We strongly encourage parents to talk to their child about good decision-making and personal responsibility while on tour, as well as the importance of following all safety advice and instructions they receive. While your group’s Tour Director and Group Leader will work together to provide an enjoyable and safe tour experience, everyone in the group must cooperate and demonstrate good common sense while travelling.

Be proactive in terms of personal safety
Nothing can replace old-fashioned common sense when it comes to being safe while travelling. We advise travellers to leave the expensive clothes and jewelry at home, to always travel in a group, to choose well-lit streets and to be aware of their surroundings and other people at all times.

Be on time
For group travel to go smoothly, each member of the group must be punctual and demonstrate respect to the Tour Director and all travellers in the group.

Keep all possessions in a safe place
Travellers are responsible for their possessions. Valuables should never be left behind in the hotel (unless locked in a safe) or on a bus seat (they should be stored by the driver in the locked luggage compartment under the bus). Personal belongings should always be kept within sight. Also, popular tourist areas attract pickpockets. We recommend that travellers keep money in travel pouches that can be worn under clothes.

Know all the important contact numbers

Your child should travel with the contact information for each hotel on the itinerary. This information is located on the final itinerary, which travellers can access 14 days before tour on their personal website.

Students should also bring the Emergency Calling Instructions card (included in the Preparing for Departure package), which provides instructions on how to dial emergency numbers in the countries they’re visiting.

Travellers and parents also have access to EF’s 24-hour emergency phone numbers, which are listed on the Emergency Calling Instructions card. Parents can call 1-800-263-2806 from Canada, while travellers can make a collect call to 001-416-927-1911 while abroad.

Upon arrival, the Tour Director will give all travellers a wristband with the emergency number printed on it and students should wear it for the duration of the tour.