Booking group transport sounds simple: count the passengers and choose a vehicle with enough seats. In practice, the right size depends on more than the headcount. Luggage, the route, the number of stops and whether your numbers might change all play a part. This guide explains the options in our group fleet and how to choose between them.
The group vehicles at a glance
- Mercedes-Benz V-Class: a premium people carrier for small groups who want to travel together in executive comfort.
- 16-seater minibus: a practical choice for medium-sized groups, teams and family parties.
- 24-seater minibus or midi coach: a middle ground for groups too large for a minibus but not needing a full coach.
- 32-seater coach: for larger parties, corporate events and longer journeys.
- 37-seater coach: for bigger groups who want to travel together in one vehicle.
If your group needs something different, our other vehicles page explains how to enquire about alternatives.
Start with your passenger number, then add a margin
Begin with the number of people who will definitely travel. Then think about how certain that figure is. Event attendance often shifts in the final weeks, and a vehicle filled to its last seat leaves no room for late additions. If your group is close to the top of one size, it is worth asking the team whether the next size up would be more comfortable.
Equally, there is little benefit in booking far more seats than you need. A half-empty coach can be harder to position on narrow streets than a midi coach, and the team will usually recommend the smallest vehicle that suits the journey properly.
Do not forget the luggage
Luggage is the most common reason a group needs a larger vehicle than the headcount suggests. A group going to a dinner with handbags has very different needs from the same group heading to an airport with large suitcases, or a sports team travelling with kit bags.
Because luggage space varies between vehicles and depends on what is being carried, we do not publish fixed capacities. Instead, describe the luggage in your enquiry, for example “twenty passengers, each with one large suitcase and one carry-on”, and the team will confirm what is suitable.
Consider the route and the stops
Larger vehicles need more space to stop safely and to manoeuvre. Some central London streets, residential roads and hotel entrances are better suited to a minibus or midi coach than a full-size coach. If your pickup is in a busy area such as Westminster or Camden, include the exact address and any access information. The team may suggest a nearby pickup point that works better for a larger vehicle.
Multiple stops also affect the choice. If the vehicle is collecting passengers from several locations, a smaller vehicle may move between them more easily. If everyone is meeting at one point, a larger coach becomes straightforward.
One large vehicle or two smaller ones?
Sometimes two smaller vehicles work better than one large coach. This can be the case when:
- Passengers are coming from two different areas of London.
- Part of the group needs to leave earlier than the rest.
- The venue has limited space for a full-size coach.
- You want flexibility in case the schedule splits during the day.
On the other hand, a single vehicle keeps the group together, simplifies coordination and means only one driver and one timetable to manage. Ask for both options in your enquiry if you would like to compare them.
Matching size to common journeys
- Airport transfers for a visiting team: a V-Class or 16-seater for smaller groups, a midi coach or coach for larger delegations with luggage. See airport transfers.
- Corporate events and conferences: a coach for moving delegates between hotel and venue, or several vehicles running repeat journeys. See corporate travel and shuttle services.
- Wedding guests: a midi coach or coach for guests travelling between ceremony and reception.
- Day trips and group outings: a minibus for smaller parties, a coach for larger ones. See minibus hire and coach hire.
Comfort on longer journeys
For a short hop across London, passengers are usually happy in any well-presented vehicle. For longer journeys, such as an airport run from east London to Gatwick or a day out of the city, having a little more space can make a noticeable difference. If comfort matters for a longer trip, mention it and ask the team for a recommendation.
Information that helps the team recommend a size
- Total passengers, and the possible maximum.
- A description of luggage or equipment.
- Pickup, drop-off and any intermediate stop addresses.
- Dates, times and whether a return journey is needed.
- The purpose of the trip, for example an airport transfer, event or day out.
- Any access notes for venues or hotels.
Ready to plan your journey?
Browse the full fleet to see each vehicle, then request a quotation with your group details. If you are not sure which size is right, say so in your enquiry. The team will review the details, recommend a suitable vehicle, confirm availability and send you a quotation.
