EF Go Ahead Tours

EF Go Ahead Tours

EF Go Ahead Tours
1.5
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Athens, Attica, Greece

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


1.5
1.5 of 5 bubbles19 reviews
Excellent
1
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
6
Terrible
12

comgoddess
Midwest20 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
EF Go Ahead Tours is an absolutely terrible company and once they have your money they can't be bothered with you.

I questioned why we had a 6-hour layover in Minneapolis when there were much better flights available especially since they had inflated the airfare by $700. The salesperson tried to assure me that we were getting a "full-service company" in an effort to justify their overcharges and if I wanted a better connecting flight, I'd have to pay the difference. We were about to discover what a load of BS their claim of being "full-service" was.

We had an 8-member family trip planned for a Scandinavian tour 7/19/2024-7/31/2024. Our flights began in Bismarck to Minneapolis and then on to Amsterdam and initially, Stockholm. Flights were cancelled by Delta the morning we were to leave due to the Crowdstrike outage with no further information. We contacted the emergency line to EF and were told to take the initial leg of the trip and by the time we reached our connecting flight, the situation might be resolved. EF did not provide any assistance whatsoever, telling us there was nothing they could do and that we were now Delta's problem. We learned that our flights were rebooked for 3-1/2 days later. We asked about cancelling the trip because we had travel insurance as well as their additional misnamed "Any Reason" insurance policy but were told that since we had already begun the trip, the insurance no longer was in force even though EF directed us to start the trip.

We were completely on our own to struggle with a stressful situation along with hundreds of other stranded travelers. We fought to find any available hotels in the suburbs and incurred meal and transportation expenses while awaiting our rescheduled flight. After returning from our trip, we were each instructed to file a claim separately with the insurance company. That process is a convoluted nightmare and after spending valuable hours obtaining the necessary paperwork to try to recoup our losses with no assistance from EF, we have heard nothing and received nothing from the insurance company. I discovered that my claim has been closed with no contact whatsoever. We lost almost 4 days along with the welcome dinner and the entire tour of Sweden along with the additional excursions. As for the remainder of the trip, the descriptions of what is included are misleading. Oh, you will see the sites listed in the itinerary but from the bus window as you zoom by.

I've booked with other tour companies and have had wonderful trips. Friendly Planet stepped up and helped us immediately when we had flight issues and I can't recommend them enough. If I had read the reviews about EF Go Ahead Tours beforehand, it would have saved us from an expensive, miserable experience that overshadowed our entire family vacation.
Written November 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniel N
Palmyra18 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Family
Just completed a tour of Budapest, Prague, Vienna and Salzburg with Go Ahead. Months before departure we booked and paid for several excursions on the trip. Three of the excursions were cancelled. We were told at first we would receive a refund in three business days, than within two weeks and now they are telling us ten or more weeks. They had no problem collecting the money promptly but apparently are unable and/or unwilling to refund almost the $800.00 due. Is it bait and switch?? Be aware.
Written November 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GrandTour27636634045
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Solo
I am not looking forward to this trip , but I will go because there is no refund. I have traveled with a few different companies to Europe. The best was Tauck Tours in 2018. I decided to try EF Tours for a Greece solo trip coming this April-May. I decided to let them handle the flight b/c I noticed that this tour included a flight in Greece as well. Long story short, they sold me on a $1620 flight which would include airport pickup and a checked bag. They also claimed they would get the best flight. When I received my itinerary, I had the worst possible flight. Leaving DFW 6:20 am to Boston to wait for a 5pm flight. It is a 5 hr layover in Boston! I called customer service , agent basically said, we will not change anything without a cost of $300 that I would incur. They already overcharged me for an economy seat! The flight on Delta Airlines (their partner) and other airlines were averaging 1200. This is about 300-400 more, and the transfer and luggage is probably less than $150. The supervisor I spoke with also refused to change this. I have never been so disgusted in a company, but I want to warn other people. Avoid this company and do your own flights. Tauck provided me with a direct flight which was on KLM , airport p/u, and it was cheaper than the flights online.
Written March 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

angie11111
Oradell, NJ31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Solo
I have just returned from an EF Go Ahead Solo tour through Switzerland, Germany and Austria. This was my first solo trip, and it was absolutely fantastic. We met our tour guide Atto right off the plane in Zurich. He is an absolute gem and made our trip so wonderful with his professionalism, deep knowledge of the countries we visited, patience, advice and humor made the trip stress free. Atto set a tone from day one and I, along with the wonderful fellow tour members (now friends!) all loved him and felt he was the key to our immediate bonding.
Our hotels were clean and centrally located. The food at the included dinners was very good (local cuisine like schnitzel, sausages, salmon and also vegetarian dishes for those who requested). I took all of the excursions offered and they were so worthwhile. The boat on lake Lucerne, going to the top of Mount Pilatus, Mozart concert and dinner, an additional classical concert and many more memorable experiences. During "free time" Atto explained the areas we were in, provided maps of the local area and gave us tips on what we might enjoy seeing.
We had local tour guides join us at each city stop and they were also knowledgeable, professional and friendly.
I am lucky that I live near Newark airport, so I was able to have EF schedule direct flights, so I did not have the trouble that others have with flight bookings.
Yes, you do not spend a great deal of time at each destination but in each country, we had delightful experiences and got a feel for where we might want to return for longer stays (Vienna for me for sure!)

Tips: European hotels are not the same as American hotels. The rooms are small and there are fewer amenities, but I have travelled a great deal and was not at all disappointed. Each room was clean, and the beds were comfortable.
You need to be in pretty good shape because there is a great deal of walking and hiking to scenic vantage points. To me this is a good thing!
I participated in the pre-trip chat on the EF website and felt like I already knew my soon to be co-adventurers before we all met up in Switzerland! I would recommend that.
Several of the people on my tour had taken solo tours with EF before this one , so that is a great endorsement for me.

Thank you EF tours and Atto our wonderful tour guide !
Written October 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Voyage21035922096
2 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Couples
Don’t use ef go ahead tours. Wound up being more expensive because of extras and travel protection the hotels were way out of area and too much time was spent on bus travels. Hotels were subpar as were the included meals in package. Some days were spent “shopping” at locations that were overpriced with kickbacks to them. Never again will I use them.
Written May 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fmp930
somers, ny29 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
I was interested in go tours sicily until i did some research on my own. I was going to book a 2 night extension in taromina that was $589 a person so basically $1200 a couple. I priced the same hotel, same dates and 2 nights was about $400. There were no included tours for $1200. When i asked what i was getting for an additional $800 i was told well theres a tour director available and a goodbye cocktail. When i very nicelly questioned the price they hung up on me. I just suggest do your homework before you book.
Written July 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pete
4 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Friends
Don’t think it’s some great bus tour, it’s one star for a bus tour! Any tour company that won’t tell you what hotels you’ll be staying at until two weeks before you leave should be a HUGE red flag.

We toured Scotland and Ireland and spent 10 hours per day on buses and stayed in 1-2 star hotels, as a rule. Just before arriving at our final hotel in Dublin, the tour guide said, “Ok, we’ll have to park about a block away. So when you exit the bus just grab the first luggage you see and head for the hotel and we’ll sort out when we get there. We’ve had a lot of losses recently.” Not kidding!

Others were better, but not great. Nothing close to average 4 star as they claimed.

The buses were horrible. No toilets, no water, nothing. The one whiskey distillery, planned for 10:30AM, (great time for whiskey), was cancelled because we were late. Everybody on the bus got sick from a Covid like bug. One day we hit a 3 hour detour for an accident, were dropped in Oban at 7:00 pm on a Saturday night and told to find dinner on our own and be back on the bus in an hour.

I wouldn’t take another trip with these guys if you paid me!
Written July 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Exploration768041
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Solo
EF tours seems to have no problem taking your money but fail to secure you a room.
I was recommended EF tours by a coworker who assured me of their reliability and since I would be traveling solo it was safe and secure.. So thinking I’d save myself a headache when finding lodging and transportation, I booked a single room with the company.
I was told that my booking was all set and got a verbal confirmation. Upon hearing this, I booked my flight to Ireland.
A WEEK later, on Saturday, I was told that I do not have a room and they are unable to accommodate me. I called them back and was told that all the single rooms are gone. The girl helping me was incredible rude and insisted I find someone to join me or cancel my trip. I was quickly ushered off the phone.
I called back the same day and got a different representative and he gave me a similar answer but said I could also be waitlisted for a room. They told me that their contracts with the hotels prevented them from placing me in a double room so I asked which hotels can’t accommodate me in a single room and what hotels we would be staying with so I can call them separately and book my own lodgings.
I was never given an answer to either question.
I was told that I can be waitlisted and people are likely to drop out or I could look into a getting on a waitlist for a family room with my parents who are also traveling. This is my parents first time traveling abroad and decided to join me on this tour prior to my being told I can’t be accommodated.
I requested to speak to a manager and was told that they would put that request in since a manager was not available on the weekends.
I was told that I would be called on Monday or Tuesday to help me resolve my problem. Tuesday come and I still have NOT heard from anyone.
I called them asking to speak to a manager and reexplained the problem.
On Friday, May 31st I got a call back from a manager. He reiterated that they can put me in a single room or look to change my trip to a different location. He said he would keep me informed of what was happening. I followed up on June 20th asking for a status update and never got a response. I called again on July 1st for an update. I was told that there has been no change in my waitlist status. When I asked what other tours are available for the time that I will be there the guy who I was speaking with said, “I’m not seeing anything, oh wait there a tour to Ireland for that time!” Which is the same tour that I have been told I WONT BE ABLE TO GO ON BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND A ROOM FOR ME TO SLEEP IN!
I follows up again on July 2nd requesting to speak to a manager and was once more told that they would put in a request for a manager to speak to me but it’ll take 2-3 days.
As outlined above, I have reached out to this tour company at least 6 times to figure out what is going on. I have asked to speak to a manager 3 time and always need to follow up myself. There is no follow up, no help what so ever, just another scammer company looking to make a quick buck.
It has been 2 months and this issue, despite my numerous instances of follow ups, is still not resolved. My payment for the trip appears to have gone through without issue but they still can’t seem to find me a place to sleep.
If you are looking for a good tour company, go elsewhere because this company has been nothing but a nightmare to deal with.
Written July 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Noire F
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Business
We did not go at all at no fault of our own, but we still don't get a refund.

Our son's backpack is still standing in the corner, gathering dust.
Like many people here, we were introduced to EF tours through our son's school, which gave them an air of credibility in our eyes. However, we will do the best we can to advise our school to never work with them again.

Like the author of the blog post, we were not told an exact date, but a timeframe for travel in the months ahead. In fact, they gladly took our money (more than $3,000) without feeling the need to communicate with us before our planned departure date. Because EF Tours is expensive, kids of only three families sought to participate. Within the week of departure we were told to pack and meet at the airport at a certain time on Saturday evening. Only, on Saturday, mere hours before we were going to drop off our son at the airport, the trip was called off.

It took days before our chaperone told us the reason why: she had her passport stolen and could not travel. This is an extenuating circumstance for the company, I understand, but also is no fault of the families. For nearly a month we heard little from the company itself other than they'd offer vouchers and refused to reimburse the families who could not go at other times during the summer.

Nearly a month later, we were offered a replacement trip of the exact length, places, and program of the original trip. This was planned to head out on July 7. We really were hoping our son got to go after all. However, EF Tours now asked for $800 more - not $80, but close to a third of the amount we already paid them and had not received anything for yet (not even the common courtesy that they would communicate with their paying customers). Only a month later, the same trip cost nearly 1/3 of the original price more, vouchers or no. How much more would we pay, even if we were still willing to send our son with them the following year?

There was no guarantee. In fact, when we reached out to EF Tours, they insisted on keeping our money in exchange for vouchers (for those who had other plans and could not travel at the later date) as well as the additional $800. They actually provided us with their law offices address.

We communicated our experience to the State's Attorney General office, the BBB, as well as the FTC and received note from the former two that they have taken up the case.

I would recommend to anyone considering traveling with EF Tours to either go with a different company or plan a trip for yourselves. Just like with people, the true character of a company shows when things do not go as planned. EF Tours is of a scam character to say the least.
Written June 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

pam r
Chelmsford, MA1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Friends
I paid EF Tours to book my flights including an extra $2823 for upgrades that I did not get, they refuse to return my money.
Written November 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

EF Go Ahead Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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