# Star Tours — Full Site Content > Star Tours is the UK's leading ABTA and ATOL-protected Asian tour operator, offering guided group holidays for over 27 years. European coach tours, flight holidays, Eurostar tours, UK short breaks, long-haul worldwide tours, sea and river cruises. Indian meals, tips and a dedicated Tour Manager included on most European coach tours. Nationwide UK pick-up points on all coach departures. - Website: https://www.startours.co.uk - Telephone: +44 208 900 2323 - Email: info@startours.co.uk - Head office: 312-314 Harrow Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 6LL, United Kingdom - ABTA: W8770 | ATOL: 5639 | ASTA member | IATAN member - Founded: 1997 --- ## About Star Tours Star Tours was founded in 1997 and has grown to become the UK's leading group tour operator for the British-Asian community. The company specialises in fully escorted group holidays with Indian meals, nationwide UK pick-up points and a dedicated Star Tours Tour Manager on every departure. All holidays are ABTA and ATOL protected. Star Tours operates from its head office in Wembley and has international offices in Atlanta, California, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Chennai. The company processes over 4,500 Schengen visa applications per year through its in-house visa team. Star Tours has been recognised at the British Travel Awards and World Travel Awards as one of England's leading tour operators. --- ## Holiday Categories ### European Coach Holidays Multi-country escorted coach tours of 5 to 14+ days. Itineraries cover France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. Indian meals (vegetarian, Jain, non-vegetarian and Halal on request), hotel accommodation, sightseeing, gratuities and a Star Tours Tour Manager are included. Nationwide UK pick-up points. ### UK Short Breaks 3 to 6-day escorted coach tours within the United Kingdom. Destinations include Scotland, the Scottish Highlands, Ireland, England's Lake District, Devon, Cornwall, Yorkshire and Wales. Ideal for first-time travellers or those seeking shorter holidays. ### Flight-Based European Holidays Return flights from regional UK airports combined with guided sightseeing. Itineraries include Paris, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Scandinavia. Faster travel time than coach alternatives. ### Eurostar Tours Tours departing from London St Pancras via Eurostar rail. City breaks and multi-country itineraries through France, Belgium and beyond. Indian meals, Tour Manager and hotel accommodation included. ### Long-Haul Worldwide Group Tours Fully escorted international group departures to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, India, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Kenya, Greece, Israel, Jordan and more. International flights, hotel accommodation, guided sightseeing and Indian meals where available. ### Sea Cruises Mediterranean, Baltic, Norwegian fjord and other sea cruises with full Tour Manager support. ABTA and ATOL protected. ### River Cruises European river cruises including Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Seine and Tulip cruises. Combines scenic waterways with guided city visits. ### BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Tours Specially arranged group tours visiting the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Paris. Includes the Mandir visit alongside European sightseeing. Suitable for devotees and cultural travellers. ### FIT (Fully Independent Travel) Tours Personalised itineraries with flexible dates for individuals or small private groups. Available for Turkey, Japan, Greece, India, Far East, Egypt and other long-haul destinations. International flights, hotels, airport transfers, sightseeing and internal travel arranged to the customer's requirements. ### Private and Corporate Group Tours Custom departures for groups of 20-25 or more. Dates, destinations, hotels, pace and meal requirements can all be tailored. Available with luxury coach, Tour Manager and Indian meal arrangements. --- ## What is Included Most European coach tours include: 3-4 star hotel accommodation; daily continental breakfast at hotels; Indian dinners (vegetarian, Jain, non-vegetarian and Halal on request); Indian lunches on most tours; luxury 2x2 configuration coach with TV/DVD, air conditioning and onboard toilet; sightseeing and entrance tickets as specified in the itinerary; a Star Tours Tour Manager; selected local guides; gratuities and service charges. Not included: visa fees and processing charges; travel insurance; optional excursions; personal expenses (shopping, drinks, snacks); porterage at hotels and airports unless stated; lunch on certain UK tours; alcohol and soft drinks at restaurants. --- ## Booking Information ### How to Book 1. Online at startours.co.uk at any time — complete the booking request form and the team will confirm availability and take payment within 24 hours. 2. In person at 312 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA9 6LL — complete a booking form with payment by cash, cheque or card. 3. By email or post — download the booking form from the website, complete it and return it with payment details. International offices in Atlanta, California, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Chennai can assist with bookings from those regions. ### Deposits and Payments - Coach tours: 25% non-refundable deposit at time of booking; full balance due 4 weeks before departure. - Flight tours: 40% non-refundable deposit at time of booking; full balance due 6 weeks before departure. - Late bookings (under 4 weeks from departure): full payment required at time of booking. - Accepted payment methods: credit and debit cards (no surcharge for UK-issued cards), cheque (not within 7 days of departure), cash at branches, bank transfer (not within 7 days of departure), business/corporate cards (4% surcharge). - Non-UK/EU cards including Forex, pre-paid and money transfer cards incur a 2% surcharge. ### Dynamic Pricing Tour prices may change based on demand, seat availability, airline fare changes and hotel costs. The price shown at the time of booking is fixed once confirmed. Star Tours cannot match or adjust to earlier prices after booking. ### Cancellations and Changes Cancellation charges are detailed in the Terms and Conditions and increase as the departure date approaches. Flight tours cannot be changed once confirmed. Coach tours allow up to two changes. ### Financial Protection All holidays are fully protected under ABTA (W8770) and ATOL (5639). Customers can access ABTA dispute resolution services and ATOL financial protection in the event the company ceases trading. --- ## Visa Services Star Tours has an in-house visa team that processes over 4,500 Schengen visa applications per year. The team handles appointment booking, document checking and submission on behalf of passengers travelling on European coach tours. Resources available for download on the visas page: - Visa Declaration form - Passport size photo guide - Sample employer letter - Sample university/college letter - Sample school letter (for school-age applicants) - Sample accountant letter (for self-employed applicants) - Customer postage checklist For visa enquiries, contact Star Tours on +44 208 900 2323 or email info@startours.co.uk. --- ## Loyalty Stars Programme Star Tours Loyalty Stars is a reward scheme for repeat travellers. Stars are earned automatically at the end of each completed tour and linked to the passenger's email address. - European tours: 100 Stars per day travelled. - UK tours: 200 Stars per day travelled. - Every 100 Stars = £1 off a future booking. - Stars must be active (tour completed) before they can be redeemed. - Available balance is shown automatically at the time of booking. - Use the same email address for every booking to accumulate Stars. --- ## Coach and Travel Information ### The Coach Star Tours uses modern 2x2 configuration coaches with reclining seats, TV and DVD entertainment, air conditioning and an onboard toilet for emergency use. Regular comfort stops are scheduled throughout the day. Coaches meet current UK safety standards. Wi-Fi and charging sockets are not available on all coaches — a power bank is recommended. ### Luggage The standard luggage allowance is one main suitcase per person (max 23kg, dimensions up to 90×75×43cm). One small backpack is also permitted (max 5kg, 20×20×48cm) for under-seat or overhead storage. Extra bags incur a £10 per bag per day charge subject to availability. ### Seat Allocations Front seats can be reserved on some tours for £15 per person per day. Sold as pairs. Children cannot be seated at the front. Front seats do not offer extra legroom. Passengers travelling on separate bookings from the same pick-up point can request to be seated together — this is noted on the reservation but cannot be guaranteed. ### Pick-Up Points Star Tours operates nationwide UK pick-up points from locations across England and Wales. Passengers board at their designated stop and are dropped off at the same point on return. Full pick-up point times are emailed the day before departure and confirmed by the Tour Manager on day one. ### Overnight Coach Travel Star Tours does not use sleeper coaches. Overnight travel uses standard reclining coaches. Meals during overnight sections are not included — passengers should eat before boarding or bring their own food. --- ## Hotels Star Tours selects hotels meeting a minimum 3-star category based on national standards unless otherwise specified. Hotels are generally located on the outskirts of cities. Standards are based on local country ratings which may differ from UK expectations. - Check-in: generally from 15:00. Check-out: usually by 10:00. - All hotels provide towels and bed linen. - Most hotels offer Wi-Fi, though this is not guaranteed and may be limited to certain areas. - Not all hotels in Europe and the UK have air conditioning — a small portable fan is recommended during summer months. - Mini bar, telephone and pay-per-view TV are not included and charged directly by the hotel. - Room types: single (with supplement); twin (two separate beds); double (one double bed, often two singles pushed together in Europe); triple (double plus sofa/roll-away bed); double plus child (for two adults and a child under 12); double plus infant (for two adults and an infant under 2, no extra bed provided). - Most European hotels accommodate a maximum of three persons per room. - Pre and post-tour accommodation can be arranged — airport transfers are not included for accommodation-only nights. --- ## Meals Indian meals are provided on most European coach tours. Options available: vegetarian, Jain (no root vegetables, prepared separately from non-vegetarian food), non-vegetarian and Halal on request. Dietary preferences and food allergies must be declared at the time of booking. - Breakfast: daily buffet at the hotel — continental items, hot options, cereals, toast, fruit juice, tea and coffee. - Lunch: typically a packed lunch, service station stop or local restaurant depending on the day's schedule. - Dinner: buffet at the hotel with soup, salads, hot mains including vegetarian options, bread and dessert. Indian-style dishes included where catered. - Soft drinks and alcohol are not included and are available to purchase. - Light snacks for personal consumption are permitted on the coach. Hot food or strongly scented items should not be consumed on the coach. - Water is not routinely provided on the coach — a refillable bottle is recommended. - For flight tours, meals on charter and long-haul flights are typically included; short-haul/low-cost flights may not include meals. --- ## Tour Managers A Star Tours Tour Manager travels with the group for the full duration of every tour. Their role is to coordinate hotel check-ins, lead excursions, provide commentary, handle issues and keep the group on schedule. Tour Managers are fluent in English and many also speak Hindi and other languages. The Tour Manager is separate from the coach driver. Tour Manager details are shared before departure. --- ## Travelling with Children and Infants - Children aged 11 and under receive a reduced rate when travelling with two full-fare paying adults. - Infants under 23 months travel at a reduced fare. Please advise at the time of booking. - All travellers including infants must hold a valid passport. - Star Tours does not provide car seats. Coaches are exempt from car seat legislation under UK law. - Coaches have TV and DVD screens. Tablets, headphones and activities are recommended for younger children on longer journeys. - Collapsible pushchairs can be stored in the coach luggage hold as part of the baggage allowance. - Food allergies and dietary requirements for children must be declared at the time of booking. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Currency and Expenses Q: How much currency should I take? A: Star Tours advises passengers to exchange spending money before they travel. Not all places visited will have ATMs or accept cards. Approximately £20-£30 per person per day is a reasonable guide for personal expenses. Q: Will I need travel insurance? A: Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all passengers and is not included in the tour price. Q: What is the baggage allowance? A: One main suitcase per person (max 23kg, up to 90×75×43cm) and one backpack (max 5kg, 20×20×48cm). Extra bags cost £10 per bag per day, subject to availability. Q: Do hotels have free Wi-Fi? A: Most hotels offer Wi-Fi, though it is not guaranteed in every property. Some may charge for access or restrict it to certain areas. Q: What type of clothing should I take? A: In summer, lightweight clothing with a light jacket. For mountain destinations such as Mt Titlis or Mt Jungfrau, closed shoes with good grip and a warm jacket are required year-round. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for city tours on cobblestone streets. ### Rooms and Hotels Q: What star rating are the hotels? A: A minimum 3-star category based on national standards, unless otherwise specified in the itinerary. Q: What is a single supplement? A: Tour prices are based on two adults sharing a room. Solo travellers pay the standard adult fare plus the single supplement, which covers the cost of occupying the room alone. Q: How are double beds configured in European hotels? A: In many European hotels, a double bed consists of two single beds placed together. This is standard across mainland Europe. Q: Do hotels have air conditioning? A: Not all hotels in Europe and the UK have air conditioning. A small portable fan is recommended during summer months. Q: Can you arrange pre and post-tour accommodation? A: Yes. Costs are listed under prices and departures. Airport transfers are not included for accommodation-only nights. ### Bookings and Payments Q: Do tours sell out? A: Yes. Popular departures sell out in advance, particularly during school holidays, summer, cherry blossom periods and festive periods. Book as early as possible. Q: How long will you hold a provisional booking? A: Provisional bookings are held for 24 hours. If not confirmed with payment, they are automatically released. Q: What is dynamic pricing? A: Prices may change depending on demand, availability and supplier costs. The price at the time of booking is locked once confirmed. Star Tours cannot adjust to previous rates after a booking is made. Q: When will my tour be confirmed? A: Tours may not be confirmed until the minimum number of passengers is reached, which can be as late as two weeks before departure. For European coach tours, this is typically around 25 passengers. Q: Will I receive a confirmation? A: Yes — a confirmation invoice is sent by email once payment is processed and availability is confirmed. Check spam/junk if not received. Q: Is my money safe? A: Yes. Star Tours is fully ABTA and ATOL protected. All funds paid are financially secure. Q: Will Star Tours store my card details? A: No. Card details are not stored and must be provided again for future payments. Q: If Star Tours cancels, when will I receive a refund? A: Refunds are processed immediately using the original payment method and typically appear within 5-7 working days. ### Coach Q: What type of coach is used? A: Modern 2x2 configuration coaches with reclining seats, TV/DVD, air conditioning and an onboard toilet. Q: Is there Wi-Fi on the coach? A: No. A power bank is recommended for charging devices during the day. Q: Can I eat on the coach? A: Light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are permitted. Hot food and alcohol are not. ### Tour Manager Q: What does a Tour Manager do? A: Coordinates hotel check-ins, leads excursions, provides commentary, handles issues and keeps the group on schedule. Travels with the group for the full duration of the tour. Q: Is the Tour Manager also the driver? A: No. These are separate roles. Q: What language does the Tour Manager speak? A: All Tour Managers are fluent in English. Many also speak Hindi and other languages. ### Meals Q: What meal options are available? A: Vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Jain and Halal. Please specify at the time of booking. Q: Can I request Jain food? A: Yes. Jain meals avoid root vegetables and are prepared separately. Must be requested at the time of booking. Q: Is Halal meat available? A: Every effort is made to serve Halal meat but it cannot be guaranteed at every destination. Check with the team at the time of booking. Q: What is included at breakfast? A: Hotel buffet with continental items, hot options, cereals, toast, fruit juice, tea and coffee. ### Loyalty Stars Q: How do I earn Loyalty Stars? A: Stars are added automatically at the end of each completed tour. 100 Stars per day on European tours; 200 Stars per day on UK tours. Linked to the email address on the booking. Q: How do I redeem Loyalty Stars? A: Every 100 Stars = £1 off a future booking. Balance is shown automatically when booking. Stars must be from a completed tour before they can be redeemed. --- ## Travel Guides ### Practical Travel Advice: Packing, Currency and Staying Connected Getting preparation right before a tour makes a real difference. European summer travel requires lightweight, breathable clothing with a light jacket for cool evenings. Comfortable walking shoes are essential — cobblestone streets are hard on feet and unsuitable for heels. For snow destinations and mountain excursions, warm layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, gloves and winter footwear are needed. Mt Titlis and Mt Jungfrau can drop well below zero even in spring. Essentials to carry in a day bag on every tour: passport and visa documents; travel insurance details; medication and prescriptions; mobile charger and travel adaptor; local currency. Currency guidance: approximately £20-£30 per person per day. Exchange before travelling — ATMs and card facilities are not always available at every stop. Contactless and Apple/Google Pay are widely accepted in Western Europe, less so in Eastern Europe. Notifying your bank before travel avoids cards being blocked. Connectivity: hotel Wi-Fi is available at most properties but not guaranteed. A local SIM or international roaming plan from a UK network is recommended. WhatsApp is the primary communication tool used by Star Tours Tour Managers. ### On Tour Experience: Meals, Tour Manager and Sightseeing Indian meals are a core part of the Star Tours experience on European coach holidays. Dinners are provided at the hotel. Breakfasts are continental buffets. Lunches vary by itinerary — some days include a restaurant lunch, other days involve a stop at a service station. Tour Managers are assigned based on the destination and bring detailed local knowledge of their routes. They handle hotel check-ins, lead group sightseeing, coordinate optional excursions and are the passenger's main point of contact throughout the tour. Sightseeing is structured: entrance tickets and guided visits are pre-arranged for major attractions. Free time is built into most itineraries for shopping and independent exploration. Optional excursions (such as gondola rides in Venice or Rhine cruises) can be booked through the Tour Manager. ### Why Choose Escorted Coach Holidays Escorted coach holidays offer stress-free travel — no self-driving, no navigation, no parking and no logistics. Everything from hotels to sightseeing is pre-arranged. Travelling in a group with a Tour Manager provides reassurance for first-time travellers and those unfamiliar with a destination. For British-Asian travellers, the inclusion of Indian meals removes one of the most common concerns about international group travel. The pick-up point network means passengers can join the tour from their nearest stop rather than travelling to a central departure point. ### Solo Travel on Group Tours Solo travellers on Star Tours group holidays pay the standard adult fare plus a single supplement to cover the cost of a single-occupancy room. They receive the same tour experience, Tour Manager support and meal provision as all other passengers. Many solo travellers find group tours an effective way to meet fellow travellers. ### Travel and Transport: Coach, Luggage and Pick-Up Joining a coach tour is straightforward. Passengers receive a joining instructions document before departure, which includes pick-up times, the pick-up location address, what to bring and contact details for the Tour Manager. The coach runs to a timed schedule — late arrivals at pick-up points may miss the coach. Luggage is loaded and unloaded by the driver at each hotel. Heavy or oversized bags slow down the group — keeping luggage within the allowance helps the entire tour run smoothly. ### Which Star Tours Holiday is Right for You For first-time travellers: shorter UK breaks or a popular European route (Switzerland, Paris, Italian Lakes) provide a manageable introduction to group travel. For experienced group travellers: longer 10-14 day multi-country tours covering more destinations are available. For families: European coach tours accommodate children and infants with Indian meals, structured itineraries and Hotel accommodation. For those who prefer less road travel: Eurostar and flight-based European tours reduce journey time significantly compared to overland coach routes. For long-haul travel: escorted worldwide tours to Japan, Australia, USA, India and Egypt provide full Tour Manager support in destinations that can be complex to navigate independently. --- ## Destinations ### France France is one of Star Tours' most popular destinations. Paris is the centrepiece of most French itineraries, with visits to the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame (under restoration), Versailles and Montmartre. Disneyland Paris features on selected family-friendly departures. Southern France itineraries may include Nice, the French Riviera, Provence and Monaco. Best time to visit: April to October. Paris can be busy in summer — early morning visits to major attractions are recommended. Visa required for UK passport holders: Schengen visa. Star Tours can assist with the application through its in-house visa team. ### Italy Italy is covered by multiple Star Tours itineraries — from short Venice and Lake Garda breaks to comprehensive tours of Rome, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre and Sicily. Must-see highlights include the Colosseum, Vatican City, St Mark's Square in Venice, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Cobblestone streets throughout Italian cities mean comfortable walking shoes are essential. Summer temperatures in Rome and Florence can exceed 35°C — lightweight clothing and sun protection are important. ### Switzerland Switzerland features prominently in Star Tours European coach itineraries. Key attractions include Mt Titlis (accessible year-round via cable car), Jungfraujoch (top of Europe, subject to weather), Lucerne, Geneva, Zurich, Rhine Falls and Grindelwald. Snow experiences at high altitude are possible even in spring and summer — warm layers and closed shoes are required. Switzerland is an expensive country — budget accordingly for personal expenses, snacks and optional activities. ### Scotland Scotland is one of Star Tours' most popular UK destinations. Itineraries cover Edinburgh (Castle, Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat), the Scottish Highlands (Loch Ness, Glencoe, Ben Nevis), Isle of Skye, Stirling Castle, the Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel and Glasgow. The Scottish Highlands require a full day's driving — scenic but long. Weather is unpredictable year-round; layers and waterproofs are essential. ### India India tours from Star Tours cover the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur), Kerala backwaters, Rajasthan (Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer), Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Andaman Islands and other regions. Indian meals are standard on all India departures. A full Indian visa is required for UK passport holders. India is a long-haul destination. Tours typically range from 10 to 21 days depending on the regions covered. ### Japan Japan is a premium long-haul destination. Star Tours Japan itineraries include Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nara, Hakone (Mt Fuji views), Nikko and bullet train travel. Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) and autumn colour season (November) are the most popular travel periods and sell out well in advance. A Japan visa is required for some passport holders. Travel insurance is strongly recommended given the cost of medical care in Japan. ### Egypt Egypt tours cover Cairo (Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum), Luxor (Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings), Aswan and Nile cruises. Most itineraries combine a Nile cruise segment with guided city visits. Temperatures in Egypt can exceed 40°C in summer — spring and autumn are more comfortable for sightseeing. Lightweight, modest clothing is recommended. ### Spain Spain features on both flight-based and coach tour itineraries. Destinations include Barcelona (Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Gothic Quarter), Madrid, Seville, Granada (Alhambra Palace), Valencia and the Costa del Sol. Spain is one of the easier European destinations for first-time travellers — warm, well-connected and compact. --- ## Contact and Branches - Head office: 312-314 Harrow Road, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 6LL - Telephone: +44 208 900 2323 - Email: info@startours.co.uk - Website: https://www.startours.co.uk - International offices: Atlanta (USA), California (USA), Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai Opening hours: Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays and UK public holidays. For urgent matters while on tour, contact your Tour Manager directly. WhatsApp is the recommended channel. --- ## Key Pages - /holidays — browse all holiday categories - /tours — individual tour pages with itineraries, pricing and departure dates - /frequently-asked-questions — comprehensive Q&A on booking, hotels, meals, coach, visas and more - /destinations — country and destination guides - /travel-guides — practical travel articles and advice - /how-to-book — deposits, booking methods and payment information - /visas — Schengen visa service, declaration forms and document templates - /pick-up-points — nationwide UK departure locations listed by region - /loyalty-stars — Loyalty Stars reward scheme details - /about-us — company history, awards and accreditations - /awards-and-accreditations — industry recognition and trade memberships - /terms-and-conditions — full booking conditions and cancellation charges - /privacy-policy — data protection and GDPR information - /contact-us — contact form and branch details - /private-groups-mice — private and corporate group tour enquiries - /careers — job vacancies and speculative applications - /chauffeured-coach-and-minibus-hire — private coach and minibus hire enquiries