Why Hire a Minibus Instead of Several Cars?
When there are six, seven or eight of you, a normal saloon will not do. The usual fix is two or three cars. That means several fares, several drivers, different arrival times and someone wondering where everyone else is.
A minibus keeps the whole group together. One booking, one fare and one driver. In most cases, the cost of one minibus is lower than separate cars, especially on longer trips.
It is also more sociable. Families chat on the way, friends start the night in the car, and parents can keep an eye on all the children at once.
What Fits in Our Minibus
Our 8 seater minibus is a people carrier with room for a full group. As a typical guide, it takes:
- Up to eight passengers.
- Around six large suitcases.
- Around four hand bags or small cases.
Luggage space does change when every seat is used. If you have a full group and lots of big bags, tell us when you book. Our 7 seater taxi is another option for slightly smaller groups.
Airport Transfers for Groups
A group airport run is one of the most common minibus bookings. Extended family flying out together, a team heading to a conference, or friends off on holiday can all travel in one vehicle with their luggage.
We can fit child seats on request, so tell us your children's ages when you book. Then we drive you from your road in Cheam to the terminal door.
For airport routes and times, see our Gatwick minicab from Cheam and Heathrow taxi pages.
Weddings, Parties and Nights Out
Planning a wedding, a birthday or a night out in Wimbledon, Kingston or central London? Book a minibus and everyone travels together. No one has to drive, and you all arrive at the same time.
Book a return pickup too. At the end of the night, the driver collects the group from an agreed spot and drops each person at home across the area. Just tell us the drop-off addresses when you book so the route and fare are clear.
Stag and Hen Groups
Stag and hen weekends work best when the whole group is in one vehicle. A minibus saves splitting into taxis, makes sure nobody is left behind, and keeps the fare simple to share between everyone.
Sports Days and Big Events
The area around Cheam has plenty of sporting events through the year. The Derby at Epsom Downs racecourse draws big crowds every June. Tennis fans head to the championships in Wimbledon each summer. AFC Wimbledon play at their stadium on Plough Lane, just a short drive north.
For these days, a minibus is ideal. Parking near big events is hard, and roads close or slow down. We drop you as close as the road rules allow and agree a pickup spot for afterwards.
Golf Days and Weekend Trips
Golf bags take up a lot of room. A group of golfers with clubs and trolleys will not fit in a saloon. A minibus gives everyone a seat and plenty of space for the bags.
There are several golf clubs around Cheam, Banstead and Epsom. We are happy to take groups to any of them, or further afield for a golf weekend.
Family Occasions and Funerals
Christmas lunch with the grandparents. A christening at a church across the borough. A birthday meal at a restaurant in Cheam Village or Sutton. These are the days when getting the whole family there together matters.
A minibus makes it simple. One vehicle, one fixed fare and nobody needs to worry about drinking and driving. It also works well for larger families travelling together to a funeral, where arriving as one group matters.
Getting to Hospital Together
Sometimes a family needs to travel together for a hospital visit, perhaps to St Helier Hospital in Carshalton or the Royal Marsden in Sutton. A minibus lets everyone travel as one, with room for a folding wheelchair if needed. Tell us if you have any mobility needs and we will plan the right vehicle.
Shared School Runs
A few families who share a school run use a larger vehicle on a regular basis. Several children in one minibus is easier for everyone than a queue of cars at the gate. See our school run taxi page for how we handle regular term time bookings.
Minibus or a Smaller Car?
Picking the right size saves money and stress. Here is a quick way to think about it.
If there are four of you or fewer with normal bags, a saloon is usually fine. If you want a smarter car for a business trip or a special occasion, the executive car seats the same four people in more comfort. Five or six people can travel in an MPV. Seven or eight people, or a smaller group with a lot of luggage, need the minibus.
When in doubt, tell us the numbers on the phone. We would rather spend a minute getting it right than send a vehicle that is too small.
Concerts, Shows and Late Nights
Big concerts at Wembley, the O2 or Hyde Park finish late, and the crowds heading home can be huge. Getting a big group back to Cheam on the night bus is nobody's idea of fun.
Book a minibus for the trip there and back. We agree a pickup point a short walk from the venue, away from the worst of the crowds. If the show runs over, call us and the driver will wait. You will be home and in bed while others are still queuing.
Group Booking Tips
A few small things make group trips run smoothly.
- Book early for busy dates such as Christmas parties, New Year's Eve and summer weekends.
- Agree one person as the main contact, so the driver knows who to call.
- Share the pickup time with the whole group, and build in five minutes for latecomers.
- Tell us about any extra stops when you book, so they are included in the fixed fare.
Covering the Whole Area
We send minibuses across Cheam, North Cheam and Cheam Village, plus Carshalton, Wimbledon, Sutton and the rest of our areas we cover.
Book Your Minibus
Use the quote form at the top of this page and choose the minibus or 8 seater option. Your fixed fare appears straight away. Or call 020 3642 6174 to book by phone, any time of day.
Tell us how many people and how many bags. If the minibus is not the right size, we will say so and suggest the best option.
Minibus Taxi FAQs
How many people fit in a minibus taxi?
Our 8 seater minibus takes up to eight passengers, with space for around six large cases and four smaller bags as a typical guide.
Is a minibus cheaper than booking several cars?
In most cases, yes. One minibus usually costs less than two or three separate cars, and everyone arrives together.
Can you fit child seats in the minibus?
Yes, child seats are available on request. Tell us your children's ages and weights when you book.
What if our group is bigger than eight?
Call us with your numbers. We can plan more than one vehicle so the whole group travels at the same time.
Can you drop people at different addresses after an event?
Yes. Give us the drop-off addresses when you book and the route will be included in your fixed fare.
Can a folding wheelchair go in the minibus?
Usually yes, depending on how many passengers and bags there are. Let us know when you book.
Is the minibus taxi available at night?
Yes. We operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.