School trips, camps and exchanges (viajes de estudios): costs and opting out

Key rules

• Trips are voluntary: Paid trips are voluntary, and a child who does not go must still be supervised at school that day.
• End-of-stage trip: Budget about 300 to 600 euros for short trips and 600 to 1,500 euros for trips abroad, paid in instalments.
• Day outings: Most day outings cost 5 to 30 euros per child.
• Too expensive: Speak to the tutor, school management or AMPA early, before the first payments fall due.

What trips cost

Costs run from a few euros to well over a thousand. Budget by type of trip.

• Day outings (salidas escolares): usually 5 to 30 euros per child, including coach and entry. Local outings, such as a museum or park, are at the low end, around 3 to 10 euros. Farm schools, theatre trips and science parks usually cost 12 to 30 euros. You normally pay the school or the AMPA by transfer, in cash or through an app, and sign an authorisation slip.
• School camps (convivencias): 3 to 5 days, often in 5º or 6º Primaria or 1º ESO. Expect about 150 to 400 euros, often paid in two or three instalments.
• Language exchanges: with schools in countries such as France, the UK, Germany or Ireland, about 300 to 900 euros for one to two weeks, plus the child's travel. Immersion trips to English-speaking countries cost about 1,000 to 2,500 euros for two to three weeks. Some regions and Erasmus+ projects subsidise exchanges, so ask the school.
• End-of-stage trip (viaje de estudios): usually for 4º ESO or 1º Bachillerato, sometimes 6º Primaria. About 300 to 600 euros for short or domestic trips, and 600 to 1,500 euros for trips abroad or longer stays.

Prices depend on the school, region, distance and travel agency.

How the end-of-stage trip is paid

You pay in instalments: a deposit of about 100 to 200 euros when you sign up, then monthly payments until the trip. The trip is usually in spring, often March to May, and payments often start the autumn before or sooner. The AMPA or the parents' representatives often handle the agency's billing. Cancellation and refund rules depend on the contract, so read it before you pay the deposit.

Many classes run fundraisers, such as raffles (rifas) and sales, which lower the price for everyone. Joining in is the easiest way to cut the cost.

If the cost is too high

You have options, and schools usually try not to leave a child out for money reasons. The decision block below sets them out. In short:

• Talk in confidence to the tutor or the school management (dirección).
• Ask the AMPA. Many have solidarity funds or help families in need.
• Ask for a longer instalment plan.
• Ask your town hall, your regional education department or Servicios Sociales about aid. They sometimes cover complementary activities.

Paid trips are voluntary, and a child who does not go must still be supervised at school that day. Expect the school to offer alternative activities during school hours.

Outings that are part of the curriculum and take place in school hours generally cannot be charged in public schools beyond real costs, though this depends on school rules. If you are asked for more, ask the school to explain the charge.

Choosing between options

What can you do if a trip costs too much for your family?

• Ask for instalments: The trip is affordable if spread out; most trips already allow monthly payments.

• Ask the school or AMPA for help: You cannot pay the full amount; speak in confidence to the dirección or tutor, or ask whether the AMPA has a solidarity fund.

• Look for outside aid: The cost is still too high; ask the town hall, regional education department or Servicios Sociales about help with complementary activities.

• Join class fundraising: The trip is a big one such as an end-of-stage trip; rifas and sales lower the price for the whole class.

• Opt out of the trip: Nothing else makes it affordable. Paid trips are voluntary, and your child must be supervised at school that day with alternative activities.

Start with the cheapest steps: instalments, then school or AMPA help, then outside aid. Opt out only if none of them brings the cost within your budget.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start paying for the end-of-stage trip?

Start budgeting in the autumn of the year of the trip, because payment is normally in instalments. A deposit of about 100 to 200 euros is due at signup and the rest is paid monthly until the trip, which is usually between March and May.

Can a class lower the price of its end-of-stage trip?

Yes, many classes run fundraisers such as lotteries (rifas) and sales that lower the price for everyone. Ask the AMPA or the pupils' parent representatives how the money is shared and whether the agency contract allows refunds if your child cannot go.

Are language exchanges and school camps subsidised?

Yes, some regions and Erasmus+ projects subsidise language exchanges, but this depends on where you live and the programme. Ask the school or your regional education department what is available before you pay a deposit.

Who can help if my family cannot afford a trip?

Start with the school management (dirección) or your child's tutor, who usually try not to exclude pupils for money reasons. The AMPA may have a solidarity fund, and the town hall, regional education department or Servicios Sociales sometimes cover complementary activities.