Tips for group travel

Are you organising a school trip, family reunion or wedding celebration? Or perhaps you’re simply planning a journey and want to travel in a large group? Whatever the occasion, scheduling transport for multiple people can be stressful - which is why we’ve put together these handy tips.

The first thing you’ll need to do is work out how many people will be joining your journey - which can be easier said than done. But even though some might be reluctant to commit, don’t be afraid to be firm. Set a date, and let people know that you’ll need definite numbers by then. And if you’re still worried about some of the more disorganised members of your party, book transport with a few extra seats to cater for any latecomers that might change their minds.

Next, it’s important to be accommodating - but not to the extent that organisation becomes a nightmare. Feel free to listen to people’s preferences with regards to things like pick up location and time, but don’t bend over backwards to keep everyone happy. Also, speak to your hire company about the passengers’ different needs - it might be possible to plan a route with multiple collection points.

Another big tip is to avoid the temptation to choose a self-drive vehicle. No matter how well you plan, there will still be things to organise on the day itself - so don’t make life even more stressful by adding driving and navigating into the mix as well. Most UK hire companies provide professional, experienced chauffeurs to take care of all the details, leaving you free to focus on what really matters.

Finally, if you’re organising transport for a large group, don’t try and do everything yourself. Instead, make sure you nominate a couple of helpers to assist you on the day. Whether they’re carrying out head counts or telephoning passengers who’ve failed to arrive on time, you’ll be glad to have someone to share the responsibility - and it will help make the experience all the more enjoyable.