Let’s get the paperwork out of the way so we can focus on the fun stuff.

Your passport must

• be valid for at least six months after your return.

• match your name and birthday on file with EF.

• have three blank pages available.

A visa may be required for travel depending on where you're traveling and/or your citizenship.

For more information on passports and visas, visit our Passports & Visas help center article.

Traveler tip: Make two photocopies of your passport and any additional travel documents: one to bring with you and one to leave at home.

Not to sound cliché, but we can’t say this enough: pack light! Different airlines have different carry-on policies and checked bag fees, so ensure your bag meets their guidelines by checking your specific airline's baggage policy.

Most travelers find it easiest to go without checking bag. Here are some tips for getting as much as possible into that carry-on suitcase:

• Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane and pack the lighter ones. Same thing goes for jackets and heavier clothing.

• Packing cubes or vacuum seal bags can save space and help you stay organized.

• Make the most of your personal item by using a tote bag or backpack that you can reuse throughout the trip.

• Roll your clothes instead of folding them. Pack the bigger items first and use smaller items like socks and underwear to fill in the gaps.

Traveler tip: You'll be traveling on a ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, where very limited luggage space is available. With that in mind, we highly recommend a carry-on for your travels. 

Remember to pack light! You'll be toting your own luggage around at airports and hotels, so bring only what you need and ideally in a carry-on bag.

To see a full packing list, visit our What to Pack article in the help center.

To get started, here are the essentials:

• Passport—bring a photo copy and leave one at home too

• Visa—if applicable

• ATM card—call your bank prior to departure to alert them of your upcoming travel

• Purse or small day bag with a zipper

• Converter/adapter for any electronics

• Toiletries

• Medications and a copy of any prescriptions*

• Comfortable, casual clothing check the weather before you pack!

• Dressier outfit

• Raincoat and umbrella

• Reusable water bottle

• Comfortable walking shoes for example, one pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals

• Versatile layers

• EF’s emergency numbers

  • Calling from within the US: 1-800-873-2250

  • Calling from abroad: 001-617-619-2913

 *All medications should be in their original containers. Put medications in your carry-on bag only in case a checked bag gets lost or delayed.

The best things in the world are free (like seeing Big Ben for the first time). Still, a little spending money can go a long way while you're abroad:

• Spending money: Budget $40 to $60 per day for pocket money. This will cover six lunches, two dinners, souvenirs, and additional activities. If you’re an especially avid souvenir hunter, you’ll want to give yourself more wiggle room—financially and in your suitcase.

• Currency: Euro (Ireland) and British Pound (UK). We don’t recommend traveling with large sums of cash. At the start of your program, we recommend bringing the equivalent of $60 in the currency of the initial destination. After that, ATMs are the most convenient way to withdraw cash since they accept a wide variety of bank and credit cards.

• Tipping: We suggest $8 per day for your Field Director, inclusive of the day you arrive and meet your Field Director and ending the day you depart for home.

Traveler tip: Be sure to let your bank know you’ll be traveling so they can put an alert on your account and inform you of any international fees.

Imagine it: you’ve finally arrived. It’s been a few hours since you left home, but your feet are firmly planted on the ground again. Today’s challenge? Fight off jetlag and make the most of the day.

Unless you arrive at night, be prepared to hit the ground running. Staying awake on arrival day is the best way to fight jet lag and adjust to any time difference. If there are other groups on your program, you may wait at the airport for them to arrive. To make things a bit easier:

• Pack toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on for when you land.

• Stay hydrated—it helps reduce jetlag.

• Travel in comfort, not necessarily in style, and get as much sleep as you can on the flight before.

Your dedicated Field Director—a physical and cultural guide—will be with you throughout your program. Our Field Directors work tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate logistics like managing reservations and making sure everything flows seamlessly, so that you can enjoy your time without sweating the details. They are there to acquaint you with each new city and make sure everyone is safe, confident, and making the most of every moment.

You'll spend most of your time abroad learning and exploring, but you should also know what to expect when you settle in for the night.

• Hotels: Our hotel partners absolutely must meet our standards for quality, safety and cleanliness. That means your rooms will be safe, clean, comfortable, and equipped with private bathrooms. Hotels are typically 30–45 minutes from the city center by coach bus or public transit or conveniently located to the sites you'll be visiting, which comes in handy if you want to explore different areas.

• What to expect: Hotels abroad may feature smaller rooms than you’re used to and may not have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, television, or elevators. All the more reason to get out and explore.

• Rooming: You may share a room with someone from another group if you’re traveling with more than one college or university—which has led to more than a few incredible cross-country friendships. Since hotels vary from city to city, room assignments might also be different from one hotel to the next. Standard accommodations vary based on age. For more information, visit our Rooms & Roommates help center article.

Traveler tip: Electrical outlets in different countries may be different from the ones we're used to. Make sure you research what type of converter and/or adapter is needed for your travels!

You should expect food and portion size to be different than what you're accustomed to at home. Kick off each day with an included continental breakfast. Five dinners will be included, too. We work with local restaurants to provide a pre-set menu that includes 2-3 course plated meals inspired by the region, giving you the opportunity to experience authentic dishes. Other dinners and lunches are your opportunity to explore the cuisine as you see fit.

• In London, common dishes include beef wellington, Sunday roast, black pudding with breakfast, and afternoon tea with scones.

• The Indian food in London is some of the best outside of India – chicken tikka masala is a popular dish to try.

• In Ireland, look for warm stews, corned beef with cabbage, and potato dishes.

• In Wales, try Welsh cakes and Welsh rarebit for lunch.

Here's how you'll get around to make the most of your travels.

• Flights: Overnight to Dublin and home from London.

• Public transportation: Public transportation passes are included in London and will be the main mode of transportation for included activities and exploration time.

• Bus: For transfers and guided sightseeings in London. In Ireland and Wales, a bus will be the main mode of transportation.

• Ferry: From Ireland to Wales.

• Walking: Hands down the best way to explore a new city. Be ready to walk a ton (we're talking 5-7 miles per day) to see as much as possible.

Traveler tip: Don’t forget that people drive on the left side of the road in London, Dublin and Wales – take extra caution and look both ways before crossing the street!

You will explore more than five cities in nine days, so this program will feel fast! In order to maximize your time each day, you will leave the hotel bright and early and return some time in the evening (or later if you’re feeling adventurous). Most days will be a combination of planned activities and exploration time with some days being busier than others. You'll have a mix of time on the bus, public transportation, ferry and walking to get around. Be prepared to walk between 5-7 miles per day.

You'll spend 1-2 nights in each hotel before moving on to the next, meaning there’s no time to waste! Transfer days can mean long bus rides where you can rest and recharge. Just be ready to hit the ground running in each new place.

Traveler tip: Arrival day will feel like the longest day on your program, we recommend sleeping on the plane as much as possible to be ready to hit the ground running.

Exploration time can vary depending on a few factors: the number of planned activities, whether or not your group has decided to add any optional excursions, and general travel variables like traffic. How you spend your exploration time is entirely up to you. You could sit in a cafe and people-watch, grab a few friends and discover a new part of the city, or do some souvenir shopping. On busier days, you might just have enough exploration time for a quick lunch.

Here is a rough breakdown of exploration time on your itinerary:

• Dublin: Half day

• London: Half day

There is so much to see and do, so do some research and plan ahead. If you need inspiration, here are our exploration time suggestions:

• Visit St. Mary’s Cathedral or the Aran Sweater Market in Killarney

• Learn about Dublin’s revolutionary history at Kilmainham Gaol.

• Visit a free museum like the British Museum, the National Gallery, or the Tate Modern in London.

• Explore the Borough market in London.

The monarchy holds a deep cultural and historical significance in England, symbolizing continuity and national identity, with many people expressing great respect for the institution, regardless of their personal views on its role in modern society.

The English are known for being punctual. Be mindful of being on time for scheduled activities, meals and meet-up times communicated by your Field Director.

Tea is an essential part of English culture, and it's common to have "afternoon tea" around 3-4pm. Tea is often accompanied by light snacks like sandwiches, scones with jam, and cake.

Mind the queue: it's considered rude to cut in front of someone who is waiting in line.

England has a rich pub culture, with many socializing regularly in local pubs. It's common to drink beer, cider, or spirits.

In England, cars drive on the other side of the road (compared to how we drive in the US). Always look both ways before crossing the street!

In restaurants, a service charge (usually 10-15%) may already be included in the bill, but if it's not, tipping around 10% is customary. 

Dublin is a very warm and welcoming place, especially towards Americans. It’s not wildly different from the states and everyone speaks English. The erratic weather can be difficult to deal with at times, as it can be cloudy or rainy for extended periods, but Dublin is always easy and fun to explore!

Don’t be careless in Temple Bar. I: it’s the place everyone wants to go to as a tourist, but most locals stay clear. There are lots of pickpockets and many things are overpriced.  

In Ireland, the way you speak implies a lot about you. Telling stories, jokes or being witty is very common for the Irish. Unlike in other European countries, public displays of emotion are common.

If someone “slags”’ you (teases or jokingly insults), try to reply with good humor and show you are not disconcerted by it. Humor is a common communicative tool in Ireland and slagging is usually not ill-intended.

Do not refer to those from the Republic of Ireland as “‘British,” And be mindful that many in Northern Ireland will be offended if referred to as “Irish.” Similarly, do not refer to Ireland as the United Kingdom and vice versa: these are two distinct countries with differing cultures.

Tipping is expected in Ireland, particularly in restaurants, where 10-15% is customary if service is not included in the bill. 

Wales is a proud country with deep cultural heritage. The Welsh are passionate about their traditions, language, and national identity. Wales has a history of striving for independence and automony, so be respectful when discussing Welsh history, culture and politics.

Welsh is one of the oldest languages in Europe, and it holds significant cultural importance. While most people in Wales speak English, many are also bilingual in Welsh. English and Welsh are the official languages in Wales.

Mind the queue: it's considered rude to cut in front of someone who is waiting in line.

Pubs play an important role in Welsh social life. Whether you're in a city or the countryside, it's common to spend time in a pub with friends or family, enjoying a pint of local beer or cider.

In restaurants, a tip of 10-15% is common if service is good. In casual settings, rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip is appreciated.