The current study proposes a comparative approach of two forms of non-formal educational activities: the school trip and the scientific educational academic trip with their similarities and differences regarding both tourist and pedagogical levels. In order to acquire this goal the following objectives have been set: analysing a geographical-tourist itinerary, analysing the involved tourist services, analysing the trip planner for the specified itinerary, analysing certain teaching activities, differentiated based on the level of study (pre-university/superior), analysing students and undergraduates' worksheets after they have been completed according to the requirements. Consequently a series of similarities have appeared between the school trip and the academic trip, especially related to the theme, purpose, evaluation form, participants' involvement degree, structure and integrated tourist elements (from attractions to services). On the other hand, the main differences that were highlighted, starting with educational level, age difference, and participants' number have had repercussions on the quantitative and qualitative particularities of the tasks and last but not least, on the evaluation product (students' portfolios and undergraduates' trip notebooks).