Travel Buddies trips are semi-guided, giving you the best mix of independent and group travel. We organise your accommodation, transport, and included activities, so the main planning is taken care of for you.

It’s your responsibility to arrive at meeting points and departures on time, as missed activities or transport are non-refundable and any alternative arrangements would need to be organised at your own expense.

Our trips are semi-guided, giving you the perfect mix of freedom and support. There’s no full-time tour guide, so you can explore each destination your own way whether that’s with your group or doing your own thing.

We take care of accommodation, transport, and key activities, while still giving you plenty of free time to make the trip your own. You’ll also meet loads of other backpackers at the hostels and during day and overnight trips.

Before your trip starts, we’ll add you to a WhatsApp group chat so you can meet everyone beforehand. Throughout the trip, we’ll send daily updates with where you need to be, when, and what’s planned, and our 7-day support team is always available if you need help.

Yes! Reach out to one of our travel specialist when booking your tour and they can look at availability for you.

This accommodation will be booked separately to the tour however we aim to book you in the same hostel/rooms so you won’t need to move around.

Feel free to as about optional add-on activities too! 

Anyone 18 – 30 can join and enjoy our tours, however if you are just out of the age bracket, speak to the team to see if you are a right fit for the trip! This is mainly because our chosen accommodations and activities are often catered towards social backpackers between these ages.

Travel Buddies tours attract adventurous, social backpackers who enjoy flexibility and independence while travelling. Most travellers fall in the 18-30 age range, though the tours are open to anyone over 18. These are individuals who love exploring new destinations, making new friends, and sharing experiences with like-minded people. Whether solo travellers or those in small groups, participants typically value the mix of independent exploration with the social aspect of travelling with a group.

Travel Buddies tours typically have a maximum group size of 12 travellers, however our minimum number is 2. This allows for a more intimate, social experience, where everyone gets to know each other while still having the space for individual exploration.

No, Travel Buddies pre-books all your transportation, including buses or other relevant transfers between locations. You’ll receive all your travel details, including times and bus stop locations, with your itinerary, which will be sent to you 14 days before departure. This way, you can relax knowing the logistics are taken care of.

The itinerary offers a balance of planned group activities and free time, allowing you to explore each destination on your own or with your new friends. While certain activities and transport are scheduled, you’ll have the flexibility to choose your own adventures during free days or in your downtime.

You’ll be added to a dedicated WhatsApp group chat a few days before your departure. This group will include your fellow travellers as well as a Travel Buddies rep. The chat is a great way to connect before the trip, share excitement, and arrange meet-ups before your official start date.

3 days before your departure, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp group chat with your Local & Travel Buddies, giving you a chance to connect before the trip begins. This chat will provide daily updates about where you need to be, what activities you’ll be doing, and include Google Maps links for easy navigation. While there is no guide for this trip, a dedicated group chat representative will be available to help you throughout your journey. Keep in mind, it’s your responsibility to arrive at the correct pick-up or start location on time.

Once you’ve officially booked your spot with Travel Buddies, we will send you a confirmation email. An itinerary specific to your trip, including bus schedules and activity times, will be finalised and sent to you at least 14 days before your departure.

From the 1st of April 2024, travel insurance is compulsory when booking Travel Buddies. It is important to have a travel insurance policy that covers you in case you get sick or injured (COVID-19 or otherwise), lose an item, or miss your tour. If you already have travel insurance, please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us. Learn more here.

Each tour’s meeting point and time will be different – your official itinerary will be sent out to you at the latest 14 days before departure with information about your meeting locations. Your pre-booked hostel is available for check-in anytime from 2pm. If you arrive early, don’t worry – the hostel offers a secure area to store your bags, allowing you to explore the city during your free time. 3 days before your departure, you will be added to a WhatsApp group chat with your fellow Travel Buddies and a Local Buddy, making it easy to arrange meet-ups before check-in. Your Local Buddy will also provide a time and location for a welcome gathering in the afternoon or evening.

No stress! The minimum number of passengers for Travel Buddies is 2 people. Regardless, you will still get the same experience and service including personalised daily messages, as well as local guides meeting you in Sydney, Byron Bay, Airlie Beach & Cairns in Australia, and Auckland, Rotorua & Queenstown in New Zealand.

Some sectors and third-party experiences may require a minimum number of passengers to operate. In circumstances where minimum numbers are not reached an alternative option will be offered. You will be notified by email at least 48 hours in advance of such changes.

In the unlikely event that the entire Travel Buddies tour doesn’t meet minimum requirements, no stress – we can either find you an alternative date to travel, or travel solo with all of the perks of Travel Buddies and your own personal experience.

If an activity is cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we will try to reschedule it or find an alternative activity for you. If rescheduling or finding an alternative is not possible, you will receive a refund for the discounted rate paid for that activity.

For most of the trip, you will be in dorm rooms shared only with other members of your Travel Buddies group. In some circumstances you may be sharing a room with other travellers – however you will never be booked into a room alone without at least one other Travel Buddy.

The best part of our semi self-guided tours is that you are free to do anything you want on your free days. In certain locations you will be able to meet up with a Travel Buddies Rep who will be able to recommend the best activities for you, from lovely scenic walks to exciting adrenaline based activities, or the best bars and restaurants to explore at night. If you’re still unsure, why not reach out to a travel specialist at the time of booking for the best extra activities to fill in your free days.

Recommended packing essentials include a camera, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, weather-appropriate clothing, comfortable shoes, spending money, snacks, and your ID. Don’t forget to bring a sense of adventure! Depending on the tour, you might also want to bring specific gear for activities like hiking or beach days.

Yes, all of your buses will be pre booked for you. All information regarding times and bus stop locations will be sent to you along with your itinerary.

Yes, you can add on extra activities during your Travel Buddies tour. The semi self-guided nature of these tours gives you the flexibility to customise your experience. While many core activities are included you’ll also have free time to add extra adventures at your own expense. These could range from adrenaline-pumping activities like skydiving and bungee jumping to additional scenic tours, cultural experiences, or local excursions.

During your free time, Travel Buddies reps can recommend additional free activities, or you can book them independently as you go. This flexibility allows you to tailor your trip to your preferences, making the most of your time at each destination.

If you’d like to continue travelling once you’ve finished your Travel Buddies trip, why not reach out to your travel agent and find out some more bucket-list destinations for any onward travel – whether it’s continuing on where you are, travelling somewhere else in the country, or even a different country – we’ve got you covered.