What a real travel quote contains — and what a bad one hides

The cheapest quote in your inbox is usually the one with the most missing from it. Here is what a written itinerary should contain before you transfer anything, ours included.

• Named hotels, not "4★ or similar". "Similar" is where the margin hides.
• Room category, and whether breakfast is included per room or per person.
• Every entrance fee, listed against the day it is used.
• Whether the guide is with you all day or meets you at the site.
• Vehicle type and whether the driver is on standby or paid per transfer.
• The exact exclusions, written as exclusions, not implied by omission.
• The payment schedule and the cancellation terms, on the same page as the price.
• A named human being and their direct number.

If a quote is missing three of those, the difference in price is not a discount — it is a list of things you will be asked for later.