Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hotard own and operate its own charter buses?

YES!  For 90 years, Hotard has owned and operated its own buses.  You can check out our DOT safety score here.

What’s the difference between a bus and a motorcoach?

They are the same!  It’s a vehicle that provides group seating.  The charter of a bus or motorcoach includes rental of the vehicle, the bus driver or motorcoach operator, and normally other fees associated with the vehicle (fuel, cleaning, etc.).  Some other names for them are Coach, Shuttle Bus, and Coach Bus.

How do I request a price quote?  And how long is my quote good?

You can request a price quote by clicking here, using the Request A Quote button in the top right corner of our website, emailing charters@hotard.com or calling our Charter Sales Department at 800-356-6831 during regular business hours (usually Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm).

Price quotes expire 10 days after they are requested, due to the fluctuation of our availability. And please remember that price quotes do not guarantee vehicle/driver availability, so when you’re ready to confirm your quote to a charter, we’ll need to re-check that a vehicle/driver is still available for your trip.

How can I get the Best Rate? 

Traditionally, the best rates are offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, since our availability is higher.

Does Hotard price match?

If you send over the formal price quote for the exact same service from another local bus company, Hotard will potentially match their price, depending on our availability.

When is the latest I can cancel my bus charter without penalty?

Here is our full cancellation policy in our Charter Terms & Conditions document.

What is the deposit? When is it due? Does it go towards my full balance?

The deposit amount is $250 per bus. Your deposit is due within two weeks of confirming your trip. Yes, the deposit amount goes toward the full cost of your trip.

When is full/final balance due?

Full balance is due 30 days before your trip’s departure

Can passengers stand in the aisle if there aren’t enough seats? 

No, unfortunately, the total number of passengers onboard can’t exceed the number of seats on the bus.  And for safety, the aisle must remain clear.

Can we bring food and/or drinks on the bus?

Yes, food and drinks are permitted onboard.  Glass containers aren’t allowed, make sure they are in containers that don’t spill, and that all trash is discarded in the provided trash bags when you’re finished with it.  Coolers/ice chests are also permitted, but must fit in the foot space.  They can’t block the aisles or ride on the seats or overhead bins.

Can we bring pets on the bus?

No, unfortunately, pets and comfort animals are prohibited on the bus.  Service dogs are always allowed, per the ADA regulations.

Can we request a specific Hotard driver that has driven us before?

Certainly!  We welcome driver requests and do our very best to accommodate those requests.

Why isn’t your 20-passenger minibus available for long distance trips?

Our executive minibus is not suitable for long distance travel as it does not have a restroom on board and requires much more frequent fuel stops than our larger coaches.

Anything else I need to know before chartering a bus?

Hotard is a member of the International Motorcoach Group (IMG). With 50+ fellow members across the US and Canada, help isn’t far off if needed.

While there are strict regulations from the Department of Transportation about how long/far a driver can drive at one time, you don’t have to worry about that.  Just send us your complete itinerary, and we’ll make it work.