Buses and coaches for club and county teams
A club secretary books transport around a throw-in time that will not move. Size the vehicle for players, mentors and kit, then plan the route back from the dressing room.
Count the whole travelling party
Count everyone who travels: the panel, mentors, physio, kit man and any supporters sharing the bus. A minibus carrying up to 16 passengers and no longer than 8 m is driven on a D1 licence. Anything larger needs a category D driver. The operator matches driver to vehicle, but it can only do that from a true headcount.
Hurleys, helmets, kit bags and a physio's table take room too. For a full squad, a coach with underfloor bays often beats a crowded minibus with bags stacked in the aisle.
Croke Park on a big day
For the 2026 All-Ireland finals, Gardaí provided no coach set-down or parking near Croke Park, and on big match days coaches may not drop off or pick up on the main roads around the stadium. Supporters' coaches set down further out and the group walks in. Agree a return meeting point everyone can find in a crowd, and read the Garda traffic information for the fixture before the day.
What the rules require
- For the 2026 All-Ireland finals, Gardaí provided no coach set-down or parking near Croke Park
- Buses and coaches pay the M50 toll between junctions 6 and 7; unregistered users must pay by 8pm the next day
County grounds across the country
Most championship travel ends somewhere other than Croke Park. SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, Pearse Stadium in Salthill, the TUS Gaelic Grounds on the Ennis Road in Limerick, UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny and Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney all fill up on a big day. Rugby squads heading for Thomond Park meet similar crowds. Ask where the bus can set down and wait at that particular ground.
The toll on the way home
Buses and coaches pay the M50 toll between junctions 6 and 7. Unregistered users must pay by 20:00 the following day. After a late return that deadline is easy to miss, so confirm the operator has it covered.
Questions
Can a D1 driver take a 19-seat minibus?
Not with more than 16 passengers or a vehicle over 8 m long. Beyond either limit the driver needs a full category D licence.
Where does the team bus stop at Croke Park?
Not on the main roads around the stadium on big match days. Plan to set down further out and walk.
Is there space for hurleys and kit bags?
A minibus has a rear luggage compartment and a coach has underfloor bays. Tell the operator the number of bags and any long items.
Cities
Vehicles
- Full-size coach — 49-81 seats
- Midi coach — 29-35 seats
- Minibus — 16-19 seats
- Executive van (Mercedes V-Class and similar) — 6-7 seats
- Executive car (E-Class saloon class) — 1-3 seats
- Wheelchair-accessible minibus — 10-16 plus wheelchair spaces
Book the team bus
Send the fixture, ground, throw-in time and travelling numbers. A licensed partner operator quotes a vehicle with a driver, and the club decides.
Request a quote or call 35312659152