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Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Group: 5, 8, 12 or 22 Seats

A short guide to picking a size that fits the people and the luggage.

Updated on 4 min read

Kia Carnival people mover from the T-Ranz fleet

The most common booking mistake is counting heads and stopping there. Seats fill up quickly once bags, prams and sporting gear come along — so size the vehicle for the load, not just the headcount.

Match the vehicle to the trip

  • 5-seater cars: City driving, couples and small families. Easy to park, cheap to run, and the right call for anything that is mostly errands and short hops.

  • 8-seater people movers: Families travelling together, or a small group with real luggage. The extra row means nobody has to sit with a bag on their lap.

  • 12-seater minibuses: Team travel, tour groups and weekend trips. One vehicle instead of three cars, which also means one set of directions and one arrival time.

  • 22-seater buses: Events, corporate transfers and school charters. Spacious seating and a single pickup point for the whole group.

A rule of thumb for luggage

For airport runs, allow one large case per passenger and step up a size if the count is borderline. For day trips and event transfers you can usually book to the seat count, since bags stay behind.

Not sure? Ask before you book

Tell us the group size, the trip and what everyone is carrying. We would rather move you up a class before the day than watch a group split across two vehicles at the kerb.

Planning a trip of your own?

Tell us where you are going and we’ll quote it — rentals price instantly, charters come back the same business day.