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.

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

• Sleep mask

• Dry pack

• Hat and gloves

• Hiking boots and water-resistant shoes

• 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: Winter clothing like hats, gloves, boots and other waterproof gear are a must all year long—even in the summer! If you're traveling in the spring or summer, the sun sets very late and rises very early.

The best things in the world are free (like seeing Icelandic horses in the wild). 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 lunch each day, 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: Icelandic króna. 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.

Traveler tip: Iceland is known for being relatively expensive compared to other European countries. A casual lunch might cost the equivalent of $30. 

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. Four dinners will be included, too. We work with local restaurants to provide plated meals inspired by region, giving you the opportunity to experience authentic dishes.

The Icelandic diet is simple and focused on warmth and sustenance. Because Iceland is an island, most food is grown or fished rather than imported.

• Common dishes include lamb, hamburgers, various types of seafood, rye bread, and skyr (Icelandic yogurt).

• Iceland is also known for more controversial foods like puffin and whale.

• If you’re feeling adventurous, try the fermented shark!

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

• Flights: Overnight to Reykjavik and home from Reykjavik.

• Bus: Main mode of transportation on the ground.

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

You will be covering a lot of ground in seven 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. Most days will be pretty packed with activities and there will be limited exploration time. You'll have a mix of time on the bus 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! Your group will 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.

Depending on your arrival and departure times in Reykjavik, you will likely have a few hours of exploration time. 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 a museum like the Maritime Museum or the Modern Art Museum

• Check out the Hallgrimskirkju Church Tower

• Take a walk along the coast and check out the Sun Voyager Sculpture

Iceland is known as the land of the midnight sun (in the summer) and the northern nights (in the winter). In the winter (November to January), Iceland only gets about 4-5 hours of daylight each day. If you're visiting during this time, be prepared for less vitamin D than you may be accustomed to! In the summertime, on the other hand, it's light nearly all day - although you'll still need a jacket. 

Icelandic people are known for being very friendly and courteous, while holding a direct and straight-forward communication style.

Iceland, one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world, is committed to using less plastic. According to the locals, purchasing a plastic water bottle is a touristy thing to do. The tap water is clean and fresh, with no added elements. 

Iceland is famous for its natural hot springs, and swimming is an important part of Icelandic culture. When using public hot springs, remember to shower thoroughly before entering the pools (as per the cultural norm) to maintain hygiene. Bathing suits are required in public baths, and sometimes there are specific rules regarding where to leave personal items.

Tipping is not obligatory in Iceland. Service charges are often included in bills, but if you feel the service was exceptional, you can leave a small tip (around 5-10%).