How long has EF been in business?
EF Education First has been running student tours for 45 years. We have more than 29,000 employees, teachers and volunteers, working
in offices and schools in more than 50 countries around the world. For more details, read about our
company history on our main site.
How supervised are the trips?
Every group is led by a professional full-time tour director. The tour director will be with the group during pre-planned sightseeing
tours and events. Otherwise the travelers are free to explore on their own (however, the tour director does often lead more informal activities
during free time and at night, for those interested).
What kinds of hotels do you use?
We use two- and three-star hotels with three to four people of the same sex per room. (Note: In Amsterdam, Galway and Corfu we often use
hostels to ensure a better location.) We always strive to book centrally-located hotels near restaurants, cafés, etc., and we guarantee they'll
be within walking distance of affordable public transportation to get travelers quickly to the main attractions.
How old are the travelers and how many people are in a group?
Our travelers range from 18 to 26 years old. Our tours are usually composed of around 40 people, about half of whom join the trip on their own.
What is the ratio of males to females?
We normally run around 60:40 female to male.
Where do I get my child's flight information?
Your child's flight itinerary will be posted to his/her online account about 21 days prior to the trip.
Can we get financial aid to pay for the trip?
We don't offer financial aid packages, but we have seen travelers receive money from their schools to help pay for their trips. Your
child can check with his/her school about any possible financial aid options.
How does the tour experience compare to study abroad?
Study abroad is a unique opportunity, but it's not for everyone, especially students with cost and/or schedule limitations. Our trips are for
those who want to experience learning abroad beyond the academic angle. We do sometimes have study abroad students join our trips before their
academic program—since most abroad programs do not include flights, these students travel with us, then enjoy their semester abroad, and then return
home on their EF flight, which we can extend to the end of their academic program.
Will my child be flying with his/her friends?
If they booked together, your child will most likely be flying with friends. However, one of the reasons we can offer such low prices on our tours is
our established contracts with airlines, and these contracts limit our choice in seating and availability on some flights. For this reason, in rare instances,
your child may be on a different flight from his/her friends. They will all arrive within a few hours of each other, and will all be greeted at the airport by
the tour director or another EF staff member.
How do I contact my son/daughter during the tour?
The easiest way is by calling the hotels directly. You can find the number in your child's online account under Flight and Hotel Information. In the event
of an emergency, you can contact our 24-hour emergency line at 617.619.1411. Please note: This number is for true emergencies only. If the issue can wait until
regular business hours (even if it's very important), please call us at 800.766.2645 between 9:00-7:00 east coast time, and we'll be happy to help.
What if I my child gets sick or hurt during the trip?
Our large network of worldwide offices and local staff comes in very handy in case of emergency, and our All-Inclusive Insurance package covers travelers
in the case of injury or illness. It's another example of the benefits of traveling with a company that has dealt with these kinds of issues for over 40 years.
If they were backpacking alone, they'd be on their own—with EF College Break we're there to help them take care of it.
Can my son/daughter do laundry during the trip?
While some of the hotels will have laundry facilities, and laundromats are usually just around the corner, we recommend travelers bring lightweight clothing
that can be easily hand-washed (as well as a few travel-size packs of hand-washing laundry detergent). For more tips, see our suggested packing list.
What's the best way for my child to call home?
Some cell phone providers allow for international calls, but many do not (check with your child's provider). The best way to call home from abroad is to bring an international calling card, such as our
ekit phone card.
Do you have any professional affiliations?
Yes. EF Educational Tours is affiliated with the following professional organizations:
- United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA)
- The Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- The Student Youth Travel Association (SYTA)
- National Travel Association (NTA)