Packing list
Encourage your group to pack light
Your travelers should pack light and only bring as much as will fit in one suitcase and an EF backpack. Many airlines now charge for additional luggage. Make it clear that they will be responsible for loading their luggage on and off buses and into hotels.
Those traveling on an itinerary with a train transfer should bring even smaller suitcases since luggage space is limited. We recommend travelers carry valuables, medications and an extra change of clothes in their EF backpack and bring this with them on the plane.
Clothing & accessories
Travelers should be conscientious of cultural differences and pack accordingly. Keep in mind that some religious sites require that shirts cover the shoulders and arms and do not allow short skirts or flip-flops.
- Comfortable walking shoes and one pair of nicer shoes
- Shirts (short and long sleeved)
- Socks and underwear
- Watch
- Shorts/pants/jeans
- Pajamas
- Bathing suit (if applicable)
- Dressier outfit (reserved for a special night out)
- Raincoat and/or umbrella
- Lightweight nylon jacket or warm-up top (rather than bulky sweatshirts)
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush/comb
- Sunscreen
- Any medications (in addition to a copy of any prescription)
- Spare set of contact lenses/glasses (if applicable)
Money
- ATM card (Call the bank prior to departure to alert them of the trip; foreign purchases sometimes result in a hold on bank accounts.)
- EF Visa Travel card or personal credit card
- At least $50 converted to foreign currency of the first county that you’re visiting
- Pouch for storing money and passport under clothing (available at travel stores)
Electronics
- An alarm clock (many hotel rooms won't have one)
- An adaptor/converter (available at travel stores)
- Camera with extra batteries or chargers (Batteries can be expensive abroad.)
Documents
- Passport—it is required on all EF Educational Tours. Remember to bring a couple photocopies of it (in case it is lost) and leave one copy at home
- Visas (if applicable)
- A copy of the tour itinerary
- A list of important phone numbers and addresses to send postcards home
- Copy of any prescriptions (Customs officials may want to verify that a container's contents match its label, so all medication should be carried in its original container.)
Carry-on bag
The EF backpack is a perfect carry-on bag. Here’s a short list of things travelers might need on the first day of the trip. These should be packed in the carry-on in case the checked luggage is delayed.
- Passport
- Money
- Airline ticket
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (Check tsa.gov for current security requirements.)
- Hairbrush
- Contact lens case/glasses (to sleep comfortably on the plane)
- A change of clothes (in case luggage is delayed)
- Medication
- Any valuables