Plan your tour with confidence
Good accommodation and transport are vital to making your trip successful and enjoyable.
Whether you’re going by coach to a European youth hostel, or heading to Morocco to stay in a Bedouin tent, you need to get your students there and back safely, comfortably and efficiently.
Accommodation standards
We work with accommodation providers to offer a range of options, from homestays and high-quality business hotels to safari-type tents, depending on the destination and your requirements.
As a full member of the School Travel Forum (STF), we ensure all these accommodation options are subject to a standard audit prior to first use and at a maximum of three-year intervals.
All accommodation suppliers we work with must provide as a minimum:
- a valid operating licence
- evidence they are in possession of valid indemnity and public liability insurance
- confirmation that they comply with all requirements of local and national governing bodies, as well as those of licensing authorities
- completion of our accommodation safety assessment, which covers fire safety arrangements, an appropriate food management system, and general safety arrangements including swimming pools and security
Transport standards
We’re proud to have years of experience arranging comfortable school group travel by air, coach, rail and ferry.
All transportation suppliers we work with must provide as a minimum:
- a valid operating licence
- evidence they are in possession of valid indemnity, public liability insurance and transport-specific insurances
- coach transport suppliers must agree to the standards laid down in our Coach Operator Land Transportation Code of Practice, and must complete our transport safety assessment, which covers the management of driver hours and fatigue, driver recruitment (including DBS checks, where appropriate), vehicle maintenance and emergency procedures
- all air, rail and sea transportation provided as part of a tour complies with regulations set down by the appropriate Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Civil Aviation Authority or equivalent regulatory body in the country of operation
Transport options
If you would like more information on the transport or accommodation providers we use, please contact us.
Air travel
We use low-cost, scheduled airlines including Lufthansa, EasyJet, British Airways and Flybe. Most flights will depart from London, but we will accommodate requests for regional departures where possible.
All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay, you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate, go to: www.caa.co.uk
Cross-Channel ferry
Travelling across the English Channel by ferry is a convenient and economical way to reach many European destinations.
We usually use the main short-sea ferry operators, including P&O Ferries, Brittany Ferries and DFDS Seaways, and our tour itineraries are based on a Folkestone – Calais crossing. Due to Travelbound’s long-standing partnership with the main short-sea ferry operators, we are able to secure the best possible ferry time crossings during peak travel periods.
Eurostar
The Eurostar is the only high-speed train that directly links the UK to destinations in France and Belgium via the Channel Tunnel. Many groups find it a convenient and speedy alternative to flying or coach travel.
Trains depart the UK from London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet or Ashford, with the fastest journey times taking you from London to Paris in 2hrs 15mins, or London to Brussels in 2hrs. Check-in time is only 45mins and your group will automatically receive reserved seating, ensuring groups can sit together.
Trains
Europe’s high-speed train lines can get you from one destination to another in a very short space of time and at reasonable prices. Travelbound can book return train transfers from your local station to resort, or during your tour to connect between cities.
Coach travel
Coach travel offers the convenience and flexibility of door-to-door transport, and can include the use of the coach throughout your stay (subject to drivers’ hour regulations).
We use executive coaches, designed for continental travel, equipped with seat belts, reclining seats, toilet, stereo and TV system with DVD, and drink-making facilities. Some of our school groups also use standard coaches – which also have seatbelts – for short-haul trips.
Please note that while all UK-sourced coaches will feature seat belts, it is not a legal requirement in many overseas destinations for coaches and buses to be fitted with safety restraints.
Public Transport
Local public transport systems – including buses, trams and metros – provide an affordable and easy way to navigate cities across the world. Travelbound can prearrange these tickets for you and have them waiting for your arrival.
Please note that the standards of public transport used by groups or individuals during a tour are outside of our control.