How many staff should we take on the tour?

One more than you first think of!

It might be that your staffing ratio is laid down from above, either senior management or local authority.  Commonly, it is 1 teacher per 8 pupils for younger age groups and 1 per 10 for older age groups.

I always recommend that you take one more, provided there is room on your coach.

The reason is simple - if a child is taken ill or is injured, a staff member will have to stay with them at all times.

This means that the rest of the group will have fewer staff per pupil, with the added load for each of the teachers involved.

The additional cost, particularly if you are travelling by coach, is minimal - just the extra overnights, meals and entrance fees.  Ask your tour operator for quotes for both options.


If you are travelling by air, then there is an extra air fare, too, but it is still worth getting both quotes before you decide.