The full-size coach, for when everyone comes along

Small vehicles suit many trips, but some days bring the whole family, the whole club or the whole wedding. A full-size coach, with 49 to 57 seats, keeps everyone on one timetable.

When one coach beats three minibuses

Above about 35 passengers, a coach is usually simpler than a string of minibuses: one meeting point, one driver to brief, one arrival. Cases go in the underfloor holds, so bags never compete with people for space.

The trade-off is access. A full-size coach needs room to turn and set down, and many old towns and village squares keep it at the edge. Plan a short walk, or a smaller vehicle, for those stops.

Full-size coach interior with reclining seats and aisle

On board

Coaches carrying more than 9 people including the driver need a tachograph to record driving, breaks and rest under the EU drivers' hours rules
Every passenger must wear a seat belt where the seat has one; French law requires coach transport to use vehicles fitted with seat belts
The driver holds a category D licence, which covers passenger vehicles with more than 9 seats including the driver
International carriage by coach needs a licence communautaire; an occasional trip, such as a tour or a group taken to an event in another EU country, also needs a journey form
A company using buses or coaches holds a licence communautaire, valid for national and international work; numbered certified copies are issued according to its number of vehicles
Registration requires four conditions: good repute, financial standing, professional competence and an effective establishment
A company carrying passengers by road for hire must first be entered in the register of road passenger transport companies (registre des transporteurs publics routiers de personnes), kept by the regional DREAL

Who runs it, and how

Coaches are run by companies listed in the regional DREAL's register of road passenger transport companies. To join it, a company shows good repute, financial standing, professional competence and a genuine establishment. It also holds a licence communautaire, valid for work in France and abroad.

The driver holds a category D licence. A tachograph records driving, breaks and rest, so the timetable has to respect the EU drivers' hours rules.

Abroad, and on board

Taking the coach into another EU country, for a tour or an event, is an occasional international trip and needs a journey form as well as the licence communautaire. Everyone on board wears a seat belt where the seat has one, and French law requires coach transport to use vehicles fitted with them.

Your questions, answered

How many people fit?

Typically 49 to 57 passengers, depending on the model. Give the exact number, including group leaders and any guide.

Can the coach drive into the historic centre?

Often not. Avignon keeps heavy vehicles outside its walls, and central Paris lets coaches in only on journeys that begin or end there. The driver sets down at the nearest permitted place.

Two coaches, or a coach and a minibus?

For 60 or 70 people, a coach plus a minibus often beats two coaches, and the minibus can take late arrivals or an early return.

Is a coach slower than a car?

A little. Drive times quoted on maps are car times in light traffic, so allow extra time for a coach, especially on mountain roads and around cities.