20 people

Coach hire for 20 people

For a group of 20 people we recommend a midibus. Fill in your route below and compare straight away which coach companies are suitable.

25 coach companies offer a suitable option

Our advice for 20 people

A midibus has twenty to thirty-nine seats and is the usual choice for class trips, clubs and medium-sized company outings.

At 20 people the choice narrows

This many coaches at the affiliated companies have at least 20 seats:

77coaches for a group of 19at 24 companies

72coaches for your group of 20at 24 companies

66coaches if there were 21 of youat 23 companies

Larger groups can also travel with several coaches from the same company; we include that as soon as you fill in your trip.

Driving yourself with 20 people?

With 20 people that is not possible on a normal car licence. Licence B lets you carry up to 8 people, not counting yourself. If one of you drives, there are 19 passengers on board, and that takes bus licence D, with a certificate of professional competence (code 95).

What does work: 3 vans, each with its own driver on licence B and at most 8 passengers. Then you do not travel as one group, and in every van someone has to stay sober and know the way. Or a midibus with a driver: you compare those here, and the driver holds the licence that goes with it.

Which licence for how many passengers?

Bup to 8 passengers, up to 3,500 kg

D19 to 16 passengers

Dmore than 16 passengersyour group of 20

The driver does not count. For D1 and D you must be at least 18 and hold code 95.

Sources: Dutch government (Rijksoverheid): which driving licence for a car and Dutch government (Rijksoverheid): which driving licence for a bus, read on 15 October 2026.

Which coach suits 20 people?

A comparison of the capacity per type of coach. The type that best suits your group stands out. Click a bar for more about that type.

Travelling with supervisors, large luggage or a wheelchair? Work out how many coaches you need.

Which size do you choose for 20 people?

Twenty people is the lower limit of a midibus and at the same time the upper limit of a VIP coach, so here you really have a choice. A midibus is the usual and cheapest option: twenty to thirty-five seats, luggage under the floor and a layout in which everyone has their own seat. If it's about an outing rather than transport, a party bus also starts at twenty people.

And if you're doing a business transfer with exactly twenty people, you can look at a VIP coach: the same size on the outside, with fewer seats and more legroom inside.

Recommended type of coach

What does a coach for 20 people cost?

A price without your trip would be a guess for 20 people, so it is not shown here. What you pay mainly depends on four things:

The coach. For 20 people we recommend a midibus; 72 coaches at the affiliated companies have at least 20 seats. If a group of 20 does not fit in one coach, we calculate a combination of coaches from the same company.
The trip. How long the coach is on the road with your 20 people, how far it drives, and how far the coach company has to travel from its base to reach you.
The day. If your 20 people travel on a Saturday, a Sunday or public holiday, or at night, our standard rate adds a surcharge.
The month. For 20 people our standard rate is 15% higher in July and August, and 10% lower in January and February.

The prices page shows example trips with a price, for groups of 16, 30 and 50 people; for 20 people we only work it out once you fill in your trip. See the example trips with a price.

Work out what a coach for 20 people costs

Practical points for 20 people

Twenty people is a turning point: it's just too many for a minibus (up to 19 seats) and it's the bottom end of a midibus (20 to 39 seats). So you'll often travel in a vehicle that's roomier than your group, with empty seats at the back. That's not waste but comfort: you have room for luggage, coats and anyone who wants to sit alone.

With exactly 20 people, though, do check that the vehicle offered really has 20 seat belts, because a 20-seat midibus will then be completely full.

What to look out for with 20 people

A party bus also starts at 20 people. For a festive occasion it's a real alternative at this group size, with a completely different interior: benches along the sides instead of rows of seats.
If you're at exactly 20, ask for a vehicle with at least a few seats to spare. Someone dropping out is no problem; an extra person is.
Two minibuses side by side is also possible. You then have two drivers and two vehicles, which usually isn't cheaper, but is handy if the group boards in two places or needs to go to two places.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about transport for 20 people

Why can't a group of 20 travel in a minibus?

A minibus has 8 to 19 seats. With 20 people you're four seats short, and standing isn't allowed. So it becomes a midibus, a party bus or two smaller vehicles.

Is a 35-seat midibus too big for 20 people?

No. You pay for the vehicle and the driver, not per seat, so empty seats cost you nothing extra. In fact they give you room for luggage and coats.

What is the difference between a midibus and a party bus for 20 people?

A midibus is a regular bus with rows of seats, meant to get you somewhere. A party bus is designed for the journey itself: a different seating layout, mood lighting, a sound system. For a school trip you choose the first; for a hen or stag party often the second.

Can a group of 20 board at two addresses?

Yes, that's possible. Put both pick-up points in your request: the extra driving time counts towards the price, so you want to know beforehand, not afterwards.

Can I drive a minibus for 20 people myself?

Not with a normal car licence. If one of you drives, there are 19 passengers; licence B allows up to 8. You need bus licence D with a certificate of professional competence (code 95). Alternatives: 3 vans each with its own driver, or one midibus with a driver.

What does it cost to hire a coach for 20 people?

That depends on your trip: how far and how long, on which day and in which month. For 20 people we recommend a midibus. Fill in your route and date, and within a minute you see what coach companies charge for your trip.

Written and checked by Martijn Smeets, founder of BusOffer.com. Last updated on 15 October 2026.

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