Vintage London Bus Hire for Weddings & Events

 

You can hire our vintage buses for private events and weddings

A read vintage bus in the foreground parked at Albourne wine estate on a Great British Wine Tour

Wedding & Event Transport

Make your special day even more memorable with a vintage bus from Great British Wine Tours.

Our characterful vintage buses can accommodate up to 74 guests, offering a fun, stylish and wonderfully unique way to add a little extra charm and pizazz to your wedding, celebration or special event.

With a fully managed service from start to finish, our Vintage Bus Hire makes transport simple, convenient and completely hassle-free — leaving you free to relax and enjoy your day.


What’s included

  • Fully Managed service

  • Uniformed driver and conductor

  • Customisable destination blinds

  • Host service if guests wish to enjoy a drink on your journey

  • Flowers and internal decoration

This is the perfect way to explore English wine country without the stress of planning or driving.

Vintage Bus Hire Enquiry Form

Vintage Bus Hire FAQs

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about hiring our vintage London buses for weddings, events, celebrations and private hire.

Our Vintage London Buses

How many passengers can your vintage Routemaster buses carry?

Our classic Routemaster buses can seat up to 72 passengers. For safety and legal reasons, every passenger must have a seat while travelling.

If your party is larger, we can arrange additional buses or, depending on your itinerary, organise more than one journey.

What colour are your vintage London buses?

Our buses are finished in the iconic traditional London Transport red, giving you the instantly recognisable appearance of a classic London Routemaster.

They make a fantastic backdrop for wedding photographs, corporate events, filming and special occasions.

Can I hire a genuine London Routemaster bus?

Yes. Our classic London Routemasters are at the heart of our vintage bus fleet.

The buses retain their traditional London Transport character while being carefully maintained to provide a reliable and enjoyable experience for modern private hire.

Can I hire more than one vintage bus?

Yes. Multiple vintage buses can be arranged for larger weddings, corporate events and other occasions.

Tell us approximately how many passengers you need to transport, together with your locations and timings, and we can recommend the most practical arrangement.

Do your Routemaster buses have an open rear platform?

Yes. Our classic Routemasters feature the traditional open rear platform that these buses are famous for.

For passenger safety, an open-platform bus operates with a conductor on board to supervise passengers when boarding and leaving the vehicle.

Do you offer open-top vintage buses?

We do not currently operate open-top buses ourselves.

However, if an open-top vehicle is essential for your event, please ask us and we may be able to recommend another specialist vintage bus operator.

Wedding & Event Bus Hire

Can I hire a vintage London bus for a wedding?

Absolutely. Weddings are one of the most popular reasons for hiring a classic Routemaster.

A vintage London bus is an ideal way to transport wedding guests between hotels, churches, register offices, ceremony venues and reception venues while adding something memorable to the day.

Can you display a personalised message on the front of the bus?

Yes. We can arrange a personalised destination blind for your vintage bus.

Popular choices include the couple’s names, wedding date, venue, company name or a message created especially for your occasion.

One personalised destination blind is included with the hire, and additional blinds can be arranged if required.

Can the vintage bus be decorated for our wedding?

Yes. Our buses can be dressed for weddings and special occasions using suitable ribbons, bows and decorative flowers.

If you have a particular colour scheme or style in mind, speak to us when arranging your booking and we can discuss the available options.

Can we play music on the bus?

Yes. Our vintage buses are equipped with an onboard PA system, allowing music to be played during your journey.

Microphones are also available, which can be useful for announcements, tour commentary, speeches or corporate events.

Can we bring alcohol onto the bus?

Alcohol may be consumed on board.

If you are planning drinks for your guests, please discuss this with us beforehand so that everything can be organised safely and appropriately.

Are your vintage buses available throughout the year?

Yes. Our vintage London buses are available for private hire throughout the year, subject to availability.

Popular wedding dates, weekends and summer dates can book well in advance, so we recommend enquiring as early as possible.

Can I hire a vintage bus for an evening event?

Evening journeys may be available by prior arrangement.

Because of the age and design of heritage vehicles, some late-night journeys may not be suitable. Send us your proposed itinerary and timings and we can advise you on the best option.

Routes & Areas Covered

Do you check the route before the event?

We carefully assess each proposed journey to make sure it is suitable for a vintage double-decker bus.

Where possible, routes may also be checked in advance. Our drivers have extensive knowledge of roads that are suitable for heritage vehicles.

If you know of any narrow roads, low bridges, restricted access, low trees or other possible obstacles, please mention these when requesting your quotation.

Can you provide vintage bus hire outside London?

Yes. We can provide vintage bus hire across London and surrounding areas, subject to the distance, route and availability of our vehicles.

Longer-distance journeys may cost more because vintage buses travel more slowly than modern coaches and require additional operating time.

Please send us your collection point, destination and proposed timings and we can advise you.

Can you help plan our wedding bus route?

Yes. We are happy to help plan the transport element of your wedding or event.

Once we know your passenger numbers, collection points, venues and timings, we can recommend a practical itinerary and advise whether you need one bus, multiple buses or more than one journey.

Vintage Bus Hire Prices & Booking

How much does vintage bus hire cost?

Every booking is different, so prices are based on your individual itinerary.

The main factors include the distance travelled, length of hire, number of passengers, number of buses required and the locations involved.

Once we have your itinerary, we can provide a clear quotation for your event.

What is included in my vintage bus hire quotation?

Our quotations are designed to include the essential costs associated with operating your bus, including the vehicle, professional driver, conductor where required, fuel, mileage and appropriate insurance.

Any optional extras or special requirements can be discussed with you before you confirm your booking.

Do you provide a written quotation?

Yes. Once we have the details of your proposed journey, we can provide a written, no-obligation quotation.

Your booking is confirmed once the required deposit has been received and confirmation has been issued.

When is the final balance due?

The remaining balance is normally due one month before the date of your hire.

Full payment details and deadlines will be confirmed as part of your booking.

How can I pay for my vintage bus hire?

Payment options include bank transfer and other agreed payment methods.

Full payment instructions will be supplied when you make your booking.

Can I change my booking date?

We understand that plans sometimes change.

Where possible, we will try to accommodate a change of date, subject to vehicle availability and the terms of your booking. Deposits are normally non-refundable, so please contact us as soon as possible if your plans change.

Is there a discount if we hire more than one vintage bus?

Where an event requires several buses, we will calculate the quotation based on the complete itinerary and number of vehicles required.

Multi-bus bookings don’t usually qualify for a discounted overall rate. Contact us with your passenger numbers and itinerary and we can provide an accurate quotation.

Are there any additional charges?

We aim to make our quotations as clear and inclusive as possible.

Many popular extras can be included as part of your hire, while certain personalised or specially made items may carry an additional charge. Any additional costs will be explained before you confirm your booking.

Safety & Professional Standards

Are vintage Routemaster buses safe?

Yes. Passenger safety is our priority.

Our buses operate within the legal requirements applicable to passenger-carrying vehicles and are maintained through a structured inspection and maintenance programme.

Drivers also carry out checks before vehicles enter service.

Are your vintage bus drivers professionally qualified?

Yes. Our drivers hold the appropriate professional licences and qualifications required to operate passenger-carrying vehicles.

We also select drivers for their experience, driving ability, local knowledge and familiarity with heritage buses.

Do your buses have conductors?

Yes, where required.

Traditional open-platform Routemasters operate with a conductor who assists passengers and supervises the open rear entrance while the bus is in service.

Having a conductor also adds to the authentic experience of travelling on a classic London Routemaster.

Are your vintage buses insured and legally licensed for private hire?

Yes. Our vehicles are operated, maintained, insured and licensed in accordance with the appropriate requirements for carrying passengers.

Safety, maintenance and professional operation are fundamental parts of running our vintage bus hire service.

Do the driver and conductor wear uniforms?

Our drivers and conductors dress smartly and professionally to suit weddings, corporate functions and special occasions.

We want the service you receive from our team to complement the presentation of the vintage buses themselves.

Viewing & Booking

Can we view a vintage bus before making a booking?

Yes. Viewings can be arranged by appointment.

Please contact us beforehand so that we can arrange a suitable time. Weekend availability can be limited during the busy spring and summer wedding season because many of our buses will be out working.

Do you have a vintage bus hire brochure?

Our website contains the latest photographs, information and details of our vintage London bus fleet.

If you cannot find the information you need, please contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions.

Still Have a Question?

If you are planning a wedding, corporate event, party, tour, prom, filming project or special occasion and would like to hire a vintage London bus, please get in touch.

Send us your date, approximate passenger numbers, collection point, destination and preferred timings and we can help you plan your journey and provide a quotation. Please use our convenient Enquiry Form above