Travel and Charter Tips & Information

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The "Ins and Outs" of the Group Travel and Charter Industry

 

Travel Tips

If you have any questions or concerns about the charter and group travel industry, including the process of finding an operator and securing a booking; you've come to the right place.
Over the years of helping charter-seeking consumers contact and book directly with the bus companies that are right for them, we've amassed some great tips and info that we love to pass on to our users. We hope the resources below help you in the process of contacting and booking directly with the travel & tourism providers that fit your group the best.

• What Bus Type Should I Search For?
• How Can I Verify Operating Authority?
• Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Chartering a Bus
• Top 10 Questions You Should Ask Before Chartering a Bus
• Top 15 Complaints You Can Avoid
• Why Travel by Bus?
• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
• Components of a Quote
• Bus Charter Safety Regulations
• Bus Industry Slang
• How to Use Bus Rates
• To Get the Most Out of this Site

We've also compiled great tips and reminders from our friends at NTA (National Tourism Association) including a packing check-list, tips for student travel, as well as tips on avoiding any travel scams.

• Packing Tips
• Tips for Student Travel
• Tips for Avoiding Travel Scams

What Bus Type Should I Search For?

If you're trying to determine what would be the best bus type for your group travel, please review our Bus Types Reference Guide.

It's a quick and helpful summary of the types of buses that BusRates.com indexes. It describes the common seating, amenities, and average price per day to give you a general overview of the options available to search for in your area.

How Can I Verify Operating Authority?

One of the easiest ways in which to determine if you are dealing with an actual bus-owning company as opposed to a broker is to verify the company's operating authority.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration maintains records on all licensed carriers of interstate passenger transportation. Prior to being listed on BusRates.com, each company is verified for proper authority, and periodic reviews are also conducted by BusRates.com staff to ensure out-of-service companies are removed from the directory.

The USDOT FMCSA SAFER System catalogues operator safety, status, and authority

We always suggest you personally verify a company's operating authority prior to booking. We have composed a user-friendly guide to determine compliancy at a glance, including safety records, inspection data, and more; per the FMCSA's records. View our guide to Understanding Operating Authority.