Coach Hire Advice

Here are a list of ten coach hire tips and recommendations to help you in deciding whether to hire a coach, getting the most competitive prices and enjoying you coach hire experience.

Coach Hire Tip 1: Consider the time of year.

Like many businesses, the coach hire industry works on a seasonal basis. The peak season and so most expensive runs between June and August. If you are able to arrange your trip outside of peak season then you are far more likely to find cheaper coach hire prices.

Coach Hire Tip 2: Book early.

If you are unable to book your coach hire outside of the peak season, then another alternative is to arrange the coach hire as early on as possible.  As the demand for coach hire increases in peak season the prices increase. If you can book the coach earlier in the year then you stand a far better chance of getting a more competitive price for the coach.

Coach Hire Tip 3: Cheapest is not always Best.

Beware coach hire companies that offer an almost too good to be true price for your coach hire.  Ensure that the coach operator only uses quality coaches, and that they are aware of all your requirements. All too often you can be quoted a price for a coach that will be substandard.  Like most other things in life “You get what you pay for”.

Coach Hire Tip 4: Treat the coach driver well.

Look after your coach driver and he will look after you.  Coach drivers are very pleasant people and appreciate the finer things in life.  If you treat them nicely, then they are more likely to be understanding if your needs change at the last minute.  Paying for the coach driver’s accomodation on overnight trips goes a long way – otherwise a surcharge will need to be added.

Coach Hire Tip 5: Have clear information about your coach trip.

The more information you have available about your coach trip, then the more accurate your quote for coach hire will be.  Also, when considering your quotes, ensure that they are all like for like. For example has a certain company quoted for an Executive vehicle and the other cheaper quote is for a standard coach.

Coach Hire Tip 6: Consider using a coach as a “shuttle”.

If you have a large number of people to transport over a large distance, then consider hiring one coach to do shuttle runs between the pickup and destination points. This will reduce the price that you will need to pay. We can offer advice and recommendations as to the timings of the shuttle runs to prevent problems with legal working hours involved with Coach hire.

Coach Hire Tip 7: With large events, consider using a booking agent such as Coach Hire Booking. This allows you to use their experience of organising mass coach hire and buying power to ensure you get consistent and fixed rates.

Time is money – The better quality Coach booking agents are equipped to quickly recruit coaches at competitive prices due to their buying power.  They also offer additional services such as tracking and coach replacements.

Coach Hire Tip 8: Consider luggage space

Small sized vehicles aren’t equipped to carry large amounts of luggage. If you have an airport transfer for 16 people it may be that you need to hire a 24 seater coach to allow for the amount of luggage you are taking. (Don’t forget the return journey as well!)

Coach Hire Tip 9: Regional variations in price.

Like many other services, there is quite a difference in pricing for coach hire in London and other major cities such as Glasgow, Manchester.  Sometimes it can be cheaper to look further afield – this is where a coach booking agent can help.

Coach Hire Tip 10: Be clear about your requirements

Coach hire is quoted based on the information you provide. If you require the coach to stay all day, please state this as usually the price you pay is based on the timings you provide.

Some useful Coach Hire resources:

CPT – the Confederation of Passenger Transport
VOSA – Government Agency Responsible for ensuring the vehicle standards of coach hire operators.
VOSA’s Coach & Bus Operator search facility – check whether the coach company is real!

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