Minibus Hire With A Driver Vs. Self-Drive - Which Is Better?

Let’s face the harsh reality: planning a road trip or group excursion is not an easy process. You must incorporate various aspects like the travel distance, shortest route, comfortable and safe transport, and the travel members. But one of the major deal breakers that greatly influence your journey is the crossroad decision between the minibus hire with a driver and a self-drive option. 

Whether you are travelling a long distance across the country or a short intercity trip, both options might seem suitable for group excursions. However, there are compelling reasons why a minibus hire is preferable compared to the self-drive rentals. With that said, let’s have a look at some of the top factors that make minibus hire with a driver stand out from the self-drive option. 

1. Affordability

Unlike the self-drive options, travelling on a minibus hire with a driver is much more affordable and convenient. For instance, a group travel on a single minibus will allow every member to achieve a shared travel experience. Conversely, the self-drive option will require renting multiple vehicles to accommodate all the members of your group, which leads to higher costs associated with each rental. 

Fortunately, we minimise the factor of higher cost by giving you complete control over price. By using the minibus cost calculator, you can get a personalised price for your group travel. The customer-tailored price and affordability because of the communal travel make a minibus hire the reliable option. 

2. Flexibility To Craft Your Itineraries

Just because a minibus hire comes with a driver, it does not mean your journey will be restricted from point A to point B. Our minibus hire services are highly flexible with a professional driver taking the lead for your planned journey. 

From rugged road trips, coastal destinations or off-the-beaten group journeys, a tailored fleet of minibus hire with a driver will help you to reach all types of destinations. While a self-drive car also provides complete freedom for your unique itineraries, minibus hire with a driver relieves you of the worries of running out of fuel, vehicle breakdowns or any unexpected problem. Minibus hire allows you to share the details of your journey with the driver and they will suggest you the most optimised routes for your pickups and dropoffs. 

3. Safety-Focused Road Trip

While a self-drive minibus rental is a convenient transport solution for small groups, it does not fit the safety requirements of most travellers. The option of self-drive vehicles adds the burden of ensuring the safety of all of the passengers throughout the journey. Additionally, any unexpected accident or damage to the vehicle will force the hirer to pay for the damages along with the rental fee. 

Thanks to the minibus hire at the helm of a professional driver, you can steer clear of all of the risks associated with safety and extra costs for damage claims. Expert drivers can handle the safety and security of all of the travel members without compromising the quality of service. 

4. Local Knowledge & Expertise

Apart from the safety of the travel, a minibus hire caters to all kinds of group tours with professional drivers who are familiar with the local routes. This is not possible with rental services which require you to drive the vehicles despite your route requirements. 

With a minibus hire, you do not have to worry about travelling to remote locations around the UK. Whether you are travelling on the national motorways or any off-the-beaten paths, a minibus hire with a driver will allow you to travel without the stress of unfamiliar roads.

Plus, these drivers have a wealth of local knowledge to suggest hidden gems and attractions that you might have missed on a self-drive vehicle. 

5. Regulations & Compliance

A private self-drive minibus is suitable if you are aware of all the regulations and compliance measures of the local authorities. For instance, the UK government requires a D1 Licence to drive a 16 seater minibus. On the other hand, these laws vary from location to location, which demands special considerations to ensure a smooth journey for your travel members. 

The major advantage of hiring a minibus with a driver is it does not require you to worry about adhering to regulations. With a simple hiring process, you can hit the road for your long-distance getaway to any location anytime in the UK. 

6. Suited For All Types Of Travel Needs

Nothing can beat the ease of travel with a minibus hire with a driver, since it is suited for all types of travel. As said earlier, despite the routes, professional drivers are familiar with the nooks and crannies of the UK. Especially, if you are planning for a long-distance to a remote destination, a diverse fleet of minibuses will fit your ideal itinerary. 

On the other hand, a self-drive rental features limited options of vehicles which are not suitable for the variety of trips across the landscape of the UK. On top of that, the stringent licence requirements make it an unreliable option. 

7. Group Cohesion

A self-drive vehicle is certainly an ideal choice for a private travel experience. But when it comes to large groups, driver-assisted minibus hire is the perfect choice to go for. Since a self-drive vehicle requires a D1 licence, the only option you are left with is multiple car rentals, adding further logistic complexity and cost to your travel. 

A minibus hire can significantly reduce travel expenses by allowing the group to travel in a single vehicle. Travelling with a driver reduces travel fatigue, enabling all of the members to enjoy the communal experience. Even better, group travel helps with mindful travel with less carbon emissions compared to multiple car rentals or individual travel of each member. 

Minibus With Driver Vs Self Drive - Which One is Better?

Both services aim at a similar goal to provide an easy traverse from location A to B. However, the choice is highly dependent on your travel requirements, budget and group size. Minibus hire with a driver is a better option since it does not require a D1 licence and features all the latest amenities to provide on-road support. 

A self-drive is more suited for private transport requirements, but it also exposes your journey to the risk of vehicle breakdown and unexpected costs. Our flexible minibus hire services are inclusive of a professional driver allowing all of your group members to hit the road with ease and steer clear of the travel stress.