Full-size coach hire for large groups
When the whole group needs to travel together, a full-size coach is the natural choice. Here is what to expect from one, and where a smaller vehicle might serve you better.
What 49-57 seats and 12 m³ of luggage space give you
A full-size coach seats 49-57 passengers and has underfloor luggage bays; a 13 m Tourismo, for example, has about 12 m³. That is room for a school year group or a conference delegation with full-size suitcases, and nobody has to nurse a bag on their knee. These coaches are roughly 12-14 m long, on two or three axles.
Passenger seats come with seat belts, and where a belt is fitted, it must be worn. The driver holds a category D licence.
Typical features
- Driver holds a category D licence
- Tachograph fitted; driving and rest times per Regulation (EC) 561/2006
- Seat belts at passenger seats; wearing them is compulsory where fitted
- Two- or three-axle, roughly 12-14 m long
Cities where a 12-14 m coach cannot reach the door
Many European cities restrict large coaches. Paris has kept tourist coaches out of its centre since 2024, Vienna's Innere Stadt has had a coach driving ban since 1 May 2014, and Prague's historic centre is closed to coaches, which use perimeter stands instead. Amsterdam asks coaches above 7.5 tonnes for an exemption before they cross into the S100 ring.
None of this rules out a coach. It simply means planning drop-offs with a short walk. If door-to-door matters, perhaps for older travellers, two midi coaches may be the kinder option.
Driver hours on multi-day tours
Every coach has a tachograph fitted, and Regulation (EC) 561/2006 sets the limits on driving and rest. On a multi-day tour, the operator plans each day around those rules, including breaks on long motorway stretches, so share your full itinerary early. A route that looks easy on a map can be tight once rest is counted.
Questions
What is the seating capacity of a full-size coach?
Typically 49-57 passengers, with luggage in the underfloor bays.
Can a coach drive into every city centre?
No. Paris, Vienna, Prague and Amsterdam all restrict coaches in their centres, so drop-offs are planned around that.
Are there seat belts?
Yes, passenger seats have them, and a fitted belt must be worn.
What are the driving limits on a long day?
The daily limit is 9 hours behind the wheel, stretchable to 10 twice in a week, and once 4.5 hours have been driven, a pause of at least 45 minutes must follow.
Trip types we arrange
- Transport for conferences, trade fairs and company events
- School trip transport across Europe
- Minibus and coach hire for sports teams
- Wedding transport for guests and couples
- Transport for church groups and pilgrimages
- Wine tours by minibus and private car
- River cruise transfers for groups and families
- Accessible transport for groups and travellers
Need a coach for a large group?
Tell us your group size, dates and route and we will source a coach from a licensed partner operator.
Request a quote or call 442046529800