How much does it cost to rent a coach? Prices, bus types and cost factors

The short answer

A standard coach with driver costs between EUR 1,100 and 1,800 per day in Germany, including driver and VAT – depending on route, season and equipment. For smaller groups a minibus costs EUR 600 to 750 per day, a double decker for large groups EUR 1,600 to 2,000.

These ranges are guideline values. The actual price depends on several factors that we break down in this guide – including concrete price examples and tips on how to get the best price for your trip.

What influences the price

Bus prices aren't flat rates. Seven factors determine what you end up paying.

Route and distance

The most obvious factor. A day trip from Munich to Salzburg (150 km one way) costs significantly less than a trip from Hamburg to Berlin (290 km). Diesel, wear and toll charges increase with distance.

Rental duration

A day trip is priced differently from a five-day tour. Multi-day trips include overnight costs for the driver – typically EUR 80 to 120 per night, which should be included in the quote.

Bus type and size

A minibus for 15 passengers is cheaper than a fully equipped coach for 50. We break down the differences in detail below.

Season and day of week

May to October is peak season in the bus business – school trips in spring, club outings in summer. Off-season prices are noticeably lower. Weekend trips tend to be more expensive than weekdays.

Availability and regional events

Bus prices rise not just seasonally but also when major events take place in the region. Trade fairs, festivals, sports events or local fests tie up regional bus fleets for days – availability drops, prices rise. If you need a bus on a date when a major fair or festival is running in the area, book as early as possible. For major events like Oktoberfest you can barely find a free bus anywhere in Bavaria – we're talking months of lead time, not weeks.

Driver costs

The driver is always included – their wages are part of the price. For distances over approximately 450 km or driving times exceeding 9 hours, the law requires a second driver. This increases costs by EUR 200 to 350 per day.

Additional costs

Tolls (especially in Austria, Switzerland, Italy), parking fees at the destination, city centre entry charges – these items are often forgotten and can add EUR 50 to 200 per day.

Prices by bus type at a glance

Costs vary significantly by vehicle size and equipment. Here are the common bus types with daily guideline rates:

Business Van (3–6 passengers): EUR 600–750/day

Ideal for small groups, airport transfers or business trips. Compact, manoeuvrable, affordable – but only suitable for a few passengers.

Minibus (8–17 passengers): EUR 600–750/day

The classic choice for smaller groups. Whether company outing, family celebration or shuttle service – the minibus offers the best value for groups of up to 17.

Coach (18–53 passengers): EUR 1,100–1,800/day

The standard for most group trips. Air conditioning, toilet, luggage space – a modern coach offers comfort for long distances. The per-person price drops considerably as group size increases.

Important to know: seat counts vary significantly between vehicle models. Some coaches have only 48 seats, others 53. A group of 50 can easily end up in a situation where one bus isn't enough – and two buses nearly double the cost. That's why it pays to state the exact number of passengers and select the desired vehicle type in your request. On Busly you can specify the bus type directly in your enquiry so providers can quote accordingly.

Double Decker (60–80 passengers): EUR 1,600–2,000/day

For large groups that prefer a single bus. Seats up to 80 passengers and is often cheaper per head than two separate coaches. Particularly relevant when your group exceeds the capacity of a standard coach – though double deckers aren't available everywhere, which makes early booking especially important.

VIP Bus : from EUR 1,500/day

Leather seats, more legroom, tables, sometimes lounge areas. For corporate events, roadshows or groups that value premium comfort.

Nightliner: tour bus for bands and crews – on request

Bunks, lounge, kitchen – travel and sleep at the same time. Nightliners are a special case, though: there are only a handful of operators in Germany, the vehicles are booked out for long periods and mostly reserved for tours and event agencies. They are not suitable as a hotel substitute for private groups – set-up times and long approach journeys quickly push costs far beyond what people expect. A price can only be quoted on a specific request.

Typical price examples

Abstract ranges only help so much. Here are four concrete scenarios covering the majority of requests:

School trip Berlin to Dresden (200 km, day trip) Coach for 45 students and teachers, return trip on the same day. → Guideline: EUR 1,450–1,700 (approx. EUR 32–38 per person)

Club outing to surrounding area (100 km, half-day) Minibus for 15 people, 5 hours rental. → Guideline: EUR 550–650 (approx. EUR 37–43 per person)

Trade fair transfer for employees (30 km, full day) Coach for 50 employees, morning pickup, evening return. → Guideline: EUR 1,100–1,250 (approx. EUR 22–25 per person)

Multi-day trip Munich to Lake Garda (3 days, 600 km) Coach for 40 people, including driver accommodation and second driver. → Guideline: EUR 3,300–3,800 (approx. EUR 83–95 per person for 3 days)

Concrete prices by group size

Many people search for prices for a specific group size. Here are the most common questions with concrete answers.

Renting a minibus for 15 people – costs

A minibus for 15 people costs between EUR 600 and 750 per day – including driver. For shorter half-day tours (4–6 hours) the price is EUR 550–650. Per head that's EUR 37–50, depending on route and duration.

Renting a bus for 30 people – costs

A coach for 30 people costs between EUR 1,100 and 1,500 per day. That works out to EUR 37–50 per person. For shorter half-day tours (4–6 hours) the price is EUR 800–950. For club outings and school trips this is the typical range.

Renting a bus for 50 people – costs

A coach for 50 people costs EUR 1,100 to 1,800 per day. Per person that's EUR 22–36 – one of the cheapest transport options for groups of this size. Important: some coaches only have 48 seats. State the exact number of passengers in your request so a second bus isn't needed.

How many people fit in a coach?

Standard coaches have 48–53 seats, depending on the model. Some variants offer 50 or 55 seats. Extended large models (Setra S 519 HD, Mercedes Tourismo L, MAN Lion’s Coach L) seat 55 to 63 people in practice, but not every operator has them. Otherwise, for groups of 54 or more, a double decker (60–80 seats) or a second bus is needed – and two buses nearly double the cost.

How much does a coach with driver cost per day?

A standard coach with driver costs EUR 1,100–1,800 per day in Germany. The driver is always included in the price. For distances over approximately 450 km or driving times over 9 hours, a second driver is required, which adds EUR 200–350 per day.

Hidden costs many people overlook

When planning a bus trip, most people only account for the base rental price. These items frequently come on top:

Empty runs

The bus has to travel from its base to your departure point and back again after the trip. The further away the bus company is, the higher the empty-run costs. Tip: request providers from your region – on Busly you can see directly where the company is based.

Second driver requirement

From approximately 450 km driving distance or over 9 hours of driving time, a second driver is legally required. This increases the price by EUR 200 to 350 per day.

Driver accommodation on multi-day trips

On overnight tours the driver needs their own hotel room. Expect EUR 80 to 120 per night – this item should be shown transparently in the quote.

Tolls and fees abroad

Trips to Austria (vignette and special tolls), Switzerland (heavy vehicle charge) or Italy (motorway tolls) can quickly add EUR 100 to 300.

Waiting times

If the bus waits for you at the destination – for example during a museum visit – waiting times are usually charged. Typically EUR 40 to 60 per hour.

How to get the best price

Five strategies that make a noticeable difference:

Book early – especially around events The more lead time, the better. Bus companies calculate more favourably when they can plan ahead. Four to six weeks before the date is a good benchmark. If a major event is coming up in your region – trade fair, festival, sports event – request even earlier, as many buses will already be booked.

Be flexible on dates A Wednesday in October is significantly cheaper than a Saturday in June. If your date is flexible, specifically request off-season options.

Optimise group size The per-person price drops with every additional passenger. A coach for 30 costs barely more than one for 20 – but the per-head price nearly halves.

Compare multiple offers directly On Busly you receive offers directly from bus companies and can compare prices transparently – so you find the best deal for your trip.

Use the AI price estimate Busly gives you an AI-based price estimate as soon as you submit your request. For shorter routes and standard tours this estimate is already very accurate. For longer trips with many variables – second driver, tolls, driver accommodation – it provides a solid guideline that the concrete offers from providers then refine.

Conclusion

What a coach costs depends on bus type, route, season and rental duration. For a standard coach with driver the daily rate is EUR 1,100 to 1,800 – smaller buses are cheaper, special equipment more expensive. The per-person price drops with every additional passenger and makes the bus the most affordable transport option from about 15 people.

The most effective way to find the concrete price for your trip: on Busly you get direct access to bus companies and receive offers as close to the actual market price as possible – directly and transparently.