Gate 1 Travel is a global tour operator offering affordable vacation packages, primarily escorted tours and river cruises, with destinations around the world. Focusing on Escorted tours, river & sea cruises, small group tours and recently launching new Family Tours there are a variety of ways to see More of the World for Less! Destinations include all seven continents including tours to Europe, Africa, Asia & the Pacific, South America & North America.
Written by the business, not verified by us.
Is Gate 1 Travel legit?
Gate 1 Travel (gate1travel.com) has a 3.3 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 100 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Travel & Vacation and its reputation is mixed. Opinions are polarized: 55% rate it 4 stars or higher while 38% give 1 star; The business has replied to 100% of negative reviews; 83 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-09-01.
What reviewers say
AI generated
Most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Travelers frequently praise the exceptionally knowledgeable tour guides and friendly staff who consistently make their trips truly memorable and engaging. Consumers also appreciate the wonderfully well-organized itineraries, interesting destinations, and comfortable accommodations provided throughout their dream vacations.
However, some customers also noted frustrating issues with customer service and communication difficulties after booking their trips. People experienced specific difficulties trying to get simple questions answered or receiving prompt assistance when unexpected travel changes occurred. Reviewers expressed disappointment regarding unhelpful responses from representatives and complex procedures when handling cancellations or special requests.
Auto-generated from all reviews of this business. For reference only.
We traveled in May on a stay and explore trip to Denmark with Gate 1. The trip itself was excellent. My complaint is about the return trip home. We were booked from Copenhagen to Paris and then from Paris to New Jersey. We had to be up at 3:30 in the morning to get to the airport. We found out during the week that other people on our tour had a direct flight home which left at noon. As a repeat senior traveler, there should have been more consideration given to us. When I contacted the company about this, they blamed my husband for not questioning the information initially about the flights. If we had known there was a direct flight I would have asked for it for sure. Very poor form on the part of the company.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-06-16
Thank you for sharing this feedback. Your comments are very important to us. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. We have provided your contact information to our customer service team who will reach out so that we can try to make this right for you.
The guide, Judith, was wonderful, attentive, apathetic to all and well informed. The driver, Peter, was exceptional.
The only thing I didn't care for too much was the repetitive of the same type of tours, seeing castles, and inside buildings. ( unless that's all there was), would have liked to see more of the countryside-which was beautiful.
I was fortunate enough to discover Gate 1 in 2016 and since then I have had 18 incredible adventures with this company. I wanted to express my gratitude for my trip last month to Puglia/Campania, Italy. Our guide impressed me so much; it drew me to write this. His name is Dio and he was exceptional. Not only was he extremely organized, professional, kind and encouraging; he was a true ambassador for Italy. As I told him; I had observed him being patient when he had to repeat things, he used our time extremely wisely with giving us his thoughts as to planning our time, his directions and explanations were clear and his smile as always evident. After 18 tours and evaluating leaders in my profession; Gate 1, you have a true winner with Dio!
Thank you! from a happy Canadian
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-06-08
Thank you for taking the time to share your kind feedback. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
Our recent Gate 1 tour of Switzerland was absolutely wonderful. The itinerary was well planned, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations.
Our tour manager, Serge, was exceptionally knowledgeable, professional, and caring. It was especially helpful that he spoke five languages, including Italian, German, and French, allowing him to communicate effectively in the different regions of Switzerland. Serge was always available with helpful suggestions for our free time and activities. He did an excellent job caring for the entire group while still paying attention to each individual traveler.
The tour program was very rich and comprehensive without feeling overwhelming. We had enough time to truly enjoy each destination rather than feeling rushed. Serge also delighted us with several pleasant surprises throughout the tour, including a glass of sparkling wine, ice cream, and a slice of pie, which added a special personal touch to our experience.
The bus was very comfortable, especially because our group consisted of only 20 people. This allowed almost everyone to have a window seat. Our driver, Heinz (Henry), was highly professional, and we always felt safe while he navigated the winding mountain roads.
All of the hotels were very good except for the Astoria Hotel in Lucerne. The room did not have a door separating the bathroom from the sleeping area, which felt awkward and lacked privacy. I would suggest that Gate 1 consider replacing this hotel for future tours.
All of the optional excursions were excellent, especially the Mt. Pilatus excursion, which was one of the highlights of the trip.
We were also fortunate to have wonderful weather throughout the tour. Switzerland is a truly beautiful country with breathtaking scenery, charming towns, and impressive mountains.
Overall, this was an outstanding tour that I would highly recommend. Many thanks to Serge, Heinz, and Gate 1 for creating such a memorable experience.
Natalia and Anna
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-06-04
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
I have had a very good experience a few years ago on a Rhine River cruise with Gate 1. I wanted to do a tour of Portugal and Spain and left a deposit for a trip. In May of 2025 I was diagnosed with bile duct cancer and had to cancel my plans for the August 2025 trip. I underwent 5 hospitalizations and 5 surgeries. The last was April 7 2026. I am currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy and unfortunately will not be able to go on the rescheduled trip in August. I called and asked if perhaps I could postpone again or maybe apply the deposit to another trip within the US. The representative I spoke with said he couldn’t do that. I told him I would send proof of my illness and my doctors advice not to leave the country. I asked for the corporate office address and he put me on hold for about 10 minutes. He got back on and told me he couldn’t help me and would have to charge $100 to cancel the trip and move me to
another destination. I reminded Louie that I asked for the address of the corporate office and he said I could find it online. Not very helpful to a person who is battling cancer.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-06-04
Thank you for sharing your comments. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. So that one of our representatives can provide additional assistance and try to make this right for you, please submit an inquiry here: https://www.gate1travel.com/contactus
Our recent trip to Morocco was our third trip with Gate 1 Travel, and I can write honestly and without exception, every trip just keeps getting better and better. The guides are amazing, food is fab, just enough time for an informative and entertaining mix of shopping and museums.
It’s a privilege for which we are grateful to be a guest in a country not our own— and the local people with Gate 1 Travel equally worked to make us feel welcomed and appreciated.
Looking forward to our next trip!
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-06-08
Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. We truly appreciate the feedback and look forward to welcoming you on your next Gate 1 trip!
Anna was fantastic! She was knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and caring. She made the trip exponentially better. Her knowledge and love of the country was wonderful and endearing. She was an excellent communicator and made us feel informed and safe. She was always on time and was happy to interact and answer questions at any time during the trip. I would love to have her as my guide again! Our driver - Matija - was also fantastic. He was very helpful and made us feel safe. And that was not easy on some of those narrow, windy roads! He always made a point to stop or slow down for us to take photos or see something special. He was also super helpful with the luggage and was very friendly. I could not ask for a better guide or driver than we had with Anna and Matija.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-06-02
Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. We truly appreciate the kind feedback and hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
Our tour to Japan was outstanding! This was our first tour with Gate 1. In fact, this was our first tour. We usually go on our own. Mari was a fantastic guide. I don't have another tour company to compare it to, but we felt Gate 1 did a good job.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-06-01
Thank you for your kind feedback. We hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
Gate 1 Travel way exceeded our expectations!!! This unforgettable 10-day Classic Plan A Hotels package to Peru was our first one with them but it will surely not be the last. Now we fully understand why Gate 1 has so many loyal customers. Everything was well-planned, well-organized and our trip went so smoothly like a well-oiled machine. No detail was spared and extra touches of care were enjoyed by everyone in the group. All of the hotels and activities were well-curated. Special shout out and our deep gratitude to our phenomenal tour guides, Washington, Jason and Broz, and to our exceptional driver, Cesar. They absolutely made this amazing, once in a lifetime experience extra special. We are looking forward to taking more trips with Gate 1 in the future. Kudos and many thanks to all!
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-06-01
Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. We truly appreciate the feedback and look forward to welcoming you on your next Gate 1 trip!
My husband and I recently completed our 4th Gate 1 tour, and they have all been wonderful, for various reasons. Our 13 day trip to Greece this month was exceptional, as we met up with friends we had met on another Gate 1 tour, which made it all the more special. Everything about this tour was great, from the transport from the airport to begin the tour to the transport to the airport at the end. Our driver was wonderful, the food was fantastic, the hotels very nice, and the itinerary covered a wealth of information. Along those lines, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge our tour manager, Joy. She was simply amazing! Her depth and breath of knowledge about Ancient Greece left us spellbound. On top of that, she always ensured all the participants had everything they needed, her professionalism was top-notch, she had great energy, and a wonderful sense of humor. She is such an asset to Gate 1! Everything about this trip was special. We look forward to more Gate 1 tours in the future.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-06-01
We truly appreciate your business and are grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us. We hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
Morocco was fascinating. Our guide was unbelievably warm,funny,smart and helpful. He assured everyone the trip of a lifetime. We had a great mixed group. There were retirees,families and even an 85 uear old gent that we all admired and looked up to. The trip had amazing places to experience. I loved the Sahara and the medinas.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-29
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
I LOVE Gate 1. The trip to Japan was my 10th Gate 1 tour: tour with my husband, one with a friend, the rest solo.
This company's service, tour managers, support and value are all beyond anyone's expectations. I have traveled with Gate 1 to Greece, Italy, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, France, Turkey,
,Japan, as well as on the Seine and the Danube river cruises.
Thank you very much.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-26
We truly appreciate your business and are grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us. We hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
Overall it is a very nice and comfortable trip with the excellent and professional tour guide.
The trip is little bit pricey, but it is worthwhile.
First time with travel one, I will definitely choose travel one for my next trip.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-22
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We look forward to welcoming you on your next Gate 1 trip!
My husband and I have taken 12 trips with Gate 1 Travel, and this has become one of our favorite trips because of the wonderful people we met and the amazing nature, wildlife, and culture of Ecuador.
Thank you, Javier and Hermes, for being such an amazing tour director and driver. Javier shared so much knowledge and love for Ecuador with us throughout the trip. He was always available to assist whenever we had questions or issues. Hermes drove us safely everywhere we went, and we truly appreciated his professionalism and care every single day.
We sincerely appreciate both of you for making this trip so memorable for us.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-22
Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. We truly appreciate the feedback and hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
The crew and tour guides were excellent during our recent Tulip cruise. However, the last day we needed to be evacuated from the ship due to a fire. No one was hurt and the crew handled it well. Unfortunately, we were stranded outside from early afternoon through early evening. Gate 1 eventually transferred the passengers to a hotel outside Amsterdam. The quality of the food at the hotel was not the same as we paid for on the ship. I felt we should receive a partial refund for that last day but Gate 1 was only willing to give travel credits towards another trip, which had to be used within a year. We’re not planning on another trip, so the travel credits are useless.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-19
Thank you for sharing this feedback. Your comments are very important to us. We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations. We have provided your contact information to our customer service team who will reach out so that we can try to make this right for you.
Breathtaking Balkans Journey with Exceptional Service by Gate1 Travelst returned from an incredible…
Just returned from an incredible Balkans tour with Gate1 Travel and it was truly a memorable experience from start to finish. The itinerary was beautifully curated with a perfect mix of history, culture, nature, and local experiences across stunning countries and cities.
The hotels, transportation, and overall organization were smooth and stress-free. Our tour managers and local guides were knowledgeable, caring, and passionate about sharing the rich stories of the Balkans. From charming old towns to breathtaking mountain and coastal views, every day felt special.
A big thank you to the entire team for making this journey enjoyable, comfortable, and enriching. This was my 18th trip with Gate1, and once again they delivered a wonderful travel experience. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to explore the Balkans with confidence and ease!
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-15
We truly appreciate your business and are grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us. We hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
Just returning from my 3rd Gate 1 trip and it was sublime. I can't say enough about the tour manager, Daniel Sollano, and the local guide in the Ecuadorean Amazon Basin, Ottavio. Peter - another local guide - was exceptional as well despite his young age. So impressive. They were all incredibly informative, friendly, accommodating, and professional, but what was stunning was the depth of their expertise on all subjects related to their country. They also had a deep respect for their employer, as apparently Gate 1 gives back to the communities in which they operate in very meaningful ways. I will be booking Gate 1 trips every year for the rest of my traveling days, which are many. The accommodations were superb, the meals were phenomenal, and the scheduling of each activity was expertly measured and well thought out. Gate 1 is generous with perks such as drinks and treats. This company is my favorite. Can't rate higher than 5 stars, but if I could, I would.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-13
Thank you for taking the time to share your kind comments. We truly appreciate the feedback and look forward to welcoming you on your next Gate 1 trip!
I have been on eight Gate1 tours. They are a great balance between price and quality. Their guides are phenomenal. While not the luxury you might get with others, it also misses the snobbery that goes with that. Tours are comfortable and I have not met a group yet that did not like. It is a really great option for those who do not want all of the bells and whistles and just concentrate on fun with a great experience.
Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-15
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!
Globus
Exoticca 
Trafalgar Travel
Gate1.nl
Overseas Adventure Travel
Road Scholar
G Adventures
Intrepid Travel