Flight-free school trips— try these European residentials by coach!
25 Jun 2024, 09:57
by Kate Moore
With the climate at the forefront of many young people's minds, more school groups are being encouraged to reconsider how they travel.
As the trend for more environmentally friendly travel is set to continue, we explore the benefits of taking a flight-free school trip and recommend our top European destinations than can be reached without boarding a plane.
Four reasons to consider a European school trip by coach
1. Flight-free school trips are more affordable
Visiting Europe by coach is more affordable meaning more learners can participate and benefit.
Coach trips are cheaper for schools than air trips because you spread the cost of the vehicle and driver across the whole group. What’s more, by organising your school trip by coach, you don’t have the worry about additional luggage fees, airport taxes and transfers.
Top tip - to maximise savings travel in the Autumn or Spring terms when Channel crossings to Calais are considerably cheaper.
2. Hassle-free door-to-door travel & full use of the coach on your trip
Take your school trip to Europe by coach for a seamless journey.
Travel from school to your destination and back again with zero hassle, with the chance of including a shopping stop or visit to break up the journey. What's more, you can enjoy the convenience of having your own dedicated coach and driver for all your excursions your during your stay.
3. Easier to supervise your group
Taking a school trip by coach can make life easier for the teachers as it is easier to keep an eye on every member your group throughout the journey – without the worry that one or more of your students might get waylaid at the airport and miss their flight!
4. Reduce your carbon footpring by taking a school trip by coach
Data from the UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero show that coach trips do considerably less environmental harm than flying.
The carbon footprint of travelling by coach is 27g of CO2 per person per km, compared to 151g on a short haul flight. Ferry emissions are even lower – 19g of CO2 per passenger for a foot passenger.
Top tip - aim for a group of 35-40 passengers to fill a standard coach.
Our top picks for flight-free school trips to Europe in 2025
Whatever reason you want to avoid a flight in 2025, we have a great range of educational residentials that can be easily reached without boarding a plane. Take a look at our pick of our no-flight tours to Europe which are reachable by coach and ferry.
German language immersion – staying at Hellenthal centre, Rhine-Westphalia
Journey time from Calais by coach – 6 hours
Immerse your students in authentic German language and culture at a traditional youth hostel, in a picture book setting of hills, lakes and half-timbered buildings. This immersive German language school trip to Hellenthal, Western Germany combines onsite adventure activities with local cultural visits. Children also learn about protecting the natural environment with a trained German-native speaking instructor.
Spanish language immersion – staying at Mas Pagès centre, Girona
Journey time from Calais by coach – 14 hours (overnight trip)
Less than an hour from the French border, this Spanish language school trip to Mas Pages, near Girona Northern Spain, has been specially designed for groups travelling by coach. This immersive Spanish language trip makes the most of the lush Spanish countryside, temperate climate, and stunning historic sights of the area. Learners enjoy onsite adventure activities and visits to traditional Spanish sites with our Spanish-native language and activity instructors.
French language immersion – staying at Château de Chantereine centre, Normandy
Journey time from Calais by coach – 2 hours
Our popular French language immersion programme, at Château de Chantereine in Upper Normandy, has a nature theme – with guided walks to the Baie de Somme nature reserve where students will explore this unique protected natural environment and encounter the area’s own seal colony close-up. All activities are led in French, with our own animateurs, with students staying in a 17th century château just a short walk to the beach.
All aboard Voyager's own coach fleet
Where possible our European coach groups use Pegasus Coaches, our own specialist coach company. With a long-standing reputation for transporting school and student groups and with their expertise in European travel, we fully understand the needs and expectations of coach travel.
- Travel has changed now we've left the EU. Read our essential checklist for schools visiting Europe
- Crossing the Channel? Read our top tips for taking a school trip by ferry
- The difference between ABTA & ATOL and how your school trip is protected
- School trip behaviour and student code of conduct. Practical tips for students to ensure a fun, educational and safe trip.