Journey to Japan

We believe that all students should have the opportunity to travel, which means we do everything we can to keep our program prices the lowest in the industry without sacrificing quality. One of the ways we do that is by combining student groups from all across the country who are taking the same tour—unless your student’s teacher has opted into a private tour, or enrols enough travellers to fill a standard motorcoach bus. 

Whether your student is travelling with just their school or alongside peers from other schools too, they’ll automatically practice interpersonal skills like flexibility, adaptability, and compromise. They’ll also become stronger collaborators and communicators by engaging in group activities—and having shared experiences with other students outside their comfort zones is a great way to form lasting and meaningful connections. 

Whether your student is travelling within Canada or abroad, it’s important to understand what documents they’ll need to travel smoothly and confidently. 

For international tours: 

All travellers must have a valid passport, and in most cases, it must be valid for at least six months after the tour’s return date. Some countries may also require at least three blank pages in the passport. 

Please ensure the name on your student’s EF account exactly matches the name on their passport they will be travelling with—including first, middle, and last names—as airlines require this for booking. Mismatches can result in denied boarding or costly name-change fees. 

Depending on the destination, students may also need a visa or electronic travel authorization (e.g. ETA for the UK, NZeTA for New Zealand, ETIAS for the EU starting in 2026). Requirements vary based on citizenship and residency status, so it’s important to confirm what applies to your traveller. These tools are a great place to start: 

• travel.gc.ca – Government of Canada travel advice and advisories 

• Sherpa – Personalized entry info based on nationality 

• Visa Central – Visa and travel documentation support 

After enrolment, your student’s EF traveller account will show destination-specific requirements. EF can also provide supporting documents like itinerary confirmations if needed for visa applications. 

For domestic tours (within Canada): 

Identification requirements for air travel within Canada can vary depending on a traveller’s age, citizenship, and residency status. In most cases, travellers will need government-issued identification showing their full name and date of birth, and some situations may require photo ID.

Travellers who are not Canadian citizens—including permanent residents and international students—may need to carry a passport and other documents (such as a visa, Electronic Travel Authorization, or study permit), depending on their status.

If your student is under 18 and travelling without a parent or guardian, airlines or accommodations may also require a parental authorization letter.

For the most up-to-date guidance, visit travel.gc.ca.

Round-trip flights are included in the cost of your student’s EF tour. We arrange group bookings through trusted commercial airlines and handle all flight logistics—so you don’t have to.

Because flights are booked as a group, certain amenities and upgrades—like seat selection or preferred seating—may not be available. That said, our team works hard to ensure the journey is smooth, efficient, and well-supported.

You’ll receive your traveller’s flight information about three weeks before they leave. Groups can experience direct or connecting flights, depending on factors like the time of year and airport they’re departing from.

Whenever possible, students fly together as a group from the same airport. However, depending on factors like group size, seat availability, and the time of year, the group may be split across multiple flights. In these cases, each flight group will have a designated adult chaperone, and tours are arranged to accommodate different arrival times—so no experiences or educational content are missed.

Once your student arrives, their EF Tour Director will be waiting at the terminal to welcome the group and get the adventure started.

Students aged 19 and under are typically roomed in groups of 3–4 per hotel room, based on the gender listed on their passport. Rooms may contain single beds, double beds that are shared by two students or a combination of the two. Every hotel room will have a private bathroom.

Hotels are carefully vetted by EF for safety, cleanliness, and student-friendly standards. While EF will take care of reserving hotel rooms, the Group Leader is responsible for organizing specific roommate requests.

If your student’s group is travelling with another school on the same tour, it’s possible they may be roomed with students from that school. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends and build connections. And while they’ll spend most of their time exploring with the group, their hotel room is a place to rest and recharge between full days of travel.

There are opportunities for families to submit special rooming requests after enrolling. Students may request twin accommodations (a hotel room with two single beds) for additional nightly fees.

We’re committed to making every traveller feel safe and supported. EF will do our best to accommodate students who identify as a different gender than what appears on their passport, or who request alternative rooming based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Have a rooming request or question? Contact Traveller Support at 1-800-263-2806—we’re here to help.

Meals on tour are an important (and delicious!) part of the travel experience. They’re a chance for students to try new foods, connect with peers, and refuel after full days of exploration. 

What to expect: 

• Breakfast is typically served at the hotel and is continental-style. Students can usually expect a variety of items like cereal, toast, jam, juice, eggs, coffee, tea, and a protein option. 

• Lunch may or may not be included, depending on the tour. If it’s not, students will have the opportunity to explore local restaurants and cafés in small groups—one of the best ways to discover new cuisines and enjoy a bit of independence. 

• Dinner is included most evenings and is usually a set menu served to the group at the hotel or a local restaurant selected by EF. Meals are designed to appeal to a range of tastes while offering a sampling of regional flavours and traditions. 

Travellers should be aware that portion sizes and presentation may differ from what they’re used to at home. It’s part of the cultural experience and a great opportunity to keep an open mind and try something new! 

Dietary needs and restrictions: 

EF does its best to accommodate dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher-style, or allergy-related restrictions during included meals. After enrolling, travellers should notify both their Group Leader and EF’s Traveller Support Team as early as possible so we can make necessary arrangements in advance. 

While we strive to accommodate all needs, students with strict dietary requirements should plan to bring extra snacks and spending money to supplement their meals as needed. On tour, students are encouraged to advocate for themselves and speak with their Tour Director or Group Leader if any concerns come up—they’re there to help. 

Not sure where to start? Call EF’s Traveller Support Team at 1-800-263-2806—we’re happy to help guide you through it.

Transparency is important, and there are some flexible pricing factors that can vary by destination, family circumstance, and itinerary. Please connect with a Traveller Support Specialist if you have any questions. 

Tips and gratuities 

It’s customary to tip your student’s Tour Director, bus driver(s), and local guides as a thank-you for their service throughout the trip. Many Group Leaders collect tips from families ahead of time and manage them on tour. We recommend bringing cash in local currency for this purpose.

Lunches and beverages (except where indicated) 

Unless stated otherwise, lunches are not included, giving students the freedom to explore local food options. At included group meals, bottled water is typically provided—any additional beverages (like juice or soda) are at the traveller’s own cost. 

Airline baggage fees 

Your tour price usually includes one small carry-on and one personal item. Checked baggage is not guaranteed for domestic (Canada/U.S.), South/Central America, or transborder tours—if it’s not included, fees must be paid at the check-in counter. For all other regions, checked baggage is included unless otherwise noted. 

For further information on what's not included on your tour, please check out our Booking Conditions at eftours.ca/bc. If you have questions or need clarification about your student’s specific tour, reach out to EF Traveller Support at 1-800-263-2806—we’re here to help.

We understand that circumstances can change. If you need to cancel, please contact our Traveller Support Team as soon as possible at 1-800-263-2806 to walk through your options. 

Risk-Free Enrolment 

Every traveller is automatically covered by a Risk-Free Enrolment period. That means you can cancel for any reason within 30 days of enrolment and receive a full refund of all money paid. 

To be eligible: 

1. Your student must enrol at least 110 days before departure 

2. You must either pay in full or enrol in EF’s Automatic Payment Plan at time of booking 

3. The account must remain in good standing at the time of cancellation 

EF’s Standard Cancellation Policy* 

After the 30-day Risk-Free period, EF’s Standard Cancellation Policy applies. Cancellation fees increase the closer you get to your tour’s departure date, as many costs are committed well in advance. 

You can view the full policy in our Booking Conditions, but here are some key timelines: 

• 110 days before departure: Full refund less all non-refundable fees and a $399 cancellation fee. 

• 109–45 days before departure: Full refund less all non-refundable fees and a cancellation fee of 50% of the program price. 

• 44 days or less before departure: No refund will be issued. All non-refundable fees and a cancellation fee of 100% of the program price and tour fees will apply.  

All cancellation requests must be submitted by the traveller, legal guardian, or Group Leader. The date of cancellation is determined by when EF receives this notice. 

*Travellers who purchase the Global Travel Protection Plan and Cancel for Any Reason Add-On (if applicable) may receive additional trip cancellation coverage. Learn more about these insurance options at eftours.ca/coverage.

Your student is never alone while travelling with EF. We’ve built a global support system that ensures students are cared for, wherever their tour takes them. 

✅ 24/7 support based in Canada 

Our Canadian Traveller Support Team is available throughout your student’s tour. If you need to reach us, call 1-800-263-2806. 

Our On Tour Support Team is available outside of business hours for any on tour incidences. To reach us you can call the number provided on your emergency bracelet. 

✅ Global network of offices and local staff 

EF has offices in over 50 countries and staff in nearly every destination we travel to. That means there’s always a familiar face nearby to offer help, guidance, or local expertise when it’s needed most. 

✅ Proactive monitoring from expert teams 

Our operations and flights teams are constantly tracking global events, flight delays, cancellations, and local disruptions. If something unexpected happens, we’re already working behind the scenes to keep your student’s tour running smoothly. 

From the moment they depart to the moment they return home, we’re with them—every step of the way. 

We’re committed to making educational travel as inclusive as possible—and we’ll always do our best to support every student’s individual needs. If your child has an accessibility requirement, we encourage you to call our Traveller Support Team as early as possible—ideally before you enrol, or as soon as a need arises. 

Our team will work closely with you to understand your student's needs and explore what accommodations are possible based on the specific tour, destination, and timing. While we make every effort to provide support, some requests may not be feasible due to operational or logistical constraints—especially if we’re close to the tour’s departure date. 

Early conversations are key. The sooner we know, the more we can do to help make your student’s travel experience safe, supported, and unforgettable.