BritWheel Travels provides one way minibus hire with driver across the UK, offering a flexible, safe, and cost-effective solution for groups of 6 to 72 passengers. This service allows customers to travel in comfort to their chosen destination without needing to return the vehicle, making it ideal for relocations, airport transfers, weddings, and one-off events. Available 24/7 nationwide, with DBS-checked drivers and modern vehicles, BritWheel Travels ensures your group reaches its destination reliably and on time.
Why Choose One Way Minibus Hire?
One way minibus hire is chosen because it offers flexibility, cost savings, and convenience for groups that do not require a return journey. Customers avoid paying for unused mileage, saving on average 10–20% compared with return hire, especially for relocations or airport drop-offs.
Hiring a minibus with a driver also removes the burden of parking, navigation, and long-distance fatigue, making it a safer and more reliable choice for large groups. According to the UK Department for Transport, journeys with professional drivers reduce accident risks compared with self-drive options due to regulated driving hours and route expertise.
For example, a corporate team travelling from Manchester to London Heathrow Airport may save several hundred pounds by booking a one-way minibus instead of a return hire, since the vehicle does not need to return empty. Similarly, students moving between universities or families relocating to new homes benefit from point-to-point pricing, which reflects only the distance travelled.
BritWheel Travels ensures punctuality (“on time, every time”), with DBS-checked drivers and modern vehicles covering capacities from 8-seater minibuses to 72-seater coaches. This means one-way hire suits small, medium, and large groups alike, without hidden surcharges beyond the agreed booking.
In short, one way minibus hire is best for single-trip needs such as relocations, airport transfers, and special events, where flexibility and affordability matter most.
How Does One Way Minibus Hire Work?
One way minibus hire works by arranging a professional driver to collect your group from a chosen pick-up point, transport you directly to the destination, and then complete the journey without returning the vehicle. This process is ideal for relocations, airport transfers, or events where return travel is unnecessary.
The booking flow is straightforward and transparent:
- Choose pick-up location: Provide the exact address or landmark where your group will be collected.
- Select drop-off point: Enter the destination city, town, or venue within the UK.
- Driver allocation: BritWheel Travels assigns a vetted, DBS-checked driver with local route knowledge.
- One-way surcharge applied: A one-way hire typically carries a surcharge of 10–20% compared with return hire, covering repositioning costs.
- Confirmation & journey: Once confirmed, the driver arrives on time, every time, and transports your group directly to the destination.
This structured process ensures clarity, eliminates the stress of planning return travel, and keeps costs transparent. It also sets the stage for understanding how pricing factors influence one-way minibus hire, which we explain in the next section.
Cost of One Way Minibus Hire in the UK
The average cost of one way minibus hire in the UK is 10–20% higher than a standard return journey, because the vehicle and driver do not make the return trip. Prices for an 8–seater minibus typically start from £120–£150 for short urban trips, while larger options like a 16–seater can range between £200–£260 depending on distance.
Several factors influence the final price:
- Distance travelled: Longer intercity routes (e.g., London to Manchester) increase fuel and driver hours.
- Vehicle size: Smaller 8–12 seater minibuses are more affordable, while 20+ seat coaches cost significantly more.
- Timing: Peak periods such as weekends, bank holidays, or late-night bookings usually carry surcharges.
- One-way surcharge: A flat fee of 10–20% is applied because the vehicle returns empty to base.
When comparing one way hire vs return hire, one way is more cost-effective for relocations, airport transfers, or onward journeys, while return is better value for round trips and events where you need collection after the event.
BritWheel Travels provides transparent quotes online or by phone (020-348-85074) with no hidden fees, ensuring customers can compare options easily.
Vehicle Options for One Way Minibus Hire
BritWheel Travels offers a full range of vehicle capacities, from 8-seater minibuses to 72-seat coaches, ensuring the right fit for every group size and journey. Smaller groups often choose an 8-seater minibus hire in the UK, ideal for airport transfers, day trips, and family travel. For mid-sized groups, a 12-seater or 16-seater minibus with driver provides additional seating without sacrificing manoeuvrability on busy UK roads. Larger parties such as schools, wedding groups, or corporate teams benefit from private coach hire options with capacities up to 72 seats, offering space, comfort, and luggage storage.
All vehicles are modern, ULEZ-compliant, and maintained to the highest standards, giving passengers confidence in both safety and comfort. Each minibus or coach is operated by a DBS-checked, professional driver, supporting BritWheel Travels’ promise of punctual, stress-free travel “on time, every time.”
By offering capacities across the spectrum, BritWheel Travels ensures flexibility for one way hire – whether you need a compact minibus for a single transfer or a full coach for a long-distance relocation. This structured choice connects directly to scenarios covered in the next section: When Should You Book One Way Minibus Hire?
When Should You Book One Way Minibus Hire?
One way minibus hire is most suitable for specific scenarios where a return journey is not required. The most common situations include relocations, airport transfers, weddings, and long-distance trips.
1. Relocations
Booking a one way minibus is ideal for house or student relocations, especially when belongings and passengers only need transport in one direction. It eliminates the cost of an unused return leg, making it more affordable.
2. Airport Transfers
Groups travelling to airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester often prefer one way minibus hire. With flight schedules fixed, a single drop-off or collection is usually all that is needed. BritWheel Travels provides punctual services that ensure you arrive on time, every time.
3. Weddings & Events
One way hire works well for wedding parties, stag and hen nights, concerts, or festival travel. Guests can be dropped at the venue without needing to coordinate complex return logistics, particularly when onward travel or overnight stays are planned.
4. Long-Distance Trips
For long journeys across the UK, such as tours ending in a different city, one way minibus hire avoids unnecessary mileage and cost. Customers benefit from flexibility and reduced travel stress compared with paying for the vehicle to return empty.
24/7 Support & Reliability with BritWheel Travels
BritWheel Travels provides 24/7 minibus hire support across the UK, ensuring every group journey is reliable and safe. This constant availability means customers can book at any hour, whether for an early Heathrow transfer, a midnight wedding return, or an urgent corporate trip.
Reliability is guaranteed through DBS-checked drivers and modern vehicles maintained to strict UK standards. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), compliance with safety checks reduces roadside delays by over 15%, proving the importance of regulated fleet management.
Operational readiness is reinforced with real-time tracking and dedicated phone support. Passengers receive confirmation updates and direct communication, which minimises uncertainty during busy travel periods such as school runs or festival weekends.
On-time arrival is a core promise—BritWheel Travels achieves punctuality rates above 97%. This figure reflects nationwide coverage and professional route planning, helping customers avoid costly delays, particularly for time-sensitive airport departures.
24/7 accessibility builds trust, especially for groups requiring dependable travel beyond standard business hours. Whether booking for a relocation or late-night event, customers can expect consistent service, transparent communication, and the reassurance of immediate support.
One Way Minibus Hire vs Return Hire: Which is Better?
One way minibus hire is best for relocations, airport transfers, and one-off journeys, while return hire is more cost-effective for round trips where the group comes back to the starting point.
Choosing the right option depends on the nature of your journey and total distance. One way hire typically includes a 10–20% surcharge to cover the empty return run for the driver and vehicle. For example, if a return trip from London to Manchester costs £950, a one way hire on the same route may cost £1,050–£1,150.
Return hire is usually more affordable when the group returns on the same day, such as for corporate events, school trips, or weddings. By contrast, one way hire is practical for long-distance relocations, student moves, or outbound festival travel where there is no need to bring the vehicle back.
Cost Comparison Table: One Way vs Return Hire
| Journey Type | Example Use Case | Average Cost | Surcharge | Best Choice |
| One Way | Airport transfer (Manchester → Heathrow) | £480 | +10–20% | Flexible & practical |
| Return | Day trip (London → Oxford → London) | £750 | N/A | Cheaper for groups |
Ultimately, one way hire is chosen for flexibility, while return hire is chosen for savings. BritWheel Travels helps you decide with transparent quotes tailored to your group’s route, schedule, and vehicle size.
Frequently Asked Questions: One Way Minibus Hire
How much does one way minibus hire cost in the UK?
One way minibus hire in the UK typically costs 10–20% more than a standard return trip, with prices starting around £120 for short local journeys and increasing for long-distance travel. Costs vary by vehicle size, mileage, and time of day.
Can you book a one way minibus hire abroad?
Yes, BritWheel Travels provides one way minibus hire for journeys to and from major UK airports that connect abroad, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. Direct overseas hires are not offered, but cross-border transfers are supported.
Is a 16-seater available for one way minibus hire?
Yes, 16-seater minibuses are available for one way hire, making them suitable for medium-sized groups travelling to events, airports, or relocations. Larger coaches (up to 72 seats) are also available for longer or high-capacity trips.