The midi-coach: big enough for the party, small enough for the village

Between two minibuses and a full coach sits the midi-coach, with 29 to 35 seats. It suits a wedding party, a club with its supporters or a tour group on country roads.

Why the middle size works

A midi-coach is easier to handle than a full-size coach in narrow streets, historic centres and small venues, while still keeping thirty-odd people together. That makes it a natural fit for wine villages, mountain resorts and hotels with a tight forecourt.

Luggage rides under the floor or at the back, in less space than a full coach offers. For a weekend away, ask everyone to pack one case, or add a separate vehicle for the bags.

Midsize coach cabin with forward-facing seats

On board

On a single occasional international coach trip, the driver may postpone the weekly rest for up to 12 days
EU drivers' hours apply: at most 9 hours of driving a day (10 hours twice a week) and a 45-minute break after 4.5 hours
The operating company must be entered in the register of road passenger transport companies and hold a licence communautaire
With more than 17 seats including the driver, or more than 8 m long, it needs a category D licence rather than D1
Easier than a full-size coach in narrow streets, historic centres and small venues

Licence and paperwork

With more than 17 seats including the driver, or a length over 8 m, a midi-coach is driven on a full category D licence, not D1. The company that runs it is registered as a road passenger carrier and holds a licence communautaire.

Long days and longer trips

The EU drivers' hours rules apply here exactly as on a full coach, so a long touring day is built around the driving limits and the breaks. On a one-off international trip, weekly rest can be pushed back by as much as 12 days, which suits a tour that crosses borders.

For a several-day trip, the driver stays with the group, and the daily rest of at least 11 hours sets the earliest start the next morning. Agree the first departure of each day when you book.

Your questions, answered

Is a midi-coach right for 25 people?

Yes, with spare seats for coats and day bags. For sixteen or fewer, a minibus is enough.

Can it reach a mountain hotel in winter?

Usually. In Annecy and Chamonix, from 1 November to 31 March, coaches must have winter tyres or carry chains, so the vehicle is equipped for snow.

Will we need a Crit'Air sticker for the midi-coach?

Yes, to enter any low-emission zone, and each city sets its own threshold for coaches. The sticker is checked against your itinerary before the trip.