Coach Operator Partners

We vet our coach operator partners strictly before offering them the opportunity to work on our tours. We offer 49, 53, 57 or 72 seater coaches. All of the 49 seater coaches are modern, fully executive vehicles with microphone and stereo system, televisions, videos, toilets, reclining seats and First Aid kits. Some have coffee machines for staff use. Our standard 53 and 57 vehicles do not have videos, televisions or toilets. The 72 seater decker coaches that we operate are fully executive and often have a kitchen area with microwave as well as video surveillance to aid in supervision of pupils on the upper deck. All coaches are equiped with seatbelts according to The U.K. Department of Transport.

Drivers are briefed on their required behaviour prior to the tour. We ask that drivers consult with the Tour Director and school Party Leader where necessary. Because we work very closely with our coach operator partners, we tend to have an excellent working relationship with our drivers, who surpass the high standards of professionalism and service that we expect from them.

All vehicles that we use have passed the roadworthiness tests of the countries in which they operate. We conduct frequent inspections on coach operators' licences as well as their foreign breakdown cover policies.

Overnight journeys

In response to a coach accident near Lyon, France in 2003 involving a school party that were travelling through the night, the French Department of Transport raised concerns about the safety of overnight coach transfers involving two drivers. Varsity Travel believe that however rested drivers may be prior to an overnight coach transfer, there is always an increased risk of accidents and cases of falling asleep at the wheel. Consequently, we do not undertake any overnight transfers of any sort whatsoever. With the ease and inexpense of low-cost flights, we believe that the days of punishing 24 hour coach transfers are behind us.

Airlines

Our all-inclusive Study Tours by air represent excellent value for money. With direct flights and the most advantageous departure timings, it is possible to pack a great amount of sightseeing into a short tour. We endeavour to use the most convenient departure airports in order to minimise UK coach transfer times. We only use scheduled airlines including Iberia, Alitalia, British Airways, Easyjet, Ryanair and Thomsonfly.

Varsity Travel (Schools)
Limited
46 Onslow Gardens,
Muswell Hill
London N10 3JX

t: 0208 444 4097
f: 0208 711 5952
email