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How Much Is It to Hire a Minibus in London? (2026 Prices)
A minibus with a driver, from 8 to 16 seats, usually costs £380 to £550 for a full day in London, and a local one-way transfer starts from £150. Distance, time and the day of the week set the final price.
Updated October 2026
Minibus hire prices by vehicle size
| Vehicle | Seats | Local one-way transfer | Full day, 8 to 10 hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 to 16 seater minibus | 8, 10, 12 or 16 | From £150 | £380 – £550 |
| 22 seater minicoach | Up to 22 | Quoted by route | £530 – £700 |
| 34 seater coach | Up to 34 | Quoted by route | £650 – £850 |
| 55 seater coach | Up to 55 | Quoted by route | £700 – £1,050+ |
Prices are a guide only and are subject to availability, date, route and timings. Every price includes the driver, fuel and insurance, and your fixed quote is confirmed before you book.
These are the ranges most bookings fall into, not a rate card. A transfer across the same borough sits at the bottom of its range, from £150. A trip to the Cotswolds or the coast, or a day with several stops, sits towards the top or above it. For coaches, the coach hire price guide goes into more detail, and mini bus prices by size covers 8, 12 and 16 seaters.
Executive specification (more legroom, better trim) costs more than a standard minibus. Executive minibus hire costs has the detail.
What changes the price
Almost every quote comes down to the same handful of things. If two quotes differ, one of these is usually why.
- Distance. Mileage is the biggest single factor. A local run costs a fraction of a long-distance journey because of fuel and driver time.
- Time on the booking. A one-way transfer is cheaper than a day hire. If the driver waits at a venue for several hours, that waiting is part of the price.
- Vehicle size. Across 8 to 16 seats, distance and time move the price more than the seat count. Minicoaches and coaches are priced higher, as the table shows.
- Day and season. Weekends, bank holidays, race days, graduations and December cost more, and vehicles go early.
- Stops and timings. Each extra pickup or drop-off adds to the route. Very early starts and late finishes can carry a supplement.
- Pickup location. Journeys that start or end in congested central London can cost a little more.
What the driver adds
Every quote includes a professional, licensed driver. You do not pay separately for navigation, parking searches or a designated driver, and nobody in the group has to stay sober or keep an eye on the clock. See minibus hire with driver prices for the detail.
Choosing a size that does not waste money
Pay for the seats you need, but leave room for luggage. A 16 seater suits most medium groups and costs far less than a coach. If you are choosing between two sizes, our guide to 12 and 16 seater minibuses compares them on luggage and legroom.
It is almost always cheaper to hire one bigger vehicle than two smaller ones. Splitting a party of 18 across two 12 seaters means paying for two drivers and two sets of running costs, and the group arrives in two places. One 22 seater does the job for less, and keeps everyone together.
Extras that can change the total
- Child seats
- Extra luggage space for airport runs
- Additional stops or a changed route
Tell us about these when you enquire and they go into the fixed price, instead of appearing on the day.
What typical bookings cost
Four common journeys, with the vehicle we would suggest and where the price lands in the table above.
Family day out to Thorpe Park
Twelve people from Ealing, picked up in the morning and brought home at the end of a long day. A 16 seater gives everyone room for coats and bags. A full day of about ten hours falls in the 16 seater range, £380 to £550.
Team day in Covent Garden
Fifteen colleagues from Slough, collected in the morning and returned in the evening, around eight hours. A 16 seater (executive if the client is watching) fits the group. Expect £380 to £550, higher for executive specification.
Wedding guests from church to reception
Thirty guests from Richmond to Kew. Two 16 seaters run a short shuttle rather than an all-day hire, at about £150 to £200 per vehicle. Our wedding minibus hire page covers planning guest transport.
Eight friends to Heathrow Terminal 5
Hammersmith to T5 for an early flight. A 12 seater leaves space for the suitcases. A one-way transfer of this length starts from £150. For airport costs in more detail, see our Heathrow minibus cost guide.
How to bring the price down
- Book early. Last-minute bookings have fewer vehicles to choose from, and the cheaper ones go first.
- Be flexible on the day. Midweek is usually cheaper than a weekend. Tell us your range of dates.
- Send a clear itinerary. Exact pickup points, stops and timings let us price the route precisely and avoid add-ons later.
- Use one larger vehicle. See above: one 22 seater beats two 12 seaters.
There is a longer list in how to save money on minibus hire.
What a quote should include
Compare quotes on what is in them, not only the total. A fair quote states each of these:
- The driver. A professional, licensed driver for the whole booking.
- Fuel and insurance. Included in the total, not added at the end.
- The route and timings. Pickup points, stops, the return and how long the driver stays.
- Waiting time. What is covered, and what happens if the day runs over.
- Emissions zones. Our fleet is ULEZ compliant, so there is no zone charge on top.
If a quote leaves any of these out, ask. A low price with gaps is often higher by the end of the day.
How to get an accurate price
Five details are enough for a firm quote:
- Pickup address and destination, with any stops in between
- Date and pickup time
- Whether it is one way, a return, or a full day
- Number of passengers
- Luggage, child seats or accessibility needs
Send those through the quote form or call 020 8058 6786 and we will give you one fixed price.
Why quotes vary between companies
Fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance and driver wages are the main running costs, and fuel can move quickly. A quote that is far below the rest is worth questioning. It can mean older vehicles, thin insurance cover, or extras that appear later. Our note on choosing a minibus hire company in London lists what to ask before you book. The 2026 minibus and coach price guide compares per-person costs across vehicle sizes.
Your questions
How much does it cost to hire a minibus with a driver in London?
A local one-way transfer starts from £150, and a full day of eight to ten hours is usually £380 to £550 for any minibus from 8 to 16 seats. The price includes the driver, fuel and insurance. For an exact figure, give us the pickup, destination, date and number of passengers.
What is the average cost of minibus hire per day in London?
A full day of eight to ten hours is usually £380 to £550 for a minibus of 8 to 16 seats, about £530 to £700 for a 22 seater minicoach, and more for 34 and 55 seat coaches. Longer mileage and extra stops raise the price. A point-to-point transfer costs less than a full day.
What is included in the quote?
The vehicle, a professional driver, fuel and insurance. The quote is a fixed total, so the price you are given is the price you pay. Anything that would add to it, such as extra stops or a longer booking, is agreed with you before you book.
Is minibus hire cheaper in the week than at the weekend?
Usually, yes. Saturdays, bank holidays, event days and the run-up to Christmas are the busiest, so prices are higher and vehicles go first. If your date is flexible, tell us and we will say which days cost less.
Is it cheaper to hire one larger minibus or two smaller ones?
One larger vehicle is almost always cheaper, because you pay for one driver and one set of running costs. It also keeps the group together. A party of 18 is better in one 22 seater than in two 12 seaters.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
A small deposit is standard. It secures your vehicle and driver for the date, which matters most in peak season. The balance is normally settled closer to the travel date.
Can we make several stops on the same booking?
Yes. Whether you are collecting wedding guests from different addresses or need more than one drop-off, we plan the route and give you one fixed price for it.
Related guides
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