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United Kingdom

Bus Hire Prices - A Guide To Calculate Bus Hire Rates In The United Kingdom

by Richard

Are you planning to hire a bus shortly, and are you familiar with hiring group transportation in the United Kingdom? These two questions raise legitimate concerns about organising group transportation. Many people who first try to hire a bus have never done so before, and looking for the best deal, they simply opt for the cheapest rate. But this is not easy, as rates are often never the same for every trip.

Bus hire rates depend on certain factors, including the type of vehicle, the time of the year, the type of event, the excursion distance, and many more. Here at thecoachcompany.co.uk, we have compiled information to help you with your bus hire budget. Below are the rates and a rough guide to United Kingdom bus hire rates.

Bus Type Per Hour £ Per Hour £
Coach 100 - 175 850 - 1500
Mini Bus 60 - 120 500 - 850

Every trip is different, and so is every bus hire quote, and we continue to see how the coachcompany.co.uk reservation team calculates the rates for hire.

The Factors That Contribute To Bus Hire Rates

No matter the reason for your bus hire, each quote will be different. You may be in charge of planning a golf tour or a company event, but it does not matter, as each quote is calculated based on six important factors.

The Distance And Duration Of The Excursion

Before you contact the coachcompany.co.uk reservations team, you must have certain information ready so we can give you the most exact quote for your bus hire.

  • (1) Pick Up Details
  • (2) Drop Off location
  • (3) Excursion destinations
  • (4) All relevant times

This information will be needed as bus hire rates are calculated by the day, hour, and mile. Normally, there is some form of minimum distance; when you travel locally, your price will be calculated by the hour. Longer distances are priced either by the kilometre or per day.

Here at thecoachcompany.co.uk, we know that things can change, and last-minute alterations will be accommodated but may be at an additional fee should journey details alter significantly.

As a guide, the normal bus hire rates calculated by the hour are for corporate events, school excursions, and wedding trips. Longer excursions priced by the day or kilometre are multi-day festivals, sports tournaments, interstate travel and mission trips.

Calculate Bus Rental Costs in the UK - Learn How to Find Affordable Rates
A group of people boarding a modern double-decker bus in front of a historical landmark in the UK.

Time Of Year / Season

Were you aware that bus hire rates can be seasonal? Rates tend to go up during busy periods due to the high demand. But by the same token, hiring a bus in the low season will be cheaper.

In the United Kingdom, the busiest periods are May, June, and July, when the school term dictates prices. Rates will be more expensive on public holidays, Christmas, and New Year. The cheapest months tend to be January, February, and August. Try to secure your bus hire early. Booking six months in advance can get you a better price.

Where Is the Pickup?

Different cities in the United Kingdom will have different bus hire rates. This is due to how many bus companies cover a particular area. If your party travels from a place with fewer group transportation companies, expect to pay more. Also, remember that if your pickup location differs from where the bus is coming from, you will be charged a premium. So pick a local bus or coachhire company to your pickup location. This is where thecoachcompany.co.uk Bus Hire can offer such great rates. We have depots in every major city in the United Kingdom, so we are always local.

The Type Of Bus

There are so many different types of vehicles you can hire that you must select the appropriate one for your excursion. There is no point in paying for extra seats or hiring a luxury vehicle for a school rugby trip. Smaller groups will benefit from hiring a minibus, but larger groups are better off having a full-sized coach to accommodate the passengers and luggage.

Driver's Time, Hotel Accommodation, Gratuity

All the drivers we use at thecoachcompany.co.uk are licensed and fully professional, no matter what kind of vehicle you hire. So, as a customer, you must understand that NHVR regulations must be adhered to, governing the times that the driver must take a break and limiting the number of total hours the driver can work within 24 hours. If your bus hire exceeds these times, you will be charged for a second driver. Your rate will go up, but this is a small price to pay for your passengers' safety. If your excursion is overnight and you have opted for the bus to stay with you, you might have to cover hotel accommodation for the driver.

If you are wise about booking your group's overnight accommodation, hotels often throw in driver's rooms free of charge. Here at the Coach Company UK, we recommend 3-star rated accommodation for the driver so he will be well rested the following morning to continue your trip safely. Most of our quotes do not cover any driver gratuity. Driver gratuity is not expected, but should you receive service that you feel deserves a tip, we recommend between 10-20% of the total hire. You can ask our friendly advisors for other options if you do not want to tip with cash.

Affordable Bus Rentals in the UK - Plan Your Group Trip with Ease
A large group of friends smile and wave from a window of a spacious coach bus travelling through the beautiful British countryside.

Additional Travel Fees

The Coach Company UK reservations staff can help you calculate any additional fees that may occur during your trip. For example, tolls for roads and bridges, parking permits, and other transport expenses can impact the hire cost.Ensure you tell us the specifics of your journey so we can calculate expenses and build them into the quotation. Things like hotel parking permits are really up to you to deal with yourself, and we can only plan and advise you if we are made aware.

Once you have accepted our quote, the Coach Company UK reservations staff will send you the terms and conditions of hire. We recommend you read this document carefully, as it outlines any deposits due and payment schedules. Following the above advice, you can calculate almost exactly what your bus hire rates will cost. This will help you work out your transport budget for your upcoming excursion and make planning the trip easier.

Conclusion

Bus or coach hire is a great way to explore the UK comfortably and conveniently. By considering the size of the bus hire you need, the amenities and features you require, and the cost of bus hire rates, you can find the right UK bus or coach charter company that will fit your budget. With these tips for a successful and affordable trip, you can ensure your journey is enjoyable and stress-free.

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This experience has set a high bar for future corporate travel needs. Highly recommended! Alex Hayward
The value we received for our money was outstanding. I'm definitely looking forward to our next event, as I'll be booking with them again without hesitation. Glenda Maher
The whole experience was seamless and the value for money was excellent. I highly recommend their services and will definitely be using them again for future events. Tom Ratten
The value for money was just the cherry on top of an already superb service. Highly recommend for any educational institutions looking for reliable and high-quality transportation. Richard Novian
I've been on several coach services before, but the experience we've had with this company stands out by a mile. Looking forward to the next opportunity to travel with them! Mary Shewring
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