Minibus or coach? Which size do you need?
Book a minibus for up to 16 passengers, a midi coach for about 17 to 35, and a full-size coach for more. Then check luggage: a full minibus has much less room than a coach. A minibus driver needs a D1 licence and a coach driver a D licence, so hiring with a driver settles that.
The sizing table
Count every passenger, including children and group leaders, because each person needs their own seat. Then read across.
| Passengers | Vehicle type | Typical UK seat sizes | Driver’s licence category | Who supplies it at Ritaat Coaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 to 16 | Minibus | 12 to 16 | D1 (up to 16 passenger seats, up to 8 m long) | Our own Mercedes Sprinter (16 seats) |
| 17 to 35 | Midi coach | About 19 to 35 | D | A partner operator |
| Over 35 | Full-size coach | 49 to 57 | D | Our own Mercedes Tourismo (53 seats) or Volvo B8R (38 seats), or a partner coach |
| More than one coach-load | Two or more full-size coaches | Several vehicles | D | Our coaches plus partner vehicles |
Seat bands follow common UK usage. The University of Bath’s buyers’ guide, for example, groups vehicles as minibus (1 to 16 passengers), midi bus (17 to 29) and coach (over 30, up to 63). Licence categories are from GOV.UK.
Partner vehicles are not our fleet. When you need a size we don’t own, a partner operator supplies it.
Minibus vs coach: the differences that matter
| Minibus | Full-size coach | |
|---|---|---|
| Passengers | Up to 16 | Usually 49 to 57 |
| Luggage | Limited: a rear area or small boot. A full minibus may not take a large suitcase for everyone. Our Sprinter takes 10 to 15 large checked suitcases behind the rear seats | Under-floor lockers along the side. As a rule of thumb, most full-size coaches take about one large case per passenger. Our Tourismo takes about 49 large suitcases plus 49 hand-luggage items, and our Volvo B8R 35 to 40 suitcases |
| Access | Fits narrow streets, hotel forecourts and many car parks | Needs coach bays and room to turn |
| Comfort on long trips | Fine for an hour or two | Reclining seats and more legroom on most coaches |
| Cost | Lower per vehicle | Higher per vehicle, often lower per person for a big group |
A practical rule: if the group is going to the airport with suitcases, check the luggage before you settle on a minibus. Two minibuses can cost more than one coach.
Luggage per seat
There is no legal standard for luggage per seat, and space varies by model. As a planning guide (a rule of thumb, not a standard):
- Airport trips: one large suitcase and one cabin bag per person. This is where a minibus most often runs out of room.
- Day trips: small bags only. Any vehicle copes.
- Golf trips: a golf bag takes about the space of a large suitcase, so a full minibus of golfers with bags may need a bigger vehicle. Our Sprinter takes 12 to 14 full-size golf bags. See golf transfers.
- Sports teams: kit bags plus equipment. Tell us the sport.
Always tell the operator what you’re carrying, not only how many people.
Scotland-specific points
- Airports. Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick each have their own rules for where coaches and minibuses pick up. See Glasgow Airport group transfers.
- Edinburgh city centre. The City of Edinburgh Council’s designated coach drop-off and pick-up bay is at Castle Terrace: free, 30 minutes maximum. There is no short-stay coach parking, and council medium-stay coach parking runs on weekdays only (City of Edinburgh Council). A minibus can stop in more places. More on Glasgow to Edinburgh by coach.
- Low emission zones. Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee have city-centre low emission zones (mygov.scot). Ask any operator whether its vehicle meets the standard.
- Highland roads. Some Highland and island routes include single-track roads, which are “only wide enough for one vehicle” and rely on passing places (The Highway Code, rule 155). A minibus or midi coach is easier there; tell us the route.
Frequently asked questions
What size coach do I need for 30 people?
A midi coach of about 33 to 35 seats, or a full-size coach if the group has a lot of luggage or wants spare seats. A group of 30 is too large for a minibus. At Ritaat Coaches, a midi coach comes from a partner operator; a full-size coach can be one of our own.
How many seats does a coach have in the UK?
A full-size single-deck coach usually has 49 to 57 seats, a midi coach about 19 to 35, and a minibus up to 16 passenger seats. The exact count depends on the model and layout.
Is a minibus or a coach cheaper?
A minibus costs less per vehicle. For a large group, one coach is usually cheaper than two or three minibuses, because you pay for one driver and one vehicle. Our price guide shows published rates for both.
How much luggage per seat should we plan for?
There is no legal standard. As a rule of thumb, plan one large suitcase and one cabin bag per person for an airport trip, and small bags only for a day out. A full-size coach usually has under-floor lockers with room for that; a minibus with every seat taken often doesn’t.
Minibus or midi coach: which is better for 20 people?
A midi coach. A minibus carries at most 16 passengers, so 20 people would need two minibuses and two drivers. A midi coach of about 24 to 35 seats takes the whole group and its bags in one vehicle.
Need several vehicles for one event? See coach hire in Glasgow. Need to drive the minibus yourself? See our D1 licence guide.
Get the right vehicle
Tell us the number of passengers, the luggage and the route, and we’ll recommend the vehicle and send a written quote.
Related: Minibus hire in Glasgow · Coach hire in Glasgow · Our vehicles · Mercedes Sprinter minibus · Coach hire prices