Insurance premiums, entrance fees, train fares, and organization dues are all examples of
The following Booking Conditions, together with all information relating to your chosen holiday contained on this website, form the basis of your contract with Planet Rail Limited. Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations. Having chosen your holiday, where possible you should complete the requested booking details via email, over the phone or on
screen and authorise payment either by phone or online by credit or debit card of the applicable deposit (or full payment in the case of any booking made 8 weeks or less before the start of your holiday). We are currently unable to offer the online booking facility for all of the arrangements we sell. If this is the case with your chosen holiday you should phone us using the contact details given on our website. The applicable deposit and other payment details will be advised to you at the time
of booking. In order to confirm your chosen holiday you are required to pay the appropriate deposit or make full payment (if your booking is received within 8 weeks of departure for most holidays, or within between 70 and 120 days of departure or
longer+ for cruise, villa or private train bookings) at the time of booking. Please note: deposits are not refundable except where expressly stated in these booking conditions. In order to secure particular flight fares, villa, private train or cruise bookings, we may require a higher deposit than normal (to include the full cost of the flight element or a villa, private train or cruise deposit) to be paid at the time of booking. We will advise you of this before you confirm your booking. If you
wish to purchase the insurance policy offered by the Travel Trust Association, all applicable premiums must also be paid at the time of booking (you must be insured – see clause 3). Please note: if you are based outside the UK and pay by international credit or debit card, then charges may apply. The balance of the holiday price must be received by us not less than 8 weeks prior to departure – or 70 days prior to departure for private train bookings and between 91 and 120 days or longer prior to
departure for villa and cruise bookings+. If we do not receive all payments due (including any surcharge where applicable) in full and on time, we are entitled to assume that you wish to cancel your booking. In this case, we will be entitled to keep all deposits paid or due at that date. If we do not cancel straight away because you have promised to make payment, you must pay the cancellation charges set out in clause 7 below depending on the date we reasonably treat your booking as cancelled. + Some villa and cruise operators may have different payment terms and if so these will be reflected on your booking confirmation. We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. Click here to be taken to the Travel Trust Association travel insurance page where you can purchase a policy online. If you decide not to purchase this insurance, you must give details of your alternative
policy (insurer and policy number) in writing at the time of booking. We will not accept your booking unless you provide these details or purchase a travel insurance policy from the Travel Trust Association. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is adequate for your particular needs. We are not in a position to check alternative insurance policies. A
binding contract between us comes into existence when we send your Booking Confirmation and Invoice to the party leader or, in the case of online bookings, when they are confirmed by email or on screen by provision of a booking reference. English law (and no other) will apply to this contract and to any dispute, claim or other matter of any description which arises between us (except as set out below). We both also agree that any dispute, claim or other matter of any description (and whether or
not involving any personal injury) which arises between us must be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only unless, in the case of Court proceedings, you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In this case, proceedings must either be brought in the Courts of your home country or those of England and Wales. If proceedings are brought in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you may choose to have your contract and any dispute, claim or other matter of any description which arises between us
governed by the law of Scotland/Northern Ireland as applicable (but if you do not so choose, English law will apply). We reserve the right to increase or reduce the price of unsold holidays at any time. Please note changes and errors occasionally occur. If there are any changes to the published prices, these will be confirmed at the time of booking. We will advise you of any error of which we are aware and of the then applicable price at the time of booking.
Upgrades or additional facilities which you have requested are on a request basis with our suppliers and prices for these will only be confirmed once the prices have been Should you wish to make any changes to your confirmed holiday, you must notify us in writing as soon as possible. Whilst we will endeavour to assist you, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet any such requests. Where we can assist you, an amendment fee of up to £30 per element altered will be payable together with any costs or charges incurred by us and/or incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers. Please notify us in writing if circumstances arise
whereby you wish to transfer to another available holiday, depart on a different date or make other alterations to your confirmed holiday. Note that any transfer requests to an alternative holiday (as distinct from transfers of bookings to other individuals, which are dealt with below) of less than 75% of the value of your original booking will be regarded as a cancellation and cancellation charges as set out in clause 7 below will be payable. Group Holidays: Any alteration to your booking
requested less than 56 days prior to departure will be regarded as a cancellation and cancellation charges as set out in clause 7 will be payable. Name changes can be made up to 21 days prior to departure for an alteration fee of £30 per person together with any costs or charges incurred or imposed by any of our suppliers. Should you wish to cancel your chosen holiday once it has been confirmed, the party leader must immediately advise us in writing. Your
notice of cancellation will only be effective when it is received in writing by us at our offices. If we receive your notice of cancellation 8 weeks or more before departure, 71 days or earlier for cruise, villa and private train bookings, we will retain the full amount of your deposit (NB “deposit” includes, in addition to any other monies paid or due at that time, all amounts paid or due at the time of booking in respect of any flight(s) you have booked). + Some villa and cruise operators may have different cancellation terms and if so these will be reflected on your booking confirmation. Private Train holidays
Cruise and Villa holidays
All other holidays
Where any cancellation reduces the number of full paying party members below the number on which the price, or any concessions agreed for your booking were based, we will recalculate these items and reinvoice you accordingly. Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) under the terms of your insurance policy. Claims must be made directly to the insurance company concerned. Air
inclusive holidays: * Please note that where you have booked a flight inclusive holiday with us the cancellation charge applicable to your flight will, depending on the airline you have booked with, often be an amount which could be as high as 100% of the total cost of your flight if you cancel at any time after your booking has been confirmed. You should assume that the cancellation charge applicable to your flight will be 100% if you cancel at any time after your booking has been confirmed by
us. If the applicable charge is less than 100% we will advise you of the correct charge at the time of cancellation. 8. Changes and cancellation by usWe start planning the holidays we offer many months in advance. Occasionally, we have to make changes to and correct errors on our website and other details both before and after bookings have been confirmed and cancel confirmed bookings. Whilst we always endeavour to avoid changes and cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so. Most changes are minor. Occasionally, we have to make a “significant change” before departure, such as: a change of accommodation or rail travel to that of a lower official classification or standard for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of accommodation area for the whole or a major part of the time you are away, a change of outward departure time or overall length of time you are away of twelve or more hours, alterations to your confirmed place of departure that add more than 100 miles to any single leg of your journey and, in the case of tours, a significant change of itinerary missing out one or more major destination substantially or altogether. All escorted holidays are organised on the basis of a minimum number of customers (usually 15). In the unlikely event the holiday has to be cancelled due to insufficient numbers, you will be informed at least 8 weeks prior to departure. If we have to make a significant change or cancel, we will tell you as soon as possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of the following options:- (a) accepting the changed arrangements or 9. Force majeureExcept where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by, or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss (as more fully described in clause 10(1) below) as a result of, “force majeure”. In these Booking Conditions, “force majeure” means any event which we or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity (actual or threatened), industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster including a pandemic, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events outside our control. 10. Our liability to you(1) We promise to make sure that the holiday arrangements we have agreed to make, perform or provide as applicable as part of our contract with you are made, performed or provided
with reasonable skill and care. This means that, subject to these booking conditions, we will accept responsibility if, for example, you suffer death or personal injury or your contracted holiday arrangements are not provided as promised or prove deficient as a result of the failure of ourselves, our employees, agents or suppliers to use reasonable skill and care in making, performing or providing, as applicable, your contracted holiday arrangements. Please note it is your responsibility to show
that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make a claim against us. In addition, we will only be responsible for what our employees, agents and suppliers do or do not do if they were at the time acting within the course of their employment (for employees) or carrying out work we had asked them to do (for agents and suppliers). We will not be responsible for any injury, illness, death, loss (for example loss of enjoyment), damage, expense, cost or other sum or claim of any
description whatsoever which results from any of the following:- 11. Complaints and problemsIn the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday whilst away, you must immediately inform the hotelier, carrier or other supplier in question, and our Tour Manager in the case of group holidays. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to them as soon as possible. If the complaint or problem is not resolved to your satisfaction straight away, you must contact us with full details by telephone or email within 48 hours. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to resolve it. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied, however, you must write to us within 28 days of your return to the UK giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint. Only the party leader should write to us. If you fail to follow this simple complaints procedure, your right to claim the compensation you may otherwise have been entitled to may be affected or even lost as a result. 12. Rail ReservationsWe request rail reservations many months in advance but occasionally there are insufficient First Class seats available. In these situations we will book Standard Class seats and refund the difference to you. Although we do our
best to follow the routes noted in the itinerary there might be occasions when a different routing and/or departure time is necessary due to timetable 13. Your responsibilities, suitability and behaviourBookings are accepted on the understanding that all persons travelling are normally in good health and able to fulfil the physical
demands of the chosen holiday. Please do not take risks while on an activity holiday. In the interests of safety, you must follow the guidance in our notes, as well as that provided by anybody on our behalf; comply with any local codes of conduct, follow the Country Code, and act sensibly and prudently at all times. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure. 14. Conditions of suppliersMany of the services which make up your holiday are provided by independent suppliers. Those suppliers provide these services in accordance with their own terms and conditions. Some of these terms and conditions may limit or exclude the supplier’s liability to you, usually in accordance with applicable International Conventions (see clause 10 (4)). Copies of the relevant parts of these terms and conditions are available on request from ourselves or the supplier concerned. 15. Special requests and medical problemsIf you have any special request, you must advise us in writing at the time of booking. Although we will endeavour to pass any reasonable requests on to the relevant supplier, we regret we cannot promise that any request will be met unless we have specifically confirmed this in writing. Confirmation that a special
request has been noted or passed onto the supplier or the inclusion of the request on your Booking Confirmation and Invoice or any other documentation is not confirmation that the request will be met. Unless and until specifically confirmed, all special requests are subject to availability. We regret we cannot accept any conditional bookings, i.e. any booking which is specified to be conditional on the fulfilment of a particular request. All such bookings will be treated as “standard” bookings
subject to the above provisions on special requests. 16. Financial securityWe are a member of the Travel Trust Association Ltd, membership number U5374
which means that your holiday funds are 100% financially protected. There are two levels to this financial protection: 17. Website accuracyPlease note, the information and prices shown on this website may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. All information is given in good faith and believed correct at the time of being published.Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website and prices at the time of publishing, regrettably errors do occasionally occur.You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. This website is our sole responsibility. It is not produced on behalf of and does not commit any independent organisation/carriers whose services are featured in it. 18. DelayOur recommended insurance policy provides some cover in the event of delay at your outward or homeward point of departure. We regret we are not in a position to offer you any assistance in the event of delay. 19. Denied boardingIf you have booked a flight through us and your flight is cancelled or delayed, your flight ticket is downgraded or boarding is denied by your airline in circumstances which would entitle you to claim compensation against the airline under EC Regulation No 261/2004 – the Denied Boarding Regulations 2004, you must pursue the airline for the compensation due to you. All sums you receive or are entitled to receive from the airline concerned by virtue of these Regulations represent the full amount of your entitlement to compensation or any other payment arising from such cancellation, delay, downgrading or denied boarding. This includes any disappointment, distress, inconvenience or effect on any other arrangements. The fact a delay may entitle you to cancel your flight does not automatically entitle you to cancel any other arrangements even where those arrangements have been made in conjunction with your flight. We have no liability to make any payment to you in relation to the Denied Boarding Regulations or in respect of any flight cancellation or delay, downgrading of any flight ticket or denial of any boarding as the full amount of your entitlement to any compensation or other payment (as dealt with above) is covered by the airline’s obligations under the Denied Boarding Regulations. If, for any reason, you do not claim against the airline and make a claim for compensation from us, you must, at the time of payment of any compensation to you, make a complete assignment to us of the rights you have against the airline in relation to the claim that gives rise to that compensation payment. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Air Transport Users’ Council on 020 7240 6061 www.auc.org.uk. 20. FlightsIn accordance with EU Directive (EC) No 2111/2005 Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the
existence of a “Community list” which contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban with the EU Community. The Community list is available for inspection at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/safety/air-ban/index_en.htm 21. Excursions and activitiesWe may provide you with information (on our website and/or when you are on holiday) about activities and excursions which are available in the area you are visiting. We have no involvement in any such activities or excursions which are neither run, supervised nor controlled in any way by us. They are provided by local operators or other third parties who are entirely independent of us. They do not form any part of your contract with us even where we suggest particular operators/other third parties and/or assist you in booking such activities or excursions in any way. We cannot accept any liability on any basis in relation to such activities or excursions and the acceptance of liability contained in clause 10(1) of our booking conditions will not apply to them. We do not however exclude liability for the negligence of ourselves or our employees resulting in your death or personal injury. We cannot guarantee accuracy at all times of information given in relation to such activities or excursions or about the area(s) you are visiting generally (except where this concerns the services which will form part of your contract) or that any particular excursion or activity which does not form part of our contract will take place as these services are not under our control. If you feel that any of the activities mentioned on our website which are not part of our contract are vital to the enjoyment of your holiday, write to us immediately and we will tell you the latest known situation. If we become aware of any material alterations to area information and/or such outside activities which can reasonably be expected to affect your decision to book a holiday with us, we will pass on this information at the time of booking. 22. Covid-19 – FCDO advicePlease note that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to a number of overseas destinations, including popular holiday destinations in which we operate. However, many of these destinations remain open and welcoming to UK tourists and flights and trains to and from these destinations continue to operate. Whilst holiday destinations remain open to UK tourists, flights and trains continue to operate and holiday services can be performed, we will continue to offer holidays to our customers who wish to travel. If you book a holiday with us during the Covid-19 pandemic, you confirm that you have checked, understand and accept the FCDO travel advice relating to your chosen destination, including where there may be a requirement on you to quarantine upon your return to the UK (or in destination), and understand and accept that there is a heightened risk of travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic, beyond that associated with travel during ordinary times. You are also required to purchase a specialist travel insurance which includes certain cover for Covid-19. You are required to read and accept this Acknowledgment of Risk (Download Here) which hereby forms part of your contract with us. Travel advice For up-to-date travel advice from the UK government, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice and https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk. We recommend that you consult these websites before booking in order to make an informed decision about your chosen destination, and again before departure. Insurance You must purchase specialist travel insurance policy available which includes specific cover for Covid-19 related issues and incidents which may affect your travel arrangements [and travelling to a destination subject to a FCDO advisory against travel], You can choose to purchase the travel insurance offered by us on our website or a comparable alternative. It remains your responsibility to read and understand the insurance policy and ensure that it is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses suffered by you in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available. Cancellation – the following clauses are in addition to our standard cancellation terms and charges: Where you are choosing to travel to a destination subject to the FCDO advisory against non-essential travel, you accept that once your booking has been confirmed, if you decide not to travel due to the FCDO advisory, you will have to pay our standard cancellation charges as shown in clause 7 of these booking conditions – you are not entitled to cancel and receive a full refund in these circumstances, as it is assumed and you confirm that you have made your booking with full knowledge of the FCDO advisory against non-essential travel. Where your chosen destination is exempt from the FCDO advisory against non-essential travel at the time of booking but is subsequently removed from the FCDO exemption list and at that point becomes subject to the FCDO advisory against non-essential travel, you accept that you will not have the right to cancel your booking and receive a full refund. If you choose to no longer travel in these circumstances, you will have to pay our standard cancellation charges as shown in clause 7 of these booking conditions, as you made your booking with full knowledge of the risks of travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please note that we will have no liability for any refunds, compensation, costs, expenses or other losses of any kind incurred by you (including, where applicable, the cost of medical treatment), in the following circumstances: a) If you, or anyone in your booking party, test positive for Covid-19, or are notified or otherwise become aware that you have, or suspect you may have, come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 (or where they otherwise suspect they may have Covid-19) and have to self-isolate for a period of time. If this happens within 14 days of your departure date, you must contact us immediately as you may no longer be able to travel. We will offer you the following options where possible and subject to availability:
If this happens whilst you are on your holiday, please notify us immediately and we will provide such reasonable assistance as we can in the circumstances. However, we will not be responsible for covering the cost of any curtailment of your holiday, missed transport arrangements, additional accommodation required, or other associated costs incurred by you. Your travel insurance may cover some of these costs for you – please check the policy wording. b) You fail any tests, checks or other measures imposed by a supplier, airline, port or airport, border control authority or other government body or local authority or fail to submit for testing or assessment when requested to do so, and as such you are denied boarding, entry to the destination, access to the travel services or you are otherwise unable to proceed with your holiday, or any part of the holiday, or you are required to self-isolate within the destination. Your travel insurance may cover some of these costs for you – please check the policy wording. Your holiday experience You acknowledge that the suppliers providing your holiday will need to comply with national and/or local guidance and requirements relating to Covid-19 and have implemented certain measures as a result. This will likely include specific requirements regarding personal protective equipment, such as use of face-masks by staff (and you may be required to wear a face-mask as well), social distancing, maximum number restrictions on the use of certain facilities, designated alternative entrance and exit routes, mandatory hand sanitisation, limited entertainment options and limited food/drink availability and temperature testing. We do not expect these measures to have a significant impact on your enjoyment of your holiday and all measures will be taken with the purpose of securing your safety and those around you. Events Beyond Our Control In these booking conditions, “Events Beyond Our Control” means a situation which is beyond our or the supplier’s control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. Such situations are likely to include, whether actual or threatened, war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, flood, epidemics and pandemics, fire, airport, port or airspace closures, restrictions or congestion, flight or entry restrictions imposed by any regulatory authority or other third party, an FCDO advisory against travel to a particular destination and any other government restrictions on travel. Except where otherwise stated in these booking conditions, we have no liability including for compensation, costs and expenses in such situations. |