1. Parties
This Agreement is made between:
Hello Switzerland Tours, operated by Laura Badertscher, hereinafter referred to as "HST"
Address: Rieterstrasse 21, 8002 Zürich, Switzerland
and
The individual making the booking, hereinafter referred to as the "Guest".
By completing payment for a tour, the Guest confirms they have read, understood, and agreed to the terms of this Agreement.
2. Scope of Agreement
This Agreement governs the provision of private guided tours in Switzerland by HST to the Guest. Each individual booking (including itinerary, dates, and number of guests) will be confirmed separately via email and invoice and forms part of this Agreement.
3. Bookings
Bookings are confirmed once the Guest provides:
• Payment and tour details (itinerary, dates, number of guests)
• Personal information as required by the booking form
• Ticket Purchase: HST will purchase all necessary train tickets upon receipt of payment.
• Currency: All payments must be made in Swiss Francs (CHF).
Payment Deadline: Full payment is due at time of booking.
Group Tours: Where a tour is offered as part of a group booking, a minimum number of confirmed guests may be required for the tour to proceed at the quoted price. HST will notify the Guest no later than 7 days after the confirmation deadline whether the tour will proceed as planned, be repriced, or be cancelled. If HST cancels due to insufficient group size, a full refund will be issued.
4. Cancellation Policy
Cancellations initiated by the Guest are subject to the following refund schedule:
• 180+ days before tour: Full refund, minus any non-refundable tickets already purchased and payment processing fees (3.5%). Tickets will be issued to the Guest.
• 179–31 days before tour: 179–31 days before tour: 50% refund, minus any costs already incurred by HST that exceed 50% of the tour price (including non-refundable tickets, hotel deposits, and payment processing fees of 3.5%). Tickets will be issued to the Guest. HST will provide a cost breakdown upon request.
• 30 days before tour: No refund unless otherwise agreed due to extenuating circumstances. All purchased tickets will be given to the Guest.
• SBB Train Tickets: Tickets issued by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) are non-transferable and are generally non-refundable.
• Force Majeure: In the event of cancellation by HST due to external circumstances (e.g. natural disasters, rail disruptions), all recoverable costs will be refunded. HST is not liable for additional compensation.
5. Pricing Adjustments
Pricing is based on the confirmed number of guests at the time of booking. If the group size changes after confirmation, HST reserves the right to adjust the price accordingly.
If the group size increases, HST will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the additional guests, subject to train or hotel availability and pricing adjustments.
6. Itinerary Changes
The itinerary may be adjusted by HST if required due to train schedules, operational considerations, weather conditions, or other circumstances beyond HST's control. Adjustments that do not materially affect the experience do not constitute grounds for cancellation or refund.
7. Transport Delays
HST is not responsible for delays, cancellations, or schedule changes caused by rail operators, weather, or other transportation providers. HST will make reasonable efforts to adjust the itinerary where possible.
8. No-Show Policy
• Guests are advised to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled meeting time.
• A guest is considered a no-show if they arrive more than 10 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. Due to the punctual nature of Swiss trains, delays impact the success of the entire tour.
• No refunds will be issued for no-show guests. All tickets issued for no-show guests are considered used.
9. Guest Conduct
Guests are expected to behave respectfully toward the host destination, the guide, other passengers, and service providers throughout the tour. HST reserves the right to remove any guest whose behavior is disruptive, abusive, unsafe, or illegal. In such cases no refund will be provided.
10. HST Responsibilities
HST is responsible for:
• Booking and issuing all necessary train tickets.
• Reserving train cars for the group where applicable.
• Coordinating restaurants reservation for agreed-upon meals.
• Booking hotel accommodation where included in the tour.
• Leading the full-day tour and ensuring smooth logistics.
11. Guest Responsibilities
The Guest agrees to:
• Submit all required personal information at the time of booking.
• Read and ensure they understand all terms of this Agreement, including the cancellation and no-show policies, prior to completing payment.
• Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations throughout the tour.
12. Payment Details
Payment is due in full at time of booking. Train tickets and reservations are purchased after payment is received.
The Guest is responsible for any currency conversion, bank, or payment processing fees.
13. Payment Authorization
By completing payment, the Guest confirms authorization to make the payment and accepts responsibility for the full invoiced amount. The Guest agrees not to initiate a chargeback or payment dispute for services delivered in accordance with this Agreement.
14. Chargebacks & Payment Disputes
In the event of a chargeback or payment dispute initiated by the Guest or their payment provider, HST reserves the right to provide this Agreement, invoices, and service documentation as evidence that the services were delivered as agreed.
Any administrative costs, chargeback fees, or financial losses resulting from an unjustified chargeback may be recovered from the Guest.
15. Liability
• HST is fully insured and operates under Swiss law.
• The Guest is responsible for their own travel insurance, including coverage for cancellation, medical emergencies, and personal belongings. HST strongly recommends that all Guests hold comprehensive travel insurance prior to travel.
• HST is not liable for errors or omissions made by the Guest in the information provided at booking.
16. Jurisdiction
This Agreement is governed by the laws of Switzerland. Any disputes shall be resolved by the courts in Zürich.
17. Contact & Questions
If you have any questions before your tour or need to get in touch:
Email: [laura(at)helloswitzerlandtours.ch]
Emergency contact on the day of the tour: [+41 076 572 61 33]
