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The Ultimate Malta Road Trip Guide 2024

Malta is one of the Magical Destinations that you will never tire of.

With Year Round Wonderful Weather, Sun-kissed Mediterranean Beaches and something for everything, Malta is becoming more and more Popular.

The Best way to explore this Mediterranean Gem is by Road Trip-even if it’s just for a day!

To help you have the ultimate getaway to Malta and its sister islands , this guide includes everything you may need to explore by car.

So let’s take a look at how to do the most amazing road trip in Malta. At the end of this article, you will feel confident with navigating the roads and finding the best things to do!

Before we jump in and explore the best Malta road trip, you probably want to know the best place to get a car rental .

Whenever I visit Malta and need a car, I use Discover Cars every time!

They offer the best prices on every single booking and are so reliable (which can be rare when renting a car) → BOOK NOW

Don’t have time to read the whole article? No worries!

🚘 Best Malta Car Hire: Discover Cars Here

They are the best for comparing every single car company in Malta no matter how big or small they are.

You can also add full coverage rental insurance to your booking for very little (with some companies the insurance costs nearly as much as the hire car 🙃)

I also love how Discover Cars uses up-to-date customer reviews so make sure you check out the ratings before booking

✅ Check Out Discover Cars Reviews & Availability Here

🏖️The Most Recommended Hotel: Radisson Blue Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands

Even though Malta has so many amazing hotels , this one is loved by its visitors for so many reasons!

With stunning views of the sea, this resort offers all the luxuries you could wish for. From its private beach to its spa facilities and large swimming pools, there’s something here to make your holiday truly memorable.

From the private beach to the surrounding countryside, it is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

And when you’re ready to explore, you’ll find a ferry service to Gozo just 10 minutes away from the resort.

This Hotel Has A 9 Out Of 10 Star Rating 😍

✅ Check Out The Glowing Reviews And Book Your Stay Today Here

How Many Days do you need in Malta?

Malta has so much to see and do, you could easily spend weeks here.

Spending 7 days here is the best way to relax and see the best of what Malta has to offer .

A 4 day Malta road trip will allow you to see a lot of the Island but will leave less time for relaxing on the sun-kissed beaches.

But if you have limited time and want to squeeze Malta dry, a 1 day Malta trip is easy to do.

No matter how long you visit Malta, it’s highly recommended to take lightweight luggage when you are exploring Malta and Europe .

👉 The best way to make the most out of your time in Malta, no matter how long you are there, is by renting a car. Creating your own Malta Road Trip will allow you to see everything you want for less time and money.

But if you are not the most confident driver, I highly recommend you book a boat tour to take you to all the best sites!

🐠Check Out The Best Malta Private Boat Tours Here!

If you are planning to visit Europe after your Malta Road Trip , Make sure you Download your free guide to explore with Ease! ⬇️

When is the best time of year to visit Malta?

Malta is great to visit any time of year thanks to its fantastic Climate.

But if you want to see Malta in Full Bloom, April/May are the best times to visit (and flights are a lot cheaper around this time too)

Tip: If you want to still have the warm summer temperatures but fewer tourists during your Malta Road Trip, Book for September.

This is a really popular time to visit Islands like Malta as not only will tourist attractions be less busy, but your flights & accommodation will be a lot cheaper!

How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Malta?

The great thing about Malta is that it only takes an hour to drive across this Island.

So even if you only want to rent a car for 1 day during your trip, it is totally possible to do the ultimate Malta Road Trip. However, if you aren’t sure about renting a car , you can easily do this with public transport too!

Is Driving in Malta Easy?

Malta is pretty easy to navigate and drive around, especially on the main roads.

However, in rural areas, the roads are a lot more steep and narrow so keep this in mind.

If you aren’t comfortable driving these country lanes, there will always be an easier route, so let your Sat Nav do the work.

Driving on the Ultimate Malta Road Trip is even easier if you are from the UK as the road system is exactly the same.

➡️ If you aren’t too confident about driving in Malta, Check out the best tips to relax you and get you ready to hit the road on your Malta Road Trip.

How to Rent a Car in Malta

Renting a Car for your Malta Road Trip is so quick and easy!

The easiest way to arrange a Car Rental is before your trip. You can use Comparison sites to pick the best car for your Budget and Needs.

Pre-booking your Rental Car before you arrive in Malta means you can start your Malta Road Trip as soon as you land !

(It will also save you time and money on Airport Transfer Fees)

I highly recommend using Discover Cars if you want to see a huge range of car rental companies and budgets.

✔️ You will find HERE the best Malta Car Rental options for your trip

But I don’t want a car for my whole Trip …..That’s no Problem! Simply turn up at the car rental place(there are loads at the airport) or arrange it through a comparison site.

Where to stay in Malta

Malta is a great destination as it has something for everyone. You are also guaranteed to find a place to stay that is perfect for all your needs and budget!

For the best places to stay on your Malta road trip, here are some of the top areas and places to stay:

💕  Valletta: The Best Place To Stay For Couples

Recommended Hotel: Domus Zamittello

✨ St Pauls Bay: Best place to stay in Malta for Families

Recommended Hotel: Dolmen Hotel Malta

🐚 Mellieha: Where to stay for the beach in Malta

Recommended Hotel – Radisson Blue Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands

💲 Il-Gżira: Where to stay in Malta for cheap

Recommended Hotel- Azur Hotel By ST Ho

➡️ For more information on where to stay in Malta and the best things to do , I highly recommend THIS guide.

Your Ready to Use Malta Road Trip Map

⬇️ Click on the Turquoise Cars on the Map Below to Explore the best spots to see on your Malta Road Trip.

Getting to Gozo

Getting to Gozo to Continue your Malta Road Trip Could not be easier thanks to the Gozo Channel Ferry Service.

And for the best trip, I highly recommend staying the night in Gozo !

The Ferry Leaves regularly throughout the day and costs around 15 Euros for a Car and Driver.

But anyone can use the Ferry so even if you didn’t want to take the car across, you simply just walk on.

⛵ Click Here to Look at the Gozo Ferry Times & Prices

Our Top Places to See in Malta & Gozo

Popeye village, paradise bay, st agatha’s tower.

• Wied il-Mielah Window Gozo
• Ninu’s Cave Gozo
• Wied il ghasri Gozo

The Views alone are a good enough reason to make Popeye Village worth visiting.

This Movie set is without a doubt in the most beautiful location.

The Entrance Fee is €15.00 for adults and €12.00 for children (3-12 years) but you will find it a lot cheaper during the winter months.

You can also easily reach here from Valletta so makes a fantastic day trip!

✅ I highly recommend you book your tickets in advance here to get the best prices!

The parking at this attraction is great making it a fantastic stop on your Malta Road Trip. For more information about your visit, Click Here.

🤫 This isn’t the most budget friendly attraction and if you go as a family or group the costs can add up. So if you want to have a glimpse into the Village, just stand on the cliff looking over the village by the Car Park.

There is no place quite like Valletta.

It is the hub of Malta so you can explore so many other places with ease from there- like the Blue Lagoon!

The walled City surrounded by the Sea is full of History and great spots to eat and drink.

This cultural hub is a must-stop location on any Malta Road Trip, even if it’s for an hour.

it’s also super easy to drive around Valletta compared to most Cities. Make sure you add Valletta to your Malta Road Trip itinerary and step into Maltese History.

Tip: Make sure you check out some of the blown glass products created locally, they are so unique and the perfect Malta Keep Sake.

This is one of the best places to learn more about your getaway destination so I highly recommend you book a walking tour of the city!

Visiting the Beach in Malta is a must when exploring the Island. And there is no better way to enjoy the sun than at Paradise Bay.

What makes Paradise Bay so Special?…. Well its crystal clear waters, Sandy Beaches and lots of bars and restaurants make it the perfect pit spot on a Malta Road Trip.

You can even swim here in December because the weather is that good.

👉 Psst…There is also lots of Free Parking by Paradise Bay Beach so take full advantage and relax for a few hours!

St Agatha’s Tower, Otherwise known as the Red Tower is a place you have to visit in your Malta Road Trip. This stop is also added to a lot of private Malta tours because it’s so good!

This truly unique Watch Tower was built around 1647 to defend the stretch of Sea to Gozo.

Its striking Colour makes it like no other watch tower and totally worth stopping at on your Malta Road Trip.

👉 The Car Park for the Tower is full of little stones so be careful if you visit on a windy day (being hit hurts a lot!)

Opening Hours: 15th September -15th June: 10 am to 4 pm /16th June -14th September from 10 am to 5 pm

Entrance Price: €2 and Children under 12 go for free

Wied il-Mielah Window

Gozo Island is full of natural wonders that you will want to explore, Wied il-Mielah Window is one you need to put on your list.

A visit here is completely free, has great parking and offers the best Coastal views of Gozo.

Make sure you bring your camera when you visit here on your Malta Road Trip.

Ninu’s Cave

Pay a Euro and have the most unforgettable tour ever.

Ninu’s Cave is underneath a house in Gozo and was discovered by the owner’s Father.

The Tour only lasts about 10-20 minutes but it is a truly unique experience. You will be led underneath the house and told the family story of how this cave was discovered.

This is one experience you do not want to miss on your Malta Road Trip.

Wied il ghasri

This without a doubt is the most stunning place across Malta & Gozo. Its blue waters and mesmerizing views will stay with you forever. This is the best stop on any Malta Road Trip even if it’s just for an hour.

Parking here is great & completely Free so make sure you dip your toes in the blue waters of Wied il ghasri on your Malta Road Trip.

🇲🇹 Malta Road Trip Sign Off: Europe’s most beautiful gem is a fantastic destination for all.

There are so many great places to explore in Malta and its Islands for all budgets and needs. To make sure you are driving safely and confidently, I recommend you get your rental car through Discover Cars .

They will walk you through every step of navigating Malta and will guarantee you the best deal every time!

And Make sure you use the map and guide to create the most unforgettable Malta Road Trip.

I hope you find this article useful! To help you explore the best of Malta & Europe, here are some more relevant posts:

Where Are The Best Places To Visit In April In Europe?

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Want to travel around Europe with Ease?

With all the different languages and Countries travelling across Europe can be challenging

Make your Europe Adventures so much easier by downloading your Free Key Phrase Guide Below ⬇️

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Lowri Thomas is the founder of Many Other Roads. She lives and travels in Europe and has explored more than 40 countries. She is joined on her travels with her dog Scout and they explore Europe mostly by road. Born in Wales, she also shares the best things to do in Wales, UK and beyond. She helps over 50,000 people per month plan epic Europe adventures and road trips.

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The Scoop: What to Know About Road Scholar

This nonprofit tour company has an inspiring educational focus..

The Scoop: What to Know About Trafalgar Tours

Part of what we do here at TourScoop is use our (human) travel expertise to vet tour companies so you have an easy way to get a bunch of trustworthy information all in one place. Today we’re digging into Road Scholar, a popular tour company that’s been around for nearly 50 years. Read on to find everything you need to know to confidently make the decision about whether it’s a good fit for you.

Road Scholar (previously known as Elderhostel) is a tour company with a difference: Since 1975 the company has been run as a nonprofit organization with an educational mission as its primary focus. That means a few things: since it’s a nonprofit, Road Scholar offers excellent value (tours aren’t priced for profit). I also like that it’s unusual among tour companies because it offers both financial aid and caregiver grants. And since it’s education-driven, the tour operator attracts a particularly curious and educated group of travelers, including many retired educators. 

Road Scholar’s 4,000 offerings include small group tours, grandparent-grandchild trips, cruises, private jet adventures, and tours focused on passions including birding, food and drink, and history.

TourScoop Takeaways: Road Scholar

• Continents Covered: 7
• Tour Size Average: Road Scholar’s small group programs max out at 24 travelers, but the company also runs larger programs with hundreds of participants who are then broken into small groups for activities. 
• Tour Types: Coach, ship, plane, train

How to Book

Road Scholar tours can be booked directly through Road Scholar ; here are all the ways you can contact the organization for information about trips.

Credibility Check

Road Scholar is a BBB accredited charity that meets the standards for charity accountability, and has a low complaint number and a high response-to-issues ratio. It has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 on Facebook . Tour-focused online travel agency TourStride past guests gives Road Scholar a 4.4 out of 5.

Tour Destinations

Road Scholar operates tours on seven continents and to nearly 100 countries. In the U.S., it offers itineraries to most states, and internationally, its most popular destinations include Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Italy. 

Road Scholar offers hundreds of programs on a variety of topics, with thousands of departures annually. Since it’s a nonprofit organization with an educational mission, everything it does is about learning, and it weaves in educational visits, lectures, and events into every trip.

On the website, you can filter trips by hobbies or what you want to learn about, from Military History to Native American Studies, Birding, Pickleball, or another topic. You can also filter the course catalog by activity level, from “Easy Going” to  “Outdoor: Challenging.”

Road Scholar also offers Adventures Afloat (cruises), skip-gen programs geared to grandparents and grandchildren traveling together, and virtual tours that range from one-hour lectures to multi-day online adventures. 

Tour Guides

As an education-focused tour organization, Road Scholar refers to its group leaders and instructors as faculty . Faculty members–many of whom have been working with Road Scholar for a decade or more–are local experts with years of experience in travel and academics. Group leaders receive initial training and receive yearly professional development to ensure they’re at the top of their game. 

In addition to faculty, tour participants meet a broad range of experts on tour, experts that range from shrimp boat captains to award-winning authors. 

Inclusions/Extras

Road Scholar programs are all-inclusive and have no optional extras or hidden expenses. The price of a tour includes: 

• Accommodations, 
• Experienced Group Leader
• Expert-led lectures and field trips
• Most meals (some meals during free time not included)
• Gratuities throughout the program, including group leader gratuities
• Road Scholar Assurance Plan   (24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during a program and insurance for emergency medical evacuation)

Flights to and from the tour are not included in base program prices, but Road Scholar will book flights for participants traveling internationally. Flights booked through Road Scholar also include complimentary airport transfers.

Typical Travelers

If you don’t count kids in the mix on the Grandparent and Family programs, the average age of a Road Scholar participant is 72. But trips generally include a wide range of older travelers from people in their 50s through 90s. About 30% of participants are solo travelers, and of that 30% about 85% are women traveling on their own. Road Scholar trips are generally reported to be very welcoming to solo travelers. 

Communication 

Once you’ve booked a tour with Road Scholar, the company sends regular emails leading up to trip departures. You can also access your trip information online: once you’re enrolled in a program, all trip information is accessible via your online account.

Road Scholar’s U.S.-based contact center (800-454-5768) is open 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday. Monday is the contact center’s busiest day, so to avoid long wait times, call midweek or at the end of the week if you can). Road Scholar has callback feature, which allows you to save your place in the queue without having to wait on the phone–a representative calls you back as soon as it’s your turn in line.

Loyalty Program

Because Road Scholar is a nonprofit organization, discounts are not offered, including for repeat travelers. But the company is dedicated to making travel affordable for more travelers, and offers financial aid and caregiver grants . 

Private Options

Groups made up of between 18 and 24 people can reserve private departures of existing itineraries with Road Scholar. If you organize a group of 20 or more, you can take advantage of group discounts or free travel for one person. 

Sustainability Efforts

Road Scholar offsets some of the carbon emissions created through travel on its programs. It invests in projects including rainforest preservation in Brazil, methane gas recapture in Florida, and reforestation in Kenya. The company also tries to use sustainability certified hotels, locally owned services, and restaurants that serve locally sourced meals whenever possible.  

Health and Safety Practices

Road Scholar has partners on the ground worldwide who monitor all areas visited by the company. If concerns arise, Road Scholar will find replacement content or cancel the program, depending on the severity and location of the issue.

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An island getaway with ancient roots

The ancient Greeks, Romans and Phoenicians all sought to rule Malta and Gozo thousands of years ago, and today, you can witness this ancient past firsthand as you walk through the cities and pass the historic sites that line these islands. On this learning adventure in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, you’ll expand on your historic studies with looks at the culture and natural wonders of these islands. Immerse yourself in the local life and storied past of picturesque Malta and Gozo on this fascinating educational experience!

Best of all, you'll ...

• Spend three nights in Gozo where you’ll explore the megalithic temples of Ggantija — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and admire the coastline that was once home to the picturesque Azure Window.
• Enjoy a private boat ride along the coastline of Malta, followed by a walking exploration of Mdina, an ancient walled city once occupied by the Phoenicians.
• Join a local expert for a walking exploration of Valletta, Malta’s capital city and home to the National Library, Manoel Theatre and the Lascaris War Rooms.

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Group travel with Road Scholar has been…

Group travel with Road Scholar has been close to perfect in all ways. I have been on five programs and was more than satisfied with the hotels, food and length of times are our stops.Road Scholar is the only group travel company that I know of that will take you to places of interest and pay for admission. The majority of companies just let you go on your own.

Date of experience : May 06, 2024

Reply from Road Scholar

Dear David, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar Thank you for your review! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed your time with us so much! We hope to see you on another adventure one day soon! Happy Travels, Road Scholar

Road Scholars' website posts only the "good" reviews.

I went on a RS tour to Costa Rica and although I enjoyed the experience overall, our guide was often moody, keeping to himself, and a bit mean at times. My review (left nearly a year ago) has not posted so it appears they don't post critical reviews! Trust Pilot reports that 20% reviewers leave a 4-5 star review, with 80% giving 1-2 stars. The Road Scholar website, however, has reviewers for all programs averaging 4.5-5 stars, and claim they post all reviews. Hmm.

Date of experience : July 12, 2023

Dear Anne, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We post all program reviews that are submitted by program participants on our website. Everyone is welcome to leave a program review through their online account by going to their Past Trips. The star rating displayed on the Program Review page is an average of all evaluations submitted for that program. We read all program evaluations and those who submit an evaluation that does not meet our expectations will receive a follow-up call or message from Road Scholar, so we can better understand the situation and see where improvements can be made. We appreciate the impact a group leader can have on an adventure and would be glad to have a conversation with you. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to contact us directly to provide us with further details. Please email us at [email protected] or call us at 1-800-454-5768. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Roads Scholar charges more than anyone, non-profit? I don't think so.

I have taken 12 safaris in many African countries over the years. I wanted to do Roads Scholars Botswana trip but the single cost without airfare is over $12,000. This pretty much does single for profit not matter what they say. Last year's safari to 4 countries included international and in country air fare and everything else. I'll go with another company.

Date of experience : February 26, 2024

Dear Pat, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear you will not be taking advantage of a Road Scholar adventure. We are not profiting off of solo travelers. We are a not-for-profit organization. We do not charge anything more than what is charged to us by the hotels. The cost of the single supplement covers only the cost of accommodations. In a double occupancy, the cost of the room is split between two people; in a single, the room cost is the same but only one person is paying. You will also find that on average, you save 20% per night compared with comparable trips offered by commercial tour companies. That’s because every Road Scholar learning adventure includes most meals and all lodging, tips and taxes, behind-the-scenes experiences, expert lectures, group expeditions, and listening device, as well as, 24/7 emergency assistance. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Better to watch the travel channel.

When you call the number, you get ads for services. Have you tried calling your own number? There are certainly up sell ads. Especially one for an alert alarm. Frustrating to get through. No people. And no refunds if you have to cancel. You would be better off staying home, looking at You Tube and visiting your local restaurants. Maybe non profit, but someone is making money.

Date of experience : December 17, 2023

Dear Daniel, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. It sounds like there may have been a misdial, as we do not offer any ads while calling our Contact Center. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6:30 pm ET with advisors ready to assist you. If you are unable to wait on the line we have an option to request a callback as soon as someone is available. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers. We try to be as transparent as possible and explain our cancellation and transfer policy on every enrollment call, describe it on our website and include it in our program materials. We highly encourage participants to purchase the optional trip protection plan to help protect their investment, so if they do need to cancel they can file a claim to receive cash reimbursement, for a covered reason, or depending on when the plan was purchased, a credit towards a future program, for a non-covered reason. We see that you were successful in reaching us and someone will be following up with you soon. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Roadscholar travel department nightmare…

In dealing with Roadscholar travel department, it has been a nightmare. Hours on hold, and twice the dates were wrong. They had us arriving two days early, when we clearly stated we wanted only one day early. Itineraries were not given to us until just before the final payment was due, and so there was much tension until we could get it straightened out. Hours on hold with the travel department was nerve racking as their times are limited in that department. Next time we will do our own travel plans, if we use them again.

Date of experience : August 29, 2023

Dear Cherilyn, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We appreciate that it can be frustrating to wait on hold and offer a callback option to help. We call on every callback request the same day it was received. We are also continuing to hire and train our staff to improve our level of service and help reduce wait times. We do apologize for any confusion regarding your departure days and see that we were able to get this straightened out for you. Sincerely, Road Scholar

no response to refund question

We enjoyed out trip to Portugal, but air travel was a nightmare! Road Scholar arranged flights. Of the planned flights, one was cancelled and two were downgraded from business class to economy class. I asked Road Scholar for help in getting a refund and have not received any response, despite multiple emails over multiple weeks. I realize Road Scholar is not responsible for airline schedules. But, I do believe they have a responsibility to respond to customer queries.

Date of experience : May 06, 2023

Dear Mike, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your recent Portugal adventure. We understand how frustrating flight disruptions can be and apologize for the time it has taken to respond to your inquires. We are actively working on this and will be reaching out to you directly to discuss this in more detail. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Deposit is not refunded or transferred. Be careful

I booked a trip with road scholar and had to put a $500 deposit down. I thought I was told that if I had to cancel, that deposit could be used for another future trip as as I canceled within a certain timeframe .I need knee replacement surgery and I had to cancel the trip .turns out that the $500 was nonrefundable. I’ve never worked with the company that did not allow you to either refund or transfer the deposit as long as you met their cancellation guidelines be careful

Date of experience : January 10, 2023

Dear Mary, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry you needed to cancel your program. As a not-for-profit organization, our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Our transfer and cancel policy is reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. We also offer an optional trip protection plan for one to purchase to help protect themselves if they find they have to cancel. We wish you the best with your surgery. Warmly, Road Scholar

Stay away from this company

Stay away from this company. We had booked a trip with Road Scholar but after reviewing the trip with my Doctor, the Doctor said it would be much too strenuous with our physical limitations. We informed the company more than 3 months prior to the start of the trip but they refused to return our refund.

Date of experience : July 14, 2022

My mother in law purchased a trip with insurance. She cancelled the trip 8 months before because of medical issues and has since passed away. We called road scholars to see if we could go on her trip , get a credit or receive the money back from the scheduled trip that she had insurance on. Road Scholars was totally useless. The trip could not be transferred and we received no money back! Do not get insurance on a trip that you are using vouchers for… total waste of money! We weren’t even able to use her several thousand dollars that she had in credits. Shame on them for lack of customer service.

Date of experience : July 27, 2022

Don't book if you might get sick!!! No pity

I booked a trip for self and partner, and as we are older, I booked the insurance offered. We were not able to take the trip, as my partner found that his neuropathy deteriorated to the point that he could not keep up with the activity level that Road Scholar required. Unfortunately, Road Scholar was only willing to refund half the fees, and the rest was only available as a credit to future trips. Since we cannot take a future trip I asked to be able to transfer the fees to someone else. They refused. The insurance company, AON, for reasons best known to them refused any compensation. Shame on both companies. BYW, they also do not have any links on their site to this trip or the previous one we took, so I cannot leave a review there.

Date of experience : June 19, 2022

I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear you were unable to attend your adventure. As a not-for-profit organization, our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. There are costs associated with every enrollment, no matter how early someone enrolls. These include administrative costs and reservations we have begun making in your name for the different components of your program. Because of these costs, our fees apply from the moment you enroll in the program, and are charged regardless of the reason for cancellation. Having had the optional trip protection plan you were able to file a claim and received a credit towards a future program. Unfortunately, this credit is not transferable to someone else, but we do have options. If you are not able to travel in person at this time we do have some wonderful online adventures. Please feel free to contact us at 877-426-8056 for further details. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Excellent experience

We are very experienced travelers, and this was our first time with Road Scholar. We recently completed a trip to Israel, Jordan and Egypt in March 2023 and it was wonderful. The hotels were first class and much better than I anticipated. The guides were excellent in each country. The group was 23 people. The buses they used were all exceptionally clean, very spacious comfortable and safe. A couple of days prior to the end of the trip many of us learned that our flights home had been cancelled by the airlines, due to a labor strike in Germany on Lufthansa. Road Scholar immediately rebooked everyone who had arranged their flights through RS. We are looking forward to our next trip on RS.

Date of experience : March 27, 2023

Road Scholar flight bookings

I booked a trip and arranged my air travel through Road Scholar. I just discovered that Road Scholar travel never paid for my flight although I paid in full already. I am in danger of having my flight reservation canceled. Trying to speak to anyone at Road Scholar is a nightmare. Their travel agency is only open 3 days a week and you have to go through Road Scholar to get through to them on those other days. I have been on hold for 1 hour. I will never use them again.

Date of experience : September 05, 2023

Dear Kathleen, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. The day after a holiday can be very busy for our Contact Center, which can contribute to increased wait times. To try and help, we do provide a callback option so you don’t have to hang on the line. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and see that we were able to connect with you to help get your airfare finalized. We hope that you enjoy your upcoming adventure. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Spent over $1100 on deposit and trip…

Spent over $1100 on deposit and trip insurance. We had to cancel because the trip was too strenuous for us. We got nothing back. Probably our fault for not doing due diligence but beware.

Date of experience : December 08, 2022

Dear Kevin, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry your selected adventure was not a good fit. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Our transfer and cancel policy is reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. Since you purchased the optional trip protection plan you can file a claim to seek reimbursement for your cancellation fees. Depending on when you purchased the optional trip protection plan you may be eligible for the cancel for any reason benefit, which provides a credit towards a future program if your claim is not approved for cash reimbursement by Aon Affinity. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 877-426-8056. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar is GREAT for seniors!

I went to France for 6 weeks with Road Scholar and everything about this trip was perfect! Lovely, caring tour leaders, incredible support, and so many amazing educational adventures! Of course, this was PARIS, so beauty was everywhere, but be aware that Paris is a big city, with all the problems and quirks of urban life. Nevertheless, the HISTORY and ART of Paris are mind-bending-ly wonderful. I plan to travel again in 3 months with Road Scholar. My only warning is that if you are over 70 and have mobility issues, some trips are not for you. Road Scholar rates every trip for mobility so PAY ATTENTION if you can't walk far, or need a walker!!

Date of experience : November 30, 2021

Road Scholar is 100 tops in every way

Road Scholar is 100 tops in every way! My PRAGUE experience was so gr8, I immediately booked another trip and eyeing another 4 next year! Their offer & promises surpassed all expectations! It was an overall fantastic trip! My first booking had 2 B canceled due 2 lack of enrollment. The organization did exactly what was promised: Keeping in touch in a timely manner & prompt refund! Margrit

Date of experience : May 10, 2018

Our trip to Egypt

Our trip to Egypt was cut short by a week because of the Covid-19 situation. I had purchased trip insurance through Road Scholar for that trip. Obviously, it had to be cut short, but Road Scholar assured us that we would be reimbursed for the part of the trip we missed. That did not happen. They have sent me many requests for donations, and nothing about reimbursement. After almost 2 months are requesting some remuneration, they finally offered a small credit toward another trip....but it had to be by June 5th. Um...we are still in the middle of a pandemic, so that's not going to happen. They have not offered one penny of my money back even though I bought my insurance from them. Yes, they're an educational travel group...and boy! did I get an education.

Date of experience : May 20, 2020

We were scheduled for a hiking trip in…

We were scheduled for a hiking trip in August which was cancelled less than two months before the start of the trip citing they did not have the staff. Now I am out flights, shuttle fees and extra nights I booked for hotels. BEWARE

Date of experience : July 01, 2022

The key word above is “recent”

The key word above is “recent”. I have been on 4 RS trips and enjoyed each one. I would rate then 4.8 to 5 stars! My most recent experience with RS is less than 1 star, however. Reason: Covid vaccine mandate. 🤯

Date of experience : February 10, 2023

Dear Sandy, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. The health and welfare of our participants and staff are the most important considerations. We do have a team dedicated to safety around our adventures, who also consult medical professionals to ensure we are up to date on all information. Creating this policy was not an easy decision for us and we hate to disappoint anyone who wants to join a Road Scholar learning adventure. We do hope to relax this requirement at some point, but we do not know when that will be at this time. If there are any changes to this requirement we will be sure to inform all of our participants and update our materials accordingly. If you are interested, you can stay up to date on all requirements by going to our website to Travel Updates and COVID Information. We hope to see you on a Road Scholar adventure in the future. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar.org -Lots of travel options

Shopping and scheduling my May 2017 trip was easy, however there are so many options I had to choose my top 3 then go with only one. The trip was as advertised, well planned, good quality guide, lodging and food. We had some free time daily, at least one hour. The trip are rated by activity level, phone staff know the answers to questions and they have a repeat travelers.

Date of experience : May 29, 2017

Great trips

Great trips, terrible interface. Once they have your money they hand you off to the actual trip provider and are unwilling to help you through the maze that provider may have.

Date of experience : October 24, 2022

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Road Scholar has a rating of 2.0 stars from 113 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Road Scholar most frequently mention customer service, non profit, and trip insurance problems. Road Scholar ranks 6th among Student Travel sites.

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• Booked British Airways through Road Scholar $4,000 lost $1,700 on flight.
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“Enrollment in the program was quick and easy!”

Enrollment in the program was quick and easy! I was able to navigate in on the website without any problems.

“Terrible customer service”

Leaving for an Antartica expedition in 4 weeks and still don't have final packet with instructions. Have been getting conflicting info since we booked. This last call to ask about final packet took forever to get a response which was vague and unhelpful about when we would have materials, including what we need to bring. Completely unresponsive to our requests for medically necessary adjustments to accommodations and ignored our airplane seating requests. Do not seem to have any interest in customer satisfaction once they have your payment. Hope the tour itself will be better. It is handled by a subcontractor (Albatross) who has been responsive. This is our third booking with Road Scholar and are surprised and disappointed so far.

Reviews (113)

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Dear Betty, We are sorry to hear that your recent experience with us did not meet your expectations. Our Covid support and travel teams are available to provide guidance and assistance when the unfortunate situation of testing positive for Covid arises on one of our programs. Covid exposure remains a possibility during many daily activities, and unfortunately international group travel is not free of this risk. We can see that our office, Road Scholar’s travel team, and your group leader were in communication with you on several occasions to try and help address your questions and requests. We know how disappointing it can be when a planned adventure is disrupted and wish you well. Sincerely, Road Scholar

• Follow Joan W.

I have enjoyed 6 intergenerational trips with Road School which each of my 3 grandchildren. I found the trips fun, and educational. On my recent trip I took my 10 year old grandson to the CA coast to see elephant seals, and go tide pooling. It also included falconry and we actually had a falcon land on our gloved arm! I cherish these trips and will probably take my youngest grandson on one next year!

What are the group sizes for road scholar new england fall tours

Hello Robert, the sizes of all our trips varies quite a bit. If you can give us the program number or title we'd be glad to check and see how many participants can attend a certain program you'd like to attend. We are also available by email -- [email protected] and by phone at 877-436-8056 during business hours Monday - Friday 8am - 9pm (EST). We hope to hear back from you soon!

We want rs to reserve our flights for two tours to costa rica that begin in oct. we were told there is a way to send an email re: flights. anybody?

If my travel partner cannot go on the trip, can she send someone in her place assuming the trip is fully paid for, can’t see your question ask to get answers from the road scholar staff and other customers..

• How long does shipping take?
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Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 6,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries.

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• #6 in Student Travel
• Boston, MA, United States
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Road Scholar

Malta, Keystone of Mediterranean History

Mdina, Valletta

• Step back in time with a full day on the sleepy sister island of Gozo, where (so it is said) Calypso enchanted Ulysses for seven years
• Share a meal with invited local residents
• View Malta's incredible collection of archaeological treasures, from ancient megalithic temples to artifacts of the Phoenician and Roman eras -- including the oldest freestanding buildings on Earth!

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Nature & Wildlife

Explore Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

• Ride the ferry to Madeline Island (the only inhabited island in the chain) to explore Big Bay State Park with its pristine barrier beach and boardwalk
• Delve into the history of shipwrecks near the Apostle Island in an expert presentation by the retired director of the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center
• Hear some great tales of how the locals survived in the early years in this beautiful but sometimes harsh environment

50 plus, Education / Learning

On the Home Front in Vicksburg, Key to the Confederacy

• In Jackson, learn how “Chimneyville” was burned four times by Federal troops in the 1860s, and visit the old capitol and The Oaks, two of only a few buildings to survive the fires
• Discuss the Vicksburg military campaign in antebellum Cedar Grove, built in 1840 and home to original furnishings and remnants of the siege, including a Union cannon ball embedded in the wall
• Explore the Vicksburg National Military Park, one of the largest such parks in the nation, highlighted by a field trip to the U

Independent Venice: Power and Beauty

Venetian Lagoon, Venice

• An exceptional opportunity to visit St
• Mark’s Basilica at night, when its beauty can be experienced without crowds
• Cristina Gregorin, author of “Venice Master Artisans,” gives you a fascinating look at traditional Venetian crafts including Carnival masks
• Revel in a Vivaldi concert performed on prestigious original instruments by the chamber music ensemble Interpreti Veneziani

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning

Italian Extravaganza: Rome, Florence and Venice at their Finest

Borghese Gallery, Colosseum, Forum, Rome, Sistine Chapel, Venice

• Enjoy two hour private visit to the Sistine Chapel and an evening concert in Venice
• Reserved entrance times to major museums: the Colosseum, the Borghese Gallery, the Uffizi and Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David, the Doge’s Palace in Venice and more
• Savor a vineyard lunch in Chianti in the Tuscan countryside

Spring Training Baseball with the Boston Red Sox

• Attend up to four practice games with a chance to see your favorite Red Sox players
• Meet with baseball experts, retired players and umpires as you discuss the rules, regulations, heroes and legends
• Explore baseball’s early beginnings, including the history of the former Negro League in the early 1880s

City Walks: Exploring Stockholm’s Neighborhoods

• At the Östermalm Saluhallarna (food halls), an expert in Swedish cuisine guides a tasting of local specialties such as

Ultimate Opera: Two Productions at the Met

New York, York

• Attend two performances of notable operas, and take a field trip to explore Lincoln Center
• Enjoy presentations by professionals such as singers, an opera director, conductor, chorus master or historian (as available)
• Study selections from great operas, and enjoy a private demonstration-performance with an outstanding professional singer

Beyond Red Square: An In-Depth Exploration of Western Russia

Armory Museum, Kos, Moscow, St. Petersburg

• Discover historic architecture and authentic culture in Russia’s Golden Ring towns
• Ride an overnight train from Moscow to St
• Petersburg in the grand tradition of Russian travel
• Enjoy a traditional meal in a Russian family’s private “dacha” outside St

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I booked a tour to Italy for May 2024. I cancelled in Oct. for a lot of reasons. Before I enrolled, I asked if Road Scholar would book the flights so that on the las...

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Please know that Road Scholar will always keep a nonrefundable $100 deposit. I cannot find that buried in all the paper and fine print but they state it is there???...

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I love Road Scholar and have been on 14 trips. The accommodations are nice, the tours are interesting, and the guides are knowledgeable. I have always looked forwa...

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I booked a trip and arranged my air travel through Road Scholar. I just discovered that Road Scholar travel never paid for my flight although I paid in full already...

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