Teen Travel Program Cost Guide: What Parents Should Know
When families ask about trip cost, they are usually asking a practical question:
What are we paying for?
That is the right place to start.
RLT tuition covers the core trip experience: lodging, meals, in-country transportation, group gear, admissions, guide fees, special events, private tours, field leadership, pre-trip support, and the systems that help a trip run well.
We are not trying to be the cheapest teen travel option.
We are trying to be clear about what is included, what is not included, and where families should plan for additional costs.
What tuition includes
RLT tuition includes just about everything during the trip itself.
That includes:
- All meals during the program
- All lodging during the program
- In-country transportation, excluding airfare
- Laundry and shower facilities
- Group gear
- Admissions
- Tolls
- Guide fees
- Special events
- Private tours
- Trip leaders and on-trip support
- Pre-trip communication and a detailed packing list
- RLT office support while trips are running
The exact lodging depends on the trip. Some programs are tent camping. Some use hostels, guesthouses, simple hotels, private group houses, yurts, lodges, or a mix.
The exact gear also depends on the trip. RLT provides group gear, including tents, cooking equipment, and specialized activity equipment needed for the program. Families are responsible for personal clothing, toiletries, and individual gear listed on the trip-specific packing list.
What tuition supports behind the scenes
The number on each of our trip pages also supports the people and systems behind the itinerary.
Every RLT leader is required to complete a 10-day in-house staff training, hold Wilderness First Responder certification with CPR and AED training, complete American Red Cross Lifeguard or equivalent training, receive Mental Health First Aid training, and pass a comprehensive background check including driving record verification.
RLT’s Medical Protocols and Standing Orders are reviewed annually by a Licensed Medical Advisor. RLT also has 24/7 access to an emergency medical physician, location-specific Emergency Action Plans, evacuation routes, and relationships with local communities.
RLT is accredited by the American Camp Association.
Those systems are not extras. They are part of what it takes to run small-group teen travel well.
What tuition does not include
Families should plan separately for:
- Flights from home to the trip start airport and home from the trip end airport, unless a trip page says otherwise
- Trip insurance
- Personal clothing and toiletries
- Individual camping gear, such as a sleeping bag and sleeping pad, when required
- Passport fees, and visa fees when applicable
- Personal spending money
- Baggage fees
- Any trip-specific personal gear listed on the packing list
RLT strongly recommends trip insurance for all programs. It is required for all international trips and optional, but strongly encouraged, for domestic trips.
Families book most flights separately. Do not book flights until RLT sends the official travel windows.
A note on internal flights
Some trips include additional internal flights that RLT books on behalf of the group and adds to a final invoice.
Current trip pages list this for:
- Thailand: Bangkok to Chiang Mai
- Italy: Rome to Sardinia
- Greece: Kefalonia to Athens
- Scotland & Ireland: Edinburgh to Dublin
- Southeast Asia: additional internal flights confirmed by RLT
Always check the Travel + Packing section on the specific trip page we send you. That is where internal flight notes, arrival airports, departure airports, and luggage details are listed.
2026 trip pricing
For the most current pricing, see the individual trip page. As of the current 2026 pages, tuition is listed as:
2026 trip pricing
For the most current pricing, see the individual trip page. As of the current 2026 pages, tuition is listed as:
7-day trip
Maine: Pathway to the Pines
7 days, $3,150
14-day trips
California: Pacific Sun
14 days, $5,195
Colorado Middle School: Tails of Kindness
14 days, $5,195
Colorado High School: Call of the Wild
14 days, $5,295
Yellowstone: Into the Geysers
14 days, $5,495
Puerto Rico Middle School: Reefs to Rainforests
14 days, $5,595
Costa Rica Middle School: Journey Through the Jungle
14 days, $5,595
Costa Rica High School: Coast to Canopy
14 days, $5,995
Puerto Rico High School: Reef Restoration
14 days, $6,295
Dominican Republic: Caribbean Community
14 days, $6,295
Hawaii: Island Exploration
14 days, $6,295
Alaska: Midnight Sun
14 days, $6,495
Iceland: Nordic Elements
14 days, $6,595
Azores: The Secret Island
14 days, $6,595
France & Italy: Alps Adventure
14 days, $6,595
Scotland & Ireland: Celtic Isles
14 days, $6,595
Spain: Connect Through Community
14 days, $6,695
Italy: Dive the Med
14 days, $6,995
15 to 16-day trips
Japan: Bridges & Blossoms
15 days, $7,350
Peru: Mystic Mountains
16 days, $6,295
Morocco: Desert Nights
16 days, $6,795
Greece: Coastal Conservation
16 days, $7,395
20 to 21-day trips
Thailand: Elephants, Education, and Cultural Exploration
20 days, $7,495
Southeast Asia: Journey Through Asia
21 days, $7,495
Norway: Peaks and Valleys
21 days, $7,495
Pricing and availability can change. Our individual trip pages are the best source before applying.
Pricing can change, and availability can change. Our trip pages are the source to use before applying.
Custom group trips
RLT also builds custom trips for schools, nonprofits, corporate groups, families, youth groups, clubs, and classrooms.
Custom RLT trips start from $2K per person. Every trip is tailored to the group’s goals, budget, age range, curriculum needs, and comfort level.
Current custom trip examples include Costa Rica, Azores, California, Wyoming, Utah, Hawaii, Yellowstone, Iceland, Peru, Colorado, Maine, Puerto Rico, Morocco, Thailand, Alaska, Greece, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Scotland & Ireland, France & Italy, Ecuador, and Flagstaff, Arizona.
For school and group trips, one free teacher or chaperone spot is included for every ten paying students.
Scholarships and financial support
RLT works with scholarship organizations and reserves a minimum of 10% of enrollment for program scholarship recipients.
Families interested in scholarships or financial aid should complete the scholarship form or schedule a call with our team.
We would rather talk through the real numbers with you than have cost be a guessing game.
Questions families often ask
What is included in tuition?
Tuition includes meals, lodging, in-country transportation excluding airfare, laundry and shower facilities, gear, admissions, tolls, guide fees, special events, and private tours.
Are flights included?
Usually, no. Families book flights to and from the trip’s start and end airports after RLT sends official travel windows. Some trips include internal flights that RLT books for the group and adds to a final invoice.
Is trip insurance required?
Trip insurance is required for international trips. It is not required for domestic trips, but RLT strongly recommends it.
How much spending money should my teen bring?
RLT suggests at least $100 per week for personal items, souvenirs, stamps, postcards, and baggage fees. The amount may vary by destination.
Do we need to buy gear?
It depends on the trip and what your family already owns. Some outdoor trips require personal camping gear like a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Norway requires a 70-liter backpacking pack and broken-in hiking boots. The trip-specific packing list is the source to follow.
Are scholarships available?
Yes. RLT works with scholarship organizations and reserves a minimum of 10% of enrollment for program scholarship recipients. Families should contact RLT directly or complete the scholarship form.
Talk with us
Cost should be clear before you apply.
If you are comparing trips, wondering what is included, looking at scholarships, or trying to understand the full budget beyond tuition, schedule a call.
We can walk through the trip details, what your family books separately, what gear is actually needed, and whether the program fits your teen and your budget.