Getting to campus

Four times a year, students travel from many countries to our campus in Hochrindl, Austria. We plan every journey together with each family before each session, so that students arrive safely, on time and ready to begin.

Where students arrive

Students can fly into four international airports: Vienna, Venice, Salzburg or Ljubljana. The nearest main railway stations to campus are Villach and Klagenfurt, and the last part of the journey is by minibus up the mountain road to Hochrindl.

Session dates are published well in advance in the school calendar, so families can book flights early. Each session begins and ends with travel days.

How students get to campus

Every student is met at the airport or station and brought to campus by our team.

Meridian transfer, for every student Our team meets students at one of the meeting points and travels with them to campus by train and minibus, and back again at the end of the session.

• Airports: Vienna, Venice, Salzburg, Ljubljana
• Train stations: Villach, Klagenfurt

Getting to the meeting point Families choose how their child travels to the airport or station where our team meets them:

• With a parent. A parent travels with the student to the airport or station and hands them over to our team.
• Unaccompanied minor service. For younger students, families book the airline’s service. Airline staff look after the student on the flight, and our team signs for them at the arrival gate.
• On their own. Older students with travel experience fly or take the train on their own and meet our team at the agreed meeting point, keeping in touch on the way. This option is agreed with the family in advance.

Note: Families are also welcome to bring their child directly to campus instead. Families book and pay for travel to the meeting point; the transfer from there to campus and back is organized by Meridian.

• Before travel. Families share flight details, travel documents and any unaccompanied minor requirements with our team.
• On the way. Families receive updates as students meet the group and arrive on campus.
• Going home. The same in reverse at the end of each session, timed to departure flights.

Travel as part of growing up

Students take on more of the journey as they are ready.

Learning to read a departure board, manage a connection or find a meeting point in a new city is part of becoming independent. We agree each student’s level of independence with the family and build it step by step.

1. Travelling with a parent. A parent travels with the student to the meeting point.
2. Unaccompanied minor service. Airline staff look after the student on the flight; our team takes over at arrivals.
3. Flying alone to our team. Students fly without the airline’s service and meet our team at arrivals.
4. Planning the route themselves. Experienced older students plan their own journey to the meeting point, keeping in touch with our team.

Arrival day on campus

Arrival should feel like joining a community, not checking into a hotel.

1. Welcome and check-in. A calm, quick check-in. Travel documents and medications are handed to staff for safekeeping during the session.
2. Settling in. Students find their room, meet their roommates and get a short tour, often from a returning student.
3. Joining in. Board games, ball games, music or just hanging out while the rest of the group arrives.
4. First evening. Dinner and a community gathering. Everyone knows their room, their people and what happens next.

FAQ

Who pays for travel?

Families book and pay for travel to and from the meeting point. The transfer from there to campus and back is organized by Meridian for every student.

Can my child fly alone?

Yes. Depending on age and airline rules, students fly with the airline’s unaccompanied minor service or, if they are older and experienced, on their own. Either way, our team meets them at the airport. We agree the right option with each family.

What if a flight is delayed or cancelled?

Our team tracks arrivals on travel days. Let us know as soon as possible, and we will adjust the pick-up or arrange for a staff member to meet your child later.

Can we visit or bring our child ourselves?

Of course. Families are welcome to bring their children directly to campus, or to travel with them to the meeting point and hand them over to our team.