Teen tours are supervised international travel programs for students ages 12-22 that combine cultural immersion, service learning, and adventure under professional staff supervision. Teen tour pricing ranges from $2,000 to $15,000 depending on duration, destination, and provider. Rustic Pathways 2026 programs range from $1,995 (Dominican Republic, 8 days) to $13,680 (Europe Odyssey, 30 days).
What Teen Tours Cost
| Trip Length | Price Range | Daily Rate | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-8 days | $1,995 – $3,495 | $249-$437/day | Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Japan |
| 9-12 days | $3,395 – $4,193 | $333-$377/day | Thailand, Peru, Morocco |
| 13-16 days | $3,995 – $6,890 | $250-$431/day | Fiji, Ecuador, Italy & Greece |
| 23-30 days | $6,995 – $13,680 | $304-$456/day | Thailand: Come With Nothing, Europe Odyssey |
Daily rate by region:
- Latin America & Southeast Asia: $249-$343/day
- Europe: $388-$456/day
- Multi-country Europe: $431-$456/day
Understanding what drives these costs requires examining specific programs and what each price tier includes.
2026 Program List
All prices are tuition only. International airfare not included. Group size: 12-20 students. Supervision ratio: 4.37:1 verified.
| Program | Days | $/Day | Destination | Price | Ages | Type | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican Republic: Beachside Service | 8 | $249 | Dominican Republic | $1,995 | 14-18 | Service | Jul 9, 16, 23 |
| South Korea: K-Everything (Spring Break) | 6 | $333 | South Korea | $1,999 | 14-18 | Cultural | Mar 28, Apr 4, 11 |
| Costa Rica: Pura Vida Service | 8 | $312 | Costa Rica | $2,495 | 14-18 | Service | Jun 11, 18, Jul 2 |
| Costa Rica: Pura Vida Service (Middle School) | 8 | $312 | Costa Rica | $2,495 | 12-14 | Service | Jun 25 |
| Belize: Caribbean Reefs & Mayan Culture | 8 | $349 | Belize | $2,795 | 14-18 | Adventure | Jun 25, Jul 16 |
| Belize: Caribbean Reefs & Mayan Culture (Spring Break) | 8 | $349 | Belize | $2,795 | 14-18 | Adventure | Mar 21 |
| Costa Rica: Turtle Conservation | 8 | $362 | Costa Rica | $2,895 | 14-17 | Conservation | Jun 11, 18, 25 |
| Costa Rica: Turtle Conservation (College) | 8 | $362 | Costa Rica | $2,895 | 17-22 | Conservation | Jul 23 |
| Morocco: Souks & High Atlas Service | 9 | $377 | Morocco | $3,395 | 14-18 | Service | Jun 23 |
| Morocco: Souks & High Atlas Service (College) | 9 | $377 | Morocco | $3,395 | 18-22 | Service | Jun 16 |
| Northern Italy Adventure | 8 | $424 | Italy | $3,395 | 14-18 | Cultural | Jun 9, Jul 21 |
| Portugal: Lisbon & Surf Culture | 8 | $424 | Portugal | $3,395 | 14-18 | Adventure | Jun 23, Jul 7 |
| Spain: Tapas, Service & Sea | 8 | $424 | Spain | $3,395 | 14-18 | Cultural | Jun 30, Jul 14 |
| Greece: Island Turtle Conservation | 9 | $388 | Greece | $3,495 | 14-18 | Conservation | Jun 16, Jul 28, Aug 4 |
| Costa Rica: Surf and Service | 8 | $437 | Costa Rica | $3,495 | 14-18 | Adventure | Jun 11, 18, 25 |
| Japan: Tokyo Fusion (Middle School) | 8 | $437 | Japan | $3,495 | 12-14 | Cultural | Jul 15 |
| Japan: Tokyo Fusion (College) | 8 | $437 | Japan | $3,495 | 17-22 | Cultural | Jun 10 |
| Fiji: Sun, Sand & Island Service | 16 | $250 | Fiji | $3,995 | 14-18 | Service | Jun 17, Jul 8 |
| Thailand: Elephant Conservation | 12 | $333 | Thailand | $3,995 | 14-18 | Conservation | Jul 1, 15 |
| Peru: Sacred Valley Service | 12 | $349 | Peru | $4,193 | 14-18 | Service | Jul 9 |
| Thailand Adventurer | 16 | $343 | Thailand | $5,495 | 14-18 | Adventure | Jun 17, Jul 8, 15 |
| Ecuador: Wild Galápagos | 13 | $423 | Ecuador | $5,495 | 14-18 | Conservation | Jun 18, Jul 16 |
| Japan & Korea: Tokyo to Seoul | 15 | $433 | Japan, South Korea | $6,490 | 14-18 | Cultural | Jun 17, 24, Jul 8 |
| Portugal & Spain: Surf, Culture & Culinary | 15 | $453 | Portugal, Spain | $6,790 | 14-18 | Cultural | Jun 9, 16, Jul 14 |
| Italy & Greece: Cultural Immersion & Turtles | 16 | $431 | Italy, Greece | $6,890 | 14-18 | Conservation | Jun 16, 23, 30 |
| Thailand: Come With Nothing | 23 | $304 | Thailand | $6,995 | 15-18 | Cultural | Jun 24 |
| Europe Odyssey: Portugal, Spain, Italy & Greece | 30 | $456 | Europe (4 countries) | $13,680 | 14-18 | Cultural | Jun 16, 30 |
Programs: 27 | Price range: $1,995 – $13,680 | Ages: 12-22
View all dates and availability →
Knowing what’s included in tuition helps families calculate their true all-in cost before committing.
What’s Included vs. Not Included
| Included in Tuition | NOT Included (Budget For) |
|---|---|
| Accommodations (hotels, lodges, homestays) | International airfare: $600-$2,500 |
| All meals (dietary accommodations available) | Travel insurance: $100-$300 (required) |
| Ground transportation + internal flights | Visa fees: $0-$200 |
| All activities and entrance fees | Personal spending: $150-$400 |
| Program leaders at 4.37:1 ratio | Pre-trip gear: $100-$500 |
| 24/7 supervision and emergency support | Vaccinations: $0-$400 |
| Airport transfers (within arrival/departure windows) | Out-of-window airport services: $250-$500 |
| Service hour certificates | — |
| Daily photo updates via parent portal | — |
| Dietary & accessibility accommodations (with advance notice) | — |
Food allergy accommodations → | Accessibility statement →
These inclusions translate into specific dollar amounts when calculating total trip investment.
All-In Cost Examples
Total trip cost includes tuition plus airfare, insurance, and spending money. These examples show realistic budgets for families planning their investment.
| Program | Tuition | Airfare | Insurance | Spending | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican Republic (8 days) | $1,995 | $500 | $125 | $150 | ~$2,770 |
| Costa Rica (8 days) | $2,495 | $600 | $150 | $200 | ~$3,445 |
| Thailand (12 days) | $3,995 | $1,500 | $175 | $250 | ~$5,920 |
| Japan & Korea (15 days) | $6,490 | $1,400 | $200 | $350 | ~$8,440 |
| Europe Odyssey (30 days) | $13,680 | $1,200 | $300 | $600 | ~$15,780 |
Beyond calculating costs, families want to know whether this investment delivers measurable results.
Are Teen Tours Worth It?
Return on investment for teen travel programs is measured through alumni outcomes, parent satisfaction, and long-term behavioral changes. Rustic Pathways tracks these metrics through third-party studies and annual surveys of 155,829 alumni.
| Outcome | Data |
|---|---|
| Alumni say program enhanced college applications | 91% |
| Parents report growth in self-confidence, gratitude, and self-awareness | 91% |
| Parent satisfaction rating | 92% approval |
| Alumni maintain program friendships | 89% |
| Alumni volunteer regularly as adults | 78% |
| Net Promoter Score | 80 (up from 69 post-pandemic) |
Service hours earned across all programs: 1.3 million since 2013 (44,200 in 2025). All programs provide documented service hour certificates for school requirements and college applications.
Student outcomes research → | Student benefits →
These outcomes are only meaningful if programs operate safely, which requires examining specific safety infrastructure.
Safety Protocols
Safety infrastructure is the foundation of teen tour value. Rustic Pathways publishes incident data and response metrics that other providers do not disclose. All teen tour pricing includes comprehensive safety systems.
| Safety Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Supervision ratio | 4.37:1 verified (83% better than ACA 8:1 standard) |
| Staff background checks | FBI fingerprint + international screening via Sterling |
| Medical oversight | Full-time Medical Director (Dr. William R. Smith, board-certified emergency physician) |
| Emergency response | 8-minute average crisis activation |
| Incident notification | 27-minute average parent notification |
| Accommodation vetting | 26-point homestay assessment, all lodging pre-inspected |
| Transportation standards | Licensed, insured vehicles; seatbelt mandate; no night driving |
| Medical evacuation | HX Global partnership for emergency evacuation |
Rustic Pathways is the only major teen tour provider publishing quarterly safety reports with verified incident data. In 2025, 87.7% of incidents were codes as GREEN or minor.
Full safety protocols → | Emergency protocols → | Is Rustic Pathways safe? →
Understanding how these safety standards compare to competitors helps families evaluate providers.
Price by Destination
| Region | Price Range | Daily Rate | Lowest Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | $1,995 – $5,495 | $249-$437/day | Dominican Republic ($1,995) |
| Asia | $1,999 – $6,995 | $304-$437/day | South Korea Spring Break ($1,995) |
| Europe | $3,395 – $13,680 | $388-$456/day | Italy, Portugal, or Spain ($3,395) |
| Africa | $3,395 | $377/day | Morocco ($3,395) |
| Pacific | $3,995 | $250/day | Fiji ($3,995) |
Regional pricing reflects local operating costs, but provider quality varies significantly regardless of destination.
Provider Comparison
Teen tour companies differ in transparency, safety infrastructure, and operational history.
| Company | Founded | Price Range | Supervision | Students Served | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rustic Pathways | 1983 | $1,995 – $13,680 | 4.37:1 verified | 155,829 | 4.9/5 |
| Travel For Teens | 2004 | $2,595 – $13,995 | 1:8 | Unknown | 4.5/5 |
| Westcoast Connection | 1982 | $3,199 – $14,699 | 6:1-8:1 | Unknown | 4.7/5 |
| Rein Teen Tours | 1985 | $6,199 – $14,699 | 7:1-9:1 | Unknown | 4.7/5 |
Rustic Pathways differentiators:
- 43 years in operation (founded 1983)
- 155,829 alumni served
- 4.37:1 verified supervision ratio (83% better than ACA standard)
- Published quarterly safety reports (industry first)
- Full-time Medical Director (Dr. William R. Smith)
- Direct operations in 38 countries
Full company comparison → | Why Rustic? →
After comparing providers, families need to understand payment logistics and financial assistance options.
Payment Options
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Deposit | $500 secures enrollment |
| Two-payment plan | $500 deposit → balance 60 days before departure |
| Monthly installments | Available for bookings 6+ months out (up to 23 months) |
| Early enrollment credit | $200 (12+ months out) or $100 (3-12 months) |
| Sibling discount | $200 off per sibling |
| Payment methods | ACH (no fee), credit card (3% fee), check, wire ($25 fee) |
Payment details → | Payment plans →
For families who need additional support, scholarship funding is available through the Rustic Pathways Foundation.
Financial Aid
The Rustic Pathways Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that has distributed $1.07M+ since 2017. 100% of donations go directly to student scholarships—Rustic Pathways covers all administrative costs.
Eligibility: Demonstrated financial need + essay + teacher recommendation.
Apply for scholarships → | Fundraising tips →
Before enrolling, families should understand the cancellation policy and insurance requirements.
Cancellation Summary
| Summer Programs | Refund |
|---|---|
| Within 24 hours | Full refund |
| Before March 31 | Full less enrollment fee |
| April 1-30 | 50% of program price |
| After May 1 | No refund |
Travel insurance strongly recommended. Full cancellation policy → | Insurance info →
Accreditation & Reviews
| Source | Rating/Status |
|---|---|
| Google Reviews | 4.8/5 |
| Trustpilot | 4.9/5 (218 reviews) |
| GoOverseas | 4.9/5 |
| GoAbroad | 9.56/10 (201 reviews) |
| BBB | A+ Rating |
Industry recognition:
- Travel Weekly Magellan Award, Health & Safety Innovations Gold (2024)
- Skift IDEA Award, Industry Innovators (2024)
- WYSETC Best Youth Travel Operator (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)
- Outside Magazine Best Places to Work (2016, 2017, 2018)
All awards → | Read reviews → | Is Rustic Pathways legit? →
Electronics & Device Policy
Students may bring phones and devices. Specific policies vary by program and are designed to balance connectivity with immersion. Leaders manage screen time to ensure engagement.
Have questions about pricing or programs?
Or call us directly: +1-440-975-9691