Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel updates

We are closely monitoring the situation with guidance from the U.S. Department of State and other relevant U.S. and international authorities. This is a difficult situation for everyone across the globe as we temporarily press pause on travel. With the health and safety of our travelers and staff at the forefront, we thank you for your patience in these unprecedented times.

Last updated November 19, 2020

Upcoming impacted departures

Given continued travel restrictions and advisories worldwide, we are helping travelers who are on the following tours reschedule:

Most tours departing now through January 31, 2021 (Read details here)
All 2020 Oberammergau tours (See details below)
All departures of Japan 2020: Gold Medal Moments in Tokyo (See details below)
All 2020 Oktoberfest tours (See details below)
Tour de France 2020: Provence to Paris Bike Tour (See details below)
All 2020 departures of Canadian Rockies by Train: Banff, Lake Louise & Vancouver (See details below)

FAQ for impacted departures

My tour has been postponed—what are my options?

Please visit this page, which details your rebooking and cancellation options, and know that we will be reaching out to you in the coming days.

What if I am scheduled to travel to the Oberammergau Passion Play?

On March 19, 2020, German officials announced the postponement of the Oberammergau Passion Play until 2022 in order to protect the health of participants and spectators. If you were scheduled to travel on any of our 2020 Oberammergau tours, a spot is saved for you on a rescheduled 2022 departure.

All 2022 dates are now available and we will reach out to confirm your spot on your tour’s rescheduled departure. You can also call us directly at 1-800-590-1161.

What if I am scheduled to travel on Japan 2020: Gold Medal Moments in Tokyo?

On March 30, 2020, organizing committees and the Tokyo government announced the postponement of the Tokyo Games until July 23, 2021 in order to protect the health of participants and spectators.

If you were scheduled to travel on our Japan 2020: Gold Medal Moments in Tokyo tour, we will reach out to you directly in the coming days to discuss your options. You can also call us directly at 1-800-590-1161.

What if I am scheduled to travel to Oktoberfest?

On April 21, 2020, in a joint press conference between Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder and Munich's Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter, it was announced that Oktoberfest 2020 is cancelled due to COVID-19.

If you were scheduled to travel on one of our Oktoberfest departures, we will reach out to you directly in the coming days to discuss your options.

What if I am scheduled to travel on Tour de France 2020: Provence to Paris Bike Tour?

On April 15, 2020, it was announced that the Tour de France 2020 would be postponed. If you were scheduled to travel on our Tour de France departure, we will reach out to you directly in the coming days to discuss your options.

What if I am scheduled to travel on the Canadian Rockies by Train tour in 2020?

On July 22, 2020, it was announced that the Rocky Mountaineer train has postponed operations until the scheduled start of the 2021 season.

If you were scheduled to travel on a 2020 departure of our Canadian Rockies by Train: Banff, Lake Louise & Vancouver tour, we will reach out to you directly in the coming days to discuss your options.

FAQ for future departures

I am concerned about traveling next year, what should I do?

Our recommendation is to see how the situation develops before making any decisions. To help our travelers, we are amending our policies to be as flexible as possible during this time. If you have concerns about your upcoming travel plans, you can call us directly at 1-800-590-1161 to discuss your options.

Since this is an evolving situation and regulations can change, we encourage you to continue to reference the U.S. Department of State, World Health Organization (WHO), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for trusted guidance.

What options do I have if I want to change my tour departing after January 31, 2021?

We're committed to offering travelers with later departure dates flexible options should they be necessary.

You can work with us to amend an existing itinerary or change to a different tour. If you have AnyReason Protection, you can rebook or cancel your tour up to the moment you check in and receive a Future Travel Voucher in the amount of your cancellation fees.

Please call us at 1-800-590-1161 to discuss your options.

What if something happens on tour?

Our extensive network of offices around the world, and integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service, Safety & Incident Response Team anticipate and address on-tour challenges—in a flexible and iterative way.

The team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events. As needed, they can facilitate additional support for groups on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, part of the team is specifically dedicated to support and facilitate communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.

What if there is a Travel Advisory for my tour destination?

If any location on your itinerary is designated as a Travel Advisory Level 4 by the U.S. Department of State, EF Go Ahead Tours will immediately make itinerary adjustments as needed or offer rebooking options.

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For 55 years, we’ve weathered global political events, financial crises, and natural disasters as an EF Education First family—always emerging stronger, more resilient, and more committed to our mission than ever.

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If you have any further questions or would like to talk to a travel expert, our team is here.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel updates

Upcoming impacted departures

FAQ for impacted departures

FAQ for future departures

Our Travel-Ready Approach

Here for you, today and tomorrow

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