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 by plane on this itinerary from Vienna to London, where you may have to pay additional fees for a checked bag. 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.

Traveler tip: You will meet with and/or visit different industry experts while traveling on your program. For these activities, we recommend packing at least 1-2 business casual outfits.

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, five 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 (Vienna) and British Pound (London). 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. Two 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.

London is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, so it is home to authentic international cuisines as well as traditional British cooking. Vienna is known for delicious pastries and warm comfort foods.

• In London, common dishes include beef wellington, Sunday roast, black pudding, 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 Vienna, try Weiner schnitzel or Vienna sausage for dinner, and leave room for Sachertorte for dessert!

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

• Flights: Overnight to Vienna and home from London.

• Bus: Main mode of transportation in Vienna. For transfers and guided sightseeings in London.

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

• Internal flight: From Vienna to London.

• 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 – take extra caution and look both ways before crossing the street!

You will explore two 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, internal flight and walking to get around. Be prepared to walk between 5-7 miles per day.

You'll spend 2-3 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 café 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:

• Vienna: Afternoon

• 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 the Borough market in London.

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

• Visit the Belvedere Palace in Vienna, home to Gustav Klimt’s famous painting The Kiss

Traveler tip: Vienna is home to beautiful parks and green space. Escape the city’s hustle and bustle with a picnic or walk in the park.

Austrians are very proud of their cultural heritage, particularly their music, art, and literature. It's common to find a deep appreciation for classical music. Vienna is home to some of the world's most famous composers like Mozart and Beethoven!

Austrians are typically polite, formal and have a level of reserve  when first meeting people.

Punctuality is highly valued in Austria. Be mindful of being on time for scheduled activities, meals and meet-up times communicated by your Field Director.

Coffee is an important part of Austrian culture, especially in Vienna. The "Kaffehause" culture is an institution in Austrian society, so don't miss the chance to enjoy a leisurely coffee at one of Vienna's famous cafes.

Tipping in Austria is customary but not mandatory. In restaurants, tipping around 5-10% is common if service is good. In bars or cafes, rounding up the bill is common.

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.