Travel by coach is excellent value for money and with the comfort of modern touring coaches and the superb continental motorway systems it has never been easier. Your coach conveniently collects you from school and returns you to school (mainland groups) and keeps the party together for easy supervision. You will also have full use of your coach for the duration of your tour, subject to EU legislation concerning drivers’ hours..
You will also have full use of your coach for the duration of your tour, subject to EU legislation concerning drivers’ hours.
STS Coach Specifications
Standard Touring Coach:
Generally these are 49 seater modern touring vehicles with PA system, CD/Cassette radios and forced air ventilation.
Full specification Coach (on all 'Express' Coach Tours involving overnight travel on the continent):
Generally these are 49 seater modern touring vehicles with reclining seats, drinks service, DVD (sometimes video) and toilet. Please note the toilet is considered to be for emergency use only.
We recommend that parties bring their own DVDs/videos and music CDs/cassettes for en route entertainment. No refund will be given if a DVD or video player develops a technical fault.
Double Decker Executive Coaches:
The availability of suitable executive double decker vehicles, generally between 67 and 72 seats, is very limited. When available a minimum group size of 60 full paying passengers is required.
N.B. Double decker coaches are generally older and do not have the same levels of passenger comfort, luggage space or manoeuvrability in comparison with single decker coaches.
Which Coach?
Featured tours involving no overnight travel on the continent are generally operated by a standard touring coach with one driver. Express tours, which involve overnight travel on the continent, are operated by a luxury touring coach with two drivers. To upgrade to a luxury coach, where a standard touring coach is included in the tour price, a supplement is payable of £1.00 per paying passenger per day based on a minimum of 35 paying passengers.
Air Conditioning
STS are able to obtain a limited number of air conditioned luxury touring coaches. Supplement of £2 per person per day for tours based on a standard vehicle. Supplement of £1 per person per day for tours based on a luxury vehicle. These supplements are based on a minimum of 35 paying members.
Party Size
All our coach tours are based on a minimum group size of 35 paying passengers and offer a free place ratio of 1 teacher per 8 paying students. Supplements for smaller parties are available on request.
STS Coach Groups from Scotland
All passengers travelling from Scotland will have a full specification coach for all coach tours without a supplement (excluding special offer tours).
STS Ferry Services
We work with all major ferry companies and can therefore offer you a wide range of cross-Channel ferry routes. The standard Channel crossings for each tour are detailed on the relevant brochure page.
Alternative crossings can be requested at a supplementary charge. Whilst we will make every effort to secure the ferry route of your choice, this cannot be guaranteed.
Brittany Ferries from Plymouth
Parties travelling to Cantabria can choose from coach travel through France or a mini-cruise from Plymouth to Santander.
P&O North Sea Ferries
Parties travelling from the North of England or Scotland may prefer to take the overnight luxury ferry service from Hull to Zeebrugge or Rotterdam. Groups usually reserve economy cabins.
Prebooking of on board meals is optional. We would be pleased to quote for this option which is most suitable for parties travelling to Belgium, the Netherlands, Northern France or the Rhineland area of Germany.