When you start planning a school expedition, you’re bound to have a long list of priorities. Jostling for the top spot on that list will be considerations including destination, experiences, safety and inclusivity. But arguably, price will always be the most important factor. Because if your students can’t afford it, they can’t go. It’s as simple as that.
In light of this, here’s a philosophical question for you: does a higher price automatically indicate a better product or service? With even a moment’s sober reflection, it’s clear the answer is ‘no’. But, despite this, when certain brands put eye-watering price tags on their products, people are prepared to pay them. That’s because there’s a perception that the more you pay for something, the better it is. This phenomenon is known as ‘premium pricing strategy’.
You’ll commonly find premium pricing in the technology and fashion arenas – but it’s at play in school expeditions too. If you’re at the enquiry stage of planning a trip, you may well be perplexed by the disparity in quotes you get from different companies. Natural consumer behaviour is to think that the lowest quote equates to the worst experience and the highest quote equates to the best. Here at STC Expeditions, we firmly assert that this is not the case.
Although our quotes most often come in lower than our competitors, it’s not because we cut corners. It’s because our pricing policy is fair and transparent. We believe you should only pay for what you get and it’s also important to us that the experience of travel should be open to as many students as possible. We take personal care of you and your group from first-enquiry stage right the way through to the post-trip debrief. Our safety standards are exemplary, we provide comprehensive insurance and there’s an STC Expeditions team member on standby 24/7 to offer help. We make trips easy and enjoyable for teachers and organise once-in-a-lifetime experiences for students.
You might ask why we’re cheaper, but we think it would be better to ask why our competitors are more expensive. While lots of tangible things influence price, from air fares and accommodation to catering and in-country activities, plenty of intangibles are at work, too. If your chosen provider demands a high profit margin and has a complex team located in swanky offices, you end up paying for all of that. We keep our prices down by running a tight ship, with reasonable margins and a super-lean team of enthusiastic experts all working from one modest office. The price you pay includes all the essentials you get with other, pricier, providers. We also include some things you might not be expecting:
- Itineraries, posters and assembly slides to help you build interest
- Info packs for parents and convenient online registration
- Support from a dedicated UK team member
- A thorough medical clearance process with an independent travel health specialist
- Trip specific medical information
- Entry requirement briefs and training advice
- Fundraising advice
- Teacher final packs which include useful advice and passenger information
- Trip prep workshops and kit lists
- A well equipped medical pack
- Expert local leaders and a full-time in-country ops team
- Risk assessments and EVAC plans
- Cancellation, medical and repatriation insurance
- Emergency management by Pharos Response
- Guidebooks, luggage labels and T-shirts
So, taking all of this into consideration, just how affordable can our school expeditions be? We’re happy to put our money where our mouth is and tell you:
If you’re travelling in 2025, a 6-day trip to Morocco comes in at £1,445pp for 25 to 30 students and 3 teachers. Groups of 20 to 24 students with 3 teachers can spend 12 days in this vibrant destination for £1,995pp. As it combines dynamic cities with other-worldly deserts and dramatic mountains, Morocco demonstrates that exciting cultures and thrilling adventures are just a short-haul flight away from the UK.
For £2,345, a group of 20 to 29 students and 3 teachers can spend 9 days in Romania. This under-rated destination combines the mystery of the Carpathian Mountains with the diverse architecture of post-Communist Bucharest. Ancient forests are home to brown bears and wolves, while adrenaline-fueled adventure abounds in Transylvania’s breathtaking landscape.
If you want to travel further afield, a 12-day trip to Peru costs £3,245pp (for 20 to 25 students and 3 teachers), while 8 days in India for a group of 21 to 25 plus 3 teachers comes in at £2,195pp. To make the long-haul flight worth it, we offer 21-day trips to Borneo for £3,945pp when 21 to 25 students travel with 3 teachers.
To find out more about our service, chat through destination options and get a tailored quote for your trip, contact us via phone, email or our enquiry form.