One of the most convenient forms of transportation for group travel, such as school trips, corporate events, and holidays, is coach hire. Travelling in coach is sustainable, cost-effective, and comfortable. However, aside from the quotation provided during the initial consultation, there are other things or hidden costs that affect the final price.
Some of the factors affecting the hidden cost include vehicle type, group size, hire duration, and travel distance. There are also additional fees depending on your needs, so ensure to budget things wisely to avoid surprises.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common hidden costs to watch out for when booking coach hire.
1. Vehicle Type and Group Size
Some of the factors that can significantly affect your final bill for coach hire include group size and vehicle choice. Usually, the vehicle choice relies heavily on the number of passengers. For instance, if the number of passengers is around 13 to 24, you can opt for minibuses. On the other hand, if you have a larger group, some full-sized coaches can cater to your needs.
So, if you want to budget wisely, make sure that the number of seats of your chosen vehicle corresponds to the number of passengers.
2. Route and Mileage Charges
The distance and duration of the travel can also affect the final cost of the coach hire service. If you’re travelling to far places, and there are different routes involved, you might need to prepare more budget for the coach hire. Although you can ask for the mileage limit allowed by the operators, if it exceeds, you need to pay for the per-mile charges.
Besides, you’ll never know if you need to make detours, or if someone from the passengers requests to go to another store, if you’re tourists.
3. Driver Accommodation and Meals
Most coach hire companies include a professional driver as part of the service. This can help you have a comfortable travel experience, increase safety, and reliability. However, if the travel distance is too long, there might be additional costs, such as the driver’s meals and accommodation. Of course, there’s always a base quote, but if you exceed the recommended travel distance and number of hours, additional fees might reflect on your final bill.
4. Tolls, Parking, and Other Fees
When travelling, there are expenses on the road that the coach hire company won’t cover, so you should set a budget for the bridge crossings, tolls, parking fees, congestion zones, and access charges for national parks, airports, and museums. Some of these fees are often added if you’re visiting tourist areas.
If you’ve found a reputable coach hire company, these fees are usually transparently quoted, so you’re aware of what you’re paying for. So, if you don’t see the breakdown on the quotation, you can either ask for it or look for another coach hire company.
5. Cleaning or Amenities Fees
Aside from the fees included before and during the trip, there are also additional fees that may be incurred once the trip is over. Usually, it includes a cleaning fee if there are spilt drinks or trash left in the coach. If there are damages, such as damaged upholstery, toilet, or other amenities, the coach hire company might include the fees for the repair. Of course, there will be additional fees once the damage has been proven to have been done by your group.
6. Waiting Time and Overtime Charges
As mentioned, some trips may take too long, or even overnight. When you need to travel and have a coach and a driver wait for you, you’ll also need to pay for the waiting time and overtime charges.
For short local trips, there may be a standard fee that requires a minimum period of hire, or there is also an option to pay an hourly rate. But if your trip will take days or at least a night, the package might not include the extended vehicle use and driver’s accommodation.
7. Seasonal and Weekend Surcharges
The timing of the trip and reservation also affects the total cost of coach hire. If you don’t book in advance, and there’s a high demand for coach hire services, expect the total cost to be significantly higher compared to weekdays and regular seasons.
So, if it’s your first time hiring a coach for a trip, ensure that you understand the right timing and the benefits of early booking and trips during less demanding times.
8. Fuel Price Adjustments
The price of fuel can be unpredictable, so you should also check if there’s a clause in the contract that allows fuel price adjustments. If you fail to look into this part of the deal, you might be surprised by how high the final cost of the coach hire can be.
Final Thoughts
One of the best characteristics of a reliable coach hire company is transparency. So, before you book a coach hire, it’s best if you can check some reviews and recommendations online. At the same time, try to compare all available coach hire before choosing, but keep in mind that the cheapest isn’t always the best option.
