Top Bar
Request A Catalog








Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some questions that people often ask. If you can't find an answer to your question, you can always contact us by email (travel@untours.com) or phone (888.868.6871).

Trip planning
Money
Untours Samplers and One-Week Add-Ons
The RIGHT Vacation Rental

What type of Untour packages exist?
There are two basic kinds of packages: The Airfare Included package always includes apartment, international airfare, ground transportation and local support. The Ground Only package includes everything in the Airfare Included package, except international airfare. This package is intended for those with free flight tickets and/or those who have already purchased flight tickets.
Return to top of page

What are Untours apartments like?
Apartments are private and furnished, typically equipped according to local custom. Your Untours apartment will be your convenient "home-away-from-home." Towels and linens are provided, although maid service and daily linen changes are not provided. As is typical in European homes, Untours apartments are not air-conditioned. Expect your apartment to be clean on arrival. You need only leave your apartment in neat, orderly condition on departure.
Return to top of page

Are there minimum rentals?
Untours last a minimum of 7 days. We offer you three options to fit your schedule: Mini Untours, lasting 7 days; Classic Untours, lasting 14 days in one location, and Untours Samplers, lasting 14-21 days with 7 days in two (or three) separate locations. In addition, you can choose to stay even longer with our One-Week Add-Ons option. See question section on Samplers/One-Week Add-Ons for more information.
Return to top of page

On which days can my Untour(s) begin?
Untours generally begin every other Wednesday from spring through fall (although off-season Untours to Greece, Holland, New York City, Quebec City and Switzerland are available). Please refer to each Untour's web page for information on specific departure dates. Most Untourists will depart the U.S. on Tuesday to arrive on Wednesday. Traveling mid-week is always less expensive than traveling on weekends. Since we want to save you money, we have structured our Untours to begin and end on Wednesdays, when flights cost less.
Return to top of page

Is there luggage service?
Unlike travelers on more costly tours, Untourists will have to carry their own luggage for short to medium distances. Please pack accordingly!
Return to top of page

Are guests allowed?
Overnight guests are allowed, as long as your apartment's maximum occupancy is not exceeded. Short-term overnight guests will be charged on a per diem basis. Guests of 7 nights or more will be charged full Ground Only Untour rates. (Exception: Italian Untour guests of 5 nights or more will be charged full Ground Only Untour rates).
Return to top of page

Do you have Untours off-season?
Yes. Untours to Greece, New York City, and Quebec City are run year-round as a full-service Untours. Other Untours available, with reduced staff support (i.e. no transfer assistance or orientation), include the Swiss Heartland Untour and the Holland Untour. Click here for additional information on each of these off-season untours.
Return to top of page

What are your typical clients like?
Untourists are typically in their 50's or 60's, although ages range from 20's to 90's! Most Untourists travel in pairs. Groups of 4 are also quite common.
Return to top of page

What options are available for single travelers?
There are no additional charges for singles on Untours. However, Untour packages are more expensive for singles simply because the cost of the Untour apartment is paid by one person instead of being divided between several travelers. If you're interested in finding a travel companion visit the Untours Café (www.untourscafe.com) or become a member of Idyllchat, a lively listserv comprised of friendly, helpful Untourists.
Return to top of page

Will Untours make both domestic and international flight arrangements?
As part of your Inclusive Untour package, we can research flight itineraries for you from your home airport. Most Untour package prices are based on New York/Newark departures, so you will pay an additional fee to leave from other airports. Most international carriers that we work with have domestic airline partnerships, which often enable us to book your domestic connecting flights at special rates.
Return to top of page

Will I earn frequent flyer miles on my airline ticket?
In most instances you will. However, some airlines do not allow frequent flyer mileage to accrue to those traveling with our special fares. We always recommend that you verify with an airline agent when checking in for your flight at the airport.
Return to top of page

Can I extend my Untour and/or my time in Europe?
Yes, you can extend your Untour. Our flight arrangements typically allow you to stay in Europe for anywhere from 1-3 months (differs depending on airline used). You can fly on any day of the week (prices will be a little higher on weekends).
Return to top of page

Do I need visas or a passport?
You must have a valid passport for European travel. U.S. citizens do not require visas for any European Untours destinations. Foreign Untourists should check with the local embassy of the country they will visit to check requirements.
Return to top of page

I'd like to talk to others who have tried Untours.
There are three easy ways to get the scoop from Untourists:
  1. Hop on the Untours Café (www.untourscafe.com) and view photos and videos, read trip logs and blogs, and peruse the forum where people ask questions and have discussions.
  2. Try IdyllChat, our listserv group that discusses Untours, Europe, or travel in general. You'll find a community of more than 500 people who can tell you about their experiences.
  3. Browse our archive of Untourists' Trip Logs. Read detailed reports written by Untourists detailing their own experiences. Click here to visit the Trip Log Archive.
Return to top of page

How long has the company been in business?
Untours is entering its 34rd year in 2009!
Return to top of page

How do I contact Untours for more information?
Return to top of page

How does pricing work?
Untours prices are always quoted per person; prices are based on the number of persons staying in a particular apartment.
Return to top of page

Are there taxes or extra charges?
Untours prices include all taxes and charges known at time of publication. The introduction of items such as additional taxes or fuel surcharges that airlines may implement throughout the year could affect your price, as these extra costs are not figured into the prices. The average additional cost of these taxes/surcharges in the past has been about $200-$300 per person.
Return to top of page

Are meals included in your prices?
Meals are not included with Untours packages - you will have your own private apartment, with a well-equipped kitchen. Typically, Untourists will prepare breakfast and then either lunch or dinner at home, taking the other meal in a restaurant (obviously, everyone differs!). You will save money by utilizing your kitchen and get to know more about the local culture when you go food shopping in supermarkets, outdoor markets, and specialty shops.
Return to top of page

How much should we expect to spend on food?
Your food expenses will vary widely according the location of your Untour and your personal style. Someone intending to dine out regularly in Paris will spend considerably more than someone who will prepare meals at home in Germany. To try to arrive at some sort of a budget, consider what you would spend on a daily basis if traveling in the U.S. Then add 1/2 to account for Europe's generally higher prices. Untourists in lower-priced Prague, Budapest, and Greece don't have to add 1/2, and may even spend less than they do at home.

Budget travelers will cut food costs dramatically by utilizing their Untour apartment's kitchen. Also, when dining out, take advantage of the daily specials offered in most European restaurants-- typically a full meal at a very attractive price (also a nice way to ensure that you try some new dishes during your trip).
Return to top of page

Do I need to exchange currency before my departure?
In most cases we strongly advise against it. Typically, you will pay a premium for changing dollars to foreign currency in the U.S., if you can even find a place that will do the exchange. If you arrive in a major European airport during the daytime, you will find ATMs, banks and exchange services at the airport. You may wish to consider having some currency on hand if you will be arriving at night, however.
Return to top of page

What is the best way to change money overseas?
Now that ATMs are as common in Europe as in the U.S., most people will find cash withdrawals with their bank cards to be extremely convenient. (Check with your bank beforehand to find out what fees may be involved). You will get the best exchange rates with ATM and credit card withdrawals and payments, so do this whenever possible. Traveler's checks are safer, but often involve larger fees and lower exchange rates. It's always wise to carry at least some cash, but it's risky to carry too much.
Return to top of page

Can I pay for my Untour by credit card?
Yes, credit card payment is accepted for Untours. (Visa, Mastercard and Discover).
Return to top of page

What are Samplers?
Samplers include everything that comes with a Classic two-week Untour (apartment, ground transportation, on-site staff support) except that instead of spending 14 nights in one location, you spend one week each in two or more locations. Transfers between locations are usually arranged by Untours if you select the Airfare Included package (if offered).
Return to top of page

Can I combine any two programs to create a Sampler?
Not at this time, mostly because of transportation logistics.
Return to top of page

What Samplers are offered?
We are pleased to offer 44 different combinations: