Coach and Bus Hire Comparison with Driver
Asking five different coach operators for a quote takes half a day, and the five answers are never comparable: one prices per day, another per kilometre, the third forgets the driver’s meal. Louer un bus does that work for you. We are a broker: you fill in one request, we consult our network of 1,200 partner coach operators, and we come back to you with offers set out in the same format, comparable line by line. It is free, with no commitment, and it is generally 15 to 20 % cheaper than the rate obtained directly, because we buy transport every day of the year.
Comparison service, broker, booking platform, coach operator: who does what
This is the first question to settle, because the four do not sell the same thing.
| What it is | What you gain | What you lose | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The coach operator | The carrier that owns the vehicles and employs the drivers. | A direct contact, with no intermediary. | One fleet, one price, nothing to compare. If no vehicle is free on your date, the search starts again from zero. |
| The broker / comparison service | An intermediary that puts several coach operators in competition for your specific request. This is our business. | Several comparable offers from one request, and a price negotiated on volume. | You do not pick the carrier yourself: we select it on price, availability and proximity to the departure point. |
| The booking platform | A directory that forwards your request to registered carriers. | The volume of contacts. | Several carriers call you back separately, and it is up to you to compare quotes that are not alike. |
| The scheduled line | Fixed routes at fixed times, sold by the seat. | The price per seat on major routes. | No flexibility: neither the timetable nor the itinerary is yours, and the vehicle is not private. |
In one sentence: if you already know which carrier you want, call them. If you want the best price-to-availability ratio for a specific date, go through a broker.
How our comparison service works, in 3 steps
1. You describe the journey — 30 seconds. Date, departure town, destination, number of passengers, one-way or vehicle at your disposal. Nothing more.
2. We consult the network. We question the coach operators available on your date and based near your departure point: a coach leaving from its own depot costs less than one coming from 200 kilometres away.
3. You receive comparable offers. Same format, same line items, same scope: vehicle, capacity, hours at your disposal, kilometres included, driver costs, cancellation terms. You compare like for like.
What you are actually comparing: the 2026 price list
Comparing assumes you know what to expect. Here are our indicative day rates, including French VAT, for every vehicle category.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Indicative day rate (incl. VAT) | Price per kilometre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minivan / Minibus | 8 to 15 seats | €350 | €1.50 to €2.50 |
| Midibus | 16 to 29 seats | €500 | €2.00 to €3.00 |
| Standard coach | 30 to 53 seats | €700 | €2.50 to €4.00 |
| Grand tourisme coach | 54 to 63 seats | €900 | €3.00 to €5.00 |
| High-capacity coach | 64 to 93 seats | from €900 | €3.00 to €5.00 |
| VIP / Luxury coach | 20 to 40 seats | €1,000 | €4.00 to €7.00 |
| Wheelchair-accessible bus | 20 to 50 seats | €800 | €3.00 to €5.00 |
The largest coach in our network carries 93 passengers. Beyond that we organise a convoy of several vehicles, up to 1,000 passengers on a single operation.
Why going through a comparison service brings the price down
Volume. We book transport every day of the year; a private customer books once in a lifetime. Our negotiated rates run 15 to 20 % below the price displayed to a one-off customer.
The empty leg. A carrier that already has a coach in your area that day will give you a price that a carrier 200 kilometres away can never match. We know who is where, on your date.
Competition. A carrier that knows it is being compared prices differently from a carrier that knows it is alone on the file.
The 6 lines to check in a coach quote
Two quotes can show the same total without covering the same thing. Before you choose, check these six points — we set them out systematically on ours.
- The kilometres included, and the price of the extra kilometre. This is the number one source of difference between two quotes.
- The hours the vehicle is at your disposal, and the finish time. A « day rate » quote that stops at 6 p.m. is not the same product as one covering a return at midnight.
- Driver costs: meals, and accommodation if the operation runs over several days.
- Tolls and parking, included or charged on top.
- The real capacity of the vehicle, not the category. A « coach » can mean 30 seats as easily as 53.
- Cancellation terms and the deposit, written out in full and not left to the general terms and conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is the comparison service free?
Yes. The request and the quotes are free and without commitment. Our remuneration is built into the price negotiated with the carrier, and that price remains below the rate you would obtain on your own.
How long does it take to receive the offers?
We come back to you quickly after the request, with a firm price. For a peak-season date or a very large group, ask as early as you can: availability, not price, is what runs out first.
Is it cheaper than contacting a coach operator directly?
Generally yes, by 15 to 20 %, thanks to rates negotiated on volume. And above all, you get several offers instead of one.
Who is the carrier that will actually come?
A professional coach operator from our network, selected for your date and your route. Its identity appears on the quote before any booking.
Which towns do you cover?
All of France. Our city pages detail the most requested departure points: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lille, Nantes and Nice.
What if a passenger uses a wheelchair?
We have wheelchair-accessible vehicles from 20 to 50 seats, with a lift or a ramp. See our wheelchair-accessible bus and minibus hire page.
Can you compare for a very large group?
Yes. Up to 93 passengers in a single vehicle, and beyond that in convoy, up to 1,000 passengers.
Is a deposit required?
The deposit terms appear on the quote before signature. Nothing is committed until you have approved it.
One request, 1,200 coach operators consulted
Compare the offers for your date in a few minutes. Free, with no commitment.
Get my free quote — or call us on 01 84 21 05 65.
DTRAVEL SASU, 231 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris · rated 4.4 out of 5 from 70 Google reviews.