Backroads Terms & Conditions
Backroads is providing new, more flexible booking policies to help you as you plan your future travel.
Book with Confidence
Your Deposit Is FULLY REFUNDABLE on Scheduled Trips†
Your Trip WILL RUN at any group size¤
If your trip only has one party at the time of final payment, for most departures we’ll call you to ask if you’d prefer to travel with more guests. Most Backroads guests prefer a robust group of travelers; if you choose to transfer to a fuller trip, you’ll receive a $300 per guest credit. If instead you prefer to travel with a very small group, an additional $800 per guest guarantees your trip will run. If even one more party signs up, we'll refund your $800.
† see DEPOSITS, TRANSFERS & FINAL PAYMENT chart below
¤ Applies to Scheduled Trips only. Does not apply to Private Trips, Cruises or Special Departures (Africa Safaris; Vietnam & Cambodia Walking & Hiking; Peru Trekking and possibly others as noted on our website); Asia; Latin America; Middle East; Dalmatian Coast; Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket; Morocco; New Zealand; Amalfi Coast Premiere; Iceland Northern Lights; Yellowstone & Tetons Snow Adventure and trips with internal air.
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 at any time. 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.
Booking after the Final Payment Due Date: Full payment is due upon booking for all reservations made after the final payment due date (see chart below for cancellation fees and timelines). If you're booking after the final payment due date and Backroads must request additional rooms from our hotels or ships, you'll be charged your trip deposit (and final payment for Special Departures and Active Cruises) before you're confirmed on the trip. If we're unable to confirm your room(s) within 7 business days, you're eligible to receive a full deposit refund. If we're able to secure your room(s) at the hotel or ship on request, we'll charge your remaining balance on the day following confirmation using the same payment method as your deposit. If you decide to cancel before or after the rooms have been confirmed, cancellation fees will apply (see chart).
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 bill the credit card on file when the balance is due unless you instruct us otherwise. Balances may be paid by major credit card, check, money order or wire transfer (please contact us if you prefer to use a non-credit card payment option). If final payment is not received when due, Backroads reserves the right to cancel your reservation.
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.