Definition
Hotel codes for the meals included in your rate: EP is room only, CP adds breakfast, MAP adds breakfast and one main meal (usually dinner), and AP includes all three meals. Indian rate sheets often add AI, as in CPAI or MAPAI.
What each plan means
| Code | Full name | Meals included | International term |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP | European Plan | None | Room only |
| CP | Continental Plan | Breakfast | Bed and breakfast (BB) |
| MAP | Modified American Plan | Breakfast and lunch or dinner | Half board (HB) |
| AP | American Plan | Breakfast, lunch and dinner | Full board (FB) |
Indian hotels and tour quotes often write CPAI, MAPAI or APAI. The AI there usually means the rate is inclusive of taxes, not that drinks are included. A resort's all-inclusive plan is a different product, so confirm which one you're being quoted.
Which plan suits which trip
- Cities abroad such as Bangkok, Singapore and Dubai: CP is usually enough. Food is everywhere and often cheaper outside the hotel.
- Hill stations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Manali and Darjeeling: MAP makes sense. Evenings are cold, it gets dark early, and good options near the hotel may be few.
- Kerala houseboats, wildlife lodges and remote resorts: AP is the norm, because there's nowhere else to eat.
Points to check
- MAP dinners are often a fixed buffet or set menu. Ask whether vegetarian and Jain meals are available and how much notice they need.
- Drinks, room service and à la carte orders are extra on every plan.
- On a land package, the itinerary should state the plan for each hotel, for example Srinagar houseboat MAP, Gulmarg MAP, Pahalgam CP.
- Unused meals aren't refunded, so skip AP if you'll be out on day trips at lunchtime.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Is MAP worth paying for on a Kashmir or Himachal package?
Usually yes. In Gulmarg, Pahalgam and much of Manali, evenings are cold, restaurants near hotels are limited and you will want to stay in after sightseeing. MAP typically adds ₹800–2,000 per person per night at mid-range hotels. In Srinagar city or around Shimla's Mall Road, CP with dinners outside works well.