If you would like to reserve a space on a trip, please contact the tour operator directly. Contact information is available on our website on the Travel Partner page and on the individual trip detail pages. If you subscribe to our mailing list, you will also find contact information printed on the paper brochures you receive in the mail. Deposits can be made by check or credit card and are required at the time of reservation. Some travel companies will offer a discount if you pay in full upfront. Space is not guaranteed.
Washington University affiliations are an important part of our program, but you do not have to be an alum to travel with us. We welcome alumni, parents, families, and friends of students and graduates who are interested in participating in educational travel experiences with WashU.
Many trips charge extra for those who wish to room alone, known as a “single supplement.” On most tours, a limited number of single rooms are available. Single travelers can request to be matched with a roommate to reduce the cost and the tour operator will strive to find a compatible partner to share a room. On a few select tours offered by our tour operators, a single supplement fee is not required.
To enjoy the travel experience, participants should be in good physical and mental health and feel comfortable keeping pace with a group. All tours require a certain degree of physical activity, such as walking and getting on and off ships, planes, buses, or other vehicles. Activity levels will vary based on the destination and itinerary. Extreme variations in altitude, temperature, and humidity should be considered when traveling in certain parts of the world and many excursions will involve walking on uneven terrain (e.g., cobblestone streets, hiking trails). Program participants who need special assistance and/or equipment must be accompanied by someone who can provide the required assistance. We recommend that you review the details on the trip website and contact the travel company directly if you have specific concerns or questions about the level of activity involved.
WashU often shares tours with other universities and organizations that have education-oriented travel programs. This is most common on cruises that can accommodate large numbers of guests. Typically, land-based tours are smaller, with a maximum capacity between 12-30 guests, depending on the tour operator and destination. On these smaller trips, tour operators give us a window of time to offer the trip exclusively to WashU travelers. If we are unable to book all the seats, the tour operator will open the tour up to another institution.
Each year, several of our trips feature Washington University faculty members who accompany the tour and share their expertise and insights. Faculty participation is listed in the summary-level details for the trip on the Upcoming Destinations page on our website. We can only send a faculty member if a minimum number of WashU travelers sign up for a trip. The minimum requirement varies by destination and tour operator.
All tour prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, current exchange rates, and tariffs at the time the tours are arranged. Single occupancy is available on a limited basis for each program at a supplemental charge (unless otherwise noted). Dates, prices, itineraries, and program details are subject to change and revision, but every effort will be made to conduct the tour program as planned and advertised.
The listed price is the starting price per person based on double occupancy. Trips typically include lodging, local transfers to and from the airport and other destinations on the tour, baggage handling, most meals, and sightseeing as specified in the brochure and on the trip details website. Trips do not
include passport and visa fees, some gratuities, or personal travel insurance. Airfare varies by program, so please contact the travel company for more information. All pre- and post-trip extensions are offered at an additional charge.
Some tours include airfare. If not, most of our tour operators offer an option to purchase airfare from various cities at an additional cost. You may also make your own arrangements with a preferred airline. If you choose to schedule your own flights, you will be responsible for arranging your own roundtrip ground transportation between the destination airport and the hotel. If airfare is included, routings are at the discretion of the tour operator and are based on flight availability and agreements among the air carriers and the tour operator. All special flight requests (specified carriers, routings, and departure/arrival times) may be subject to a deviation fee. Airline flights may not be eligible for upgrades with frequent flyer miles, and mileage credit may not be applicable with fares. Please contact the tour operator directly for more information on airfare options.
Cancellation policies vary according to the individual tour operator’s policies. Cancellation penalties go into effect after the tour operator has received the deposit, and fees increase as you get closer to the departure date. Please read the terms and conditions for your specific tour and contact the tour operator for more information.
The WashU Travel Program and each of our tour operators consider the safety of our travelers to be a top priority. We recommend visiting the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Resources website for up to-date information on travel advisories, passport processing, pre-trip checklists, overseas emergency protocols, and more.
We strongly recommend that you purchase a trip protection plan to cover things like illness, injury, trip delays, medical evacuation, and emergencies. As a service to our travelers, the Travel Program has partnered with Meyer and Associates to offer various travel protection plans. Insurance is not required but highly recommended, and you are welcome to use any company you like. If you are interested in learning more about the plans Meyer and Associates offers, please visit: Travel Insurance Options. If you have questions about their plans or coverage, please call them directly at 866-679-7836 to speak to a licensed professional.
Certain insurance packages, such as “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage and pre-existing condition waivers, must be purchased within a specific window of time, typically 10-21 days from the date on your trip registration welcome letter. The Travel Program will send your official trip registration welcome letter to the email address you provide the tour operator when signing up for the trip. If you choose to work with Meyer and Associates, you will need that letter to purchase time-sensitive coverage. One of their licensed professionals can provide more details on these offerings.
We also recommend you check with your medical insurance provider to determine if you are covered outside of the United States. Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the U.S.
The U.S. Department of State has detailed information on how to apply for/renew a passport.
Yes. We have a limited number of spots for each program. If a trip is sold out, you can ask the travel company to be added to the waitlist. In some cases, an additional departure date may be added to accommodate high demand.
Sign up for our mailing list to start receiving brochures in the mail from our travel partners and periodic emails (6-8 per year) from the Travel Program. Our travel partners mail trip brochures about 6-10 months before the tour’s departure date. You can request a specific brochure by emailing us at alumni.travel@wustl.edu or calling 314-935-0474.
You can also visit our Upcoming Destinations page for a current list of trips or flip through our digital Travel Catalog and download a copy to peruse offline.
We encourage you to contact the individual travel companies for specific questions regarding each trip. When you call, please let them know that you are inquiring about a trip with Washington University in St. Louis.