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Gate 1 Travel

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100 reviews

3.3100 reviews
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About Gate 1 Travel

Data updated
Website
gate1travel.com
Category
Travel & Vacation
Location
United States
Status
Unclaimed
Last 12 months
83 reviews
Replies to negative
100% (42/42)
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About this business

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.

What people say

Accomodation were all 4-star or 5-star…

Accomodation were all 4-star or 5-star hotels (5-star in Hvar), included breakfasts and dinners were all healthy and delicious. All the local guides were all best in class. Our tour leader Sophi also go above and beyond, caring and made the trip best possible experience for all at the same time learning about cultures and history of Croatia. Highly recommend this tour

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-04

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 enjoyed 7 Gate 1 trips

I have been on 7 Gate 1 trips in the past 3 years. Without exception, they have been deep, fascinating, meaningful experiences with good groups of people. We have been led by highly qualified tour managers who share their love of their countries and are well-organized and approachable.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-01

Thank you for your kind feedback. We hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!

My mom got sick from their food and died

My mom went on one of their tours and caught an infectious disease while on the tour. She died before she could board her flight home. Gate 1 Travel provided zero assistance to her as far as I know. When I asked them for details of what happened, they told me that they would not provide me any details without a subpoena.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-05-05

We would like to express our heartfelt condolences once again on the passing of your mother. Please know that Gate 1 takes our customers' privacy very seriously. We are unable to discuss trip details with anyone other than the travelers themselves, unless we have the necessary authorization or are required to do so by law. Thank you for your understanding.

The tour guides and driver were…

The tour guides and driver were awesome. Days are full of activities and the food is great.Really good value for the money. The air conditioning isn’t turned on until May 1. Along the Adriatic the rooms were hot and uncomfortable due to spring high temperatures. Many great memories from this trip and will probably book another trip sometime.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-04-27

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!

Airline cancellation with Gate 2

Our tour to Sicily in was wonderful, however getting there was a nightmare. We booked the air travel with Gate 1 but when we arrived at the airport, our fight was cancelled and we received no prior information. There were other carriers that we could use but Gate 1 travel desk wouldn’t rebook us but Swiss Air did it with no problem. If it wasn’t for Swiss Air we would have lost 3 days of the with no partial refund

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-04-27

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.

Our "Stay & Explore" tour was full of…

Our "Stay & Explore" tour was full of history and fun. Our Tour Manager, Jackie Mullen, took great care to inform, entertain, and manage our group of 40! She remembered our repeat travelers and spent time getting to know what the new travelers wanted to know. The hotel was well-situated in Oxford and the hotel staff was very attentive.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-04-21

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!

Very satisfied!!

I have been on 2 Gate One trips and have been very satisfied with the level of service and the quality of the tours. The guides have exceeded expectations! There were complications due to weather on the last trip and the 24 hour emergency services were right on spot. I have lots of friends who travel exclusively with Gate One and I am comfortable using them as a solo or as a couple.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-04-21

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!

Great itinerary and experiences, but airport transfer pricing was disappointing

I’ve taken several trips with Gate 1 Travel over the years, and overall I’ve been very pleased—they typically offer well-organized tours and interesting itineraries at a good value. The Nine Day Taste of Rio de Janeiro tour is no exception. It’s thoughtfully planned and provides a great introduction to Rio de Janeiro, with a nice balance of activities and free time. However, I was surprised by the cost of airport transfers. The company charges $141 per person each way—$141 from Rio de Janeiro–Galeão International Airport to the Copacabana area hotel, and another $141 for the return trip. That’s $282 per person for a transfer of roughly 15–16 miles (about 25 km). For comparison, I checked pricing for a similar route independently and found rates at roughly 10% of what Gate 1 is charging, even when reserving in advance. These options also include standard safety features such as driver tracking, verified drivers, and trip records, making the difference in pricing difficult to reconcile. I understand that organized tours may build in additional considerations such as coordination and reliability; however, a difference of this magnitude seems disproportionate for the distance involved and would benefit from clearer explanation or more competitively priced alternatives. Overall, I still value Gate 1’s tours and would travel with them again, but this was one aspect that didn’t feel aligned with the otherwise strong value they usually provide. Below is my reply to Gate 1’s reply: Gate 1, thank you for your response. Could you please clarify whether the $141 per person transfer is for a private vehicle or a shared transfer with other passengers? This distinction is important, as it directly affects how the pricing is evaluated. For context, I looked into comparable options independently. Standard rideshare and taxi services for this route are roughly 10% of this cost, and even pre-booked executive car services are often around half the price. Given this, the $141 per person rate appears significantly higher than typical market rates -particularly if the transfer is shared. I fully understand that organized tours may include coordination and reliability considerations. However, clearer transparency around what is actually being provided (private vs. shared, level of service, etc.) would help travelers better understand and evaluate the value. Thank you in advance for clarifying.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-04-09

Thank you for sharing your comments. If you would like one of our representatives to provide additional assistance and try to make this right for you, please submit an inquiry here: https://www.gate1travel.com/contactus

This was our tour guide on a recent…

This was our tour guide on a recent Gate 1 tour and she was awesome! Extremely knowledgeable about every location. Would absolutely recommend Daja of Gate 1.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-04-06

Thank you for your kind feedback. We hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!

I have a beautiful amazing tour that…

I have a beautiful amazing tour that for sure is very memorable. Gate 1 make it easier, smooth and I see so many places that includes to the package beside 4 stars hotels, coach transportation, breakfast included, some lunch and dinner to a nice restaurant. Pick up drop off from & to airport. They deliver your luggage to every hotels we move. My tour guide Agnes is very responsible & knowledgeable. I will miss her. Thank you Gate 1 for stress free and a wonderful experience. I will definitely travel with you guys for my next travel

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-04-06

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!

They did they touristy tour during the…

They did they touristy tour during the Palm Sunday service… super disrespectful and shows lack of awareness and disregard for the significance of the celebration I would not recommend a company that demonstrates such poor judgment and lack of cultural and religious sensitivity.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-03-31

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

Disrespectful Tour

It’s disrespectful that they conduct tourist tours during the Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of Buenos Aires. The church is open for a wide range of hours, so there is no reason to schedule tours right in the middle of a religious service, with people talking and disrupting the atmosphere. As a company, this shows a clear lack of respect not only for the space but for the people attending the mass. Religious services deserve basic consideration and silence, and choosing to prioritize tours over that reflects poorly on how they treat others. —— Es una falta de respeto que realicen recorridos turísticos durante la Misa de Ramos en la Catedral de Buenos Aires. La iglesia está abierta durante un rango amplio de horarios, por lo que no hay razón para programar visitas justo en medio de una celebración religiosa, con personas hablando y generando interrupciones. Como empresa, esto demuestra una clara falta de respeto no solo por el lugar, sino también por las personas que están asistiendo a la misa. Las celebraciones religiosas merecen un mínimo de consideración y silencio, y priorizar los recorridos por encima de eso habla muy mal de cómo tratan a los demás.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-03-31

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

11 Days Kaleidoscope of Colombia Tour

WE just came back from Kaleidoscope of Colombia trip which was amazing. Colombia is one of the most beautiful countries I have visited with unforgettable landscapes. Our Gate 1 Tour Manager Leon Pardo not only met our expectations but exceeded them in so many ways. He is the best tour manager, and it is in large part his attitude, knowledge, commitment, organizational skills made everything easy and memorable. He went above and beyond what was required from him including evenings walks, small treats for everyone, etc. We enjoyed our vacation and Thank you Gate 1 and Leon for superb tour organization!

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-03-25

Thank you for your kind feedback. We truly appreciate your comments and hope to see you soon on another Gate 1 trip!

Gate 1 Travel small-group tour.

I took a Gate 1 Travel small-group Discovery Tour of the Philippines in February 2026, advertised as secular. The tour manager conducted daily morning prayer sessions on the bus and never called me by my correct name during the 10-day tour. Furthermore, the tour presented Philippine history in a highly selective way. The Philippine–American War and the Philippines’ subsequent experience as America’s first major overseas colony were never addressed, and guides were unwilling to engage the topic even in private conversation. I sent a chain of three formal complaint letters, escalating through multiple levels of customer service, yet it took over a month for them to acknowledge that prayer sessions led by a Gate 1 tour manager were inappropriate. Even then, the Vice President of Customer Service did not take personal responsibility or address the broader implications for tour management. These serious professional and ethical deficiencies make this tour not recommended for travelers seeking respectful, secular experiences. Update - Thank you Gate 1 for your Trustpilot reply. This is not a matter of expectations but of the deficiencies in both the tour managment and the handling of my complaint, which I have already outlined in detail. I do not wish to engage further. My issues relate not only to the tour itself but to broader shortcomings in how your organization handles tourism management and customer concerns. These include the tour manager’s conduct during the trip, the framing of my complaint as a matter of personal sensitivity, the loss of my detailed follow-up, and the lack of any response from senior customer service leadership. Taken together, these issues raise serious ethical questions about your company’s accountability, transparency, and commitment to treating guests with fairness and respect. For that reason, I will not be pursuing this further and consider the matter closed. This experience, echoed by many reviews on Trustpilot, suggests that Gate 1 Travel reframes problems as expectation gaps rather than resolving them.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-03-17

We regret that your experience did not meet your expectations and have provided your contact information to our customer service team who will be reaching out to you. Thank you for sharing your update. We appreciate your feedback and hope you might consider traveling with us again at some point in the future.

Beware when booking

Beware when booking. I booked a National Park tour in November 2025 for a tour beginning November 2026. I had to cancel in March 2026 over 6 months prior to the trip. Although I signed up for trip insurance and cancel anytime, I was informed that the insurance did not cover the deposit. No offer from Gate 1 for return of deposit or a credit for a future trip. We took a National Park tour in Fall of 2025 and were very pleased; however, now I would be very cautious to book again. Very disappointed.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-03-12

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.

We loved our trip to South India

We loved our trip to South India. This was our fourth trip with gate one. Our journey through South India with Gate 1 Travel was truly unforgettable, and much of that is thanks to our exceptional guide, Stalin V. From the very beginning, Stalin’s deep knowledge of India’s history, culture, and traditions enriched every destination we visited. His explanations brought each site to life, adding meaning and context that went far beyond what any guidebook could offer. But what made him truly special was not just his expertise—it was his genuine care for each traveler’s experience. Stalin went above and beyond to ensure everyone was comfortable, engaged, and enjoying the journey. He took the time to connect with each person individually and created a warm, welcoming atmosphere where our group quickly began to feel like a family. His personal stories about his faith, his family, and his life in India added a heartfelt and authentic touch that we deeply appreciated. His kindness, attentiveness, and positive spirit made our trip not only smooth and well-organized, but also meaningful and memorable. Because of Stalin, this was more than a tour—it was a personal and enriching experience we will always treasure. We are truly grateful for his dedication and highly recommend him to anyone traveling with Gate 1. He made our India adventure very special.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-02-27

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!

Gate 1 Travel "customer care"

On our 1/23/2026 trip to India with Gate1 I severely injured my foot, under following circumstances: 1. On day 4 of the “16 Day Classic India with Ranthambore”, Gate1 brought us to the Akshardham Temple. 2. When we left a bus to go to the temple, a heavy rain started. We travel a lot, and in inclement weather like that, travel companies would cancel excursions to protect their customers. Here, wet we continued, unaware what we are stepping into. 3. We had to remove shoes and socks before getting inside the temple, 4. Marble/stone walkways and stairs leading to the temple were very slippery. On a way we managed to navigate with assistance of handrails. 5. On the way out, a local man who was pushing a water away from those walkways and stairs, prevented us from getting to the handrails, despite our protests. 6. Gate1 tour guide, has already left the temple, and was quite a distance away from a large part of his group still there. Hence, we could not ask him to intervene about that handrails access, or to assist members of his group of elderly people to get down safely. 7. I have fallen and severely injured my foot. My recovery will take months, severely impeding my other medical treatment I am undergoing. 8. What assistance I got from Gate1 you may wonder: a) No ambulance, despite me repeatedly demanding the Gate1 tour guide summon one. He was telling me “it’s on its way”, but apparently it was not true. b) No police to take an accident report. c) Man at the temple, with dirty hands and dirty bandages he pulled from a dirty tool box passing as an "emergency assistance" box, applied those “bandages” to my open (a bone sticking out of my foot), bleeding wound d) Abandoned by Gate1 tour guide, bleeding, soaking wet and shivering, outside in the rain, I was waiting for help, wondering why we were even brought there e) After over two hours or so, I was taken to the hospital in a unsanitary car, as that ambulance I was demanding Gate1 has never summoned, scared that I could get an infection that could end my life.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-02-26

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.

Lying “Customer Service”

The trip was fine; no thanks to Gate 1’s “customer service.” Gate 1 customer service is terrible — to the point of outright lying. My daughter was supposed to join me on my October 2025 trip to Iceland, but had to cancel at the last minute. I anticipated added costs as I traded my daughter’s position on the tour with a friend. Gate 1 did NOTHING to help trade the positions. Even when I offered to take a complete loss for my daughter not going and pay for everything again for my friend, Gate 1 still wasn’t satisfied. The “customer service” person “helping” me stated the tour was full and I couldn’t just trade my friend for my daughter. She said I had to cancel my daughter first and then see if there was still room for my friend (leaving me to go on the tour by myself). When I countered a full tour shouldn’t be an issue since I’m cancelling my daughter’s position, the person said after canceling my daughter's position, people on a waiting list would get priority over my friend. The lies came in when customer service insisted as soon as my daughter wasn’t on the first flight, the airline would notify Gate 1 and everything else on the tour would automatically get cancelled for my daughter. The hotel wouldn’t allow my friend to stay in my room and the tour companies would check our identification as we tried entering the buses. I called both the hotel and tour companies in advance and they had no issues with someone else accompanying me in my hotel room and on the tours. I have no idea why Gate 1 “customer service” tried to make such a complex issue out of something that should have been so easy. I have been to every continent, except Antarctica, multiple times. I will retire soon and traveling the world is my prevailing goal. I thought Gate 1 would be motivated to make a life-long customer from a first-time customer who travels multiple times per year and all over the world. I have no intention of ever using Gate 1 again.

Reply from Gate 1 Travel2026-02-16

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.

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