Preparing For Your Holiday

Do I need a passport and visa? 

When travelling outside of Australia, a passport is required for Australian citizens and many countries require that the passport be valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Some countries also require a visa/e-visa or in other cases, a visa waiver.

We know that navigating visa applications and requirements can be confusing. We can help. Cosmos is pleased to offer its customers the expertise and experience of iVisa, with fast and easy ways to obtain visas, passports, and/or other documents required for travel. You can check visa requirements for your destination by visiting the iVisa Web site at www.ivisa.com. Simply select your country of travel to obtain any necessary visa forms.

You can also check visa requirements for your holiday by visiting www.smartraveller.gov.au. 

What size can my suitcase be? 

Please be aware of the following baggage guidelines and restrictions: 

Coach Capacity: 

The dimensions of your bag should not exceed 76cm x 53cm x 28cm. 

The weight of your bag should not exceed 22kg. 

We regret to inform you that we cannot accept a second suitcase or any luggage exceeding these limits. 

Please refer to your Travel Documents for more details, as some tours may have more stringent regulations. 

Carry-on Bags:  

The dimensions of your carry-on bag should not exceed 30cm x 28cm x 15cm. 

Please be aware that wheeled carry-on bags are not considered hand luggage on motorcoaches and mini-buses for safety reasons.  

Carry-on bags must be small enough to fit in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you during motorcoach and other transportation journeys. 

Other Restrictions and Requirements: 

Different air carriers, cruise lines, and transportation methods may have additional restrictions and requirements, including weight limits. 

We recommend contacting the respective suppliers directly for more information.  

Additional Fees: 

Some airlines may charge fees for checked baggage, and these fees are not included in the holiday or airfare package price. We advise you to check with your airline directly for detailed baggage information and regulations. 

Any extra fees imposed by air carriers regarding baggage are not the responsibility of Cosmos. 

How many bags am I allowed to bring? 

Hotel porterage (where available) for one bag per participant is included in the price on Globus and Avalon. Porterage is not included at train stations or at airports. Additionally, porterage is not included at hotels on Cosmos tours. For specific holiday restrictions and information, please refer to the Terms and Conditions as well as your Travel Documents. Each holiday may have slight modifications to the above.  

Your air carrier may have stricter weight/dimension limitations than Cosmos. Size and weight limitations for carry on and checked baggage vary from airline to airline and even according to destination. To obtain up-to-date information on carrier specific standard checked baggage allowance (including size and weight limitations), the standard allowance (and fee, if applicable) for carry-on baggage, and the standard fee for the first and second checked bag, and any additional discounts that may apply based on flyer-specific factors (such as frequent flyer status, military affiliation, credit card usage, or early online purchase), please visit the airline’s website. Cosmos is not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers regarding baggage, or for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the traveller's belongings throughout the duration of the holiday – baggage insurance is recommended. 

For holidays in Africa, please take note of the following restrictions: Due to limited capacity on safari vehicles and flights during safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, your single bag must be soft-sided and should not exceed 15kg. In Botswana, the weight limit for your single bag, including hand luggage, is 20kg. Please be aware that on South Africa itineraries, the dimensions of your single bag should not exceed 76cm x 53cm x 28cm and the weight should not exceed 22kg, unless otherwise stated in your Travel Documents. 

What is the difference between a twin-bedded room and a double room? 

A double room is intended for two individuals, but it may not always have two separate beds. In contrast, a twin-bedded room offers two separate beds of any size, and this is the option we typically reserve for our guests. 

What size is a triple room? 

A triple room is the same size as a twin-bedded room. It will have beds to accommodate three people; however, we cannot guarantee that there will be three separate beds. If there are only two beds, a rollaway may be requested but also cannot be guaranteed.  

When will I receive my travel documents? 

Once full payment is received and you have entered all mandatory information in your MyAccount, including acceptance of our Terms & Conditions and the Health & Safety Waiver, travel documents such as air tickets, itineraries, and relevant information will be made available approximately four weeks prior to the departure date. 

Can I pre-pay my gratuities before my holiday? 

Cosmos offers passengers the ability to pre-pay their Tour Director and Driver gratuities before departure in select destinations. A base per-person gratuity rate is calculated for each holiday in North America, South America, Africa, and Asia to conveniently provide gratuities for the Tour Director and Driver. Local Guides and other personnel, however, are not covered in this amount. You can pre-purchase gratuities at the time of booking online or over the phone, or they can be added after you’re already booked up until the final payment due date. 

NOTE: Tips to Local Guides are included in pre-paid gratuities in South America. Europe, Australia and New Zealand tours are not eligible for pre-paid gratuities, but you are welcome to offer tips directly on tour.