City trips
A city break should leave you free to enjoy the trip rather than worry about the small print.
City trips companies
79 companies
About City trips
City trips cover short breaks in towns and cities across the United Kingdom and abroad, lasting a few days and built around sightseeing, culture, food and nightlife. The category takes in travel agents, online booking platforms, tour operators offering guided or themed weekends, and airlines and rail firms that sell packages bundling transport with accommodation. Companies reach customers through high street shops, comparison sites, direct websites and social media advertising.
Accommodation providers such as hotels, serviced apartments and booking marketplaces supply the core of many city breaks, and firms in this category frequently sell their own packages alongside them. Independent tour guides and walking tour companies operate in many cities and market themselves locally as well as online.
Travel agents and tour operators in the United Kingdom are bound by the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, which govern protection for customers who buy packages. The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and the Civil Aviation Authority's ATOL scheme provide bonding and financial protection for many firms, while the Competition and Markets Authority oversees fair trading across the sector.
Questions about City trips
How do I choose a city trip company in the UK?
Start by checking whether the company is an ABTA member or an ATOL holder, as these are the two main protection schemes for package holidays and flight-inclusive trips sold in the UK. Then compare what is included in the price, the cancellation terms and how easy it is to reach a human agent if something goes wrong.
What should I compare between city break companies?
Compare the total price including flights, transfers, accommodation, taxes and any card or booking fees, since the headline figure can leave these out. Check the hotel star rating and location details, the flight times, the baggage allowance and whether the company is clear about the room type you are booking.
Is a city break package protected if the company goes bust?
A package holiday that includes a flight is protected under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, and an ATOL-protected booking is covered by the Civil Aviation Authority. If the company collapses, ATOL holders must refund you or bring you home, and ABTA members are covered by a similar protection scheme run by the association.
Can I cancel a city break after I have booked it?
Under the Package Travel Regulations you can cancel a package before departure, but you will pay a fee, and the company must follow its published cancellation terms. If the booking is not a package, the cancellation terms set by the airline and hotel apply, and you should read them before you pay.
What are my consumer rights when booking a city trip online?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires services to be provided with reasonable care and skill, and the trip must match what was described at the point of sale. The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 give you a right to cancel some online purchases within a set period, although this does not apply to every travel booking.
What do I do if my city break is not as described?
Tell the company in writing as soon as you notice the problem so that it has the chance to put things right on the spot. If the company does not resolve it, you can complain to the Civil Aviation Authority for ATOL matters or to ABTA, and you can ask the court for a small claims remedy if the amount is within the limit.
How do I complain about a city break company?
Start with the company's formal complaints procedure, quoting your booking reference and setting out what went wrong and what outcome you want. If you are not satisfied with the response after eight weeks, or the company has deadlocked, you can take your case to an alternative dispute resolution scheme such as the one run by ABTA, or to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you paid by credit card.
Should I pay by credit card for a city break?
Paying by credit card gives you added protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for purchases between £100 and £30,000. A card payment can also support a chargeback claim if the company fails to deliver what you paid for, so it is worth considering this before you choose a payment method.
What should I check before I sign up or confirm a booking?
Read the full itinerary, the names on the tickets and the passport requirements, since mistakes in names can prevent you from boarding. Confirm the final price, what is refundable and what the travel insurance covers, and keep copies of every confirmation email.
Do I need travel insurance for a city break in Europe?
Travel insurance is not a legal requirement for a city break, but it covers cancellation, medical costs and lost baggage that the booking protection may not. The UK government travel advice pages set out the health and entry requirements for each destination, so check them before you travel.
What should I look for in reviews of city trip companies?
Look for reviews that describe a specific booking and a specific problem, as these are more useful than general praise or general complaints. Check the dates of the reviews, see whether the company replied to complaints, and be wary of a sudden cluster of similar reviews posted close together.
How do I get a refund if my flight in a city break is cancelled?
Under UK261, which applies to flights from the UK and to flights into the UK on UK or EU carriers, you may be entitled to a refund or rerouting when a flight is cancelled. You should first ask the airline or the company for a refund, and if they refuse, you can make a claim through the airline's complaints process and then to the Civil Aviation Authority.