EF Go Ahead Tours is owned by EF Education First, a company that has offered language, academic, and cultural programs for more than 50 years. The tour arm of the company focuses on accessibility, affordability, and experiential travel that helps people connect with the world.
TourScoop Takeaways
- Countries: 87 countries on seven continents
- Tour size average: The standard group size is capped at 38 guests. EF Go Ahead Tours’ small group tours range in size from 10 to 22 people. Private tours can be arranged with seven or more people, and custom tours with 14 or more people.
- Tour type: Coach, ferries, trains, flights
Credibility Check
EF Go Ahead Tours is accredited by the Better Business Bureau has an A+ rating from the organization, though currently user ratings are low on the site. The company is an active member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA). Note that there are many more ratings and reviews of EF Educational Tours (the branch of the organization that operates academic programs) than EF Go Ahead Tours, but that they are operated separately.
Tour Destinations
EF Go Ahead Tours has itineraries in 87 countries on all seven continents. Some of its most popular destinations include Italy, Portugal, Kenya, Costa Rica, and Ireland.
Tour Types
EF Go Ahead Tours has a multitude of tour types. On the more traditional end of tours are its multi-country and grand tours, which bundle many destinations into a single trip. There are also city stay tours, which give travelers the chance to stay in a single European city for a week of guided excursions; and special event tours that focus on special access to major celebrations like Oktoberfest, New Year’s Eve, and St. Patrick’s Day. The company has history tours; national park tours, religious and spiritual tours, tours geared to families, and tours for solo travelers.
It also operates small group tours that range in size from 10 to 22 people and focus on adventure travel, food and wine, or safari and wildlife.
EF Go Ahead Tours allows groups of 14 or more to customize their experience on a custom tour, and offers private tours on existing itineraries for groups of seven or more.
Tour Guides
Tour leaders are known as tour directors and come with extensive experience and backgrounds in tourism, history, and/or education. Tour directors partner with local guides along the way to offer participants additional insights into specific destinations. Many tour directors have been with EF Go Ahead Tours for 20 years or longer.
Inclusions/Extras
Itineraries are a mix of guided tours and group meals, plus free time so guests can explore based on their individual interests and preferred pace.
Airfare isn’t included in the base rate, but EF Go Ahead Tours offers flight booking, with competitive rates and airport transfers, plus help if flights are canceled.
Included transportation is tour-dependent, but can include private, chauffeured luxury coach; national or regional trains; ferries, or flights.
Typical Travelers
EF Go Ahead Tours guests tend to be 35 and older, with most tours attracting a mix of solo, couple, and group travelers.
Communication
Travelers who have booked a tour can download EF Go Ahead’s mobile app to access resources and pre-departure information. Within three months of tour, the company offers a pre-departure information session that’s also available on-demand.
The company regularly updates its FAQ Hub with frequently asked questions. It also has a dedicated expert team for urgent issues that may arise before or during a tour. The On-Tour Support Team can be reached at +1-617-619-1911.
Loyalty Program
EF Go Ahead Tours’ loyalty program, Club Go, allows guests to earn tour credits to put toward future trips, collectible moment and milestone badges, flexible rebooking benefits, and an online hub.
Private Options
Any of the company’s 175+ itineraries can be done as a Private Tour. It also offers customized tours with your own dedicated Tour Director.
Sustainability Efforts
EF Go Ahead Tours has partnered with Eden Reforestation Projects to create and conserve forests to plant 3 million mangrove trees. The company has been carbon negative since 2021, with the goal is to be historically carbon neutral (dating back to 1965)
The company collaborates with the communities it travels to in an effort to preserve local cultures and encourage sustainability. It also works with travelers to share how thoughtful travel choices can leave a lasting, positive impact on destinations, people, and the environment. Read more about efforts in its EF Impact Report.
Health and Safety Practices
EF Go Ahead Tours puts into place health and safety protocols with its Travel-Ready Approach. As part of this, it operates both a crisis response team and its EF Global Safety Network, which constantly reviews national and international travel guidelines. It also offers 24/7 on-call support, 50,000 EF staff on the ground in 50 countries, and more than half a century of traveler support.
Enhanced protocols
The World Travel & Tourism Council awarded the company the first-ever global safety and hygiene stamp, which ensures that the company:
- Only features hotels, restaurants, and suppliers that follow local health policies
- Sanitizes private motor coaches throughout the tour
- Visits major tourist locations during off-peak hours
Covid-specific Protocols:
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or need to quarantine while on tour, EF Go Ahead Tours offers, at no additional cost:
- Covered food & lodging
- Rescheduled flights home if they were booked through the company
- Coordination of translation services
Family Companies
EF Education First focuses on programs for students and teachers. It has language programs, university programs, and gap year offerings.