Our booking platform is Wetravel. You can pay by credit card with an added fee of 2.9% with American Express a little higher. You can save the fee by paying by check electronically by entering your routing number and account number. This is at no cost. Some people are confused as to which number is which, in that case you could take a photo of a check made to AFS and text it to 770-432-8225 and we will enter the information for you. There’s no need to mail a check.
You can always check your booking at this link – https://afstravelers.wetravel.com/
How to Buy Travel Insurance
You have three easy ways to purchase travel insurance from TravelSafe:
New Benefits & Coverage (as of September 2009)
Important: Floridians, call 888-885-7233 for a special rate.
Enhanced Benefits
Exclusive & Unique Benefits (remain unchanged)
When to Buy It & More Info
Money Tips
Our trips do sell out quickly, but there are always cancellations and changes. Once they fill up, we build a waitlist. However, we can’t predict the odds as it depends on those that cancel.
We fill opening via email. It’s not like a deli serving # whatever. We often need to fill a spot quickly and don’t have the luxury of time. The first reply gets a hold for 24 hours to allow time to ask work. If no reply, general members next in bulk. There is no specific order, everyone has an equal chance. All others remain waitlisted and notified again when there’s another opening.
The wait list is really unreliable because most people make other plans. To stop getting notifications, just ask to be removed.
Trip Registration and Deposits
A deposit is required to secure your spot on an AFS tour. The deposit amount varies by tour and will be specified for each trip. Note that cruise line deposits may have different terms.
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel your agreement at any time, subject to the terms and conditions outlined below.
Cancellation Notice: To cancel, you must provide written (text or email) notice to us at least 21 days prior to the due date of your trip’s next scheduled payment (or at least 45 days prior to the due date of your final payment, if applicable).
Refund Eligibility: If this is your first cancellation within a calendar year, you will be eligible for a refund. The refund amount will be your paid amount less a $100 cancellation fee. The refund will be issued only as a credit towards a future AFS trip.
Credit Validity: The trip credit will be valid for two years from the date of issuance.
Subsequent Cancellations: No refund or credit will be issued for any additional cancellations made within our trip’s schedule’s calendar year.
Exceptions: This cancellation policy does not apply to cancellations made within 20 days of your next payment due date (or 44 days of your final payment due date, if applicable). In such cases, the scheduled payment will be processed in full and no refund or credit will be issued.
Third-Party Payments: Please note that we cannot issue refunds when additional payments have been made to land suppliers and hotels on your behalf. In such cases, cancellations will not be eligible for a refund or credit, even if made outside of the 20-day (or 44-day) window.
Specific Programs: This cancellation policy may not apply to certain travel programs or promotions. These programs may have their own cancellation terms, which will be disclosed at the time of booking. By participating in such programs, you agree to their specific cancellation policies.
Late Payment Fee
Changes to Cancellation Policy: We reserve the right to modify this cancellation policy at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website. Your continued participation after such changes have been posted will constitute acceptance of the revised cancellation policy.
Important Considerations
We highly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance that covers trip cancellations. AFS isn’t responsible for any personal or financial losses due to cancellations or interruptions of our tours. Cancellations can impact other travelers and our ability to operate the tour, so we can’t provide refunds in these circumstances.
We challenge you to choose places you’d not normally visit on your own and to follow your heart. This is why we only present international tripschoices. We pride ourselves in not having “cookie cutter” tours like other operators. AFS strives to find unique and special activities for every trip. There is a perfect balance of cultural tours and leisure time. You will definitely meet interesting people and make new friends. Some trips can be culturally challenging or physically strenuous. Please choose your tour wisely.
Some AFS tours can be quite active involving long walking tours on cobbled streets or even strenuous river rafting. If you feel this would hinder you in the group, we suggest you contact Grand Circle (800-595-0405) as they cater to a more senior crowd with slower movement. Things differ in foreign countries.
Travel abroad always requires an open mind, flexible attitude and adventurous spirit. We love intrepid tourists who are willing to embrace the unpredictability and exoticism of foreign lands. The purpose of this journey is to have fun, explore, get great photos, make new friends and return home safely with memories always worthy of recollection.
Click the “Register Now” button on the web itinerary. Or, text us at 1-770-432-8225 with your name and a brief message. We’ll call you back within an hour.
Why Book Early?
Trips fill up quickly! Secure your spot with a deposit (usually $500+, depending on the trip). For some trips later in the year, a second deposit may be due around 4-5 months before departure. Final payments are typically due 120 days before your trip starts. Some trips include round-trip airfare, but land-only options are usually available too.
We’re a Small Company
We’re a small team and want to give you our full attention. We might not answer phones right away, but we’ll call back as soon as we can. For a quicker response, text 770-432-8225 with your name and a brief message. We’ll get back to you within 30 minutes.
Nearly all of our hotels and lodges are first class, superior or deluxe usually with a 4 to 5 star rating. Even in the African bush you will have a private bath. If any trip deviates from this it is noted in the itinerary.
Specific info is always provided for each trip through “AFS Tips for the Trip” and “Heading Abroad with AFS” which are provided after booking. If you need help with a passport or visa use Passport Visa Advisors 704-246-6373 Marc Gilland https:adventuresforsingles.com/about/passport-travel-visas
Inoculations- If necessary we will tell you via TIPS FOR TRIPS. Tips will be available on the itinerary page on our website. Packing and more will be there too.
We encourage you to do this yourself. Our travel lovers do great using Google Flights. Specific air details come in your trip tips. However it’s important to wait until our air schedule is posted in the Trip Tips before you make your plans.
For Economy seating email flights@diversedestinations.com
Want to fly business class? Many but don’t realize fares range from 4K to 9K. We do have two good contacts for AFS that can get seats at nearly half cost by combining award miles…. ali@above9.travel Ph. (855) 777-6336 or britney@business-class.com 305-390-4132 or see skylux.com or business-class.com. Tell them Suzy sent you.
To prevent errors, tell them you’re with an AFS group and give the following:
Names: LAST/FIRST
Date of birth Mo/Da/Yr
Dates/Routing (specific cities they need to fly out of to connect)
WORLD ELECTRIC GUIDE Follow link for a comprehensive list
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/
Electric needs – Most hotels have hair dryers. It’s wise to get a worldwide outlet adapter that will fit 150 different countries. If you’re a techie with many items like cellphone, iPad, laptop, etc.) You should consider buying an international power strip. (Google it.)
All trips differ with activity levels. You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy one of our adventures. You do, of course, have to be in good health and fit, possess a reasonable level of fitness. Most of our tours are done the old-fashioned way, on foot. We carefully pace our trips to allow people of many different ages and fitness levels to travel with us. And we always balance any hikes or lengthy city walking tours with plenty of ‘downtime’ to allow you to rest.
Our adventures are not appropriate for travelers using mobility aids. Some activities may have weight restrictions. You must be able to keep up with the group. It is essential that you tell the truth on your booking form. You must also be comfortable participating in, on average, 3-5 hours of daily physical activities. We also can travel over some rugged paths, as well as bumpy, unpaved, dusty roads, both by bus and on foot.
The U.S. Transportation Administration or TSA has posted answers to some frequently asked questions on their website and will continue to update them as measures evolve. Here are the major changes that affect travelers:
At U.S. Airports (Other countries may vary)
Only 3.4 oz liquids or gels will be permitted in carry-on baggage.
Exceptions: Medicines, which must be presented for inspection at the checkpoint. Prescription medicine that matches the passenger’s name is permitted. Essential non-prescription medicines such as insulin are permitted.
Beverages purchased in the boarding area, beyond the checkpoint, must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.
Laptop computers, cell phones and other electronic items ARE still allowed on board.
Keep a paper copy of your emailed e-ticket. We email this 3 weeks prior departure if you bought group air. Some foreign airports will not let you enter he airport without it.
Arrival time: Passengers should consult their individual airline, but the TSA recommends arriving at least two hours in advance of flight time. Again, keep in mind that if it is necessary to remove liquids at the checkpoint, time will be added to the process.
Additional bag searches: There will be more hand searches of bags at the checkpoint and a bag check at the gate immediately prior to boarding the aircraft.
Note: Passengers traveling from the United Kingdom to the United States will be subject to a more extensive screening process.
The process of obtaining, renewing, or updating a passport is exactly what one would expect when working with a government agency: tedious, mind-numbing, and overly complex. While you’ll find everything you need to know about the often befuddling process on the U.S. State Department website, we’ve made things a little simpler for you by breaking down the basics—from forms to fees to IDs—and providing helpful links to the appropriate forms and websites.
In September 2024 the Department of State announced an online passport renewal is available at Travel.State.Gov/renewonline
Getting your first passport
Getting a new USA passport requires you to show up in person. Make an appointment at a passport acceptance facility or passport agency; search for the one closest to you here. You likely live near a facility where you can get a passport. Many post offices and even some public libraries can accept passport applications. Arrive at your passport agency with:
• Your filled-in DS-11 application form. You can download and print the form from the U.S. Department of State’s website or pick one up from the acceptance facility. Do not sign it until instructed to do so by an acceptance agent.
• Evidence of U.S. citizenship. Find a list of acceptable documents here. These include birth certificates, naturalization certificates, or prior U.S. passports.
• Valid identification. Find a list of acceptable ID here. These include driver’s licenses, government IDs, or current military IDs.
• A photocopy of the front and back of the identification you’re bringing on clean, white 8½” x 11″ paper.
• Your application fee. For a first-time adult passport, the total fee is currently $165 ($110 application fee + $55 execution fee). The application fee is paid to the U.S. Department of State by check or money order, and the execution fee is paid to the acceptance facility. Check or money order should be made payable to U.S. Department of State.
• Passport photos. You can read more about the specifications for passport photos here. But most major drug stores, such as Walgreens or CVS, will sell appropriately sized passport photos that comply with government standards; this makes things a little easier.
Lost or stolen passports
If your previous passport was lost or stolen, you’ll have to apply for a new one in person. You’ll need to bring two forms in this case: the standard DS-11 passport application and Form DS-64, which asks you to describe what happened to your little blue book.
Unfortunately, a replacement passport isn’t free. You’ll have to pay the standard application fee when applying for your new passport. Refer to the “Getting your first passport” section above; it lists everything else you’ll need to bring with you, including passport photos and identification.
Remember to always report your passport as missing the moment you’re sure it’s gone. You can do this by calling 1-877-487-2778.
Lost or stolen passports abroad
First and foremost, be prepared! Always travel with a photocopy of your passport and other identification, such as a driver’s license or birth certificate; this will make your situation much easier if (knock on wood) your passport disappears. Take a photo of your important documents and store them in the Cloud for easy retrieval when abroad.
The State Department advises that American travelers get in touch with the closest U.S. embassy or consulate if they lose their passports while abroad. You’ll have to go there in person to get a new passport in order to return home. In What to Do If You’ve Lost Your Bag, Wallet, Everything, Rick Steves writes, “A replacement passport costs $140 and can generally be issued within a few days, or faster if you make a good case that you need it right away. If you don’t have the funds, the embassy will help you contact someone at home who can wire money directly to the embassy.”
Expediting a passport
You can get your passport expedited in roughly two to three weeks (door-to-door) via the State Department when you pay an extra $60 plus $12.85 for overnight delivery in addition to the standard processing fees. (Processing times can vary, so check theState Department site for the most up-to-date estimate.)
Need it sooner? Schedule an appointment to show up in person at a regional passport agency if you require a passport for travel within two weeks.
We don’t normally recommend using passport expediting services, which sometimes charge hundreds of dollars to secure passports in as little as 24 hours, unless you’re desperate. If you have enough time to get your passport directly through the traditional government channels, do it that way. It’ll save you a ton of money. You can check the status of a pending passport application online.
Changing your name on your passport
Good news: There’s no fee for changing the name on your passport if your passport was issued less than a year ago. If the book’s more than a year old, though, you must pay standard renewal fees.
To change your name, fill out the appropriate form (use Form DS-5504 if your current passport is less than a year old and Form DS-82 if your passport is more than a year old) and mail it with your current passport, original proof of name change, a passport photo, and renewal fees, if necessary. Read more about tweaking your name on your passport here. And congratulations on your new moniker.
SmarterTravel.com features expert travel advice and unbiased coverage of travel deals
Our trips do sell out quickly, but there are always cancellations and changes. Once they fill up, we build a waitlist. However, we can’t predict the odds as it depends on those that cancel.
We fill opening via email. It’s not like a deli serving # whatever. We often need to fill a spot quickly and don’t have the luxury of time. The first reply gets a hold for 24 hours to allow time to ask work. If no reply, general members next in bulk. There is no specific order, everyone has an equal chance. All others remain waitlisted and notified again when there’s another opening.
The wait list is really unreliable because most people make other plans. To stop getting notifications, just ask to be removed.
Ditch the roommate stress! We’ve got this. No extra charge for sharing (that’s just how we do things). Suzy’s your go-to gal for finding you a roommate who’s the right age with the right vibe. Your wallet (and your people skills) will appreciate it. Let’s be real, you won’t be in your room that much anyway. And no triples here! We never do triples. You won’t save a dime and someone’s stuck with the lousy cot.
Roommate Matching: It’s Kind of a Big Deal
Finding the perfect roommate isn’t like finding a needle in a haystack – it’s more like finding a needle in a stack of needles. But don’t worry, we’ve got this whole roommate matching thing down to a science (okay, maybe it’s an art… or a little bit of magic?).
“We just clicked and had soooo much fun. Can you imagine she implied I was a “true Southern Belle.” Oh yeah, she is a Yankee from Philadelphia. We had sooo many laughs. I’m sure we will be in touch with each other.“ – Cara M.
Hotels usually don’t have many single rooms for groups, so they can fill up fast. The extra cost for a single room, set by the hotels, can be $700 or more. It’s even pricier on cruises, almost double the usual rate. We offer single rooms, but suggest you think about our roommate matching to save money.
We’re good at matching roommates. Just be kind, respect privacy, and no smoking if your roommate doesn’t smoke. And please, no gossip! Sharing a room means more cash for fun like shopping!
To sign up, hit “Register Now.” If a single room is available, register for it. If not, waitlist or pick a shared room. On the form, check “Single Preferred” under “Accommodations.” If a single room opens up, it’s yours first.
Single rooms go fast, so act quickly. Remember, we don’t set these prices, the hotels do. And cruises are even pricier! We don’t even list the cruise single room option because it’s so expensive. But if you must have your own room and have the budget, just give us a call.
We’re sorry, but as we’re not travel agents, we can’t assist with individual reservations. AFS only arranges group accommodations, and our suppliers quote the standard rack rate for individual bookings. For the best rates, we recommend booking your hotel directly online. We can help with air travel through consolidators who offer individual reservations coordinating with group flights for a small fee. We’ll provide guidelines on the best airports and when to schedule your flights.
Sorry, no. We are a tour operator that designs and organizes global group tours. We do not have the resources and time to cater to individual needs in helping plan extended trips on their own. There are countless ways now to google any tour or pay the travel agent fee (note, they are now called Travel Advisors.). A resource we like is Viator.com for options in every city on earth.
Please note gratuities are not included, but added to your final invoice for ease of distribution. We hire the top ground teams in each country. It’s protocol to tip our guides, drivers, assistance, porters, staff, lodges and more for each group abroad. This is detailed in your Trip Tips which are posted on our website for all to see and sent to you by email. Discretionary tips help ensure a good relationship and the only thing we travelers behind is our reputation.
Since 1989, our trip leaders used to collect tips from each traveler on a daily basis. However, we encountered some who refused to tip, leading our trip leaders to cover the expenses themselves. In response to this, AFSers suggested a pre-payment system where tips are collected in advance so that travelers do not have to worry about this during their vacation. Since we implemented this approach in 2014, the trip leader takes care of collecting tips from local staff serving our group, ensuring a smooth process. The question has been brought up: what if I really liked the service somebody gave me? There’s nothing preventing you from tipping more on your own.
Our new booking platform from WeTravel displays all trip prices, including the gratuity amounts, which are listed below the itinerary, in WeTravel and the Trip Tips. The specific gratuity amounts vary depending on the destination and group size so we add the exact amount at final payment. As a tour company, we follow industry standards to determine the tipping amount based on the size of the group. Generally, smaller groups incur higher tipping costs. If any local staff goes above and beyond their duties for you, we encourage you to consider giving them an additional tip directly. (For African safaris, the tipping guidelines are more detailed and can be found in your trip tips.)
Not necessarily. At AFS, we travel solo but never alone. However, most of our guests are single. This misconception is the reason we changed our name from Adventures For Singles to Adventures For Solo Travelers. Occasionally, a guest may have a partner who is either unable to travel or doesn’t enjoy it. Sometimes, couples come on our trips because they may have met on our trips and even married.
AFS is not a dating venue and we screen callers to discourage such inclination, especially if this is their sole purpose. Our journeys are about the destinations and for anyone who simply loves to explore the world! Suzy loves to see romantic connections happen and thus far AFS has been responsible for 23 marriages. It is far more common, yet equally rewarding, to see the true lifelong friendships develop between people of either gender from all over the USA. Thousands of friendships have been forged.
The majority of our people are in their 40s to 70, but can be younger or older. Some are in their 30’s. Age doesn’t matter as all are welcome. The cheaper the trip, the more active and younger the group. No matter your age, you’ll have plenty to people within your age group to hang with. It’s important to be in good health and possess a reasonable level of fitness. Many of our trips involve walking tours.
Once upon a time, AFS was known for large groups. In the past 3 years, we have significantly reduced the size for you. I follow hundreds of tour companies who claim “small group”, yet I see photos posted of groups 45 to 60 people, several consistently grossly violate this. Size is subjective but we want to be honest and transparent.
We have struggled to reduce to smaller groups as you request. Last year we sent groups of 7, 9, 14, 18 people and averaged 20 to 26. In the tourism industry, this is considered small. Conversely, these trips often sell out. When we post “wait list”, some get mad. Also the trip price significantly increases for us (average $200-$300 higher). All global suppliers must price based on number of participants. When we announce a new price on our website, some people get upset. So it’s a catch-22.
Please note moving forward; we aim to keep our groups between 14 and 35 travel lovers. We appreciate your understanding as we balance providing an intimate experience with the economic realities of small group tours.
