybersource, a Visa solution.

Guest Transfer & Cancellation Policy: Exceptions to our cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including but not limited to: weather, terrorism, civil unrest, pandemics, personal, family or medical emergencies. There is no refund for arriving late or leaving a trip early. Private rooms and staterooms are considered part of the total trip price and are subject to cancellation fees. Percentage cancellation fees are calculated on your total trip price.

We reserve the right to cancel departures in cases of force majeure or the failure of third parties—such as hotels or ships—to honor their reservations. In these cases, you'll be refunded your trip price. Backroads is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled or postponed trips, such as airline tickets, or for costs that are incurred due to travel delays, flight cancellations or illness.

All policies are subject to change without prior notice.

BOOKING A PRIVATE TRIP

Please see our Private Trip Terms & Conditions for more details.

Trip Forms & Release of Liability: Guests are required to complete and sign our Release, Assumption of All Risks, and Binding Arbitration Agreement and Personal Information Form. Forms linked here are for reference only; signable copies are made available in your Backroads Account. Signatures are required after booking and all forms must be completed prior to final payment. We're unable to allow guests to participate in any aspect of a Backroads trip without a signed release form.