KILROY Impact Challenge - Balkans

Yes, of course! If you create your own team, you can fill it up with whoever you choose! If you choose to join a KILROY group, you’re more than welcome to join with your significant other or a friend. It is important that you are still willing to open up and socialize (to some extent) with other travelers if you do register on a KILROY team.

Easol is our payment provider for the KILROY Impact Challenge. Creating an account during checkout allows us to offer deposit payments making the checkout process a whole lot smoother. Easol will not store any data on your behalf and does not add any additional costs to you.

Travel throughout the Balkans is very budget friendly, especially compared to traveling in other parts of Europe. When budgeting for your trip you need to consider the cost of accommodation, transport, meals, and activities in your various destinations. While on average you can expect to budget around 30-50 Euro a day for travel through the Balkans, it ultimately depends on your group’s wants and goals for the trip. It’s possible to travel on a tighter budget and also possible to spend a little more to upgrade your experiences along the way.

Not included:

• Travel insurance
• Seat reservations / night train supplement fees (this is rather cheap in Balkans though)
• Visa costs
• Flight or alternative transport home (but you can certainly upgrade your Interrail pass to include this!)
• Airport transfers if you are departing via flight
• Additional activities not outlined in the itinerary
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Accommodation (except the final night in Istanbul)
• Extra travel expenses if you decide to go more off the grid (eg. Buses in Albania)

We understand that everyone has their own unique creature comforts but always recommend packing as light as possible! Some travelers will show up with a backpack, while others will have a checked bag. Whatever you choose, please make sure you can easily handle your own luggage. Remember, at times you may have to navigate cobblestone streets, load your luggage for a transfer (train, local bus, etc.), or carry your bag up several sets of stairs. It is important that you can manage whatever you choose to bring.

Trip specific packing recommendations will be sent out in your departure packet and will vary depending on the location and activities involved.  Don’t forget to leave some room for the goodies you pick up along the way! 

No, this is not a group tour in the sense that you will have a guide, leading you from A to B with a flag and matching hats. You can choose to build your own team or join a KILROY group for the Impact Challenge. If you choose to build your own team, you will travel through the Balkans with your unique group of friends but there is a likelihood you may run into other groups along the way. You will also join the rest of the travelers at the final party in Istanbul! If you are traveling solo, you will be placed in a small group of other like-minded solo travelers that you did not know before departure. You will travel with the same small group, unguided, throughout the Balkans and will join all the other teams at the final party in Istanbul.

Two team options:

• Join a KILROY group
• Build your own team and register as a group

There is no single starting point for this challenge – only an ending date and point in Istanbul on the 13th of August! This allows groups to build their ultimate itinerary depending on where they want to go and for how long. Have several weeks to spare? You can start your Interrail journey early and visit more destinations or stay in some for a longer duration. If you only have two or three weeks of summer holiday, you can easily plan your route to explore the most interesting sites between your starting location and final destination in Istanbul.

In simplest terms, you can start the KILROY Impact Challenge from anywhere and at any time – as long as you get to Istanbul by the posted date and time.

There is no timeline as you can choose to start at anytime from anywhere – as long as you get to Istanbul by the posted date and time.  We expect that most people will have 2-4 weeks of travel before arriving in Istanbul.

Planning your adventure is all part of the fun! Interrail provides the ultimate flexibility when venturing though Europe. Make a list of all your must visit destinations and activities along your route and then use the train fill in the gaps in between. Your KILORY Community Manager can also assist in curating the perfect itinerary for your group! Once you complete your booking, we will reach out to get this process started.

All the essentials you need to get started are included:

• Standard 5-Day Youth Interrail Global Pass
• 1 Night of accommodation in Istanbul
• 1 Istanbul finish line party – including lunch, dinner, and a long evening of celebration
• Community management
• Donations towards impactful projects
• Trip and challenge assistance
• Onboarding Trip Preparation Meeting (online call)
• 24/7 on the go travel assistance
• Welcome pack
• Awards ceremony
• KILROY challenge facilitation

In the checkout flow you can customize and add on to your journey so it fits your needs (e.g. if you need more travel days on your Interrail Pass or would like to join our Trip Extension in Turkey, which we highly recommend).

Not included: 

• Travel insurance - required for all travelers
• Visa costs (vary depending on nationality, most likely you will not have any visa costs)
• Seat reservations (when appropriate) 
• Flight or alternative transport home (but you can certainly upgrade your Interrail pass to include this!)
• Airport transfers if you are departing via flight
• Additional activities not outlined in the itinerary
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• Accommodation (except the final night in Istanbul)
• Extra travel expenses if you decide to go more off the grid (eg. Buses in Albania, campervan rental, etc.)

At KILROY we’ve got your back! 

Book now & pay later:

Secure your spot for a small deposit of just 10%. 

COVID-19 is a vibe killer but we have a backup plan in case things need to change. In the case that we must cancel the entire KILROY Impact Challenge because we can't make the adventure we promised happen, you are entitled to a full refund.

If the KILROY Impact Challenge is a go, but your plans change and you can no longer attend your 10% deposit will be refunded in the form of a KILROY gift card valid for 3 years to redeem on any future travel products or a spot on next years Impact Challenge!

In a standard sense, no. This is nothing like a normal race. There is no starting line, set duration and the goal is not to get to Istanbul as fast as possible but quite the opposite. The KILROY Challenge is a race that is mostly about the journey in between. About slowing down, finding immersive and local travel experiences and participating in challenges that will help you dive deeper into the culture of the places you visit, give back to the local communities and maybe even learn a thing or two about yourself along the way!

Pack your dancing shoes for party to remember at your final destination- Istanbul! Here you will come together with all the other groups of travelers to share your stories and make some final memories before returning home or continuing onward with your travels....and did we mention we have great prizes for the winning teams?

On your arrival day Instanbul you will check into the shared accommodation and spend the day mixing with all the other groups participating in the challenge. The day’s agenda will be full of laughs, exploration and a delicious community dinner at the end topped with a awards ceremony and party through the night.

A single night of accommodation is included in Istanbul, but we highly recommend adding on a few days to explore the vibrant and diverse city following the Impact Challenge. All travelers will have the option to add the Cappadocia trip extension to their program following the KILROY Impact Challenge. The extension begins on August 14th. Click HERE to learn more about the extension!

Don’t stress, we have a Plan B if things need to change due to Corona.

You will be notified if the final destination needs to be altered due to a COVID-19 closure. Fortunately, your Interrail pass will allow for any needed changes along the way. We strongly suggest you wait to book your accommodation and other arrangements until we give you the green light no later than June 4th, 2022 or after our pre-departure meeting.

Will changing the final destination impact what I have purchased for the KILROY Impact Challenge - like my Interrail Pass?

No. Changing the final destination should not have any impact on your Interrail Pass. The benefit of using Interrail is it's flexibility. The only thing a potential final party switch may impact are the destinations you visit along the way - but let's be honest, this is all apart of the adventure!

An Interrail pass is a great option when traveling throughout Europe because it gives you the flexibility to plan as you go. There is no need to pre-book departures, you simply note the time and date you are using the train on your Interrail pass. Because of this you have the ultimate freedom to combine multiple types of transport! However, we also suggest you to combine your trip with local bus, booking a tour, and get creative with local transport styles - it will elevate the experience! You can stick to the Interrail route and go where the trains take you, or you can combine your Interrail pass with other means of transport along the way to get a bit more off the beaten path!

If we have to cancel the KILROY Impact Challenge due to restrictions or unexpected closures, you will be refunded your program fee in full. We will confirm the trip and give the final "green light" for travel by June 4th. 

An Interrail pass is a great option when traveling throughout Europe because it gives you the flexibility to plan as you go. There is no need to pre-book departures, you simply note the time and date you are using the train on your Interrail pass on the day of travel. Because of this, you have the ultimate freedom to combine multiple types of transport! Take a local bus, book a tour, and get creative with local transport styles! On the KILROY Challenge, the trip is what you make it! You can stick to the Interrail route and go where the trains take you, or you can combine your Interrail pass with other means of transport (buses, hiking, campervans, etc.) along the way to get a bit more off the beaten path!

Accommodation arrangements are totally up to you and are not included in the package aside from the final night in Istanbul. You can choose to book hostels throughout your trip, hotel rooms, alternative accommodations like homestays, campervans and Airbnb’s or a mix of it all! If you need assistance making arrangements for accommodation, we can help you with that!

Yes! Travel insurance is required for all travelers participating in the KILROY Impact Challenge to ensure your safety throughout the trip, just to be on the safe side in a post-pandemic world. If you do not have travel insurance, reach out and we will share some options!

The challenges you will conquer throughout your Interrail adventure are focused on creating an impact, not only on the environment around you but also within. We believe that small intentional choices can create a ripple effect to make the world around us and within us a better place. Challenges will be a mix of online and offline tasks you can complete to rack up points on your adventure. They may range from silly tasks like "join a local event" to multi day challenges like "go offline for 48 hours."

You will receive the final list of challenges along with your departure packet- but for now, we'll keep the details a surprise! 

We have created a unique opportunity for travelers to continue onward with the Istanbul City Extension & Cappadocia Adventure following the final party in Istanbul.  This 5 day, 4 night extension is packed full of exploration, culture, and local immersion!

Click HERE to learn more about the extension!

The Interrail Pass is a single train pass that lets you travel as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days. There are different validities you can choose from, ranging from just 4 travel days up to a maximum of 3 months. We have included several different Interrail Global Pass options for travelers participating in the KILROY Impact Challenge. There are two main pass categories, a Youth Pass and an Adult Pass. 

• Interrail Youth Products are for travelers between the age of 12 and 27 years old at the time of travel.
• Interrail Adult Products are for travelers 28+ at the time of travel.

The pass included in the base package is the 5-day Global Interrail Youth Pass, If you are 28+ at the time of the challenge you must add the "Interrail Adult Pass - 5 travel days in one month" pass to your purchase to secure the correct pass. If you want to upgrade your pass to include more days and you are 28+ at the time of travel, please select the respective ADULT pass option.

When planning your general route, you should choose a Pass that matches the number of days you plan to use the European train network. 

A travel day is a 24-hour period in which you can travel on trains with your Interrail Pass. It lasts from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 on the same calendar day. On each travel day, you have access to the train networks where your Interrail Pass is valid. On average, it won't take you more than 1 travel day to go from one  city to the next. For instance, you can use 1 travel day to get from Copenhagen to Zagreb and another travel day to go from Amsterdam to Munich.

Still have questions? Reach out to us! We are more than happy to assist. A contact form can be found on the "About" page or you can email us at lab@kilroy.net for assistance.

Just like most of your adventure thus far, the options for returning home are endless!

• Choose to venture home via Interrail - you can easily upgrade your Interrail Pass before departure to add on enough travel days to get you home. 
• Flight - a flight from Istanbul to most European countries is under 3 hours in duration. Flying home after the KILROY Impact Challenge is a great option if you're short on time and can't make the journey back via Interrail.
• Continue onward - if the KILROY Impact Challenge is just a part of the rest of your summer travel plans, we can help you get to your next destination via flight or other transport option. 

If you choose to fly to a starting location or home from Istanbul after the KILROY Impact Challenge is over please wait until you receive confirmation from on on the final destination. This will be sent 4-6 weeks before departure.

Booking a flight is totally up to you depending on your itinerary and where you choose to begin and end your journey. You can choose to fly nearer to the Balkans if you have limited time and are not interested in Interrailing from your home country to the Balkans. Alternatively, you may choose to book a return flight back to your home country from Istanbul once the KILROY Impact Challenge is complete. Whatever you choose,  we strongly recommend waiting until you receive the confirmed itinerary and final destination (4-6 weeks before departure) before making any flight arrangements.

This is not a traditional race where the goal is to get to the finish line as quickly as possible. The competition aspect of the KILROY Impact Challenge is to complete impactful challenges (as the name states) throughout your journey - racking up points! The team who completes the most challenges and has the highest point balance by the date of the final party, wins the competition! 

What do you win you may ask? Well, we want to keep that a secret for now. Just know the prize welcoming you at the finish line is well worth the challenge!

Navigating the ever changing COVID-19 landscape is something that will most likely become a norm in the next few years of travel.  KILROY is not responsible for any necessary testing along your route. It is each travelers responsibility to understand what (if any) testing is needed when crossing borders along the way. It is also each travelers responsibility to understand if any necessary quarantines are needed during crossings or upon arrival back to your home country after the KILROY Impact Challenge ends. KILROY is not responsible for any costs associated with quarantine or testing.

If you choose to join the KILROY Impact Challenge as a solo traveler, you will be put into a group with other like-minded travelers.

How do you choose the groups?

We try to match people up based on their age, interests and starting point. If you register as an individual, you will receive a quick questionnaire from or community manager so we can get to know you a bit more. We will create groups with the results from the questionnaire with the aim of matching you with others who have similar interests, travel styles and objectives for your upcoming adventure.

Who will I be travelling with? 

We expect the majority of participants to be 18-30 years old and come mostly from Northern European countries. However, all nationalities and ages are of course welcome! The common language will be English, so you need to feel comfortable speaking English throughout the entire trip - otherwise you will have plenty of time to learn it, which is also a great challenge for coming out of your comfort zone :)

How many travelers will be on each KILROY team?

Our goal is to create a tightknit group of strangers who become friends along the journey. Because of this we try to keep groups small. KILROY teams will have 4-6 travelers.

During the trip, you are on your own but with the assistance of the online Community Manager in case something happens. In Istanbul for the Final Party and the Trip Extension, there will be KILROY facilitators on location, getting you all set for a great party and celebration of your completed journey.

Will I get to connect with my other group members before departure?

Yes! Each KILROY team will get access to a private online group where you can virtually meet the other travelers from your team. This is where our community manager will assist your group in creating an itinerary and determining a starting destination.

If you have questions to the above or whether in doubt if this trip could be something for you, just reach out and we will answer all of your questions.

We plan to only accept 12 teams of travelers on the KILROY Impact Challenge, however this number is not concrete. If we receive a lot of interest and determine that additional teams can add value, we will consider allowing a few more teams to register or adding another departure. The bigger movement of impactful travelers we can gather, the better and more fun!

We expect most of the travelers to be between 18 and 30 years old, however we also recognize that adventure has no age limit. All ages are welcome.

We understand life happens. If something comes up and you can no longer attend, you can switch your registration to another individual. This is done on a case by case basis, however, all deposits are non-refundable and all changes must be confirmed before June 4th, 2022. Please contact the community manager for more information on this process.

Go for as little or as long as you'd like! There is no official start date, but only a deadline for when your group must reach Istanbul for the final party! This means you can choose to depart at anytime after you receive your Welcome Pack mid June! We expect most groups to travel for around 2 weeks, but it's completely up to you and your other travel mates to create an itinerary you all agree on. 

Some groups may decide to dive into the slow travel concept and take 3-4 weeks to make their way to Istanbul, stopping in several locations for multiple days, whereas other groups may choose fewer destinations altogether and thus, need less time to complete the route. Other groups may not plan at all, but just hop aboard a train and see where they end up! This adventure is completely up to you and the flexibility of the Interrail Pass and the challenges allows groups with different travel objectives to make the most of their journey!