Coronavirus travel advice for schools with upcoming trips

26 Nov 2021, 08:49 by Nigel English

Planning a new school trip? Our COVID-19 Travel Hub has all the answers 

Our COVID-19 Travel Hub has everything you need to restart school trips - read about our Peace of Mind Promise, COVID-19 School Trip Insurance, country guides and travel advice for school groups.

Information for groups with schools trips in 2021 

The guide below explains the current travel advice and options for school groups with an upcoming trip. The information is based on advice from a broad range of experts, in particular the School Travel Forum, ABTA, DfE and the Association of British Insurers. 

Department for Education (DfE) COVID-19 travel advice for educational settings 

On 19 July 2021 the DfE updated its travel advice and confirmed that schools trips abroad are allowed, subject to prevailing travel restrictions at home and abroad, The department also confirmed that schools can plan and book new trips abroad from autumn term 2021. Read our analysis of the DfE guidance.

What are the rules for school trips abroad? 

See our school travel guides for the most popular school trip destinations. Click on the links below to see the current paperwork, vaccination and testing requirements for school groups travelling abroad:

• The rules for school groups travelling to & from FRANCE
• The rules for school groups travelling to & from SPAIN
• The rules for school groups travelling to & from ITALY
• The rules for school groups travelling to & from the USA

What are the COVID-19 rules for school groups returning home from abroad?

The traffic light system for travellers returning home was simplified on October 4, and the rules relaxed for fully vaccinated travellers and children travelling with them. Read about the new traffic light system and what it mean for groups returning to the UK from school trips abroad.

Foreign Office COVID-19 advice for groups travelling abroad

We take our lead from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the government authority on safety, security and entry requirements for British people travelling overseas. As an ABTA bonded tour operator, Voyager School Travel will not operate a trip to a country against FCDO travel advice. FCDO advice is under constant review and you can check the latest by clicking on this link.

If your school trip is impacted by FCDO travel restrictions

If, when your trip is due to depart, the FCDO advises against non-essential travel to your destination, then we will work with you to postpone the trip to a later date or find you a suitable alternative so that your students still have something positive to look forward to. If that proves impossible, we will cancel your trip and your group will be eligible for a full refund.

If your school trip is excluded from FCDO travel restrictions

International travel restrictions were relaxed in summer 2021 and, since then, non-essential travel has been allowed to a growing number of destinations. If FCDO travel restrictions for your chosen destination are lifted before your group's departure, then we will honour your booking. 

We have updated our group safety and wellbeing protocols so that you can still enjoy an incredible school trip, with the same activities and quality learning experiences, but with extra COVID-19 precautions. Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Hub to find out how you can book and travel with confidence. 

If travel restrictions are lifted but your group is still reluctant to travel, please get in touch immediately because we may be able to transfer your booking to a later date. If you wish to postpone your trip, please contact us for more information. 

Our full terms and conditions can be found on: https://www.voyagerschooltravel.com/about-us/school-tour-booking-terms-and-conditions/

Peace of Mind Promise

Our Peace of Mind Promise provides new bookings with additional financial protection in the event the DfE or Foreign Office advises against travel to your chosen destination, quarantine restrictions are imposed at your chosen travel destination. This additional flexibility is for all new bookings made between 10 May – 23 December 2021 for travel in the 2021/22 academic year.

All information correct as at 26 November 2021.

More information from the COVID-19 Travel Hub  

• Voyager School Travel Peace of Mind Promise
• COVID-19 School Trip Insurance
• Guide to Restarting School Trips 
• COVID-19 Travel FAQs 
• Essential guide to insuring your school trip during COVID

Still have questions? 

We understand there is a lot to consider and so please don't hesitate to contact us so that we can guide you through the process.