What to pack

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Pack light! You'll be toting your own luggage around at airports and hotels, so bring only what you need—one small carry-on suitcase and your EF backpack should be enough. Remember, checked baggage fees are not included in the tour cost, and they vary by airline. If you decided not to check a bag, remember to check tsa.gov for current security requirements in carry-on bags.

Clothing and Accessories

  • Masks/face covering (as required by local authorities)
  • Comfortable walking shoes and one pair of nicer shoes
  • Shirts (short and long sleeved)
  • Socks and underwear
  • Watch
  • Pants/shorts/jeans
  • Long sleeves and pants for religious sites
  • Pajamas
  • Bathing suit (if applicable)
  • Dressier outfit (reserved for a special night out)
  • Raincoat and/or umbrella 
  • Lightweight nylon jacket or fleece (rather than bulky sweatshirts)
  • Reusable water bottle

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Soap
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Sunscreen
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Any medications (in addition to a copy of any prescription)
  • Spare set of contact lenses/glasses (if applicable)

Money

  • Till debit card (Find out more about Till here.)
  • ATM card (Call your bank prior to departure to alert them of the trip; foreign purchases sometimes result in a hold on bank accounts.)
  • Personal credit card
  • At least $50 converted to the currency of the first country or region that you’re visiting
  • Pouch for storing money and passport under clothing

Electronics

  • An alarm clock (Many hotel rooms won't have one.)
  • An adaptor/converter 
  • Camera with extra batteries or charger

Documents

  • Proof of negative COVID PCR test, if required by your destination
  • Passport—required on all EF Educational Tours (Remember to leave one copy of it at home and bring a couple more copies on tour, in case your passport gets lost.)
  • Visas (if applicable)
  • Health Insurance Card
  • A copy of the tour itinerary
  • A list of important phone numbers 
  • 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 that every traveler receives 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 your carry-on in case your checked luggage is delayed:

  • Passport
  • Money
  • Airline boarding pass
  • 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

Additional packing list resources

We’ve also created a few more detailed packing lists for specific destinations and types of tours. Download them in PDF form below: