Welcome to Rayburn Tours, where the art of travel has been our passion since 1965! With six decades of expertise in crafting unforgettable school tours and group travel adventures, we stand out as a vibrant, family-run business dedicated to delivering extraordinary experiences. In 2025, we were proud to be named Best School Tour Operator (Large) at the School Travel Awards, which highlights the expertise and care that goes into every trip we organise.
Today, our growing team of over 100 experts work together to craft tailor-made school trips that give over 30,000 people the opportunity to explore the wonders of the world – in the UK, across Europe and beyond…
Our specialist teams create remarkable Educational Tours, School Sports Tours, School Ski Trips, School Adventure Trips, and Concert Tours for youth music groups as well as Concert Tours for adult music groups. All our tours are tailor-made to match the preferences and personality of your group – unique and unforgettable experiences on tap!
Our number one aim is to support teachers, schools and music group leaders in creating exciting, inspirational and truly unforgettable experiences. We understand the challenges of organising fantastic school trips abroad – balancing the expectations of parents or concert group members can be nerve-racking! Choosing the right school tour company for your students, the right concert tour provider for your members, is crucial, and that’s where we come in! With our extensive experience coordinating successful trips, we’ve got the pressure covered, so you can focus on the fun stuff!
Rayburn Tours has been nominated for School Travel Awards!
Rayburn Tours is honoured to be nominated for Best School Tour Operator (Large) at the School Travel Awards 2026, recognising the passion, expertise, and dedication that go into every tour we create.
Last year, we were incredibly proud to take home the title – a true testament to the hard work and commitment of our team, as well as the continued trust teachers and educators place in us to deliver unforgettable experiences. Every tour is designed with education, enrichment, and cultural exploration at its heart, helping students broaden their horizons both inside and outside the classroom.
Why Rayburn Tours are the perfect partner for school trips
- All school trips abroad are tailor-made – you’ll work with a dedicated Tour Coordinator to craft the perfect tour for your group!
- We have specialist teams that focus on our educational tours, school ski trips, school sports tours, school adventure trips, and music tours.
- Your group’s safety and financial security are paramount, and our accreditations ensure your group, and their money, are in safe hands.
Trusted by groups for over 60 years!
30,000
Passengers travel with us every year on educational trips abroad.
92%
Of group leaders would recommend us.
4.6/5
Last year's average customer service rating!
Real experiences
Why groups choose to travel with us
Educational excellence
We’re passionate about setting the gold-standard in educational travel, making us a stand-out among school trip companies. Authentic, real-world experiences and bucketloads fun are at the forefront of what we do. We’re an educational travel company who believe fun and memorable experiences are key ingredients when it comes to effective learning for students! School residential trips, new ideas, new cultures, new perspectives and unforgettable memories await – let us craft the school trip of a lifetime!
Discover Educational Trips
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the meaning of a school tour?
A school tour is an organised educational trip that takes students outside the classroom to enhance learning through real-world experiences. Rayburn Tours designs tailor-made school tours that combine curriculum-based learning with cultural, historical, geographical, sporting, or language experiences to help students develop knowledge, confidence, and life skills.
- How to do a school tour?
To organise a school tour with Rayburn Tours:
- Choose your educational objectives and destination.
- Contact Rayburn Tours to discuss your requirements.
- Work with a dedicated Tour Coordinator to create a tailor-made itinerary.
- Confirm your booking and complete the necessary travel documentation.
- Prepare students and parents with pre-departure information before travelling.
- Rayburn Tours supports schools throughout the planning process, from enquiry to returning home.
- What to look for during a school tour?
When taking part in a school tour, students and teachers should look for:
- Opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-life experiences.
- Cultural and historical insights. Educational activities linked to the curriculum.
- Safe, well-organised transport and accommodation. Opportunities for teamwork, independence, and personal development.
- Rayburn Tours focuses on creating enriching, safe, and memorable educational experiences.
- How long do school tours usually last?
The length of a school tour depends on the destination and educational objectives. Rayburn Tours offers flexible, tailor-made itineraries, with most school tours typically lasting between 3 and 7 days, although shorter and longer trips can also be arranged to suit each school’s needs.
- What to bring on a school tour?
Students should bring:
- A valid passport or required travel documents (if travelling abroad).
- Comfortable clothing and suitable footwear.
- Weather-appropriate clothing.
- Personal toiletries and any prescribed medication.
- Spending money (if advised).
- A notebook or learning materials if required for educational activities.
- Chargers and any essentials listed in the school’s pre-departure information.
- How to prepare for a school tour?
To prepare for a school tour:
- Read the itinerary and travel information carefully.
- Complete all required consent forms and documentation.
- Pack according to the destination and weather.
- Attend any school pre-trip meetings.
- Ensure passports, visas (if required), and insurance details are ready.
- Learn about the destination and the educational objectives to make the most of the experience.
- Rayburn Tours provides ongoing support and clear communication before departure to help schools prepare successfully.
Responsibly Rayburn
Sustainability isn’t a buzzword to be thrown around!
While we may not have all the answers, we’re dedicated to making a meaningful contribution to protecting our planet when embarking on school trips abroad. Whilst perusing our educational trips abroad, don’t hesitate to check out our latest achievements and what we hope to implement going forward!
Visit our Sustainability Hub