10 Charter bus travel tips
Rules of the road for planning a great charter motorcoach trip
The quality and success of your motorcoach charter is determined largely by planning. With decades of experience in the industry (and especially in the northeast US), we at DATTCO offer these 10 essential tips.
1-Estimating your budget
Your budget will be impacted by many factors, so start with the main ones:
- Vehicle size and the number of passengers.
- Distance and duration of the trip.
- Contingencies such as side trips and additional stops.
- Seasonal fluctuations in prices of tickets, passes, and other expenses related to your destinations (including group discounts), and
- Driver gratuity.
2-Choose proven destinations
Our expertise is in the northeast U.S. You may already have a destination selected, or perhaps you’d like to consult with our tour planner. Either way, picking destinations is one of the truly fun parts of planning. To get you thinking, here are 5 of our favorites
- New England Fall Foliage: Including destinations such as Boston, North Conway NH, Kennebunkport Me, Stowe VT, the Berkshires, and many beautiful small towns in between.
- US History Highlights: Delve into our nation’s past with a tour that includes destinations such as Washington D.C., Yorktown, Williamsburg, Jamestown, Charlottesville, Shenandoah National Park, Gettysburg, and Philadelphia.
- Philadelphia and Amish Country: Highlights include Philadelphia’s historical sites, and a visit to Amish Country to get a mix of urban culture, rural culture, US history, and natural beauty.
- Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor: This tour is great for nature lovers. See the beauty of Maine’s rugged coastline and serene landscapes of Maine.
- Sports of All Sorts: Map out an itinerary that takes your group to the most iconic sports arenas in Boston, New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.
3-Plan for the best times of year
July is the most popular month for travel in the northeast US. November is the least popular month. Take into consideration weather, regional and local events you may want to visit, traffic, holidays, and seasonal pricing as you make your decisions.
4-Optimize your route to avoid heavy traffic
Even when a professional driver is behind the wheel, sitting in traffic is no fun. One of the advantages of working with DATTCO is our expertise in navigating the Northeast’s busy roadways. Based on your itinerary, we can time our travel to avoid rush hours and identify alternative routes that can add beauty to the trip.
5-Ensure your driver has the right personality
The driver can significantly impact the overall experience of your charter trip. A friendly, professional, and knowledgeable driver can enhance your group’s enjoyment, provide valuable insights about the destinations, and ensure a smooth journey. DATTCO prides itself on hiring drivers who not only have excellent driving skills but also possess the right personality to “fit” with the group.
6-Create a detailed itinerary
Some groups like a very tightly planned itinerary. Others like to leave it loose. We believe in a balance of both. Depending on travel time, visiting 1-3 destinations per day is standard. We place a lot of emphasis on realistic schedules and carefully coordinated pickup and drop-off locations and times, based on the needs and desires of your group (especially elderly passengers or those with special needs). Our planners and drivers can be very helpful in striking a balance of eventful trips that don’t become overwhelming.
7- Anticipate all necessary expenses
If you work with DATTCO, we can help you anticipate and coordinate all the necessary expenses for your trip. This includes entry tickets for attractions, parking permits, room reservations, special permits, and any other documentation required.
8- Communicate clearly with your group
We often suggest that a group leader take control of the communication regarding the charter trip. Once underway, your driver(s) will happily help you communicate the essentials of travel to everyone in your group. Using a detailed itinerary to keep everyone informed about the schedule and any changes is essential, and having a communication plan, such as a group chat or messaging app, to quickly disseminate information and address any questions or concerns from your group members is also a good idea.
9-Consider on-board entertainment
Advise your group about the entertainment amenities on board your motor coach (displays, wireless availability, AC charging stations) and let them plan accordingly. You can also provide music, movies, trivia, puzzles, or games with a little extra planning.
10-Ask your charter company about safety
Safety and reliability are paramount when it comes to charter travel. Full disclosure: DATTCO maintains a rigorous vehicle maintenance schedule to ensure that our fleet is in top condition. This minimizes the risk of breakdowns and ensures that your trip goes off without a hitch. Knowing that your vehicle is well-maintained provides peace of mind and enhances the overall travel experience.
Planning a charter motor coach trip in the Northeast United States can be a life-changing experience. We hope you consider doing it with DATTCO.
You can request a quote online or call to discuss!
Amber Hasler, Group Tour Coordinator
(860) 229-4878 x4631
[email protected]