EF Educational Tours is a leading provider of student travel programs, specializing in educational tours designed to inspire and engage young learners. The company offers a variety of curated itineraries that focus on experiential learning, allowing students to explore new cultures and environments while participating in hands-on activities. With a commitment to safety and value, EF Educational Tours aims to make travel accessible to all students, enriching their educational experience beyond the classroom. Targeting educators, parents, and students, EF Educational Tours collaborates with subject matter experts to create immersive travel experiences that align with educational goals. Their offerings include popular tours, STEM-focused itineraries, and new travel options that cater to diverse interests and learning objectives. Through their network of experienced professionals, the company ensures that each journey is not only safe but also transformative, unlocking new potentials for students as they discover the world.
EF Educational Tours receives high praise for its well-organized trips and exceptional tour guides, with many reviewers highlighting the enriching experiences their children had during various tours. Customers frequently commend the professionalism and knowledge of the guides, noting their ability to engage both students and adults effectively.
However, some negative feedback emerges regarding specific trips, particularly concerning issues with accommodations and unexpected delays, such as a child spending 24 hours in an airport due to flight issues. Additionally, there are complaints about unclear charges and refund processes, particularly related to cruise experiences. Overall, while many people celebrate the quality of the tours and the support provided, concerns about logistics and customer service persist.
Summary generated with AI from recent reviews
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
| Source | Rating | Reviews | Weight | 6-mo | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trustpilot Imported Trustpilot reviews | 4.4 | 1,060 | 100% | ● Medium |
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people · latest review Aug 2025.
| Month | Average | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 4.4 | 271 |
| Jul 25 | 4.4 | 729 |
| Aug 25 | 4.3 | 60 |
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 500 most recent reviews.
“Our tour guide made all the difference”
“Greece trip -buyer beware”
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Travel Agencies.
| Company | Overall | Legit | Service | Value | Delivery | Trend | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 4.1 out of 5 (good) | 3.1 out of 5 (fair) | 3.5 out of 5 (good) | — | 1,060 |
| 4.9 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 5.0 out of 5 (good) | — | — | — | 1,109 | |
| 4.6 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 4.5 out of 5 (good) | 4.6 out of 5 (good) | 4.5 out of 5 (good) | — | 1,069 | |
| 4.8 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 4.9 out of 5 (good) | 4.6 out of 5 (good) | 5.0 out of 5 (good) | — | 1,050 | |
| 4.8 out of 5 (good) | 100 out of 100 | 4.8 out of 5 (good) | 3.4 out of 5 (fair) | — | −1% | 1,014 |
Bottom line: EF Educational Tours is #5 of 5 on overall rating in this group. On delivery, Audley Travel scores higher (5.0 vs 3.5).
500 reviews of EF Educational Tours. Filter by what matters to you.
Greece trip -buyer beware. Still waiting for refunds due false claims and trip charges. Do not buy the 3 day cruise. EF will not release what the cost was. It’s a filthy cruise line -the Greece EF trip is way overpriced. Demand itemized cost. EF has ignored my claims and will not call me back-Boston offices. Read reviews before considering doing business with EF!
My child’s first flight was delayed so they missed their connecting flight to Germany. They spent 24 hours in the Chicago airport and they made my child sleep on the floor. They would not get them a hotel.
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!
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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 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.
As paying parents who joined our student on this tour, we feel obligated to warn other families about our terrible experience with EF Educational Tours. Our initial tour director was completely unprepared and unsafe. She walked without identifying markers, failed to ensure group safety crossing busy streets, consistently answered questions with "I don't know," and forced us to wait 30+ minutes at every hotel while she figured out room assignments. Parents had to step in and perform her duties throughout the first half of the trip. Despite premium pricing, we experienced holes in hotel walls, non-functioning AC, cold showers, hard beds, and insufficient amount of breakfast food. Meals were inadequate for hungry teenagers through out the trip- cheap, repetitive dishes with no options. After a 20,000-step Vatican/Colosseum day, "dinner" was iceberg lettuce, thin cheese pizza, and ice cream. Students regularly spent their own money on additional food. Two hours before boarding, while sitting at the beach with luggage loaded, we were told our cruise was canceled. EF provided no clear information about next steps, meals, or accommodations or refund opportunities but asked for us to make a decision quickly so they could start booking flights. Only through our group leader's persistent calls did we slowly get details about options and potential reimbursement. Consistent late hotel arrivals followed by very early departures left everyone exhausted. The group repeatedly requested hotel rest time instead of more rushed sightseeing, but requests were ignored. We did not get a full 8 hours rest until the 2nd to last day of the trip. EF booked a flight to Europe with 6-hour layover then added an "extra day" at the end of our trip causing many of the students to arrive back at 10PM the night before school started causing significant stress. Our second tour director, Stelios, was excellent - professional, safe, and educational. Unfortunately, by then we were still dealing with cruise cancellation aftermath and continued subpar accommodations. This experience made many students never want to travel internationally again. EF provided the absolute minimum - checking boxes for basic services without regard for quality, safety, or customer satisfaction. Students were exhausted most of the time and because of the constant moving to new hotels, getting on flights & subpar food, few of them enjoyed the educational excursions from the stressful experience. Even when paying premium prices, we were then asked for additional money for catacombs and Naples stops during the trip- it felt like we were being nickel and dimed. I will never recommend EF Educational Tours and will actively discourage other parents from risking their children's safety and travel enthusiasm with this company. For these prices, families deserve professional leadership, safe experiences, reasonable accommodations, and adequate food options. EF failed completely.
This is the worse company to travel with.
My 17 yo daughter was sexualized by the tour guide Matthew. He not only made inappropriate remarks about her and her friends he made a comment about how she should come to dinner in her bikini. This 40-50 yo man should never be allowed to work around children. He made inappropriate comments to the chaperone. He did not care about the kids not feeling safe being turned loose in a new city to do a scavenger hunt.
Hi there, my name is Rebecca.. My family and I (15 year old daughter, 77 year old father, and myself, 46) just came home from tour number 262139OTK. We had traveled with my daughter’s school, had two teacher chaperones and two tour guides from EF tours. I want it to be known that we had a horrible experience with this tour!! Anything from bedbugs in one of the hotels, to being left in the middle of London with no ride, to being cursed at by one of the EF tour guides. (And yes, I have proof, of all of these issues) Our small group left us at the Tower of London.. When I texted and called our leaders to find out where to go to meet everyone, they sent a pin to a food court.. the bus was not there.. When I called, she said they had moved the bus and sent a new pin.. she then told me that the bus was leaving, and we could either take an Uber and meet them at the London Eye, or take an Uber to the hotel.. that Uber ride cost us almost $200 US Dollars!!.. by the way, as we got closer to the main road, where the new pin lead us, our bus literally pulled away from the curb and drove passed us!.. That for one, is considered a liability for your insurance, because had one of us gotten hurt, or in a car accident in our Uber (that would have fallen all on your shoulders as a company).. Then being cursed at by an EF Tour guide, as we were going through the security at the station for The Eurostar, my dad and I were both randomly picked to be searched.. When we cleared the security, the EF Tour guide yelled “run Becky!”.. I said I couldn’t run.. she then yelled (in front of my daughter) “for F*#% sake Becky, hurry up!”.. I then informed her that 2 years ago, we were in a car accident, and broke my back.. I medically can not run.. She said she was sorry, then sent a group message apologizing for the way that she spoke, and continued to apologize for the next 4 days!.. I have sent a few emails to supervisors (because that’s the only way to report issues I guess)… I’ve gotten one quite robotic response, and then dead silence.. I highly recommend that people do NOT use EF Tours.. because it’s not worth the hassle, the money, or lack of response or empathy on their part!!
Where do I start?? Over $11,000 spent for my daughter and I. Constantly rushed around on tour buses. Driving in small cramped seats MANY hours EVERYDAY. Including the day we landed. The chose the airport on the other side of Ireland, resulting in having to drive across the island that day, only to drive across the island again to get back to that location. One day the bus was overheated, ac was broken. One student started seizing, we all ended up getting off the bus it was so unsafe. So hot. So many bodies. There were multiple things in Paris we did not see on our “drive by tour” that we were supposed to, because of the bus. We ended up just walking to the Eiffel Tower from where we were. So horrible. Being the mom of an adult student, (this was her high school grad gift) I decided to ditch the tour twice because I wanted to have a good time. Too scheduled!!! Too much driving!!! Think logistically!!! Should have dropped us in Shannon airport, not Dublin. Should have slowly made our way around. Way too much unnecessary driving. I want my money back. I wish I had NOT booked a tour. My youngest graduates in 2 years. We will NOT use EF tours. I would be smarter to book just my own trip next time. Not good at all.
Team leader broke EF Tour policy by permiting and allowing underage drinking. Once team leader realize it became a problem she wanted to send student back home because of liability issue. Trying to wash her hands of any liability. When the her plan backfired. She went on to punish student without any permission from parent, again braking any policy or abusing any agreement in place. For spending nearly $7k on a trip and having to deal with an irresponsible leader. I would have to say this left a negative memory and a bad taste.
The representative was unfair and unreliable, changed plans and was very disrespectful to the teachers/chaperones.
I rarely write reviews, but I feel compelled to share my terrible experience with EF on our recent trip to France. After nearly 16 hours of exhausting travel without sleep, we were immediately taken on an all-day tour with no chance to rest or freshen up. This set the tone for what would become a completely unacceptable experience. The hotel EF booked for us was absolutely horrible. It was run-down and filthy. The brown foam mattresses were so old they were cracked and cut in places, offering little comfort or hygiene. The bathrooms were dirty and poorly maintained, leaving us feeling uneasy about even using them. It was clear this hotel hadn’t been updated or properly cleaned in a very long time. Faced with such conditions, I had no choice but to search for another hotel at my own expense – costing me over $500 out of pocket. This was not what I signed up for and completely unacceptable given the price of the EF trip. As if that wasn’t enough, the food was another disappointment. We were served terrible meals and weren’t allowed to order off the menu, even though we offered to pay for any upgrades ourselves. The inflexibility and lack of care for travelers’ comfort was shocking. For a company that markets itself as a provider of enriching and seamless travel experiences, EF completely failed. I would never recommend EF to anyone and deeply regret trusting them with what was supposed to be a memorable trip.
Our tour was put with a school of kids under 13...they were very immature and disrespectful they climbed on the colosseum..they climbed on the vatican..not one of their parents or chaperone said anything...it was rude..very distracting..it was hard to be present and enjoy the culture..cuisine and the ancient places we were touring...
Serious concern with the communication about what is purchased originally, changes too itinerary, supervision of the children, tips collected by the group leader, chaperone choices and groups not staying together. I believe this could be a great experience if led by a person who is trustworthy, responsible, and it communicates well. I'm really not sure it it's worth doing what is paid. I would consider doing a family trip versus going through one of these tours. My daughter did have some good experiences being in another country, but there was some negative, and even one traumatic experiences of well.
Mala experiencia no cumplieron lo que me prometieron
Had a tour bus with a bathroom, yet the driver wouldn't let anyone use it. Tour guide would tell people that there was not enough time to use the bathroom once we were off the bus due to running behind since the driver would do 20 under the speed limit. Preplanned meals were cheap and awful. Hotels were located in towns with nothing to do around them. The fondue meal in Switzerland was literally just dipping cheese then a normal crappy meal which was completely miss marked. Tour locations seemed completely unorganized going back and forth to the same locations. Tour company should give more detail about the travel time on the bus. I paid for 3 individuals and convinced 7 other people to attend to be completely let down. Was hoping this was going to be wonderful so we could start doing solo tours, but what a complete and utter disaster! Return flight was ridiculous
Our high school group was paired with an adult group and they didn't want to do most of the side tours. They wanted to hit the bars as soon as possible. I feel that my overall experience was very negatively impacted by this. I also missed out on a swiss fondue event that I didn't get a refund for since we didn't have enough people.
I endured during a recent tour under the guidance of your employee, Julian. The level of negligence, misconduct, and outright disregard for traveler safety and dignity Julian demonstrated a shocking lack of professionalism. After I shared my personal reflections about the tour on Facebook, it became clear that another tour director and an adult male traveler were monitoring my posts, sharing them with Julian, and gossiping about me to others — including the group leader. Rather than remaining impartial, Julian joined in this inappropriate behavior, treating both me and my son with open hostility. His concern over my private Facebook opinions — which he had no right to police — overshadowed his responsibility to lead and support all travelers. The situation worsened with multiple serious breaches of conduct: Sexual harassment of minors: One male traveler made repeated inappropriate sexual remarks to underage travelers — an issue that was reported by another adult on the trip. No visible action was taken. Physical assault: That same traveler's wife physically assaulted me in a public breakfast area by forcibly grabbing and squeezing my hand and pushing me — in full view of others. I reported this assault directly to Julian. He took no action whatsoever and offered no support or accountability. Inappropriate and degrading instructions: During a long bus ride, Julian told female passengers to urinate in bushes, despite the presence of a fully functional toilet onboard. This humiliating and completely unnecessary suggestion was degrading and unprofessional. Negligence during free time: Julian routinely disappeared during scheduled free time to visit personal friends, drink alcohol in the lobby with gossiping travelers, and avoid group interaction. Disinformation and forced cash payments: He insisted that we pay cash for certain excursions (e.g., 17 euros for a palace tour, 30 euros for Dachau), falsely claiming they were mandatory and group-only. When questioned, he backtracked and admitted they were optional. This felt manipulative and dishonest. Lack of knowledge and effort: Julian provided minimal educational information, frequently told the group to “just go shopping,” and demonstrated little understanding of the destinations we visited. Appearance and hygiene: He often appeared tired, disheveled, and lacking basic hygiene — further diminishing trust in his leadership. What was promised to be an immersive, culturally rich experience turned into a chaotic, uncomfortable, and deeply upsetting ordeal. The conduct of your employee and the environment he enabled were not only unprofessional but potentially unsafe for me and others, especially minors.
Our group was small and was combined with another group from Maryland. A chaperone from the other group brought his entire family a which changed the focus of the trip from a school trip to a family vacation. At one this man’s was cursing the the kids on the bus to be quiet so her kids could sleep. These trips aren’t cheap and it very disappointing to hear about some of the things that were happening on this trip!!!
EF Educational Tours is a leading provider of student travel programs, specializing in educational tours designed to inspire and engage young learners. The company offers a variety of curated itineraries that focus on experiential learning, allowing students to explore new cultures and environments while participating in hands-on activities. With a commitment to safety and value, EF Educational Tours aims to make travel accessible to all students, enriching their educational experience beyond the classroom. Targeting educators, parents, and students, EF Educational Tours collaborates with subject matter experts to create immersive travel experiences that align with educational goals. Their offerings include popular tours, STEM-focused itineraries, and new travel options that cater to diverse interests and learning objectives. Through their network of experienced professionals, the company ensures that each journey is not only safe but also transformative, unlocking new potentials for students as they discover the world.
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