Cultural trips
School trips
school trips group travel
School trips & group travel: How to make the next tour a success!
The next class trip is just around the corner and you're looking for inspiration and support? From the first idea to smooth execution, there are several things to consider. Learn how to plan the perfect trip while balancing budget, education, and fun. Need individual advice? Contact us for a customised solution!
The topic, briefly and concisely
School trips and group travel promote team skills, social learning and expand knowledge through practical experiences outside the classroom.
The choice of the right provider is crucial. Pay attention to experience, specialization, and sustainability offers to meet the individual needs of the students. Providers like CTS Reisen offer CO₂-neutral trips.
Thorough planning, which includes early booking, budgeting, and involving the students, is essential for a successful school trip. The use of digital tools can reduce the organizational effort by up to 20%.
Discover the best tips and tricks for organising school trips and group travel. From choosing the destination to sustainable implementation – we have all the info!
A well-planned school trip or group tour can become an unforgettable experience for pupils. It is all about combining educational content with fun and social interaction. But what exactly makes a school trip, and how does it differ from other forms of group travel? We will show you how to make your next tour a complete success!
What are school trips and group travel?
Definition and distinction
School trips are primarily focused on educational content and the promotion of social interaction. They aim to complement the curriculum with practical experiences and strengthen the sense of community. In contrast, group travel offers a wider range, from study trips to graduation trips to ‘Abi’ trips. These journeys can have different focuses, from deepening learning content to pure enjoyment and celebrating graduation.
Educational value
The educational value of school trips and group travel is immense. They enhance teamwork and social learning by enabling pupils to interact outside the classroom and face challenges together. Additionally, they expand knowledge through extracurricular experiences, such as visiting historical sites, experiencing cultural events, or conducting scientific experiments. These experiences help to make the curriculum more lively and tangible.
Economic aspects
School trips and group travel also play an important role in tourism and the regional economy. They generate income for accommodation, transport companies, catering businesses, and leisure facilities. Particularly in rural areas, school trips can make a significant contribution to economic development by creating jobs and strengthening local infrastructure.
Providers in comparison: How to find the ideal partner for your school trip
Choosing the right provider is crucial for the success of your school trip or group tour. There are numerous providers in the market, each differing in their focus, market positioning, and offerings. We provide you with an overview to help you find the ideal partner for your needs.
Overview of Different Providers
Alpetour: The Number 1 for School Trips?
Alpetour positions itself as "The Number 1 for School Trips" and boasts over 60 years of experience. The focus is on sport and adventure trips with educational content, study tours, and school holidays with skiing. A strength of Alpetour is its extensive experience and specialization in specific areas. However, the company's premium positioning might result in higher prices. Alpetour provides comprehensive support in planning, organizing, and carrying out school trips and emphasizes sustainability by offering ESD programs (Education for Sustainable Development) and guidelines for more climate-friendly school trips.
Klühspies: Experience and Quality
Klühspies has 40 years of experience and caters to 110,000 guests annually. The company positions itself as a major provider of school trips in Germany and Europe. Klühspies places great emphasis on quality assurance through partnerships with various associations and regular audits. The wide range of offerings includes ski trips, activity programs, and city tours. One advantage is the good value for money; however, there have been past negative feedback regarding bus companies. Klühspies also offers the option of individual payments, making organization easier for teachers.
CTS Reisen: CO₂-Neutral Travel
CTS Reisen has specialized in school and group trips for over 50 years and offers tailor-made trips within Germany, Europe, and the USA. A unique selling point is the CO₂-neutral transport, which particularly appeals to environmentally conscious schools. CTS Reisen provides over 400 destinations with individual programs, including city tours, adventure trips, and study tours. Another advantage is the personalized advice when selecting the destination.
Other Providers
In addition to the mentioned providers, there are further options with specific offers and focuses. HEROLÉ scores with flexible planning and price guarantees. VOYAGE Gruppenreisen specializes in activity camps and youth hotels. DB Klassenfahrten focuses on sustainable rail travel. albaTours offers individual customization options and educational materials. MANGO Tours impresses with TÜV certification and CO₂ compensation through atmosfair. When selecting the right provider, you should consider your individual needs and priorities.
Types of trips and target groups: How to find the perfect school trip for every age group
The needs and interests of pupils vary according to their age group. Therefore, it is important to adjust the type of travel and the destination accordingly. We show you which options are particularly suitable for different age groups and target audiences.
Differentiation by Age Groups
Primary School
Primary school children are best suited to activity-based trips that cater to their urge to move and curiosity. Popular options include visits to farms, zoos, or adventure playgrounds. Short hikes or bike tours can also be a great addition. It is essential that the activities are age-appropriate and give children the opportunity to learn playfully and gain new experiences. Klühspies recommends activity programmes for primary schools.
Secondary Schools
For older students, city trips and study trips are ideal. City trips allow teenagers to visit cultural landmarks, explore museums, and experience urban life. In contrast, study trips are designed to deepen specific educational content and complement classroom learning with practical experiences. Popular destinations include historical sites, scientific institutes, or political centres. Klühspies recommends city trips for older students (from Year 10 onwards).
Different Types of Travel
School Trips vs. Study Trips
School trips focus on community and education. They aim to improve class atmosphere, promote students' social competence, and complement the curriculum with extracurricular activities. Study trips, on the other hand, aim to deepen educational content. They provide the opportunity to explore specific topics more intensively and supplement them with excursions, visits, and lectures. Study trips are often thematically oriented and can focus on historical, scientific, or cultural themes, for example.
Graduation Trips and Abi Trips
Graduation trips and Abi trips primarily aim to have fun and celebrate the end of school. These trips are often less focused on educational content and offer students the chance to relax, meet new people, and create unforgettable moments together. Popular destinations include party holidays, beach holidays, or city trips with a varied leisure programme.
Sustainability pays off: How to make school trips environmentally friendly
Sustainability is playing an increasingly significant role in the planning of school trips. It's about preserving the environment, conserving resources, and taking social responsibility. We will show you how you can make your school trip more environmentally friendly.
The Importance of Sustainability in School Trips
Eco-friendly Transport
An essential aspect of sustainability is the choice of transport. Train journeys are an eco-friendly alternative to buses and planes, as they cause fewer CO₂ emissions. Some providers, like DB Klassenfahrten, focus particularly on train travel and offer special deals for school classes. Klühspies also promotes train travel as an environmentally friendly option.
CO₂ Compensation
If travel by plane or bus is unavoidable, you can offset CO₂ emissions with compensation payments. The money is then invested in climate protection projects that help to reduce the travel's ecological footprint. Some providers, like MANGO Tours, offer the opportunity for CO₂ compensation through atmosfair. Alpetour also provides guidance for more climate-friendly school trips and options for CO2 compensation.
Sustainable Accommodations and Activities
Environmentally Certified Hotels
When selecting accommodation, pay attention to environmental certifications such as the EU Ecolabel or the Blue Angel. These certifications guarantee that the hotels adhere to certain environmental standards, for example, in energy and water consumption, waste disposal, and the use of cleaning products. You can also focus on sustainability when it comes to activities on site by purchasing regional products, using eco-friendly transport, or participating in conservation projects.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Programmes
Some providers, like Alpetour, offer special ESD programmes (Education for Sustainable Development). These programmes impart knowledge and skills to students, enabling them to make sustainable decisions and commit to sustainable development. The programmes can address topics such as climate protection, resource conservation, fair trade, or social justice.
Stress-free Planning: How to Organise School Trips Efficiently
Planning and organising a school trip can be a challenge. There are many aspects to consider, from selecting the destination and budgeting to creating a detailed itinerary. We provide you with valuable tips on how to organise efficiently and avoid stress.
Checklist for Planning
Booking Early
Start planning your school trip as early as possible. Especially for popular destinations and dates, it is advisable to book several months in advance. This way, you have a greater choice of accommodation and transport options and can benefit from early booking discounts. HEROLÉ offers an early booking offer for 2026 that allows flexible planning with free cancellations.
Budget Planning
Create a detailed budget that considers all expenses, from transportation to accommodation and catering, as well as entrance fees for activities and attractions. Obtain multiple quotes from different providers and compare prices. Also, consider possible funding options and grants. Gruppenreisen.de provides information on potential subsidies.
Involving Students
Involve the students in the planning process. Ask about their preferences and interests and let them participate in choosing the destination and activities. This increases their motivation and engagement and ensures the trip meets their needs.
Risk Management
Travel Insurance
Take out travel insurance that covers all important risks, such as illness, accident, loss of luggage or trip cancellation. Ensure that the insurance also covers the costs of a possible repatriation. Some providers, such as MANGO Tours, are TÜV Rheinland certified, offering an additional level of security.
Emergency Plans
Develop emergency plans for various scenarios, like illness, accident, loss of documents, or natural disasters. Inform the students about the emergency plans and ensure they know how to act in an emergency. albaTours offers 24/7 phone availability, making it easier to reach in an emergency.
Digital Tools
Customer Portals for Management
Utilise digital tools to simplify the organisation. Some providers, like HEROLÉ, offer customer portals for managing trips. Here, you can manage participant lists, process payments, and download travel documents. albaTours also provides a customer portal.
Digital Travel Documents
Provide travel documents in digital format. This allows students to access all important information at any time, such as flight tickets, hotel reservations, or admission tickets. Some providers, like Alpetour, offer digital travel documents.
Keep Your Budget in Check: Clever Ways to Finance School Trips
Financing a school trip can present a challenge for many parents. It's important to keep an eye on the costs and look for funding opportunities and grants. We'll show you how to manage the financing cleverly.
Cost Factors in School Trips
Transport
Transport costs are a significant factor in financing a school trip. They depend on the distance to the destination, the chosen means of transport, and the number of participants. Compare prices from different providers and check for special offers for school classes. For example, DB Klassenfahrten offers a price guarantee.
Accommodation
Accommodation costs also make up a considerable part of the budget. Look for affordable accommodations, such as youth hostels or group houses. Some providers, such as VOYAGE Gruppenreisen, specialize in youth groups and offer special deals for this target group.
Activities and Catering
Costs for activities and catering should also be included in the budget planning. Opt for cost-effective activities, like hiking, museum visits, or city tours. You can save on catering by bringing packed lunches or cooking in self-catering accommodation. Some Austrian locations of VOYAGE Gruppenreisen offer full board with additional services like all-day fruit and drinks in the summer.
Funding Opportunities and Grants
Government Funding Programs
Find out about government funding programs and grants for school trips. In some federal states, there are special funding programs for low-income families. Municipalities and districts often offer grants for school trips as well. Gruppenreisen.de provides information on potential subsidies.
Fundraising
Organize fundraising events to collect extra money for the school trip. You could hold a cake sale, organize a sponsored run, or conduct a raffle. Companies and foundations are often willing to support school trips. albaTours works with STELP e.V., a civil aid organization, highlighting the company's social responsibility.
Individual Payment Options
Relief for Parents
Offer parents individual payment options to reduce the financial burden. You can arrange for installment payments or give parents the option to pay for the school trip in several instalments. Some providers, such as Klühspies and MANGO Tours, offer individual payment options for students.
Top Travel Destinations: Inspiring Ideas for Your Next Class Trip
The choice of destination is a crucial factor for the success of a school trip. There are a variety of attractive destinations that are suitable for different age groups and interests. We present some popular destinations and trends to you.
Classic Destinations
Berlin, Hamburg, London, Paris, Rome
Berlin, Hamburg, London, Paris, and Rome are classic destinations for school trips. These cities offer a wide range of cultural attractions, historical sites, and museums, making them ideal for educational trips. The urban life and diverse leisure opportunities also make these cities attractive for students. CTS Reisen offers school trips to these classic destinations.
Trending Destinations
Activity Camps in Croatia
Activity camps in Croatia are a popular trend for school trips. These camps offer a variety of sports activities, such as kayaking, mountain biking, or climbing. The sea and beaches also invite you to swim and relax. Activity camps are perfect for students who enjoy being active and experiencing nature. VOYAGE Gruppenreisen specializes in activity camps and youth hotels and offers special deals for this target group.
Sustainable Destinations in Germany
Sustainable destinations in Germany are growing in popularity. These destinations are characterized by a responsible approach to the environment and resources. They offer, for example, eco-friendly accommodations, regional products, and sustainable activities. Sustainable destinations are ideal for students interested in environmental protection and sustainability. Alpetour provides guidance for more climate-friendly school trips.
Special Offers
Language Trips
Language trips are a great way to combine a school trip with learning a foreign language. The students have the opportunity to apply their language skills in authentic situations and get to know the culture of the country. Popular destinations for language trips include England, France, Spain, or Italy. CTS Reisen offers various language learning venues.
Historical Study Trips (e.g. Auschwitz, Weimar)
Historical study trips offer the chance to engage intensively with history and visit significant historical sites. Popular destinations include Auschwitz, Weimar, or Berlin. These trips are often themed and help to enhance students' historical awareness. CTS Reisen offers trips with specific educational value, such as historical study tours to Auschwitz or Weimar.
Safety first: How to protect your students on school trips
The safety of pupils is the top priority during class trips. It is important to take all necessary precautions to minimize risks and ensure the correct response in case of emergencies. We provide you with important advice on legal aspects and safety measures.
Duty of Supervision
Responsibility of Teachers and Supervisors
The teachers and supervisors have a duty of supervision for the pupils during the class trip. This means they are responsible for ensuring that the pupils come to no harm and adhere to the rules. The duty of supervision includes, for example, monitoring the behaviour of the pupils, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and providing assistance in case of problems or emergencies.
Data Protection
Handling of Pupils' Data
Pay attention to data protection when handling pupils' data. Only collect the data that is absolutely necessary for conducting the class trip, and treat it confidentially. Inform parents about data collection and processing and obtain their consent if necessary. Comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Safety Precautions
24/7 Emergency Service
Ensure that you are reachable at all times during the class trip and that there is a 24/7 emergency service available for pupils to contact in an emergency. Inform the pupils about the emergency number and the conduct rules in case of an emergency. Some providers, such as Klühspies, offer a 24/7 emergency hotline.
Certified Bus Companies
If you are hiring a bus for the journey, ensure it is a certified bus company that conducts regular safety inspections and has experienced drivers. Some providers, such as MANGO Tours, work with renowned bus companies and emphasize regular driver safety training.
School Trips of the Future: Sustainable, Digital, and Individual
More useful links
At Alpetour, you will find sports and adventure trips with educational content, as well as information on ESD programs for sustainable school trips.
Klühspies offers a wide range of school trips in Germany and Europe, focusing on quality assurance and various travel themes.
CTS Reisen specialises in school trips and group travels with CO₂-neutral transport and customised programs.
The DB School Trips focus on sustainable train travel and offer special packages for school classes.
FAQ
What distinguishes school trips from other group travels?
School trips are primarily focused on educational content and social interaction, while group travels cover a broader spectrum, from study tours to graduation trips. School trips enhance classroom learning through practical experiences.
What educational value do school trips offer?
The educational value is immense: they promote teamwork, social learning, and expand knowledge through extracurricular experiences like visits to historical sites or cultural events. These experiences bring the classroom material to life.
How do I find the ideal provider for school trips?
Look for experience, specialization, sustainability offerings, and customer reviews. Providers like Alpetour, Klühspies, and CTS Reisen have different focuses. Compare offerings and consider your individual needs.
Which destinations are suitable for different age groups?
For primary school children, activity-based trips (farms, zoos) are suitable, while city tours and study trips (cultural landmarks, historical sites) are better for older students. Klühspies recommends activity programs for primary schools and city tours for older students.
How can I make school trips more sustainable?
Choose environmentally friendly transport (train journeys), offset CO₂ emissions, and look for environmentally certified accommodations. Alpetour offers ESD programs (Education for Sustainable Development).
How do I organize school trips efficiently?
Start planning early, create a detailed budget, and involve students in the planning. Use digital tools and customer portals for management. HEROLÉ offers an early booking promotion for 2026.
How do I finance school trips wisely?
Research government funding programs and grants, organize fundraising activities, and offer parents flexible payment options. Gruppenreisen.de provides information on potential subsidies.
What safety precautions are important for school trips?
Ensure supervision, data protection, and there is a 24/7 emergency service. Hire certified bus companies. Klühspies offers a 24/7 emergency hotline.
