EF Educational Tours Reviews

Buyer Beware: I purchased insurance to allow for cancellation if needed. My husband was injured and is out of work so this is now a financial hardship issue and he is not being paid for this downtime so I need my money from this trip to survive bills, etc. I am being refunded "they say", but have to wait 4-6 weeks to be repaid and I don't expect them to give a you know what about me, but like everything, so quick to take money but takes this long to get a check out?...when you have my money in an account, just cut the dang check! Also I called to cancel on 8/1/2025 and waited a few weeks to call back to confirm if check had been mailed only to find out, they had not even processed the cancellation request, so here I am at the end of August and now it's as though I cancelled from scratch now, so another 4-6 weeks from now, so I'm actually going to have to wait 9 weeks in this case since I didn't know it wasn't processing before on 8/1. I also need to file an insurance claim to get refunded for the cancellation fee. They are asking for medical records and personal HIPPAA information that I don't think they need to know about my husband's condition, I bought cancellation insurance! I am not providing them with personal Health information for $300.00 bucks they can keep that charge for me to keep my husbands information private. This is ridiculous, and we were not told this when we purchased the insurance. The insurance was purchased to be refunded if necessary, not to have to go through this BS. I would not ever do business with them again. We are many months before the trip so it's not like it's last minute. I'm very upset with the Cancellation process most time when someone has to cancel something like this it's for a serious reason or illness, etc. Come on, do better EF Tours!

My contacts and support team at EFT went above and beyond to always offer kind and genuine support. I always felt that someone was looking after us and ready to provide help when I needed it.

Great experience and educational. Lots of activities

From the moment we signed up for our trip to Japan, we felt excited and supported. We didn't have to worry about a single thing during out trip, aside from just enjoying ourselves. The staff was with us the entire trip and we were sad to head home at the end. I can't imagine travelling with young children any other way. A++ experience and we will absolutely be doing another trip with EF. My daughter and I enjoyed a trip of a lifetime and I am a firm believer that it's because of the amazing staff at EF that it was an extra special experience. Having someone with you who knows the area and knows proper etiquette and language makes all the difference. We were able to learn about history, food, culture, language and even a little origami. Moe was out guide from EF and she is a true gem. Thank you EF for such an amazing experience.

Loved it! The tour was great and I can't wait to take more students on more trips!

Everyone was great to work with, and so kind. I always felt supported and knew what I needed to make this a successful trip for everyone. We had an amazing trip and got to do SO MANY THINGS! I would highly recommend this trip and EF to everyone.

Amalfi Coast/Santorini Greece July 2025: EF is organized, experienced, and offers a great experience for our group of 14. Our Guide Claudia was warm, charming, fun to be with, and professional. Backpacks had great features. Transportation (buses, planes, boats) were excellent. Hotel accommodations had great AC, clean, well appointed, and safe. This was my 2nd EF experience and I wouldn't hesitate to use EF again.

It was a nice trip

I love this school

Loved the guides and other EF staff! There were also amazing restaurants. Would’ve been better if we got more shopping time in places such as Akihabra and Harajuku.

Things went really well. We really appreciated the payment plan, and while it's not ideal to wait until 3 weeks out for flight details being a meeting planner myself, everything fell within the original date window. Our son had a wonderful time and he can't wait until next year!

My daughter recently returned from a two week Educational Tours trip through her high school to Greece, Italy, and Turkey, including a cruise portion. She enjoyed the experience overall. The destinations were incredible and the tour guides were excellent, making the cultural and historical sites engaging and memorable. That said, families should be aware of some drawbacks. The trip was not inexpensive, $5,000 pp, yet several last-minute changes and logistical challenges made the experience more stressful than expected. For example, instead of flying to the departure airport, our group was bused over three hours, a change communicated at the last minute. Hotel stays throughout Europe were in very basic accommodations, which did not match the price point of the trip. The luggage policies and insurance plan were particularly problematic. Students were told they could only take the small approved carry-on for a 14 day trip, which limited packing. When flights were scheduled so close together on the return, my daughter’s luggage did not arrive back in Washington Dulles. Because our group then bused 3.5 hours home, her suitcase containing her entire summer wardrobe (all her shorts and bathing suits) was delayed by a week. When we filed a delayed luggage claim, it was denied. The insurance company (Broadspire Services Inc.) stated that coverage ended the moment the group landed in the United States, regardless of whether baggage was delivered. In short, while the destinations and guides were a highlight, families should understand that EF Tours reserves the right to change plans with little notice, accommodations are basic, and the insurance may not provide meaningful protection. It is tough to say if we would do this again, but I hope this review helps other families make an informed decision.

My daughter enjoyed spending time with the kids and Miguel our guide. She enjoyed the interactions that were geared for her abilities.

First-Traveled to Japan. Was put up in a hotel that was 1 hour and 15 minute drive outside of Tokyo. The first day in Tokyo we were told the bus had to be back at it's station before we were done with dinner so we would have to take public transportation back to hotel. Not a problem? It took a total of 3 HOURS! By the time we walked to the station, bought tickets (which took 30 minutes to buy them individually) change 2 trains then standing up the whole time and then walking 20 minutes to our hotel. Had to leave Tokyo before dark which meant we never got to see it with all the lights that they are famous for. Did that both nights we were there. I think for the price we paid, EF tours could have gotten a closer hotel that was actually IN Tokyo. WASTE OF OUR PRECIOUS TIME THAT WE COULD HAVE SPENT IN TOKYO Second- every stop they took us to shop. At first seemed ok but by the second day and the 5th shopping stop, some students were upset and so was I. How can anyone buy many things when we had limited luggage to travel with in the first place. Third-One of our tours was going to be an outdoor architectural museum. It was raining so they felt it better to take us to A PARK! A huge park but it had a museum next to it that "was only $7 to get in". You would think they would give the students the $7 that could have been taken from the amount they may have spent on the museum we didn't go to, but no. I saw most of the students walking around in the rain. Fourth-we then went to Hiroshima and the bags were to be driven on bus to get there the next day so we packed an overnight. To our surprise they sent 4 out of the 40 bags to another city so we were without our bags for 3 days until we reached that city. Fifth-the tour guide was very friendly and helpful. No complaints about him personally. I just think EF tours needs to make it educational(which I had expected being Educational Tours) I expected information like when temples we visited were built, by who and why? Maybe when driving around the city things could be pointed out and talked about? Tell about Japan anything in general? I learned nothing about Japans history or really anything. Sixth--we then traveled to South Korea and the first thing our guide told us was that she was not certified yet to be a tour guide so she was not able to tell us much about the country just her "opinion" and what she had learned thus far. We were taken to the demilitarized zone and to a tunnel that was built underground but not given any info except it may be a hard walk. The only way I learned about it was the display board that I had taken a picture of because I didn't have time to read it being rushed back to the bus. I think the guide told a little about the relationship between North and South Korea but not much. When we got dropped off at another spot I eavesdropped on a guided tour given by a different company and learned more in that couple minutes than I did the whole 3 days we were there. OVERALL I HAVE TO SAY, THIS WAS THE NOT THE EDUCATIONAL TOUR THAT I EXPECTED.

I had an absolutely wonderful experience traveling through the vibrant landscapes of Japan with my two daughters. Our tour guide, Ruby, was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also brought an infectious sense of fun and enthusiasm to our journey. Her wit and charm made every moment memorable. From exploring ancient temples to savoring delicious local cuisine, many of the unforgettable experiences we encountered were made possible by Ruby's expert guidance and friendly support. I’ve shared my positive experience with countless friends and family, and I wholeheartedly recommend EF for anyone looking to explore the rich culture and beauty of Japan.

I recently attended an Italian language course at EF in Rome, and while I was excited to learn, the overall experience left me deeply disappointed—except for one saving grace: my teacher, Roberta. The Positive: Roberta’s Teaching Roberta was exceptional. Her calm, patient, and intentional teaching style stood out. She genuinely cared about her students and made learning a pleasant experience, offering a sense of grounding in an otherwise difficult environment. The Negative: Hostile Atmosphere Unfortunately, the rest of my time there was overshadowed by an atmosphere of hostility and exclusion. From day one, I felt like I was being watched and treated with suspicion. It wasn’t about “fitting in”—it was about prejudice. I noticed a clear difference in how I was treated compared to others. It felt as if a narrative had already been written about me, and this tension tainted the whole atmosphere. Specific Incidents: One instructor mocked my attempt to speak Italian instead of offering constructive feedback. Another instructor refused to let me into class for being late, despite another student arriving even later and being allowed in. I requested a small refund for a canceled activity and was flatly denied. The school also failed to inform us of metro line closures during a beach excursion, which caused unnecessary confusion. At no point did anyone check in or try to address my concerns. I felt completely ignored. A Lack of Respect The isolation, hushed tones, and general discomfort were not only noticeable—they were dehumanizing. The way I was treated, as if I wasn’t worth the basic respect any student deserves, was insulting. Final Thoughts: For a program costing over $3000, I expected basic respect and fairness. While Roberta’s teaching was a bright spot, the overall experience left me disillusioned. EF needs to seriously reconsider how they treat students, especially those who may face prejudices. Inclusivity and respect should go beyond just offering classes—it should be a core part of the experience. Until then, I cannot recommend this program.

Great communications throughout the whole process! I never felt worried about what to do next because they were always a step ahead of me in the emails. My son had an amazing time on his trip!

This is our second child to attend an EF tour and both had great experiences.

First I want to say that our director was absolutely amazing. She gets 5 stars. My reason for the low rating is the administration. Our trip was originally a literary tour of England. This was changed without any notification to London and Paris. If this had been the original trip, I would not have signed up. My daughter was very excited to go to Paris so I reluctantly agreed. The fact that I was the one who discovered it by going online and had to notify our school contact was a sign of what was to come. Then, we were only given a week to bow out and would be charged administrative fees. What if I had not logged on and checked? I was not pleased that EF would just assume that we were ok with a trip change. I really wanted to see all of England. I have been to Paris before. The hotel is London was very cheap and over an hour away from the city. So we lost nearly 3 hrs a day in transit time. This did not allow for any free time in London. I almost booked another hotel it was so bad. The hotel staff were lovely but the accommodations were not. The hotel in Paris was fine. I also wish we could have gone into places more like the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey instead of just riding by them. I also would have loved to go up in the Eiffel Tower instead of just see it to take pictures. Another thing would be to have a more definitive schedule so I could plan for what to do when there is downtime. We got up at 4am to catch the 7:30 Eurostar to Paris but our Louvre time was at 3:15. So we had 4 hours of downtime without an ability to plan for it. Plus we got back to the hotel, after 1.5hrs on the road, at around 9:45 the night before so we were all exhausted. In short, for the money paid and experience we had, I would not do this again. The most frustrating thing was the trip change and the poor accommodations.

Review of My Daughter’s Unforgettable Trip to Costa Rica My 13-year-old daughter recently returned from an incredible adventure in Costa Rica, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the experience she had. From lush rainforests to vibrant wildlife, her trip was a perfect blend of education, exploration, and personal growth. She spent her days hiking through national parks, spotting sloths and toucans, zip-lining through the canopy, and learning about Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity. One of the highlights was visiting a local community where she got hands-on experience with sustainable farming and learned about the importance of conservation. It was eye-opening and inspiring for her to see how deeply connected Costa Ricans are to their environment. Beyond the nature and adventure, the trip helped her grow in confidence and independence. Traveling with peers and guides, she navigated new situations, tried new foods (she now loves gallo pinto!), and even picked up a few Spanish phrases. She came home with a deeper appreciation for different cultures and a renewed sense of curiosity about the world. Overall, this trip was more than just a vacation—it was a transformative experience. I’m so grateful she had the opportunity to explore such a beautiful country and come back with memories that will last a lifetime.