Imagine you have been selected to assume the role of Group Leader for a trip where you have a long distance to travel.  There are countless details to plan, but one of the biggest questions is how do you get the group from here to there?

The first reaction for most people that have a long distance to travel is to fly.  After all, that is what they are accustomed to for their own personal travel.  However, it might not be the best option for a group. Let’s break this down into a few key components:

  • Cost: While booking your own flight for a business trip or vacation may seem reasonable, if you multiply that by the number of people you are travelling with, costs can quickly become a concern.
  • Logistics: When flying, you have to take into account how to get to and from the airport as well as manage any connecting flights and layovers. It’s also wise to have considered what you will do if flights are canceled.
  • Schedule: When you fly on a commercial flight, you don’t have full control over your schedule. Nobody likes getting that “red eye” flight or sitting in a terminal all day just to make the schedule line up with your arrival and departure cities.

“So, what are my options?”

This is a question that has been asked repeatedly by everyone that has done the same task you are presented with right now.

The first option helps with two of the issues but exaggerates the last one.  Some might consider chartering a private flight to help alleviate some of the concerns.  There are airlines that specialize in this, and you would get to pick the schedule and the airports most convenient. The biggest problem with this is the cost involved. Commercial charter flights for large groups tend to be very costly.

The other option is to charter a Motorcoach.  While this might not be the first thought that comes to mind, for a large group it is often the most economical and accommodating. Let’s look at the challenges mentioned with flying and see how they are handled with a chartered Motorcoach:

  • Cost: This is possibly the biggest factor when planning a group trip. Typically, the cost for a group to travel by Motorcoach is much less than any other option with the same facilities and accommodations, sometimes as low as $40-$50/day per passenger.
  • Logistics: This is perhaps where the Charter Motorcoach industry shines above and beyond any other option for group travel. Simply contact a Charter Operator and tell them the itinerary of your trip, and they will handle the rest.  With one phone call, you have taken care of all your transportation needs for the trip.
  • Schedule: You provide the details, and the Charter Operator will create the plan for the driver. Your driver is a direct point of contact to the company should anything need to be revised or changed.  In most cases, it is as simple as asking your driver and they will make it happen.  The flexibility is second to none when it comes to last minute changes and interruptions.

“Where do I go from here?”

You can likely find a Motorcoach Operator near where you are, if you don’t already have one in mind.  If you need help, then there are several resources listed below to find a professional and reputable operator that meets and exceeds all regulatory and safety standards.  You might also find they are a “Tour Operator” and can handle more aspects of your trip like hotel rooms and attraction tickets.  This makes your job even easier with a single phone call handling the entire trip for you.

Resources: