How To Deliver Value For Money On Your Next School Trip

How To Deliver Value For Money On Your Next School Trip

A school trip can be a formative experience for many young travellers, with the opportunity to explore new cities, experience new cultures, and gain new skills all helping to advance the educational journey. It is however no secret that travel has risen in cost over recent years, so we’ve collated our top tips to keep costs down for your next school trip, and make your trip accessible to as many students as possible!

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Many schools who have traditionally travelled by air have transitioned to using coaches and even trains to get to, and around their chosen destination. With air fares being one of many drivers behind inflation in recent years, it’s a wise choice to explore alternative methods of transport for your next trip.
For example, a group travelling into Europe during February half term can expect to pay up to £250pp more for their trip overall if travelling by plane, so it’s always best to speak with your travel adviser to find out which method of travel will offer the greatest value for money.
We also see many groups utilising public transport to navigate their chosen destination; if you’re spending time in a big city, it’s often much quicker and cheaper to jump on the tube, metro, or tram, to access tourist hotspots, as a quick 10 minute journey on the tube will always beat a 45 minute slog through city centre traffic on the coach!

An added benefit of using coaches and trains for your travel arrangements is the environmental impact; air travel is notoriously high in emissions so if you’re keen to lower the carbon footprint of your next school trip, be sure to explore jumping on a coach or train.

Travel Dates

While many trips are limited to departing during the school holidays, it’s becoming increasingly popular to travel in term time, whether you head on tour during the main term, or get permission to depart a day or two before the holidays begin, you can make significant savings on your transport and accommodation, with the added bonus of quieter ski resorts, cities, and excursions!
Travelling during term time often incurs some costs for staff cover back at home, but if you time it right, the savings on offer can vastly outweigh these and can make for a much more enjoyable time away.

Published: Friday 30 May 2025