Frequently Asked Questions
1) What dates do you have available? - At Schools Into Europe we try to understand the needs of our Party Leaders and therefore aim to be as flexible as possible. Therefore we work at meeting your requirements rather than the other way round. Through years of experience of working with a large selection of highly recommended independently owned suppliers we are able to offer tailor made tours and day trips at any time of year without it costing you extra.
2) Does making a Provisional Booking put me under any obligation? - Not at all. Making a provisional booking only means that we can then advise you of what is available for your chosen dates. Accommodation, coaches, ferry crossings and excursions can be in high demand at certain times of the year, so we strongly advise you to make a provisional booking early on to get the best for your group.
3) What kind of a deposit do you require and when do you require this by?
a) As standard for all day trips and transport only (i.e., exchanges) we require a £20 per payer deposit. Deposits will be due as soon as your party has been formed and the final balance will be due 4 weeks before departure.
b) For Tours (i.e., trips which include accommodation) we require only a £40 per payer deposit. Deposits will usually be due as soon as your party has been formed. Some accommodation may give an option date for payment of deposits and we will inform you of this as appropriate. Normally, a second deposit of £50 is due 8 weeks after the first, with the final balance due 10 weeks before the date of departure.
Schools Into Europe is also aware that on occasion these deadlines are not always easily achievable and we endeavour to be as flexible as possible.
4) Does Schools into Europe have a Safety Management System? - Yes! Schools Into Europe is very proud to offer what we feel the best safety management system on the market today. Recognising the necessity of ensuring that the highest levels of security and safety are adhered to on all of our trips and tours we have developed, in conjunction with independent health and safety specialists, a comprehensive generic risk assessment and safety management system thereby ensuring that all of our suppliers adhere to stringent safety guidelines which we demand and which our customers expect.
5) Do I require a Collective Passport? - This is entirely at the discretion of the Party Leader. Some Party Leaders prefer the security of a collective passport while others prefer only to take children with their own passports. The cost is £39.00 and covers up to 50 people (under 18 only). On day trips this cost must be borne by the group; however, on tours (with overnight stays) we deduct this from the total cost of the trip where a collective passport is required.
Please note it is the Party Leaders’ responsibility to apply for the passport and that, from 1st January 2005, any questions on this matter should be raised directly with the Home Office Identity and Passport Service. The only method for making this application is online. Please visit their website by clicking here for further details.
6) Are all coaches fitted with seat belts on every seat? – Yes.
7) How many seats are normally on a coach? – 49, however depending on availability we can provide larger coaches.
8) What happens if an extra person wishes to join the trip or tour? – Contact us as soon as you can, we will always try to accommodate extra people as long as there is room on the coach and in the accommodation.
9) When can you tell me which coach company we will be travelling with? – We can provide the details of the coach company shortly after receiving a definite booking, but we reserve the right to change this if it is in your best interests.
10) Where are my ferry / shuttle tickets? – We provide a ticketless service – to make your trip as easy and convenient as possible, simply quote the reference number on your itinerary.
11) Where is my rooming list? – Simply send in your final specialist information form and we shall endeavour to produce the rooming list as soon as possible. Please note however, that the accommodation always reserves the right to amend a rooming list and usually releases the information approximately 10 days before departure.
12) Why do you need to know the intended use of the coach? – This is to ensure that the coach company can operate in a safe and legal manner.
13) How many single rooms am I entitled to and how much do they cost? - An odd number of men/women will mean 1 person is entitled to a single room free of charge, £25 per person per night. (This is subject to availability.)
14) How many free places are we entitled to? – 1 - 10 for a day trip and 1 - 8 for a tour.
15) If we don’t use all of the free places we are entitled to for staff, can we use them to take an extra child? – Unfortunately no, free places are provided to help ensure the safe supervision of the children.
16) Can we go on an inspection visit? – Yes.
17) Can you provide names of other party Leaders and schools in our area that have travelled with Schools into Europe? – Yes.
18) Can we go on the ferry and come back on the shuttle? - Yes.
19) How late can I make changes to the passenger list? – At any time.
20) When do we have to leave school if we are going on a day trip? – We shall ensure that we arrange the best departure time to fit in with your wishes and your proposed itinerary.
21) What medical arrangements do I need to make before travelling? – It is the responsibility of each individual to seek any appropriate medical advice from their GP (or local equivalent) before travelling. Please advise us of any special requirements well in advance, so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
For British subjects travelling abroad, we also strongly recommend that you take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which replaced the E111 form some years ago, and which allows access to state medical facilities. For more information on this, please consult the EHIC website by clicking here.
22) Where can I get up-to-date travel information? – The Foreign and Commonwealth office provides up-to-date information for British travellers, and takes responsibility for the safety of British subjects abroad. If you would like general information, or have a more specific query concerning any given destination, we would advise that you consult their website by clicking here. Alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you.
23) Do you provide travel insurance? – Schools Into Europe provides travel insurance for its trips where requested in partnership with Endsleigh Insurers, and the inclusion or not of travel insurance is clearly indicated on your paperwork. Please note that the provision of insurance is subject to our receiving the necessary information which we request from you. If you are unsure as to whether or not your booking includes insurance, please do not hesitate to contact us. For more information on the insurance which we offer, please click here.
