Top reasons to travel with AESU vs. the competition
For decades, AESU has been the most trusted name in travel, offering unique, exciting travel programs for college students and young professionals. Each trip is action-packed and informal, designed just for people your own age. Make new friends and share memories.
Join AESU for the excitement and adventure of a lifetime.
Connections
With an AESU Trip
Travel with people your own age who share similar interests
Network and bond with your peers
Make new life-long friends and share the memories
No going it alone
DIY or Budget Trip
Backpacking is a lot of work
Can be unsafe
Lonely and frustrating doing it all yourself
Hostels and budget tours have mixed age groups
Accommodations
With an AESU Trip
Superior 3 or 4-star hotels
Only two people per room with guaranteed private bath
Convenient locations
No hardships or uncertainties and no hassles
We attempt to arrange for you to share (see terms).
DIY or Budget Trip
Budget tours feature one- or two-star properties
No private bathroom
Budget tours require sleeping bags for bunk beds
Special stopovers have dorm rooms with six or more people
If the hostel is full, there is no place to sleep
Cabins and camping areas are located outside the cities
Value
With an AESU Trip
AESU & Alumni World Travel has been arranging exciting travel programs since 1977
Enjoy reliable, quality programs
Everything is arranged for you and costs at least 40% less than Eurail/hostel “Do-it-yourself” packages
Hotels, meals, guides, transportation, and fun events are all included
DIY or Budget Trip
Many hostels are full in summer, and you can’t pre-book
Campsites and hostels are not always safe
You spend more as an individual.
No group discount
Security
With an AESU Trip
US and overseas offices are in daily contact with the group
Qualified staff of experts means trouble-free travel
Tour Director with the group for the duration of the program
Hotels specifically chosen for safety, location, and quality
Talk with past participants about programs
We protect your trip investment with $5 million in liability insurance
DIY or Budget Trip
Don’t always know where you will stay in advance
Traveling alone can be unsafe
Share a room with strangers
Inability to pre-book at many European hostels
Transportation
With an AESU Trip
Modern deluxe air-conditioned coach with a professional driver
Door-to-door service
English Channel crossing with Eurostar train
High-speed trains (see specific trip details)
Overnight ship from Italy to Greece
DIY or Budget Trip
Easily get lost traveling on your own
Sleeping in small cabins with six people.
Foreign language issues when trying to get directions.
Luggage
With an AESU Trip
Save your back — and your luggage
Your luggage goes with you on the bus and/or train
DIY or Budget Trip
You must lug around a heavy backpack while trying to find a hotel/hostel
No private bathroom
Hope the hotel/hostel has a safe place for your luggage while you go sightseeing
Meals
With an AESU Trip
Eat Better
Breakfast Daily
More included multi-course dinners than other operators.
Fresh local cuisine
Special meals like French Bistro Dinner, Roman Banquet, and Greek Island BBQ
DIY or Budget Trip
Waste a lot of time finding restaurants and don’t know if any are good or how to budget
Budget tours – fewer meals, and you help cook at the campsite
Highlights
With an AESU Trip
Get more for your money
More fun events are included in the price
Biking in Holland, Rhine River Cruise, banquets in Rome, toga party in Greece, and so much more
Flexible, informal programming allows for free time to do your own thing
DIY or Budget Trip
You pay extra for everything: meals, sightseeing, entrance fees, special events, and excursions
Must research and budget for any special excursion
Excitement
With an AESU Trip
Well-planned itineraries from decades of research and feedback
Plenty of FREE time built in
Receive the best suggestions – no guesswork – no worries
Informal, action-packed programming
DIY or Budget Trip
Waste precious time just getting from place to place
Can’t relax when trying to organize everything and make yourself understood
Tour Directors
With an AESU Trip
Your exclusive guide to fun
Native European Private Tour Director for the whole trip, showing you their Europe & local directors/experts in other countries
Avoid tourist traps
Guides are multilingual
Also, local expert guides in major cities show you the sights
DIY or Budget Trip
Worry about different languages
Don’t know the best places to go and end up in crowded tourist traps
Other companies have non-European guides on Euro trips