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What information do we need to calculate a quote for coach hire in Paris?
The more precise and detailed your quote request, the more closely the quote we send you will match your expectations.
To do this, you can use our quote request form to provide the information requested. It's quick and includes everything we need to give you the best possible quote for your coach or minibus hire.
If you're not comfortable with requesting a quote by form, you can email us at getaquote@coach-hire-france.com. In this case, please remember to indicate the following points:
- How long is the coach hire period? Do you need a single ticket, a return ticket, a whole day or a trip lasting several days?
- What are the dates of the trip? This is very important, as hiring a coach on a Sunday or public holiday costs a little more than on a weekday, for example.
- What is the point of departure? Tell us the exact address and we'll check whether it's accessible, depending on the size of the minibus or coach. If the location is not accessible, we will tell you where the coach will pick you up.
- What is your destination? Here too, tell us the exact address, or the name of the hotel, the name of the airport... We'll be able to tell you whether your driver will drop you off there or nearby.
- What are the journey times? This is another important piece of information, because if the date is close, we need to be sure that a minibus or coach is still available at your time. The closer the date, the fewer vehicles and drivers are still available. What's more, knowing the time at which you need to travel is essential, as coach or minibus hire in Paris in the evening or at night is charged at a slightly higher rate.
- Will you have luggage? And if so, how much and approximately how big? This is not an anecdote, as a van can't always hold 8 large pieces of luggage, and a 19-seater Mercedes Sprinter minibus can't usually hold more than 12-13 large suitcases. This information will enable us to decide on the size of vehicle you need for your trip. Please note that it is strictly forbidden to carry luggage on coach seats, for obvious safety reasons.
- Do you have any important details to add so that we can correctly calculate the price of your coach hire in Paris? Do you plan to make stops en route, vary the number of passengers depending on the journeys to be made, take a particular route rather than another? All details are important, so don't hesitate to give us too many!
What factors influence the price of a minibus or coach hire in Paris? Find out all about it!
There are many factors that can affect the price of a bus rental in Paris. Here are the main things you need to know:
- Type and size of vehicle: the choice between a minibus and a coach can have a significant impact on the cost of hire. While minibuses are generally cheaper and suitable for smaller groups, opting for a luxury minibus can cost as much or more than larger coaches designed for larger groups.
- Level of comfort: basic coaches, such as school buses, are the most economical option, but very few coach companies offer them as they are usually reserved for school trips within Paris. However, for greater comfort, many groups opt for touring coaches or luxury coaches, which come with extra equipment and are therefore more expensive.
- Mileage: The total number of kilometres travelled by a coach has a direct impact on the cost of hire. When we calculate the distance a coach will travel, we take into account the distance between the depot where the coach is based and the pick-up point for the group (i.e. the distance travelled without passengers), the distance that will be travelled with the group to reach its destination, and finally the distance that the coach will travel to return to its depot. So a short journey estimated at 20 kilometres may in fact represent a hundred kilometres for a coach, depending on where its depot is based.
- Fuel costs: the price of fuel varies constantly and has a major impact on the price of a minibus or coach hire. All quotations are drawn up at a specific point in time but, as the law allows us to do, rates can be revised upwards or downwards in the event of a sharp change in the price of fuel (plus or minus 20 euro cents per litre, for example), even after an order has been confirmed and the initial amount paid. This happened in 2022 at the start of the war in Ukraine.
- Starting point: using a Paris-based coach company when your journey begins in Paris can cut costs considerably. This strategy minimises unnecessary travel, which saves time and reduces distance-related expenses. For example, on a five-day trip to Normandy that departs from and returns to CDG airport, it is better to use a coach from Paris because it will not have to make any journeys without passengers. On the other hand, a coach coming from Caen or Bayeux will have two long journeys to make without passengers, totalling over 500 kilometres.
- Date and time: hiring a coach at weekends, on public holidays or during the peak tourist season generally involves higher costs due to increased demand. In addition, evening and night hires are more expensive because of the extra pay given to drivers who work these shifts.
- Driver salaries: driver salaries vary from one company to another and are a major factor in overall costs. As in all professions, higher salaries generally translate into better quality of service, as well-motivated drivers are more likely to deliver a better experience.
- Company pricing policies: coach companies can have very different pricing strategies, which affects the cost of services. Having worked with hundreds of suppliers since 2008, we know that the same service can cost double depending on the coach company you choose. Our experience enables us to guide you towards the most reliable and satisfactory coach hire options in Paris, guaranteeing good value for money.
How do I calculate the duration of a coach journey?
Our customers often consult Google Maps to calculate their journey times. It's a good idea, but the same journey takes longer by coach than by car. To put it simply, if a journey by car takes 45 minutes, a coach will take around an hour.
Twenty minutes by car? Thirty minutes by coach. Two hours by car? Two and a half hours by bus.
Beware, these bases are not always exact: rush-hour traffic and traffic jams have an impact on journey times. Rest assured, we can tell you how long your journey will take, although this is not an exact science.
For longer journeys, it's best to ask us, as we have to take into account the compulsory breaks that coach drivers must respect.
Flexibility in changing your journey route or timetable
Before finalizing your coach booking, you have the flexibility to adjust the details of your journey as needed. Whether it's altering the route or modifying the timetable, these changes can be made freely. If your modifications impact the cost, we will update your quote accordingly to reflect any changes in the price of the services you intend to book.
However, once the coach has been booked, making changes becomes more complex. Should you need to adjust the route or timetable after booking, we must first verify the feasibility of these changes with the coach company. This is necessary because any alterations you request might affect the arrangements made for other groups.
If the coach company can accommodate your requested changes, we will then assess if there is a difference in the cost. Depending on whether the adjusted service is less expensive or more costly, we will either refund part of your payment or require an additional fee to cover the increased price. This ensures that you only pay for the exact services provided.
How can I reach Toursud by phone?
In short, we're available 24/7 in case of emergency. We give our telephone number to everyone to whom we send a bus rental quote.
We'd like to point out that it's more convenient to talk to us by email: it gives us time to analyze the details of your coach booking file and offer you the most suitable response.
However, if you prefer, you're welcome to call us (in English or French) to discuss your coach rental project or booking. We are generally available Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm (Paris time). You'll speak with Coralie or Arnaud, and we'll be your sole contacts for organizing your coach rental in France.
As the service you've booked approaches, we'll also give you a telephone number reserved for emergency calls at night. So if you need to contact us at night, we'll also be available to answer your call.