FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
There are three VOLATOUR visitor centers located in the heart of Manhattan. Our headquarters is located on 46th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue and open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. Furthermore, we have two concierges. One at the Riu Plaza Times Square hotel on 46th Street and 8th Avenue, open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM (EST). Another concierge is located inside the Maxwell hotel on 50th Street between Lexington Avenue and 3rd Avenue, also open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM (EST). Click here to view our offices on a map.
Our visitor centers in New York are open every day (Monday - Sunday). Our headquarters from 9 AM to 5 PM and our Riu Plaza and Maxwell concierges from 8 AM to 7 PM. The offices are only closed on December 25th and January 1st. However, you can still reach our 24 hour emergency customer service on these days at +1 212-557-1654.
VOLATOUR has four visitor centers across the United States of America. Three in New York City and one in Miami. You can check their addresses here!
VOLATOUR does not have an office in Europe. However, in case you have any questions before you are traveling to New York, please don’t hesitate to call us at +1 212-557-1654 or send us an email. Our multilingual staff is happy to help!
VOLATOUR does not have an office in Mexico. However, in case you have any questions before you are traveling to New York, please don’t hesitate to call us at +1 212-557-1654 or send us an email. Our friendly and multilingual staff is happy to help!
Yes, you can book any city specific service in any visitor center closest to where you reside. For example, if you want to book a tour in Los Angeles while you are still in New York, we can certainly check with the provider for availability and book your LA tour in our New York office. You can also use this website to easily book your favorite New York tours online!
If you have booked services with VOLATOUR, it is recommended to confirm them with our agents once you are in New York. Our multilingual staff will assist you with any questions. You can also find many useful items for your vacation such as free maps, free internet use at one of our computer workstations, and interesting brochures.
If you don't see a service of your choice on our website, don't hesitate to contact us at +1 212-557-1654 or send us an email with all details. We try to accommodate any requests!
Yes, you can also book your hotel with us, but unfortunately we are unable to book your flight.
On our website we accept all major credit cards. If you are booking our services directly in one of our visitor center, you can pay in cash (US Dollar and Euro), via credit card or travellers cheques. We do not accept personal checks. Wire transfers are only accepted for purchases equal to or higher than $1.500.
NEW YORK CITY TOUR
No, we do not use open top buses as seen on Hop-On Hop-Off bus tours. Our buses are coach enclosed and you will have a tour guide in your native language that will accompany you during the tour. Several stops are foreseen along the way.
No. The coach will have several stops along the way where you will have time to discover the area with our tour guide.
Please refer to our description of this tour. You can find it here.
The duration of this tour is approximately 4 hours. Please plan a buffer of 30 minutes as due to traffic or other circumstances it may take a bit longer to complete the tour itinerary.
Due to time constraints we can't pick up each of our guests at their hotel. However, our departure point (our office - 33 West 46th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue) is located very central, only 5 minutes from Times Square and conveniently to reach from all areas of the city via public transportation.
Our tour bus leaves the meeting point at 8:45 AM and you are required to arrive at the departure point 15 minutes earlier (8:30 AM). Please understand that we can’t wait any longer as otherwise our schedule for the whole day would be delayed. Tours are non refundable, however, we will try our best to reschedule your tour if we have seats available on future dates.
Yes. Our tour finishes at Battery Park and our coach will bring you back to our office. If you want to stay e.g. at Battery Park because you booked other tickets in this area, you are free to stay. Please inform our driver and tour guide about your decision so that they don’t start searching for you!
Only children under 2 years of age are free of charge.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our tour guides from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the tour, it is custom to tip your guide and driver with a few dollars each.
TRIBORO TOUR
Please refer to our description of this tour. You can find it here. Always remember that the itinerary can change due to traffic or other circumstances.
Unfortunately buses are not allowed on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Triboro (tri = three; boro = borough) stands for the three boroughs we are going to visit: Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.
Only children under 2 years of age are free of charge.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our tour guides from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the tour, it is custom to tip your guide and driver with a few dollars each.
HARLEM GOSPEL TOUR
Yes, there is a slight difference. On Wednesdays you are going to experience a choir rehearsal and on Sundays you will see the choir performing during a mass. Please find all information on the tour specific page here.
We don't have a precise itinerary, as our tour guide will coordinate this trip depending on traffic. However, you can be ensured to experience the full Harlem vibe.
We can't say upfront which church we are going to visit. However, we are cooperating with a number of Baptist Churches in Harlem and depending on their own schedule we will arrange a visit with an available church.
Usually the mass with the gospel choir lasts for about 35 - 45 minutes.
Yes. Tank tops, shorts and flip-flops are not allowed. Furthermore, no backpacks are permitted.
Unfortunately neither taking pictures, nor audio/video recordings are allowed.
Only children under 2 years of age are free of charge.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our tour guides from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the tour, it is custom to tip your guide and driver with a few dollars each.
GREENWICH VILLAGE TOUR
After meeting in front of our office in Midtown we are going to take the subway to Washington Square station together.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our tour guides from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the tour, it is custom to tip your guide and driver with a few dollars each.
HELICOPTER RIDES
Yes. Flights are available Monday to Saturday from 8:30 AM to 3 PM (meeting time is always 30 minutes prior departure). If you don’t specify the time you want to depart during the booking process, VOLATOUR will assign a random slot to you.
Due to security, the helicopter operator might be forced to cancel flights if the weather is too bad. Don’t worry, your flight will be either rescheduled or you will receive a full refund in case it can’t be rescheduled.
You can take the subway (Train 1 to South Ferry stop), the bus (Number 15 to South Street Seaport stop) or a yellow cab.
We never quantify an exact amount. However, if you enjoyed the service, it is custom to tip your pilot with a few dollars.
SEX AND THE CITY TOUR
Children under the age of 12 years are not allowed on this tour, as the content and several stops may not be suitable for young children.
This tour will end at the HBO Store, 1100 Ave of the Americas, New York, NY 10036.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our tour guides from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the tour, it is custom to tip your guide and driver with a few dollars each.
EXCURSIONS FROM NYC
NIAGARA FALLS TOUR BY PLANE
We don't have specific recommendations on how to dress, as you won't be exposed to extreme environmental conditions. However, we generally advice to dress according to the weather forecast for the day.
If you have difficulties finding the bus and/or group, please call our office at +1 212-557-1654. Our team will be giving you directions or will call the driver.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our tour guides from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the tour, it is custom to tip your guide and driver with a few dollars each.
WASHINGTON DC TOUR BY BUS
The excursion departs at 7 AM from 777 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier (6:45 AM).
Approximately 13 hours.
About 3.5 to 4 hours.
This means that the entrances into the White House, Capitol Hill and Senate are not included. Only the entrances to the memorials, Arlington Cemetery and Airspace museum are included.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our tour guides from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the tour, it is custom to tip your guide and driver with a few dollars each.
BOSTON TOUR BY BUS
The excursion departs at 7 AM from 777 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier (6:45 AM).
Approximately 13 hours.
About 3.5 to 4 hours.
No. Only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our tour guides from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the tour, it is custom to tip your guide and driver with a few dollars each.
PHILADELPHIA TOUR BY BUS
The excursion departs at 7 AM from 777 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10036. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier (6:45 AM).
Approximately 13 hours.
No. Only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our tour guides from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the tour, it is custom to tip your guide and driver with a few dollars each.
WOODBURY COMMON OUTLETS BUS
About 1 to 1.5 hours.
Approximately 5 hours.
Unfortunately that is not possible. Once confirmed, return times are fixed in order to guarantee a seat to every passenger.
We never quantify an exact amount and we discourage our drivers from asking you for a specific amount at the end of the tour. However, if you enjoyed the ride, it is custom to tip your driver with a few dollars.
ATTRACTION TICKETS
BROADWAY SHOW TICKETS
Unfortunately this is not possible. However, you are able to select your preferred area (Orchestra, Front Mezzanine or Rear Mezzanine). Please specify your area of choice during the booking process. Our provider will then find the best seats for you in your selected area.
30 minutes before the show starts.
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING TICKETS
Reservations are not required. You may go any time between 8 AM and 2 AM (last elevator up is at 1:15 AM).
No, you can visit the Empire State Building whenever you want.
VOLATOUR vouchers are honored at the ‘Will Call Window’, but it is recommended to exchange your voucher for original tickets. You can exchange your voucher in our Midtown office (33 West 46th Street, 10036 New York).
You can't have dinner at the top of the building but you can surely have dinner in one of the restaurants on the ground floor.
NEW YORK CITYPASS
You can skip all ticket lines, but you have to wait at the security lines.
There are three VOLATOUR visitor centers located in the heart of Manhattan. Our headquarters is located on 46th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue and open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. Furthermore, we have two concierges. One at the Riu Plaza Times Square hotel on 46th Street and 8th Avenue, open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM (EST). Another concierge is located inside the Maxwell hotel on 50th Street between Lexington Avenue and 3rd Avenue, also open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM (EST). Click here to view our offices on a map.
BATEAUX CRUISES
Dress code is business casual for brunch and lunch cruises and elegant for the dinner cruise. Jeans, shorts, tank tops, halter-tops, gym shoes or flip flops are not allowed.
Taxes and gratuities for meals are included, but extra for beverages.
This depends on how much you enjoyed the service. Generally we recommend a tip of 15% - 30% of the total bill.
CIRCLE LINE SIGHTSEEING CRUISE
This depends on the season and type of cruise you want to book. You can find the current departure times on our service page.
TRANSFERS
You only need to call our office (+1 212-557-1654) the day before your arrival/departure, if you haven’t received a pick-up time from one of our agents at VOLATOUR.
Your driver will wait for you in the arrival zone of your terminal. If you booked a shuttle, please look out for a driver with a VOLATOUR sign. In case you booked a private transfer, please look out for a driver holding a sign with your name.
After customs, please remain in the arrival zone of your terminal without leaving the terminal. If you can’t find our driver, please call our 24/7 hotline at +1 212-557-1654 or use our toll free number (toll free number from all airports - you can not call the following number from your mobile phone) 1 877 VOLATOUR (1 877 865 2868) and we will help you locating your driver.