FAQ

Question 1

Passport, visa & entry requirements

Accepted Answer

- In order to enter the United Kingdom, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- Beginning January 8, 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must purchase an individual visa from the United Kingdom's government’s [Electronic Travel Authority](https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapply-for-an-eta.homeoffice.gov.uk%2Fhow-to-apply&data=05%7C02%7C%7C847d1bbf84a844a5312908dcde38a93a%7Cf0d1c6fddff0486a8e91cfefefc7d98d%7C0%7C0%7C638629582834526310%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OCdvIYrOOSaQpq%2B1gaCHH3QEJZqi7ri18au%2FJj6Yrxc%3D&reserved=0) (ETA) website or the UK ETA mobile app ([Apple ](https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fuk-eta%2Fid6444912481&data=05%7C02%7C%7C847d1bbf84a844a5312908dcde38a93a%7Cf0d1c6fddff0486a8e91cfefefc7d98d%7C0%7C0%7C638629582834547998%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=OzGcpkf06bk7FP9BOydaSTGC5feUKqz14mi0hSt9MXg%3D&reserved=0)or [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.gov.HomeOffice.ho3)) in order to enter the United Kingdom.
- We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
- There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [goaheadtours.com/myaccount](http://www.goaheadtours.com/myaccount).

Question 2

Tour pacing & mobility

Accepted Answer

- You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across mostly flat terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with few hills or stairs.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
- You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of trains on the tour extension.
- If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Question 3

Transportation & arrival information

Accepted Answer

- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in London and depart from London. When you first arrive in London, a driver from a private chauffeur service will be standing at the arrival gate with your name on a message board. If you do not see your driver, please remain in the arrival lounge, as the driver may be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the shuttle at the time of your arrival. For more details, please reference the London transfer information included in your Go Kit.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- For your convenience, a 6-day London Underground (“the tube”) pass is also included in the price of your tour.

Question 4

Baggage allowance

Accepted Answer

* Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one personal item per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
* Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
* Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
* Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
* On the tour extension, porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage. The storage space on the train is extremely limited, so we recommended traveling with only one suitcase per person (and a personal item such, as a backpack or purse).

Question 5

Clothing & packing tips

Accepted Answer

*   We recommend lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
*   A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
*   You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
*   It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Question 6

Health

Accepted Answer

- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at [**cdc.gov**](https://www.cdc.gov).
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to [goaheadtours.com/myaccount](http://www.goaheadtours.com/myaccount).

Question 7

Cuisine

Accepted Answer

- For traditional English fare at a reasonable price, try a pub meal of fish and chips or bangers and mash. Stilton cheese, steak and kidney pie, and Cumberland sausages are also worth a try.
- Modern-day London boasts an array of diverse international restaurants. Popular options for the adventurous palate include Indian, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Greek, and West African cuisine. Sip afternoon tea with delicious finger sandwiches and scones at Harrods for the ultimate in English tradition.

Question 8

Electricity & air conditioning

Accepted Answer

* The United Kingdom operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
* We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
* The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
* Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Question 9

Connectivity

Accepted Answer

*   Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
*   There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
*   Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Question 10

Time zones

Accepted Answer

* The United Kingdom operates on Greenwich Mean Time Zone (GMT) and is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
* When it’s noon in New York, it's 5pm on tour.

Question 11

Currency

Accepted Answer

*   You will use the Pound sterling on tour.
*   Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, but you may choose to order some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
*   We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
*   You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
*   Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
*   International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Question 12

Tipping

Accepted Answer

- At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.

Question 13

Purchasing excursions on tour

Accepted Answer

* Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
* Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
* Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
* Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
* International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

London: City Experience with OLLI UMass at Boston

Discover everything Great Britain’s most dynamic city has to offer.

Your tour package includes

Included highlights

Itinerary

Overnight Flight

Day 1: Travel day

London

Day 2: Arrival in London

Hotels

Crowne Plaza London – King’s Cross

Flights

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

FAQ