If the entire group would like to arrive at the first destination a few days earlier or stay at the final destination a few days later than the scheduled tour, WorldStrides can change your airline tickets. The service fee is $50 per participant, plus additional costs for land arrangements, which will be passed along to the participants. This optional tour enhancement requires a minimum of 10 paying participants. If an individual participant would like to opt to stay ahead or behind your scheduled tour, WorldStrides can arrange the airline ticket for a service fee of $145 if requested upon enrollment. If requested after enrollment and up to 110 days prior to departure, the fee is $195. We will change your airline ticket and you are responsible for all accommodations, meals, and transfers before and after the scheduled tour. Travelers younger than 16 years of age are not permitted to fly alone and therefore are ineligible for flight deviations separate from the group unless accompanied by an adult. Because we will arrange your airline tickets separately from your group’s, we cannot guarantee that you will share any of the same flights, and additional fees may apply.

Please note that the following information applies to United States citizens. If you are not a citizen of the United States, WorldStrides highly recommends you contact your country’s embassy to determine your passport status, and to determine any tour destinations that may require visas as those requirements may differ from the United States’.

PASSPORTS

Obtaining A Passport

You must have a valid passport to leave and reenter the country; this includes trips to Canada and Mexico. Visit the U.S. State Department Passport Information page for complete information on how to apply for a new passport. We recommend applying for a passport as soon as you enroll on your tour, and no later than four months prior to departure. The passport application process can take at least six to eight weeks and we require passport information be submitted to us in advance (often three months prior to departure) for many of our destinations. Once you have begun the application process, the U.S. State Department allows you to track the status of your application on their website.

Renewing Your Passport

If your passport has passed its expiration date it is no longer considered valid and you will not be allowed to leave the country. Passports are valid for five years for minors under the age of 16 and 10 years for those aged 16 and older. If your passport has passed its expiration date, visit the U.S. State Department Passport Information page for complete information on how to renew your passport. Additionally, some countries will not allow travelers to enter their country if they have less than six months of validity left on their passport. To check if any of the countries you are visiting have this requirement, visit the U.S. State Department International Travel Information page for country specific information.

VISAS

A visa is an official travel document that allows an individual to enter and travel through a foreign country. Some countries require that travelers obtain a visa before they are allowed entry into their country. If you are traveling to a destination that does require a visa for Americans, this information would be communicated to your Program Leader in advance; this email will include detailed instructions for obtaining a visa, if necessary, and an application. You are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas and travel documents for your tour. Participants arriving at the airport without proper documentation may be denied boarding and would not be eligible for a refund. You must have a valid passport before you can obtain a visa, so it is very important to apply for or renew your passport well in advance. Since requirements vary for each nationality, we recommend all travelers verify the individual requirements for their nationality with the local consulate for the countries you are visiting. As an American passport holder, you can verify entry/exit requirements at the U.S. State Department website by searching for the countries that you are visiting.

Students carrying money should be advised to keep cash in a safe place such as a money belt or wallet in a secure pocket. Where possible, it is best for travelers to carry only what they may need for the day, and to secure the rest of their cash in a safe in their hotel room. If a safe is not available, you can secure some cash in your luggage if your luggage will be in a safe place. We do not recommend leaving cash in your luggage if your bag will be out of your possession, especially if your bag will be checked on an airplane.

On most programs, students will carry their own luggage, so it is always recommended to pack light! For short programs, one small suitcase is recommended. For longer programs, we recommend no more than one checked bag and one carry-on. The cost for checking baggage is not included in WorldStrides program price and travelers should be prepared to pay these fees upon check-in for both departing and returning flights. Please also check your airline's website prior to travel for up-to-date information regarding weight and size limits set by the airline. If you are traveling on multiple airlines during your program, don't forget to check those too! Additionally, all travelers should be aware of the Transportation Security Administration's guidelines for air travel. For more information, please visit the TSA website.

Each of our programs is different, and we recommend you consult your pre-program materials to find specific information about what you will need. But here are a few common tips:

• Comfortable clothes and walking shoes are a must.
• Since the weather can be unpredictable, be sure to bring rain gear and to dress in layers in case the temperature changes throughout the day.
• You should check the weather forecast for your destination during the time you'll be traveling and pack accordingly.

Download sample packing lists for some of our most common educational travel destinations for K-12 students here:

• Costa Rica
• Washington, D.C. and other East Coast Destinations
• Washington, D.C. and other East Coast Destinations - Spanish
• Florida
• California
• Presidential Inauguration
• Iceland
• Illinois
• New York
• Hawaii
• Alaska
• Galapagos Islands
• Civil Rights Tour
• National Parks
• For all other international destinations

For our university travelers, a packing list is included in each program's online registration portal. Click the tab that says Packing List. Don't forget itinerary-specific items such as business clothes for professional meetings, if necessary.  

Due to the nature of group travel and the discounted group rates we receive, airlines do not allow the use of frequent flyer programs. Additionally, travelers are not eligible to receive frequent flyer miles for their travel. University students traveling individually may be eligible to redeem and/or earn miles and should contact their Account Manager with specific questions.

Domestic air travel: In accordance with TSA regulations, minor children are not required to carry ID for domestic air travel. However, we strongly encourage students to carry a school ID or ID card. All participants must provide their full legal name (first, middle, and last name matching information on a government-issued ID) matching information on a government-issued ID regarding date of birth and gender prior to ticketing. TSA regulations do require all travelers over 18 years old to present a government-issued ID. Starting May 2025, travelers over 18 must carry a REAL ID. This is a government-issued ID (usually a driver's license from the DMV) that has been through additional verification and has a star in the top right corner. If you do not have a REAL ID and plan to travel after May 2025, WorldStrides recommends you visit your state's DMV website for information on how to obtain one. Note: A passport can be used as a substitute for a REAL ID. International air travel: A passport is required for all travelers (including minor children) on all international trips. Each traveler is responsible for obtaining their own passport. Obtaining a passport can take several weeks, so make arrangements to acquire one immediately. Passports should not expire for at least 6 months from the date when you'll return. All pages must be securely fastened inside. (Some countries will not accept a passport that does not meet these standards.) We recommend students make two black and white copies of their passport before travel in case their passport is lost or stolen; keep one in secured luggage and give one to the Program Leader.

Students with dietary restrictions will need to inform WorldStrides and their Program Leader in advance. WorldStrides will make every effort to communicate dietary restrictions to the restaurants where food is served on our programs. Despite our best efforts, WorldStrides cannot guarantee that all requests will be accommodated. Travelers who suffer from complex or extreme food allergies are advised to take a proactive role in managing their dietary needs. WorldStrides staff and your Program Leader will provide support in notifying meal locations prior to and upon arrival at each location. We also suggest packing additional snacks and being prepared with extra meal money to purchase uniquely prepared foods, if necessary.

Visas requirements are specific to the country where you are traveling, and depend on the nationality of the traveler. Generally speaking. our most common WorldStrides destinations, including Costa Rica, Spain, Italy, France, and the UK, do not require a visa for travelers with American passports. If you are traveling to a destination that does require a visa for Americans, this information would be communicated to your Program Leader in advance. Because of the number of international students enrolled in university programs, all students traveling on a Higher Education Custom program receive an email within 24 hours of registration that details their visa needs (dependent on destination and nationality). This email will include detailed instructions for obtaining a visa, if necessary, and an application.For Higher Ed students with visa questions, please email visas@worldstrides.com. Please note it is the traveler's responsibility to obtain necessary travel documents. If you are denied entry to any country, including a country you have connected through, you are not eligible for a refund.

Performing tours abroad may necessitate the transportation of instruments, equipment, and uniforms. Our dedicated operations staff has the expertise and proven ability to ensure the smooth travel coordination of all your instruments and equipment. Call us at 1-800-522-2398 for information on transporting equipment and instruments, including rental options.

Our Suggested Music Lists are available for free download!

• Download the Suggested Music List for Choirs
• Download the Suggested Music List for Instrumental Ensembles