Help center

How many travelers are on a tour?

Tour group sizes with Go Ahead range from 6 to 38 travelers—never more. We determine the optimal group size based on the type of experience travelers will have on that specific tour. For example, when your trip takes you to remote natural landscapes, you can expect a smaller group that allows you to travel to hard-to-access locales and stay in destination-specific lodging options. Other tours—like visits to bustling European capitals—can comfortably accommodate more travelers. 

In some destinations, local regulations define the maximum size of a group traveling on a motor coach and Go Ahead always follows local regulations.  

We also offer Small Group Tours with a maximum of 22 travelers. View all small group travel styles.  

Why should I care about group size?

Group size impacts making connections with fellow travelers and your Tour Director, access to local culture and remote natural landscapes, and the overall ease and comfort of traveling together. We determine the ideal group size for each adventure, which—unlike the industry standard of 45 travelers—never exceeds 38 travelers. Learn more about the benefits of our smaller group sizes here.

Is the Right Size Advantage offered on all tours?

Yes! The Right Size Advantage is a service we’ve offered to all travelers on all of our tours since 2015. This means that your group will never have more than 38 travelers.

Are children allowed on your tours?

While our travel experiences are designed for adults of all ages, children are more than welcome to join. Travelers must be at least six years old at the departure date for most tours. Exceptions include Safaris, Food & Wine Tours, and Walking Tours, all of which have a minimum age of eight years old. For Private or Customized Tours, the minimum age is three years old.

Are your tours good for solo travelers?

Yes! One of the best parts about a group tour is that when you travel by yourself, you’ll never be alone. No matter which of our tours you pick, when you go solo, you’ll have your Tour Director and fellow travelers to keep you company. All of our tours are designed with lots of flexibility, so you can seek out as much (or as little) alone time as you’d like. Check out our Solo Tours created specifically for solo travelers.

Does Go Ahead accommodate physically challenged travelers?

We want everyone to be able to explore the world with us, and we encourage the participation of physically challenged travelers. Still, the reality of world travel is that some sites are not accessible to everyone. Give us a call at 1-800-590-1161 to talk to a Tour Consultant about any physical disabilities or limitations and they can help you choose the best itinerary for you. If you require dedicated assistance, we ask that you plan to travel with a companion who can help out.

Can I just travel with my friends and family?

Yes! With Go Ahead you can see the world with a small group of your closest friends or family members. You can go private with just 7 people. Turn any of our 175+ itineraries into a Private Tour, or dream up a brand-new one with a Customized Tour—we’ll work with you to make it happen. Find out all about the perks of private departures.

How does Go Ahead choose hotels? 

Where you stay is as big a part of your tour experience as the sites and scenery you’ll encounter along the way. Our global team scouts out local accommodations and handles all hotel arrangements for the group. If something doesn't get our team’s stamp of approval, it doesn't make it onto your tour. Whether it's a small-town country inn or a modern cosmopolitan spot, you'll rest your head in some seriously stylish, impeccably clean hotels many with stories of their own to tell.

Rest assured that all of the accommodations we pick include a private bath or shower and all hotel taxes are included in the price of your tour.

When will I know what hotels I’ll stay in on tour?

The final hotels you’ll be staying in will be available in your online account and mobile app starting about 30 days before you depart. To get an idea of the type of accommodations you’ll enjoy before then, you can see sample hotels on each tour’s itinerary page on the website.

How does Go Ahead enforce that hotels are following COVID safety measures?

Go Ahead only partners with hotels that adhere to strict guidelines, such as frequent cleaning of common areas and thoroughly disinfecting guest rooms between customers. Our partners follow enhanced protocols with staff trained in local health, hygiene, and physical contact guidelines.

What can I expect for meals on tour?

One of the best parts about traveling is the opportunity to taste local flavors. On tour, included dinners typically take place at local restaurants or hotel restaurants and include three courses served with beer or wine (unless otherwise noted due to country restrictions). Many tours also have opportunities for local wine tastings, beer tastings, and more, depending on the specific itinerary.

Can special dietary requirements be accommodated on tour?

Food allergies, needs, or preferences shouldn’t keep you from seeing the world. Notify us of any dietary restrictions when you book, or afterward in your online account or mobile app. We’ll make sure that your Tour Director knows and can provide options for you.

What kind of COVID safety measures are in place for included meals?

We are working closely with each of our suppliers to adjust our dining experience in accordance with local and expert guidelines. Our restaurants and supplier partners must meet superior cleanliness standards and follow the safety protocols in place in their region. Travelers are discouraged from sharing food and drinks with others on tour. We also advise travelers to thoroughly wash their hands before eating.

What is the Go Ahead experience like?

The Go Ahead experience is all about stepping outside of your daily life and exploring the world around you. Your tour will focus on cultural immersion and making connections along the way—either through chatting up locals or sharing experiences with tourmates.

It’s easy to relax and enjoy your trip with the support of our knowledgeable Tour Directors. This local expert brings the already enlightening experience of world travel to the next level by drawing on their knowledge of local culture and customs. Meet some of our Tour Directors.

Go Ahead Tours travel experiences continue to have a ripple effect even after you return home. Learn about our commitment to responsible travel.

Do I need to join the group for all of the included activities?

Your tour is exactly that: yours. If your itinerary includes a guided tour, but you’d prefer to spend your time doing something different, that’s perfectly fine. Enjoy your time however you like! Just be sure that you meet up with your group in time for any transfers between cities or countries.

Could the activities planned for my tour change?

While we do everything we can to run each tour as described in your itinerary, changes sometimes happen. Our team works hard to find an alternative option that still gives you a great experience. Whenever possible, we let travelers know about any major changes to their tour itinerary before departure.

Do included activities promote animal welfare?

Truly experiencing a destination should not mean harming the animals that call it home. As a world leader in international education, EF is relentlessly committed to respecting and promoting animal welfare as we help our customers experience the world. Our travel experiences celebrate wildlife. We do not offer activities that include imposing and unnatural interactions with wild animals of any kind—this includes riding, feeding, and swimming with animals, among other things.

Here at EF, we’re proud to work with the non-profit organization World Animal Protection to implement animal welfare guidelines throughout all our travel programs worldwide. World Animal Protection is a non-profit organization and we admire their dedication, research, and reach. We're excited to collaborate with them and learn from their expertise. Read more about how we work with World Animal Protection.

What types of experiences are available to add to my tour?

Go Ahead travelers enjoy the perks of guided travel with free time for on-your-own exploring.

• Do more with excursions: During free time in the itinerary, you'll have the chance to add excursions to experience something totally new, like an olive oil tasting at a Tuscan farm or a sushi-making lesson in Tokyo. Our excursion options cover a range of interests from history to art to cuisine.
• Stay longer with extensions: Most tours also offer a tour extension, typically at the end of the itinerary, giving you a few more days to travel with your expert Tour Director.
• Make extra plans: Want to travel on your own before or after your tour? Talk with your Tour Consultant to add nights to your trip. We can book hotel rooms and, if you’ve added our airfare package, make travel arrangements that fit your schedule.

Is it possible to combine two or more tours?

Absolutely. In addition to customizing your tour with excursions, an extension, and extra independent travel plans, you can also combine multiple tours into one amazing adventure. You can earn significant discounts when traveling on multiple tours back-to-back. If you’re interested in combining multiple tours, contact one of our Tour Consultants and they will help you create your ideal itinerary.

Learn more about custom travel planning options here.

How many seats are on your motor coaches?

Most motor coaches have seating capacity for between 48 and 52 people. A smaller bus may be used for groups with fewer travelers. Transportation for our safaris is in seven-person safari vehicles.

Can I request seat assignments?

We do not assign seats on the motor coaches. Actually, we ask travelers to rotate their seats daily so everyone has the opportunity to fully enjoy the scenery during bus rides.

Do motor coaches have air conditioning and restrooms?

All motor coaches should have air conditioning, and most have restrooms. We also stop every two hours on longer transfers to give everyone time for a bathroom break and to stretch their legs.

Is transportation cleaned before each group is seated?

Your motor coach will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before your group boards and regularly thereafter, with a specific focus on high-frequency touchpoints. Hand sanitizer will always be available on our buses.

Is there an advantage to traveling more than once with Go Ahead?

The Go Ahead community of travelers is bound by the love of travel—and our free loyalty program, Club Go, rewards that passion. You’ll be automatically enrolled once you book a tour, or you can join by creating an online account today. Membership entitles you to an array of special benefits (including free and discounted tours), which increase each time you travel.

Learn more about the Club Go Loyalty Program.

Do you have a referral program?

Yes! Once you’ve booked your first tour with us, you’re eligible to start referring. When your friends join us, they get $100 for their first tour and you earn rewards to use on travel, too. Each time a friend books their first tour, you’ll earn travel credit, which you can use on everything from excursions to all-new adventures. When eight friends book within two years, you'll score over $1,500 in credits, plus a free tour up to $4,000 in value.

Read more about our referral program.

Please note, there are a few exceptions to our referral program:

• First-time travelers cannot refer any new traveler who is a member of the same household or who will be an on-tour roommate.
• Those traveling as part of the Group Travel Program are exempt. A different referral program rewards Group Coordinators for sharing the love. As a Group Coordinator, when you refer another Group Coordinator who brings six or more travelers on tour, you’ll earn $500 or 500 loyalty points.

For international travel

Yes, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry. We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps. For details about obtaining or renewing a passport and additional entry requirements, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your travel ID requirements.

For travel in the U.S.

U.S. citizens need valid government-issued identification for air travel within the U.S. If you plan to use a state-issued ID or driver's license on or after May 3, 2023, it will need to meet Real ID requirements. Real ID compliant versions of these IDs will have either a yellow or black star, white star inside a yellow or black circle, or a white star inside a bear in the top righthand corner. Visit the REAL ID website for more information.

Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your travel ID requirements.

For travel in Canada

U.S. citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.

Canadian citizens need valid government-issued identification for air travel within Canada.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your travel ID requirements.

While most countries do not require U.S. citizens to purchase an entry visa, some do. Please select the tour you are traveling on and click on the "On-tour info" tab for more information about the entry requirements for the country you are planning to visit.

If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen and would like more details on specific entry requirements, please visit our recommended visa service, VisaCentral. If you are already booked on a tour that requires a visa, you can download a visa application there. If you get to a page requiring a login, please use account number 73041 to access Go Ahead Tours’ visa kits.

Please note: If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you may need a visa to enter the countries on your tour. Please contact each country's consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Ask your doctor about the current recommended vaccinations for travel to the destinations on your tour. The travel section of the Centers for Disease Control website is a good reference for the most up-to-date information. Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination may be required for entry into some countries.

For more information and complete entry requirements, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

We are currently running a majority of the tours we offer. There are still a few countries that have yet to reopen to tourism and we continue to monitor them for updates. If travel restrictions, government orders, and public health advisories that will impact your tour experience are not lifted in time for your tour to depart as scheduled, we will notify you by email around 45 days before your departure. If you do not hear from us, you can assume that your tour and date are scheduled to run as planned. 

Unrelated to COVID-19, we require a minimum number of travelers to run our tours, because our itineraries are designed for a specific group size. Should we need to postpone your tour date due to low enrollment, we will notify you by email prior to your Tour Finalization Date. On rare occasions, you may be notified after your Tour Finalization Date if several travelers unexpectedly cancel. However, we will always do our best to run tours if the Tour Finalization Date has already passed.

If your tour becomes impacted by COVID-19 or low enrollment, a Travel Support Specialist will be in touch to review all the flexible options available to you.

The EF COVID Care Promise is industry-leading support provided exclusively to all EF travelers. If a traveler is either diagnosed with COVID-19 while on tour or required to quarantine on account of COVID-19 while on tour, EF will provide or arrange for the following, consistent with local requirements, at no additional expense to the traveler throughout the duration of any on-tour hospitalization and/or quarantine period:

• Lodging and meals
• EF representatives available to support the traveler and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary
• Assistance connecting with local health care providers
• Translation services
• Communication between the traveler and the traveler’s family back home
• EF arranged flights home, once cleared to return, for travelers who purchased the EF Go Ahead Tours airfare package

Please note: Travelers are responsible for their own medical expenses. We recommend that you confirm your existing health insurance plan coverage while traveling, as well as consider your travel coverage options: https://www.goaheadtours.com/about/travel-protection

Most airports do not enforce entry requirements for people in transit, but some might. Once you have your flight information, you should contact the airline directly to determine your transit requirements. 

Example Scenario: Your tour destination is Italy, but you have a connecting flight in Spain. Do you need to follow the entry requirements for Spain, too? 

Answer: Contact your airline to determine if Spain requires transit travelers to abide by their COVID Entry Requirements. 

We continue to provide flexibility and options for all our travelers. You have until your Tour Finalization Deadline to postpone your tour with no penalty should you be unable to travel, or feel uncomfortable traveling, as scheduled. Any changes after that deadline will incur cancellation fees; however, in order to provide added flexibility in these uncertain times, the following reduced fees apply for travelers who rebook to a new tour:

• Prior to your Tour Finalization Deadline: free rebooking
• Between your Tour Finalization Deadline and 8 days before your scheduled tour: $500 to rebook per person
• In the final week before your scheduled tour: $1,000 to rebook per person

These fees are in addition to any applicable changes in tour price. Click here for information on our standard cancellation policies. Please note: you are responsible for meeting the requirements applicable to your tour. If you are unable to meet any applicable requirements, you will be subject to the standard cancellation and rescheduling policies outlined above.

For added peace of mind, travelers can purchase AnyReason Protection, an EF Go Ahead Tours benefit you can include with your Travel Protection package. It allows you to cancel for any reason until you check in for your first flight, and to receive a future travel voucher in the amount of your cancellation fee. Any remaining payments outside of this voucher will be refunded, less the insurance premium. That way, you’re covered until the moment you leave for tour. Call us at 1-800-597-0350 to add this protection to your account.

EF follows local guidelines and protocols for mask-wearing. The EF Tour Director will let travelers know when a mask is required. If multiple countries are visited on tour, it’s likely that mask-wearing protocols will change frequently. We encourage travelers to bring 1 mask for every day of tour, per the CDC recommendation.

Please note: Some destinations with mask requirements specify certain types of masks to be worn. For example, many European countries require an FFP2 mask to be worn in public indoor settings (an FFP2 mask is the equivalent of a US N95 mask). We encourage travelers to review mask guidelines of each location on their tour before departure.

Travel testing protocols can change with very short notice. We require a negative COVID test before departure for the safety of the entire group and to ensure travelers are prepared if new testing requirements are put into effect close to their departure. Additionally, all tours require at least one test while abroad, and some multi-country tours test often. Testing for COVID prior to tour is a chance to catch it early and protect travelers from being forced into mandatory isolation if they test positive while far from home.

You should always ensure that you take the type of COVID test that will be accepted by your first country of entry based on the parameters they put forth for proof of negative results (See destination-specific details provided above). If your tour's starting destination does not require a test, EF Go Ahead still requires proof of negative test result and will allow for an at-home rapid test taken within 24 hours of tour.

No, EF will coordinate all required on-tour testing. You will be responsible for paying for the scheduled tests. In some circumstances, we’ll provide self-tests while on tour rather than visiting a testing lab, and those tests will be added to your pre-tour payments. Keep in mind that you’re required to schedule your own pre-departure test within 72 hours of leaving for tour. 

Please note: EF is not responsible for coordinating tests for any independent travel you may do after tour, even if your return flight has been booked with EF. 

Yes, travelers should expect to pay for their COVID tests before and/or on tour. COVID testing has become a regular, normal part of traveling abroad, and EF Go Ahead supports groups by coordinating all on-tour testing, as well as covering quarantine costs if a traveler tests positive on tour. Please review the question, “What is the EF COVID Care Promise?” below for more details.

You should always ensure that you take the type of COVID test that will be accepted by your first country of entry based on the parameters they put forth for proof of negative results (See destination-specific details provided above). If you take an official lab test (PCR or Antigen), please bring a copy or photo (digital or printed) of your result to your tour. If you take an at-home rapid test, please take a photo of your test with the time stamp. You will provide your test results to your Tour Director upon your arrival.

While specific vaccination requirements vary by destination, an increasing number of countries are adding vaccine and/or booster requirements for entry. In destinations where proof of a COVID-19 vaccination is not currently required for entry, the rapidly evolving restrictions and requirements (such as mandatory quarantine for non-vaccinated travelers, and daily testing for entry to sites and restaurants) make it unfeasible for your tour to operate without a fully vaccinated group at this time. The only exception to this requirement is for travelers on US-only tour itineraries departing June 10th, 2022 or later. See the FAQ below for more information about specific guidelines for international tours.

Some international destinations require that travelers not only be fully vaccinated, but also have had their most recent shot within a certain time of their travel date. Some factors that fall under vaccine validity are:

• How recently did you receive your latest shot?
• Which manufacturer issued your vaccine?
  • All common US and Canadian vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen [Johnson & Johnson]) are approved by the World Health Organization as globally accepted vaccines. However, some requirements may change depending on the type of vaccine you received. Please review your Entry and On-Tour Requirements section for more details.
• Have you received a booster shot?

For example: A country may state that your last full vaccination shot must be no more than 9 months prior to your arrival. However, if you received your third booster shot, you would be exempt from that timeframe.

Some international destinations require an actual third shot. Others may give a vaccine expiration date, and a booster shot will lengthen the time you have before your vaccine validity expires. See the question “what is vaccine validity and how does it affect me?” for more information about booster shots.

Every destination has a different requirement for proof of vaccination. For example, The CDC white card is not always accepted, so you may need to upload your CDC card to a scannable QR code format. Please see the Entry and On-Tour requirements section for your tour to review what form of documentation you will need for entry or to obtain a health pass.

To enhance safety measures, some countries have implemented a Health Pass regulation to enter indoor venues, such as restaurants, bars, or museums. To obtain a health pass, you’ll need to show proof of vaccination within the country’s guidelines. Review the Entry and On-Tour requirements section, where you’ll find detailed information about a health pass if it’s needed for your tour. 

Many destinations accept the CDC white card as valid proof of vaccination. Some require a health pass in addition to your CDC card. Please review your Entry and On-Tour requirements and refer to the official government website of your destination to determine if you need to obtain a separate health pass. 

We recommend completing your forms 48-72 hours prior to your departure. These forms are intended to allow for contact tracing if it becomes necessary, so you'll need to budget about 10-20 minutes and have your hotel and flight information handy in order to complete them. 

If proof of insurance is a requirement for your destination(s), EF will proactively secure and send you a copy before your departure. If you need to request proof of insurance, please chat live with a representative.  

All round-trip air travel for our tours is booked on regularly scheduled flights with major airlines. We’re dedicated to getting you to and from your destination with ease. If there is a certain airline you’d like to fly with, let us know—our team of travel experts will look into available options to find a flight itinerary tailored to fit your preferences.

We have the expertise to handle all the details of your trip, so let us take care of planning it from start to finish. While it is possible to make your own flight arrangements for most tour itineraries, we strongly recommend that you book your round-trip flights with us. Our global network and relationships with airlines allow us to offer highly competitive rates, as well as personalized flight options that work best for your travel plans. Find out more about booking your flights with Go Ahead Tours here.

When you book your flights with us, you'll also get:

• Included transfers to and from the airport at your destination on the standard arrival and departure dates for your tour.
• Flexible rebooking options should your tour itinerary change. (Remember that if you choose to book flights on your own, you will be responsible for altering your plans as well as any resulting rebooking or cancellation fees.)
• Rebooking support in the event of an airline strike.
• The ability to fly into and out of different cities at a great value. With us, you'll never be forced to backtrack to your arrival city to avoid increased round-trip airfare costs.
• Flexibility around your arrival and departure airports. You’ll have the option to fly into or out of most airports if you'd like to add a few days of independent travel to your tour to explore a new destination.
• 24-hour support in the event of travel delays. You can always call our On-Tour Support Team should you need advice about how to handle flight delays and cancellations.
• If you choose to book your own flights, please note that we handle all transportation during your tour. Any flights between cities mentioned on your itinerary are included in the price of your tour package. You can read more about the benefits of booking flights with us on our flights page.

You will receive an email notification once your flight itinerary is finalized. From that point forward, you will be able to find your personal flight itinerary in your account.

Traveling light is always a good idea. We recommend that you bring a maximum of one carry-on bag and one piece of checked luggage. This makes it much easier to get around and ensures that everyone in the group will have space for transporting luggage on the bus. Some airlines may charge for checked baggage, so contact the airline directly or refer to its website for detailed information regarding their baggage policies and weight limits.

Different flight options are available on many tours—give us a call at 1.800.597.0350 to speak with a Customer Relations Representative about the best flight itinerary for you.

Flight upgrades are available on some flights upon request. Please call 1.800.597.0350 to speak with a Customer Relations Representative for more information about your options.

We want to make sure that you are booked on the most convenient flights possible. While direct flights are not guaranteed or even available from all departure cities, if we can get you a direct flight, we will. Additional costs for direct flights may apply, so please contact a Customer Relations Representative for details.

Picking that perfect seat is important, and we will make general seat requests (such as window or aisle) whenever possible. Seating arrangements vary by airline, so please call 1.800.597.0350to speak with a Customer Relations Representative if you have any questions about how to proceed with seating for your flights.

In many cases, you must contact the airline directly to arrange your seating once you receive your finalized flight itinerary, about 30 days before departure. Some airlines (such as British Airways) will only allow you to make seat requests within 24 hours of departure, while others may charge a fee for advance seating assignments.

Customizing your tour starts with choosing the dates that work for you. If you’d like to spend time on your own before or after your tour, we’re happy to help make those arrangements. Work with a Customer Relations Representative to finalize your itinerary before your final payment is due, as additional costs may apply.

When you book your flights with Go Ahead Tours and travel on your tour’s standard arrival and departure dates, transfers between the airport and your hotels are included at no additional cost. This is one of the many reasons we recommend booking your flights with us—you can read more on our flights page.

If you decide to reserve flights on your own, we can arrange transfers between the airport and your hotels starting at $50 per person, round-trip. In order to be eligible for transfer arrangements, you must arrive and depart on the scheduled beginning and ending dates for your tour. Please call 1.800.597.0350 to speak with a Customer Relations Representative for more information about your transfer options.

If you decide to cancel your reservation, you’ll have 72 hours to request a full refund after you put down your deposit, provided it is 70 days prior to departure for most tours (90 days prior to departure for Land & Cruise Tours and Customized Tours). After that, you can change your mind at any time and simply switch your reservation to a new tour for just a $50 rebooking fee. You can find full Terms & Conditions here.

Just because a tour is sold out doesn’t mean you are out of options for taking the trip of your dreams. If we can make it happen, we will. Please call a Tour Consultant at 1-800-590-1161. They can try to accommodate your request or let you know about newly added departure dates that might work with your schedule.

Unfortunately, we are unable to transfer reservations between travelers due to airline security restrictions.

Interested in reserving multiple spots on a tour? We’re happy to set up multiple payment plans for your party! Give our team a call at 1-800-590-1161.

If you’re booking a group of six or more travelers, you’re a good fit for our Group Travel Program. Learn more here.

AutoPay is a monthly payment plan that you can choose to opt into when you reserve your tour.

• Simply sign up with a debit card or checking account and bank routing number by selecting AutoPay during the online checkout process, or call a Customer Relations Representative at 1-800-597-0350 at any time to get set up.
• Schedule monthly installments on the date that works for you.
• Hold your spot on tour with just $99 down when you enroll in AutoPay when you book.
• Wait 60 days until your first interest-free payment.
• Forget about any extra costs upfront—airfare, travel coverage, excursions, and extensions can be rolled right into your monthly payments.
• Enjoy zero fees, zero interest, and zero hassle.

Learn more about our AutoPay program here.

If you choose not to enroll in the AutoPay payment plan and are looking for more ways to pay your balance, we offer two other convenient, fee-free payment options for your tour.

• You can pay in full—when you call us at 1-800-590-1161 to pay your full balance over the phone right when you book your tour, you’ll get $100 off.
• You can pay on your own schedule by choosing our Manual Payment Plan. You can choose to make payments on your own in your online account or by calling our Customer Experience Team. When you’re enrolled in the Manual Payment Plan, your final payment will be due 70 days prior to departure for most tours (or 90 days prior to departure for Land & Cruise Tours and Customized Tours).
• When you choose one of these alternate payment options, all that’s needed to book a tour is a deposit of $300 (or $450 for non-European tours, Special Event Tours, Land & Cruise Tours, or Customized Tours).

If you’re paying your tour balance in full, or paying it on your own schedule with our Manual Payment Plan, we accept MasterCard, Visa, direct debit, personal checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders. For travelers enrolled in AutoPay, payments can only be made with a debit card, or through direct debit from a checking account.

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping. The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers. However, any tips to staff aboard cruises are not included.

Packing light is always a good idea. Travelers can bring one checked bag and one carry-on bag on tour. Always check with your airline for the baggage allowance on your flights.

We also suggest packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothes that can be easily layered. A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is a must for sightseeing. Masks, hand sanitizer, and anti-bacterial wipes are good to have in your carry-on bags. Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Explore packing tips on the blog →

Yes, we recommend that all travelers consider purchasing travel coverage to help safeguard your investment with cancellation coverage for many unexpected situations. Trip Protection offers coverage for circumstances that may keep you from your planned travel, including Tour Cancellation & Interruption, Travel & Baggage Delay, Accident & Sickness, and Baggage & Personal Effects.

Plus, when you enroll within three days of booking your trip, you’ll be eligible for an Early Enrollment Package, which includes a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver and AnyReason Protection (additional non-insurance benefits). Read more about your travel coverage options.

Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams 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 supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.

Should a destination be put under a stay-at-home order while travelers are on the road, we will either reroute the tour or bring all travelers home as soon as possible. For tours with itinerary adjustments, customers will not incur any additional fees. Customers with flights purchased through Go Ahead will not incur any flight change fees.

Go Ahead also reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to make the decision to end a tour early due to COVID-19 concerns even if a destination does not have a stay-at-home order.

Travelers are expected to comply with safety measures outlined in our Safe Traveler Agreement as well as all local guidelines and regulations. The Safe Traveler Agreement must be signed by 72 hours before departure. Preview the current version of the agreement here. 

Our global team has worked hard to make our trips the safest way to see the world. Read about our travel-ready approach.

If you’ve booked flights with Go Ahead
A transfer from the airport to the hotel at your destination is included if you land on the tour’s standard arrival day.

A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the baggage claim area, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.

If you’ve reserved your own flights
Unless you’ve requested a transfer with Go Ahead in advance, you’ll meet your Tour Director and group at the hotel at your destination.

Due to enhanced screening measures at airports, it is possible that travelers showing symptoms may be denied boarding and could be held at an airport for additional testing. In these instances, travelers should call our 24/7 On-Tour Support Team. While travelers must adhere to the airport guidelines in place, Go Ahead can assist in communicating with group members and supporting travelers throughout the experience.