Different chauffeur driven vehicle types

These pages are all about the different of vehicles that can be requested on Rentautobus. In general, vehicles are divided into two broad categories:

• Private transport – For 1 – 8 passengers
• Group transport – For 9 or more passengers.

Group transport options

Buses and coaches can be very different across the world. For example, the Indian definition of a luxury coach isn't going to match what a luxury coach in the Netherlands looks like. For this reason, we have pages that contain specific information about the group transport market in each country. Many coach and minibus terms are used differently by various transport companies. To help clarify the situation, Rentautobus has defined each of the options.

A microbus: This isn't really a bus as it only seats a maximum of 8 passengers. It's more comparable to a XL taxi or taxi van.

A minibus: The smallest available bus, a minibus seats up to 12-16 passengers. It's shorter than 8 meters and easy to manoeuvre around tight spaces like the winding streets of one of Spain's old towns.

Midibus: Holding no more than 35 passengers and being around 9 meters in length, the midibus is a cross between a minibus and a coach. The level of comfort really depends on the vehicle brand and the amount of leg room, but you can expect more space and luxury than a minibus. However, it's rare that a midibus will have a toilet on board.

Standard Coach: Up to 14 meters long and seating up to 70 passengers, the standard coach is an excellent option for long distance group travel. They're large and spacious, and usually come with a toilet on board. Coaches vary in size and the number of passengers they can take. Standard sizes are 40 seaters, 48 seaters, 53 seaters, 65 seaters, and 70 seaters. They also feature separate compartments for luggage.

Executive Coach: This coach offers a higher standard of quality compared to the standard coach. Sizes vary from 40 seaters and upwards.

Luxury Coach: Similarly sized to the standard coach but offering a higher standard of quality, luxury coaches are newer and offer better facilities. The definition of luxury varies between countries. For example, luxury in India means having air-conditioning on board, but in Europe this usually comes as standard.

Mobility Coach: Some standard and luxury coaches have been specifically designed to provide access and space for wheelchairs. An elevating platform provides easy access onto the coach for passengers, while seats can be removed to create more space for wheelchairs.

Customised Buses and Coaches

Panoramic bus: A double-decker bus with an open top deck, these buses are found in many European cities and are used for hop on hop off bus tours. Panoramic buses are available for private hire and offer an excellent option in cities like Madrid, Seville, and Malaga. You will also probably get automated multi-language guides.

Oldtimer bus: These classic buses are over 20 years old and have been carefully preserved with discerning passengers. An association called ARCA in Spain are dedicated to these buses.

Cabrio coach: A coach with a central open area for customers to socialise in. They're mostly used for touring warm Spanish cities.

Party bus: Usually an old converted public bus or coach. They're popular with bachelor parties and tour large cities taking groups to clubs and bars. Commonly found in Barcelona and Madrid.

Private transport options

Car with Driver: A popular choice in many countries, hiring a car with driver is different to a taxi service. They can be hired for multiple days and come with an experienced driver. When hiring a car with driver you often pay a set amount per day. There are no extra charges for waiting or additional journeys. In countries like India it's probably the most common form of private transport. In other countries they can be ideal for touring a large city and taking in all the sights. Vehicles vary remarkably, particularly between countries. In Europe they are normally very new saloon cars, like a Mercedes S-class. In India it could be an old Tata with the doors half hanging off.

Taxi: Everybody knows the common street taxi. In London they're black and fit five passengers. In New York they're yellow and inspire wall sized photographs you can buy in Ikea. Then in India they might only have three wheels and a lawnmower engine. In every country taxis look different. But wherever you go they offer the same service. Taxis offer private chauffeured transport for individuals or small groups, normally 1-5 passengers. Their prices are calculated based on local taxi laws.

Luxury Taxis: Every country has a more luxurious choice of taxi. In some countries like Spain this means getting a Mercedes taxi with added comfort and more leg space. With a luxury taxi you're getting a better service and higher standard, but sometimes at a higher price and sometimes at the same price of a standard strreet taxi.

XL Taxi or Taxi Van: Slightly more consistent across the world, the taxi van is for 5 – 8 passengers and offers private chauffeured transport. Again, the prices will depend on local taxi laws.

Limousine: The ultimate in luxurious travel, the limousine isn't just for millionaire celebrities and overpaid footballers. As the limousine market has grown over the past decade, it's become more affordable. Each limousine company will detail the exact vehicle on offer and they usually seat up to 10 passengers.

Classic cars: Imagine being driven through rolling English countryside in an Aston Martin and pretending to be James Bond. Or taking a Ferrari through the streets of Maronello. Classic car rentals offer the most exclusive vehicles and come with a chauffeur who will drive you around in style.

Ask a question or place a comment

We welcome your questions and comments about these info texts. Please feel invited to ask us any question about your private chauffeured transport search and arrangements in any of our listed countries. We’ll do our best to reply within 1 working day.