School trips

School study trip to London by coach

A study trip to London by coach crosses the Channel at Calais, through the tunnel or by ferry. For the class that also means a border check, which calls for a passport and an ETA.

Free comparison, no obligation
You book directly with the coach company

London and 45 people are already filled in; you fill in the rest.

School trips

A school trip to London

Written and checked by Martijn Smeets, founder of BusOffer.com. Content last updated: October 2026.

With London, the border is the first thing to think about. Anyone travelling to the United Kingdom on a Dutch passport needs an ETA, a digital travel authorisation that you apply for at least three days before arrival. That also applies to children, and a Dutch identity card is only enough under special conditions. So check well before departure that every pupil has a valid passport and an ETA; other rules may apply to pupils with a different nationality.

The coach crosses the Channel at Calais. With LeShuttle it goes through the tunnel to Folkestone in 35 minutes; the coach company books that crossing itself. The crossing appears as a separate item in the price you see after filling in your trip.

The whole class travels together, so nobody arrives separately or late
No hassle arranging and insuring several parents' cars
The driver drives and finds the way, so no parent has to navigate

What the place itself says

What the government and LeShuttle say

You need a valid passport to travel to the United Kingdom; a Dutch identity card is only enough if you meet special conditions.
With a Dutch passport you need an ETA for a stay shorter than 6 months, which you apply for at least 3 days before arrival.
Children also need a valid passport and an ETA.

Source: Nederland Wereldwijd (Dutch government), travel advice for the United Kingdom, read on 6 October 2026.

Apply for an ETA through the UK government's website or app; other websites may charge more.

Source: GOV.UK, electronic travel authorisation, read on 6 October 2026.

LeShuttle carries coaches through the tunnel between Calais and Folkestone, in 35 minutes from platform to platform.
A coach company books with its own account at LeShuttle.

Source: LeShuttle, coach operators, read on 6 October 2026.

A coach driver drives at most 9 hours a day, and twice a week at most 10 hours.
After 4.5 hours of driving there is a 45-minute break; with two drivers, only a stop to swap is needed.

Source: Dutch government (Rijksoverheid), driving and rest times in road transport, read on 6 October 2026.

The rules at the UK border change. Have another look at the travel advice from Nederland Wereldwijd (the Dutch government's travel advice service) before you leave.

How far is Calais by coach?

Estimated by road from the nearest cities, to Calais, where the crossing to London begins. You see your actual route to London and the travel time as soon as you fill in your trip.

From Middelburg164 km
~2h24 From Delft251 km
~3h33 From The Hague252 km
~3h34 From Rotterdam253 km
~3h35

When

In which month a coach costs more or less

The difference per month for a school trip to London, compared with an ordinary month. A coach company can apply this more or less strongly for itself.

more expensivecheaperordinary month

On top of that, a Saturday, a Sunday or public holiday, or a trip at night can cost extra. What it means for your day to London, you see as soon as you fill in your trip.

Preparation

Three things to arrange

Before you send a request

Explicitly ask for the driver's VOG (the Dutch certificate of conduct, a background check)
Count the supervisors in the number of people: you hire the whole coach, and they need a seat too
Check the first aid equipment on board

What does coach hire to London cost?

For London, the crossing, the number of days and whether the coach stays in London all count. If the coach drives back in between, it also drives the whole route empty, crossing included; enter your dates and you will see what is in the breakdown. What you finally pay depends on your place of departure, the type of coach and the date.

Your place of departureThe number of peopleThe day and the timeHow long the coach stays

Compare providers for London

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about coach hire to London

Does a pupil need a passport for London?

Yes. According to the Dutch government's travel advice you need a valid passport, and with a Dutch passport an ETA as well. An identity card is only enough under special conditions.

Is the crossing to England included in the price?

In the price you see after filling in your trip, the Channel crossing appears as a separate item. The coach company books it and confirms the final amount.

Is the price estimate I see final?

No, it is a price estimate based on your route and group size, not a confirmation of availability. The coach company itself confirms the final price and availability after you have sent a no-obligation booking request.

Does it cost anything to request a booking?

No, requesting a booking is always free and without obligation. You are not committed to anything until the coach company has confirmed the final price and availability and you agree.

See what a school trip to London costs

London and 45 people are ready. Fill in your place of departure and your day.