Alcohol

EF does not permit travellers under the age of 18 to consume alcohol on tour. The Group Leader may choose to prohibit alcohol consumption for all travellers, regardless of age, and their decision should be respected. Excessive drinking or consumption of hard liquor is prohibited for everyone and will result in disciplinary action, including dismissal from the tour at the traveller’s expense.

Hotel safety

• Locking doors and securing keys 
  Travellers should ensure their hotel room door is locked at all times, both when inside the room and when leaving. Not all travellers may have a room key, so it’s important to designate a key holder or leave the key at the reception desk when necessary. 
   

• Fire safety awareness 
  Fire safety standards vary by country and hotel. Travellers should read the fire safety instructions provided in their room and familiarize themselves with the nearest fire exits upon arrival. 
   

• Staying in contact 
  Some hotel rooms may not have phones. Travellers should always know how to contact their Group Leader and Tour Director if needed. 
   

• Curfews and room time 
  The Group Leader will establish curfews to ensure all travellers are accounted for and rested. Travellers are expected to remain in their assigned rooms during curfew hours, following the guidelines set by the Group Leader. 
   

• Additional security on North American tours 
  For all domestic tours, we provide professional security guards to assist Tour Directors and Group Leaders with additional supervision in North American hotels. This does not apply to tour groups with hotel reservations for a domestic layover on an international tour. 

Traffic and transportation safety 

Exploring a new city is an exciting part of the tour, but traffic laws and behaviours abroad may differ from what travellers are used to at home. 

• Street Safety

  • Traffic patterns vary by country, and vehicles may drive on the opposite side of the road. Travellers should always look both ways before crossing streets, paying special attention at intersections. 

  • Use pedestrian crosswalks whenever possible and avoid jaywalking. Be mindful of fast-moving motorbikes or bicycles, which may approach from unexpected directions.

• Public Transportation

  • In cities with streetcars or trams, travellers should exercise caution when crossing near their routes and only board when it is safe to do so. 

  • Stand behind safety lines while waiting for public transit and follow local signage.

• Bicycle rentals

  • Hourly bicycle rentals are widely available in many cities, but travellers should refrain from using them unless part of an EF-organized, guided bike tour. Helmets may not be provided, and navigating unfamiliar traffic conditions can pose risks.

• Seatbelts

  • On tour buses or other vehicles, seatbelts should be worn whenever available to ensure safety during transit. 

Swimming guidelines

Opportunities to swim may arise if the tour encounters oceans, lakes, rivers, or hotel pools. These activities are only permitted in EF-designated areas with the Group Leader’s knowledge and approval. 

• Travellers should swim with friends, follow all posted rules, and exercise caution. 

• In most cases, lifeguards may not be present. If conditions seem unsafe, travellers should avoid entering the water. 

• EF respects all school board restrictions regarding water activities.

Free time activites

Travellers will have the chance to explore and enjoy new environments—while doing so, travellers should stay safe and supervised: 

• Travellers should always stay with at least one other person and never explore alone. 

• EF only permits EF-sanctioned optional excursions or activities suggested by the Tour Director. Activities outside of EF-approved options are not covered by the Global Travel Protection Plan.