School Trips on a Budget: How We Help Schools Make It Work

Planning a school trip has never been a small task. With rising costs affecting everything from transport to accommodation, it’s completely understandable that many teachers are approaching the idea with caution. Budgets are under pressure, every cost needs to be justified, and there’s often a feeling that trips must be perfect to be worth the effort.

Despite this pressure, the reassuring reality is that meaningful, curriculum-linked school trips are still very much achievable. With thoughtful planning, a bit of flexibility, and the right support, schools can continue to offer experiences that enrich learning without placing unnecessary strain on families or staff.

At Equity School Travel, we work closely with teachers to remove barriers and shape trips that still meet learning objectives – while staying realistic about budgets. Read on to find out how we help schools make it work in practice.

Thinking smarter about transport and destination

Transport costs are often one of the biggest factors of higher trip costs, with recent years seeing rising fuel prices impact both coach and air travel. But rather than seeing this as a blocker to hosting a school trip full-stop, we encourage schools to instead pivot on destination, focusing on places that will still deliver strong educational value without complex or costly journeys.

In many cases, choosing the right destination can significantly reduce costs while keeping the focus on learning. History and politics groups, for example, often find Berlin or Brussels ideal, finding rich GCSE and A Level content in these cities that are easily accessible from the UK. Art and design students can gain enormous value from Paris or Amsterdam, where world-class galleries sit alongside free or low-cost cultural experiences. Language trips don’t need to be long-haul to feel immersive either, with regions like Madrid, Cologne, and the Opal Coast continuing to provide excellent linguistic and cultural opportunities.

By matching destinations to curricular requirements, we help ensure schools are paying for learning value over unnecessary mileage.

Making the most of free and low-cost learning experiences

It’s a common misconception that every school trip itinerary must be filled with expensive attractions and museums. However, we often recommend school groups combine core attractions with free or low-cost ones; fortunately many major European cities offer a wealth of high-quality educational experiences that align directly with the curriculum and don't cost a penny.

From museums and galleries to memorials, architectural landmarks, and public spaces, these can all provide powerful learning opportunities when thoughtfully planned – and our team is excellent at picking out those that will complement your trip. Through our destination spotlight blogs, we also help schools identify free museums and galleries linked to specific subjects, support fieldwork and observation, or self-guided study opportunities that encourage independent learning.

Balancing paid experiences with free ones means that schools can reduce costs while maintaining the overall value, relevance and memorability you would typically expect from a school trip.

Shorter trips, same educational impact

A longer trip isn’t always a better one. For many subjects, a focused four-day trip can deliver just as much educational value as a full week – and it often comes with with fewer logistical and financial pressures.

Shorter trips can significantly reduce accommodation costs, feel easier to justify to parents and senior leaders, and fit more comfortably into the school calendar. They also tend to be less tiring for both students and staff, which can make a real difference to engagement and behaviour.

With a clear itinerary and well-defined learning outcomes, a shorter trip can be just as impactful, while feeling more achievable for everyone involved.

Why school trips are still worth it today

When budgets are tight, it’s natural to question whether a trip is truly essential. But educational travel continues to offer benefits that are difficult to replicate in the classroom.

School trips play a vital role in building confidence and independence, developing teamwork and social skills, and helping students understand curriculum content in real-world contexts. They can also be particularly powerful for students who may struggle with traditional classroom learning, offering new ways to engage, contribute, and succeed.

These experiences stay with students long after the trip ends, helping shape not only their academic understanding but also their personal growth.

We’re here to support you

Every school’s situation is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why our approach is always collaborative. We work with teachers to adjust destinations and trip length, balance paid and free excursions, and prioritise what matters most for their subject and their students.

If rising costs are causing concern, a conversation is often the best place to start. Our team is always available for a chat and happy to help – please feel free to reach out to your local account manager, or call our friendly team direct on 01273 648248 or filling out our webform, and our school trip experts will get back to you as soon as we can.