Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Select Travel Service is an inbound tour operator that designs and operates tailor-made group travel programmes across the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe. We work for travel agencies, tour operators, educational institutions, associations and private group organisers to plan itineraries, manage ground arrangements and deliver memorable group tours for their clients, students, members and delegates.

We specialise in group travel rather than individual leisure holidays. Our services suit travel agencies and tour operators, private groups, special-interest groups, student and educational groups, corporate and incentive groups, and faith and performing arts groups. We design group tours around culture, heritage, gardens, history, film and literature, faith-based travel, education, sport, meetings and incentives, alumni travel and more.

Unfortunately, no. We work exclusively with groups, and we're not able to arrange individual holidays or bookings for families or small parties travelling independently. We work with travel agent, tour operators, schools & universities and associations. 

We don't run tours of our own. Every sample itinerary on our website is just that - a sample of the kind of bespoke group tour we can build. Each programme is a custom group itinerary, designed around your group's requirements and fully tailor-made to suit your clients' interests, budget, pace, travel dates, accommodation style and learning or travel objectives.

We organise group tours across the UK, Ireland and Europe. Popular destinations include England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Italy, France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic and more… 

Just let us know what destination(s) you have in mind, and we’ll help you create something special.

Yes, many of our group tours combine multiple countries into a single seamless itinerary. 

For example, a journey starting in Ireland, taking the ferry across to Scotland, and continuing down through England, or a European route through Spain and Portugal or Italy, France and beyond. 

One trip, several destinations, and one team coordinating it all from start to finish.

Yes, we design student group tours across the UK and educational travel programmes throughout Europe, built around subjects including history, literature, performing arts, faith, fashion, criminology, nursing and more.

Explore more here.

Yes, we design faith-based group travel and pilgrimage tours across the UK and Europe, including programmes connected to Christian heritage, cathedrals, churches, religious history, pilgrimage routes and faith communities.

Explore more here.

Yes, we support meetings, incentives and corporate group travel across the UK and Europe with tailored programmes covering accommodation, transport, dining, activities, cultural and exclusive experiences and destination arrangements.

Explore more about MICE here.

As a tour operator built around group travel, our general minimum group size is 10 passengers, but we're always happy to discuss how we can support smaller groups too.

There isn't really a limit. We're comfortable handling large group tours, we've worked with groups of up to 1,500 people.

Quotations for your group tour are generally submitted in GBP or EUR, depending on the destinations featured in your programme.

It depends on the size and complexity of your programme, but we'd recommend starting the conversation as early as possible, particularly for larger groups, peak season travel, or destinations with limited availability. That said, we'll be happy to discuss shorter-notice requests too.

You can request a group tour quote here and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. To help us put together your group tour quote as quickly as possible, it's useful to include your preferred destination, travel dates, approximate group size, budget range, group profile, itinerary interests, accommodation standard and any must-see visits or special requirements.

Every group tour quote is built around your specific brief, but typically includes accommodation, transport, guiding, entrance fees and any special experiences you've asked us to include.

Yes, definitely! We can help with early-stage group tour planning, so you have something attractive to present to your clients or members. 

Final pricing will usually depend on confirmed dates, passenger numbers, availability and service levels.

Yes, we can review an existing group tour itinerary, suggest improvements, check logistics, provide pricing, add special experiences, or operate the programme on the ground.

We require full payment in advance of your tour. Details of deposit and final payment deadlines will be specified at the time of submitting a quote and will be dependent on your itinerary and the suppliers involved. 

Working with Select Travel Service as your Destination Management Company (DMC) and ground handler gives you destination expertise, itinerary planning, supplier coordination and 24/7 operational support, all in one place. 

Rather than a ground handler vs direct booking approach, where you'd manage multiple hotels, coaches, guides, restaurants and attractions separately, you have one specialist partner coordinating the entire programme.

Working with Select Travel Service as your Destination Management Company (DMC) and ground handler gives you destination expertise, itinerary planning, supplier coordination and 24/7 operational support, all in one place. 

Rather than a ground handler vs direct booking approach, where you'd manage multiple hotels, coaches, guides, restaurants and attractions separately, you have one specialist partner coordinating the entire programme.

Select Travel Service is headquartered in the UK, with additional offices supporting our partners in North America, Italy and Spain.

Established in 1933, Select Travel Service has been creating group travel programmes for more than 90 years, making us one of the more experienced UK tour operators in the group travel market.