Is school travel still worth it in 2025? Making the case amid the cost of living crisis
In an era where inflation bites harder, household budgets are stretched thinner, and lots of families are forced to prioritise the essentials over extras, one question looms for many parents, teachers and even students: is school travel still worth it in 2025?
Once an exciting staple of the school calendar, trips abroad or even local escapes have long been hailed as an enriching experience for students. No matter where the destination, these journeys have traditionally offered learning opportunities far beyond the classroom.
But as the cost of living crisis deepens, such trips are increasingly being seen as luxuries rather than necessities. The sad reality is that lots of families may struggle to find the money to send their child away with their school.
So, should travel still be part of modern education, and how can teachers make the case for organising school trips amid the cost of living crisis?
The rising cost of educational travel
There’s no denying that travel in any form, whether a school trip, family holiday, corporate retreat or any other getaway, is getting more expensive. Post-pandemic inflation, increased transportation costs and changing travel regulations (especially after Brexit for UK schools) have pushed prices even higher.
A week-long European trip that might once have cost £300 - £400 can now run upwards of £800 - £1000 per student!
For families already struggling with energy bills, rent hikes and surges in food prices, these figures can be extremely daunting, especially if you have more than one child.
The result is that more and more parents are being forced to opt-out on behalf of their children, and schools often find themselves navigating the ethics of inclusivity, who gets to go, and who’s left behind.
Of course, it’s not just the parents who feel the pinch. Schools are also facing budget constraints and must often subsidise trips or rely on fundraising to make them happen.
This has led some institutions to cut back or replace overnight travel with local, single-day experiences. While more affordable, these often lack the same immersive quality that residential or international trips can provide for students.
The case for keeping school travel alive
Despite the financial strain, there remains a strong case for preserving school travel, particularly taking students abroad.
The benefits of these trips, academic, personal, and social, are well-documented and experiential learning can help to deepen a student’s understanding in a way that textbooks in the classroom simply can’t.
For example, standing in the ruins of Pompeii or exploring the trenches of World War I battlefields gives history more context and is far more immersive.
Similarly, practising a language in its native country reinforces fluency and confidence.
Then, of course, you have the opportunity to visit countless museums, cultural landmarks or scientific institutions, exposing students to perspectives and careers they may never have considered.
As if all that wasn’t enough, school trips strengthen important transferable skills like independence, resilience and social bonding. For many students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, these journeys can be their first real glimpse of the world beyond their immediate community.
This exposure to new places and cultures can be life-changing.
Evolving to meet the moment
At BTG Travel, we firmly believe that abandoning school travel is not the solution! Instead, the current climate calls for a reassessment and reinvention of how it’s done.
For one thing, more schools are looking at domestic options that are shorter, cheaper and easier to organise. These alternatives can still deliver high-quality learning without the same financial burden.
And while local trips are great, there are some undeniable benefits of going abroad. So, those looking to go further afield must evolve to meet the moment. This will likely include:
Carefully planning these trips far enough in advance that you secure the best deals
Working with specialists in the educational field, such as flight consolidators and tour guides, to get the most for your money - plus the extra support when planning the trip
Choosing the most budget-friendly destinations possible outside the UK
Finding ways to free up money in the budget (without having a negative impact on classroom learning)
In addition to taking these important steps, educators should consider forming partnerships with charities, local businesses, and grant-giving bodies like the Turing Scheme. They might also host big charity events to help raise money to subsidise the trip.
This can help bridge the affordability gap, reducing the costs for students, particularly those from low-income families, ensuring that cost isn’t a barrier to opportunity.
School trips are still so important - they just need rethinking
Though it is true that in 2025, school travel is not as simple or as affordable as it once was, this does not mean it is no longer viable.
The cost of living crisis demands tough choices, and no one can blame families for focusing on immediate needs. But to discard school travel entirely would be to lose something valuable: the kind of education that extends beyond exams and into real-life experience.
Therefore, it’s vital that schools do not abandon it, but rather adapt. Educators must be careful and creative. Through thoughtful planning and a commitment to equity, school travel can continue to inspire, educate and broaden young minds.
And at BTG Travel, we are proud to be a part of that. We help teachers secure the best deals on group flights, as well as offering vital support before, during and after the trip.
So, if you’re planning your next school trip, let us help. Get in touch with our talented team of flight specialists today.