Why travel with us

We believe every student deserves the chance to explore America, so our mission is simple: to allow more students to travel by offering the most affordable student tours.

As part of EF Education First, we're backed by 45 years of travel experience. Our expertise and relationships enable us to offer the same tours as our competitors for much less. And our commitment to affordability is not just about price. With Smithsonian Student Travel, teachers travel free; our Liberty Scholarship opens our trips to more students; and parents can take advantage of our free monthly payment plan.

To Smithsonian Student Travel, quality means outstanding educational experiences, the highest commitment to safety and exceptional support for teachers, students and parents.

Education Exploring America firsthand provides students incomparable educational experiences. Our tours are enhanced by resources created by the Smithsonian Institution, PBS and educational consultants. Additionally, all our tours are accredited by the same regional organizations that accredit schools and colleges across the country, so you and your students can earn credit on tour.

Safety Using EF's Safety First Program, we carefully evaluate all on-tour staff, conduct nightly fire safety checks and personally inspect all our hotels and restaurants each year. In addition, your tour director is with the group night and day for the entire tour and we provide professional overnight security at every hotel.

Support Your team of tour consultants will offer expert advice and provide the materials you'll need to prepare, promote and fundraise for your tour. Plus, through our local offices we can lend a hand in person. And from the moment your tour begins, your personal tour director will be there to show you the sights and handle logistics. Your travelers and their parents can get assistance from our customer service department at any time.

Be the teacher who inspires your students to travel the world. Traveling excites students' minds, broadens their perspectives and uniquely prepares them for the future.

Giving your students the chance to explore America brings a new dimension to your curriculum. It fosters creativity, critical thinking and confidence and supports all the ways you already are helping them develop skills for the 21^st century. Travel gives students a better understanding of who they are and opens their eyes to who they can become. The benefits of travel are lifelong:

• More than 88 percent of students who traveled before the age of 18 receive a college degree
• Slightly more than 8 in 10 had a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• More than 40 percent had GPAs greater than 3.6
• Half of travelers surveyed reported a household income of more than $75,000 as adults*

* Data from a Student Youth & Travel Association-endorsed survey

We'll plan, prepare and offer everything. From transportation, hotels, guided tours, educational materials, meals and more, our all-inclusive tours have every detail covered.

Our tours are all-inclusive, with no hidden costs:

• Round-trip airfare or bus transportation to destinations and on-tour transportation
• Accommodations in quality hotels
• Professional overnight security
• One free chaperone space for every 10 students
• Breakfasts and dinners
• 24-hour expert tour director
• Licensed guides at most major sights
• Visits to special attractions
• Pre- and on-tour educational materials
• Medical and accident coverage
• $15 million liability policy
• Smithsonian membership
• Departure fees and airline surcharges
• Gratuities

Additional Options:

• Lunches
• Travel coverage
• Optional add-ons such as excursions and special activities