Common questions
No question left hanging. Everything about hiring a bus is here, not buried in small print. If something is still missing, give us a call.
About us
What is BerlinBus.DE?
A fully licensed charter bus company from Berlin. We have our own buses and our own drivers — we do not pass work on. Anyone hiring a bus from us is speaking to the company that will actually run the trip. That is the difference from the portals that spread the same enquiry across several operators and only then look at who will drive.
How long have you been around?
We have been doing bus logistics since 2006. Since then we have carried over a million passengers, safely and without an accident. In that time a handful of vehicles has become a fleet of 20 coaches, and trips around Berlin have become tours across Europe.
How many buses do you have?
Currently 20 modern coaches, from 8 to 90 passengers. They fall into three size classes and eight vehicle types — from the VIP Sprinter with eight individual leather seats through four coach versions between 50 and 65 seats to the double-decker with 90. Because every vehicle belongs to us, we can tell you in advance what is fitted.
What do you do differently?
With us, hiring a bus is as simple as calling a taxi: work out the price online, confirm, travel. And you deal with the same person throughout — not with a ticket system. On top of that we put the prices on the table: driver, fuel, insurance, Wi-Fi and cleaning are in the quote, and anything that can be added is stated beforehand rather than turning up on the invoice.
Booking & payment
How far in advance do I need to book?
The earlier you book, the more certain you are of getting the exact vehicle you want. For school trips in early summer and for trade fair dates, a few months of lead time pays off, because almost every coach in Berlin is out on the road then. Short notice often works anyway: if your trip is within the next seven days, call us instead of using the calculator — then we can see straight away what is free.
Can I cancel free of charge?
Free of charge up to 14 days before departure. From 13 days to 48 hours beforehand we charge 35 per cent, after that 75 per cent. The scale has a simple reason: the closer the date, the smaller the chance of using the vehicle and the scheduled driver elsewhere. If you are unsure, book early anyway — rebooking costs less than starting the search again.
How can I pay?
By bank transfer or credit card. The invoice is usually only due 7 days after the trip. For business customers with several jobs a month we can combine the journeys into one collective invoice, with a cost centre or purchase order number on the document.
Do we have to pay up front?
As a rule, no. The service first, then the invoice — that applies to schools, clubs and public bodies as well. On school trips especially it helps, because the parents’ money is often only complete after the journey. There are exceptions: very large jobs, clients based outside Germany, and cases where something is still outstanding from earlier work together. We talk about it beforehand and put it in the quote — nobody should be caught out by it.
Can I change the booking instead of cancelling?
Yes, and it is almost always the better option. As long as a suitable vehicle is free, moving the date costs nothing. Changing vehicle is possible too: if 40 participants suddenly become 60, we swap the coach for the next size up and settle the difference.
Vehicles
What vehicle sizes are there?
VIP Sprinter with 8 seats, minibus with 19, coaches from 50 to 65 and double-deckers with 80 to 90 seats. Between 20 and 50 people the coach also works; we then use the smaller version. Above 65 people a double-decker is usually cheaper than two coaches, because only one vehicle and one driver are on the road.
Do all buses have a toilet?
Coaches and double-deckers yes — with one exception: the Eco Coach has no on-board toilet. The VIP Sprinter and the minibus have none either. Where one is not fitted, the driver schedules the legally required driving breaks so that a stop is possible. If a toilet on board matters, say so when you enquire and we will put a suitable vehicle on the job.
Is there Wi-Fi on the bus?
In every vehicle except the Eco Coach, and it costs nothing extra. The fleet runs a 5G uplink with a Wi-Fi 6 network and delivers up to 500 Mbit at your seat. That is enough for a whole school class at once and for video calls on the way to a meeting. On remote country roads the speed depends on the mobile network — we cannot change that, so we do not promise otherwise.
How much luggage fits in?
At full occupancy in a coach, one suitcase plus hand luggage per person, stowed in the underfloor hold. Double-deckers take correspondingly more; the VIP Sprinter and the minibus have a rear compartment that fits hand luggage and one case each. Bulky items such as sports equipment, instruments or bicycles need mentioning in advance — they fill the space differently from suitcases, and we will tell you honestly whether it works.
On the road
Can I follow my bus live?
From 30 minutes before departure you see the position, estimated arrival, number plate and the driver’s phone number. You get the link automatically and have nothing to install. For school trips and trade fair shuttles this is where most of the follow-up calls disappear — whoever is waiting can see where the bus is.
Can we eat and drink on the bus?
Yes. For bigger celebrations let us know beforehand and we will schedule cleaning time. Hot drinks from the galley are available in the coaches equipped for it. What is not allowed is an open flame, and alcohol on trips with minors is a matter for the accompanying adults, not the driver.
Can I use the on-board toilet at any time?
On motorways and main roads yes. In city traffic and on winding country roads the driver will ask you to wait — with a lot of steering movement, walking through the bus is dangerous. It is not officiousness: it is the most common cause of falls on a coach.
Can we plan several stops?
Yes. Enter them in the price calculator as intermediate stops and they are part of the quote. Several pick-up points are the norm at weddings and club outings: we collect at two or three places and then travel on together. Only entirely spontaneous detours along the way are not always possible — driving hours are fixed.
Children & groups
Does every child need their own seat?
Yes. Every passenger has their own seat, whatever their age. There is no standing room in our vehicles. For the vehicle size that means: count children, teaching staff and accompanying adults together — 28 children and 4 adults are 32 seats, not 28.
Are child seats required?
Not in buses over 3.5 tonnes. Seat belts are compulsory though, and the belt has to fit. For very young children speak to us in advance — the VIP Sprinter and the minibus are partly subject to different rules from a coach, because those vehicles are lighter. You may bring your own child seat and belt it in.
How many accompanying adults do we need?
That is set by the school’s or the organisation’s own rules, not by us. Tell us the total including adults — it counts towards the vehicle size. From experience: two adults per bus is the norm, one sitting at the front, one at the back. The driver drives; supervision is not their job.
Can animals come along?
Only by prior arrangement. Mention it when you enquire and we will settle it for that particular trip. Assistance dogs are welcome as a matter of course. With other animals it depends on size, duration and whether anyone in the group has an allergy — which is why we do not decide it across the board.
Law & safety
How safe are your buses?
Servicing follows the manufacturer’s specifications at independent master workshops. The annual roadworthiness test and the quarterly safety inspections we have done at Dekra in Berlin-Tempelhof. Every vehicle has seat belts on every seat, ABS, ESP and adaptive cruise control. Across more than a million passengers carried since 2006 we have had no personal injury.
How long may a driver drive without a break?
At most 4.5 hours at a stretch and as a rule 9 hours a day. That is set by law and recorded without gaps by the digital tachograph. On longer routes we schedule breaks or put a second driver on board. For planning that means: Berlin to the Baltic coast is a day trip, Berlin to the Alps is not, without an overnight stay.
Are seat belts compulsory?
Yes, in all our vehicles and for everyone on board. Each person is responsible for their own belt, and for minors the accompanying adult is. The driver points this out before departure but cannot check during the journey.
Are you insured?
Yes, with the insurance required for carrying passengers. We provide documentation for tenders on request — that includes the licence, confirmation of insurance, the tax exemption certificate and, if you want them, the inspection records for the vehicles being used.
Something still unanswered?
Then call or write. A person answers, not a queue.