How to Pay for Your Tour
An international trip shouldn't need to be paid for all at once. Most of our travellers spread the cost over months, and there are three ways to do it. Here they are in the order we'd recommend, with the trade-offs stated plainly.
1. Pay a R3,000 deposit, then settle the balance in instalments
This is how most of our travellers book, and it's the option we recommend first.
Pay R3,000 online to secure your spot on the tour. That amount is the same whether you're booking a R6,800 weekend in Lesotho or a R51,800 trip through Italy and Paris.
We then send you an invoice for the balance with a card payment link. You can either pay that link in one go, or settle the balance by EFT or bank deposit in instalments — as many payments as you like, on whatever schedule works for you, as long as the full amount clears before departure.
- No interest. The tour price is the tour price.
- No credit check, and no third-party finance provider involved.
- No credit card required. A bank account is enough.
- You set the pace. Pay R2,000 one month and R8,000 the next if that's what your budget allows.
The only firm rule is that the balance must be settled before you travel. We'll remind you as the date approaches — nobody gets caught out.
2. Pay over 6 months, interest-free, with Float
If you have a South African credit card and would rather spread the cost in equal monthly amounts, Float lets you split the payment over up to six months, interest-free, using the available limit on your existing card.
You'll see the monthly amount on each tour page — on a R26,800 tour, that's roughly R4,467 a month over six months.
- Interest-free over the term.
- Equal monthly amounts, so it's predictable.
- Your existing credit card — no new account, no new application.
- Your booking is confirmed immediately, because we're paid up front.
You'll need an eligible South African credit card with enough available limit for the full tour price. Float's own terms apply and are shown when you choose it at checkout — read them before you commit, as with any credit arrangement.
3. Pay in full
Straightforward: pay the whole amount at checkout by card or EFT, and your booking is confirmed on the spot. No invoices to track and nothing outstanding.
Which should you choose?
| If you... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Don't have a credit card | Deposit + EFT instalments |
| Want to pay irregular amounts as cash allows | Deposit + EFT instalments |
| Are booking a long way ahead | Deposit + EFT instalments |
| Want fixed, predictable monthly amounts | Float |
| Are booking close to departure | Float or pay in full |
| Have the money available now | Pay in full |
Common questions
Is the R3,000 deposit refundable?
Please see our Payments & Refunds page and Terms & Conditions for the full position on cancellations and refunds.
What happens if I don't finish paying before departure?
Talk to us early. We would far rather move you to a later departure than have you lose a trip. You can postpone by contacting us at least two weeks before departure.
Can I pay the deposit for someone else?
Yes. Plenty of our bookings are gifts or group trips paid for by one person. Just make sure we have the correct traveller details for each spot.
Do you charge extra for paying in instalments?
No. The deposit-plus-instalments route costs exactly the same as paying in full.
Can I use my R800 discount with a payment plan?
Yes. Birthday-month and returning-client discounts of R800 apply to any payment method, but they must be claimed before your invoice is paid. They can't be combined with each other — one discount per booking.
How do I know my payment went through?
You'll get an email confirmation for online payments. For EFT and bank deposits, send us the proof of payment on WhatsApp and we'll confirm and update your balance.
Still not sure?
Message us on WhatsApp on (+27) 84 331 1059 or (+27) 65 102 6163, or email info@thriftyadventures.co.za. Tell us the tour and your budget and we'll work out a plan that fits.