Which Vehicle for Your Group in Italy
Start from the headcount and the luggage, then look at where the vehicle has to go. In Italy the second question often changes the answer to the first.
Headcount, luggage and the roads ahead
A gran turismo coach seats about 49 to 57, a midi-coach about 29 to 35 and a minibus 9 to 16 passengers. A Sprinter-style minibus takes 8 to 16, with luggage behind the last row. An NCC car takes up to three passengers, or up to eight in a van-type car. Wheelchair-accessible minibuses have a lift or ramp, and wheelchair positions replace some seats.
The law draws a line at nine seats, driver included: above it the vehicle is a bus, below it a car. Then the roads have their say. The Amalfi Coast road bars buses over 10.36 m, the Bellagio lake road vehicles over 10.5 m, and Rome's coach zones anything below Euro 5.
Questions organisers ask
How much luggage fits?
A full-size coach carries it underfloor. On a minibus the rear space is limited when every seat is taken, so mention large cases.
Do coaches have seat belts?
Where they are fitted, every passenger over three must wear them while seated. Ask the operator about the vehicle quoted.
Can a wheelchair user travel with the group?
Yes. Say so in the request, so the quote includes an accessible minibus or a vehicle with a lift.
Choose a vehicle
- Full-size coach (pullman gran turismo) — Seats: 49-57
- Midi-coach (midibus) — Seats: 29-35
- Minibus — Seats: 9-16 passengers plus the driver
- Executive Sprinter-style minibus — Seats: 8-16 passengers plus the driver
- Executive car with driver (NCC, noleggio con conducente) — Seats: 1-3 (up to 8 passengers in a van-type car)
- Wheelchair-accessible minibus — Seats: Varies by layout; wheelchair positions replace seats