Coaches and Minibuses

Which kind of coaches can you hire in Paris?

The Arc de Triomphe in Paris

We hire all types of bus and minibus in Paris

Vans for up to 8 passengers, minibuses with up to 19 seats or 36 seats, coaches with 49, 53, 57 seats, the coach companies we work with in Paris have a wide variety of recent and comfortable vehicles.

The minibuses and coaches we hire in Paris are generally equipped with air conditioning, a microphone for the tour guide or the tour manager, reclining seats and sometimes toilets (reserved for emergencies). They are recent and in very good condition.

Our coach partners from Paris are conscientious and comply with vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements.

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Which types of coach can I hire in Paris?

Coaches are available in all capacities (number of seats) and all levels of comfort. All coaches manufactured today are fitted with safety belts. Although unofficial, the classification generally accepted by coach operators distinguishes between several types of coach.

A VIP minibus is the best choice for small groups attending an event or a conference

A 19-seater VIP minibus

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Luxury coaches and minibuses (vehicules VIP)

VIP vehicles (minibuses and coaches) are in a class of their own because each coach company may require specific equipment: tables, neck rests, leather seats, limited number of seats, etc. There is no exhaustive list.

If you would like to hire a VIP vehicle, be sure to specify this in your request for a quote, as not all our coach partners have VIP minibuses or VIP coaches. As the luxury minibus hire market has a low volume of business, few coach companies invest in this type of very expensive vehicle.

A VIP or luxury vehicle is naturally more expensive than any other type of coach.

A Grand Tourisme coach is very comfortable, it's fully equipped and has a larger space between each row of seats

A 57 seater full executive coach

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Full Executive Coaches (autocars Grand Tourisme)

As their name suggests, "Grand Tourisme" coaches (or Full executive coaches) are suitable for long national or international journeys. They are generally used for journeys lasting several days or excursions totalling several hours. However, these coaches are often supplied for simple transfers or short stays.

Full executive coaches are characterised by the presence of comfort features not necessarily found in other types of bus: reclining seats, well-spaced rows of seats, air conditioning, toilets, a microphone for the driver and guide, a fridge, one or more screens, luggage racks above the passengers, footrests and drop-down individual tables.

A "Grand Tourisme" coach has several luggage compartments.

A Tourisme coach is almost as comfortable as a Grand Tourisme coach, but it has a bit less space between each row of seats

A 57 seater executive coach

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Executive Coaches (autocars de Tourisme)

Executive coaches offer less comfort than "Full executive" coaches. The spacing between the rows of seats is smaller, allowing more rows of seats in a vehicle of the same size.

Another difference may be the absence of toilets in the touring coach, but this is not always the case. Finally, footrests and individual drop-down individual tables are not always present.

In truth, many coach companies make no distinction between a Full Executive coach and an Executive coach because they are often similar in terms of equipment and comfort.

This is undoubtedly the best value for money for groups on a moderate budget

A Standard coach is less comfortable than a Tourisme Coach. Usually seats are not reclining seats and it has no toilets

A 63 seater standard coach

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Standard coaches (autocars mixtes)

Standard coaches, also known as "autocars mixtes", are less comfortable: the seats are not suitable for trips lasting several days or for journeys that are too long.

A service provided in a standard coach is generally billed less expensively, so it's worth asking for this type of vehicle if you're on a budget.

We'll be able to tell you about the comfort features of its standard coach: whether or not it has air conditioning, a microphone, a luggage compartment, etc.

It is accepted that a standard coach does not have toilets, that its seats do not recline and that its rows of seats are fairly narrow.

A school bus is the cheaper and the less comfortable type of bus in France

A 59 seater school bus

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School Buses (cars scolaires)

This is the least comfortable category of vehicle. There are no toilets, luggage compartments or reclining seats. It is therefore impossible to use a school bus when travelling with luggage.

Air conditioning and microphones are also rare in school coaches. However, they are fitted with seatbelts, as required by law.

This is the cheapest type of coach you'll find.

What you should know about luggage

When renting a bus in Paris, choosing the correct vehicle size is crucial, especially if you're traveling with luggage. Not all buses, including coaches and minibuses, are equipped with spacious luggage holds.

For instance, a 19-seater minibus typically fits only about 15-16 passengers if they carry cabin-sized luggage. However, if passengers have larger suitcases, the capacity reduces to 10-11 people. Therefore, for a group of 19 travelers each with one piece of luggage, a 25/30-seater coach is recommended to ensure adequate space for all luggage.

Moreover, the most frequently used 53-seater coaches in Paris comfortably accommodate 53 passengers, each with one suitcase. This makes them an ideal choice for larger groups ensuring that everyone's luggage is properly stored

Car seats are not compulsory on buses in France, unless the children cannot stand on their own in their own seat.

Car seat regulations in France: what you need to know

In France, car seats are mandatory in cars and minivans that have fewer than 10 seats, for children up to and including the age of 9.

However, for minibuses and coaches, car seats are not required.

If you're traveling by minibus or coach with young children, you have the option to bring your own car seat. The driver will assist by indicating which seats have 3-point belts suitable for securely attaching your car seat. Typically, a coach is equipped with 6 seats that feature 3-point belts; the remaining seats usually have 2-point belts, which do not accommodate car seats.

It's crucial to note that in coaches and minibuses, every passenger, including infants and young children, must have their own seat. It is strictly prohibited for children to be held on laps. For infants or very young children who cannot sit independently, a car seat is required.

Traveling in a minivan with fewer than 10 seats along with children? Please inform us of your children's ages. We will coordinate with the transport provider to check the availability of suitable car seats or booster seats.

Choosing the right coach equipment for your needs in Paris

When renting a coach or minibus in France, it's important to consider that not all vehicles come with the same amenities. The level of equipment available varies, typically increasing with the luxury of the coach or minibus. Understandably, the rental cost is also influenced by the quality and features of the vehicle.

If you are exploring coach rental options, your budget plays a crucial role in deciding what you can afford:

For Budget-Conscious Travelers:If your priority is to find the most economical option, it's best to keep your requirements minimal. When requesting a quote, specify that you are on a tight budget. We will recommend a coach that offers basic amenities and is more cost-effective to operate. Take a look at the different types of bus, as described above.

For Those Seeking Comfort:If comfort is your top priority, please specify the essential equipment you need in your vehicle. Opting for a higher-standard coach with more features will cost more but will enhance your travel experience with superior comfort and convenience.

Let us know what type of coach you are interested in hiring for your trip to France by reviewing the options available below and indicating your preferences.

Here are just some of the equipment that coaches and minibuses can be fitted with.

Tell us which ones are absolutely essential for you.

  • Seats belts (compulsory in France)
  • Microphone & PA system
  • Reclining seats
  • WC (not available on a minibus)
  • Drop-down individual tables
  • Disabled access
  • USB sockets on each seat
  • Reading lights

Availability of toilets in a coach

Toilets in a coach

When hiring a coach, one common question is whether the coach will be equipped with a toilet. Typically, only larger coaches, those with 40 seats or more, come with toilet facilities.

It’s important to understand that these toilets are intended for emergency use only and are not designed for frequent use by multiple passengers consecutively. This consideration is both for the comfort of passengers seated near the toilets and for the driver, who is responsible for cleaning the toilets after use.

Please be aware that we cannot guarantee the availability of toilet facilities on the coach you rent. While we might initially confirm a coach with a toilet, the actual coach assignment can change last minute due to the coach company's operational needs, which may affect the amenities available.

Moreover, it's important to note that minibuses, school coaches, and standard buses typically do not have toilets. Given these variables, guaranteeing a coach with toilet facilities is not feasible, and we aim to be transparent about this limitation.

If having a toilet on board is crucial for your trip, please specify this when you make your booking, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs based on the available fleet.

Finally, depending on the type of coach you need, please note that minibuses, school coaches and standard buses are not equipped with toilets.

Break scheduling for long bus journeys

During long bus journeys, it is customary for bus drivers to take a break approximately every two hours. These breaks are essential for the driver's safety and well-being, and they provide an opportunity for passengers to use restroom facilities at freeway service stations or to simply stretch their legs. The frequency and timing of these stops can vary depending on the trip’s schedule and traffic conditions.

When you request a quote for coach hire in Paris from us, we will factor in these necessary stops to create a travel schedule that best fits your group's needs.

For optimal planning, we recommend that the group leader meet with the bus driver at the start of the journey to discuss and agree on the timing of desired stops. If your group requires more frequent breaks, this can be communicated to the driver as needed.

Additionally, it's important to note that European coach legislation mandates that drivers must take a break of at least 45 minutes for every 4.5 hours of driving during the day, and every 4 hours during night-time hours. These regulations are in place to ensure the safety of both the driver and the passengers.