A
Amy
2026-06-28
“Great customer service and communications before the trip. Very clear and flexible as well.”
Coach Hire and Minibus Hire in Ballymena
Ballymena in County Antrim sits 29 miles from Belfast, a 39-minute coach run with a straightforward same day return.
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Door-to-Door Business Travel
Free Waiting Time Included
Meet & Greet Service Available
Your Group, Ballymena, One Booking
Coach hire and minibus hire in Ballymena
Ballymena is a town in County Antrim with a population of around 28,704 people. Its size makes it a practical base for group travel, whether that's a school run, a sports fixture, a works outing or a private party heading further afield. Coach hire and minibus hire in Ballymena covers everything from small minibuses for a dozen passengers to full size coaches for larger groups, matched to the job through licensed operators working in the area.
Getting around from Ballymena
The most useful route to plan around is Belfast, just 29 miles away by road. That's a coach journey of about 39 minutes, short enough that a same day return is entirely workable without cutting into the time available at the destination. No breaks are required for a trip this length under GB drivers hours rules, which keeps things simple for anyone organising a one day visit, a shopping trip, an airport transfer or a evening event in the city.
Booking through licensed operators
BusRoute does not own vehicles. Instead, we connect you with licensed operators who run coaches and minibuses in and around Ballymena, matching the vehicle to the group size and the route. That means you get a driver and vehicle suited to the job, whether it's a short hop to Belfast or a longer trip that needs proper planning around rest breaks.
Pickup and local access
Ballymena sits within County Antrim, and operators covering the town are generally used to picking up from central points as well as outlying addresses nearby. If your group is spread across several pickup points, it's worth flagging that early so the operator can plan a route that keeps the journey efficient. For a town of this size, most pickups are straightforward, but let the operator know in advance if you need multiple stops before the main route out of town.
Planning ahead
Whether you're arranging a single trip to Belfast or a wider itinerary that starts or ends in Ballymena, the details that matter are the group size, the pickup points and the timing. Coach hire and minibus hire in Ballymena works best when those are settled early, giving the operator time to allocate the right vehicle and driver for the day.
Journey times from Ballymena
Break requirements shown follow GB drivers hours rules and apply to the one way journey.
What to Expect
Ballymena is a town in County Antrim with a population of around 28,704 people. It sits 29 miles from Belfast, a coach journey of about 39 minutes that allows a straightforward same day return with no legally required breaks along the way. Coach hire and minibus hire in Ballymena covers groups of varying sizes, from small parties needing a minibus to larger groups requiring a full size coach. BusRoute connects customers with licensed operators covering Ballymena and the wider County Antrim area, matching vehicle and driver to the trip. Whether it's a short run into Belfast or a longer journey further afield, planning around pickup points and timing helps operators arrange the right vehicle for the day.
Availability varies by date and pickup point.
4.4/5 based on 439 reviews
Multiple Stops to Work Around?
If it is a UK journey, we can arrange it.
Get Your QuoteDisclaimer: Prices shown are guide prices only and are based on existing bookings. Final costs may vary depending on travel distance, locations, fuel prices, pickup and dropoff points, vehicle availability, travel dates, waiting time, journey duration, luggage requirements and any additional services requested.
MOT Certified Fleet
Regularly maintained vehicles for safe travel.
DBS Checked Drivers
Trusted, vetted drivers focused on your safety.
Onboard WiFi
Stay connected and entertained.
Real Time Tracking
Keep an eye on your journey with vehicle monitoring
4.4/5 based on 439 reviews
Find Out What It Would Cost
Quotes usually come back the same day.
Get Your Quote| Vehicle type | Seats | Starting | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minibus | 8 to 16 | from £180 to £350 per day | Small groups, airport runs and tight access |
| Mid-Size Coach | 24 to 35 | from £300 to £600 per day | Weddings, day trips and mid sized parties |
| Standard Coach | 36 to 49 | from £450 to £800 per day | School trips, match days and longer distances |
| Large Coach | 50 to 70 | from £600 to £1,200 per day | Festivals, stadium events and corporate away days |
Minibus
Seats: 8 to 16
Starting per hour: from £180 to £350 per day
Ideal for: Small groups, airport runs and tight access
Mid-Size Coach
Seats: 24 to 35
Starting per hour: from £300 to £600 per day
Ideal for: Weddings, day trips and mid sized parties
Standard Coach
Seats: 36 to 49
Starting per hour: from £450 to £800 per day
Ideal for: School trips, match days and longer distances
Large Coach
Seats: 50 to 70
Starting per hour: from £600 to £1,200 per day
Ideal for: Festivals, stadium events and corporate away days
Disclaimer: Prices shown are guide prices only and are based on existing bookings. Final costs may vary depending on travel distance, locations, fuel prices, pickup and dropoff points, vehicle availability, travel dates, waiting time, journey duration, luggage requirements and any additional services requested.
Why Busroute?
Fully insured & licensed transport
DBS checked drivers
Pickup & dropoff across UK
Door to door service
24/7 customer support
Fixed pricing with no surprise fees
Money back guarantee
All types of payment accepted
4.4/5 based on 439 reviews
Want Advice on Group Size?
We can advise on what the venue actually allows.
Get Your Quote| Standard Minibus | Executive Minibus | Luxury Coach | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfortable Seating | |||
| Professional Driver | |||
| Passenger Seatbelts | |||
| Air Conditioning | Not included | ||
| USB Charging | Not included | ||
| Extra Legroom | Not included | ||
| Premium Interior | Not included | ||
| Leather Seating | Not included | Not included | |
| Onboard Entertainment | Not included | ||
| Luggage Space |
Comfortable Seating
Standard Minibus:
Executive Minibus:
Luxury Coach:
Professional Driver
Standard Minibus:
Executive Minibus:
Luxury Coach:
Passenger Seatbelts
Standard Minibus:
Executive Minibus:
Luxury Coach:
Air Conditioning
Standard Minibus:Not included
Executive Minibus:
Luxury Coach:
USB Charging
Standard Minibus:Not included
Executive Minibus:
Luxury Coach:
Extra Legroom
Standard Minibus:Not included
Executive Minibus:
Luxury Coach:
Premium Interior
Standard Minibus:Not included
Executive Minibus:
Luxury Coach:
Leather Seating
Standard Minibus:Not included
Executive Minibus:Not included
Luxury Coach:
Onboard Entertainment
Standard Minibus:Not included
Executive Minibus:
Luxury Coach:
Luggage Space
Standard Minibus:
Executive Minibus:
Luxury Coach:
Coach and minibus hire based in Ballymena
Ballymena, County Antrim, is well placed for short group trips, with Belfast just 29 miles away and reachable by coach in under 40 minutes, making same day travel easy to arrange.
Get Your Quote
4.4/5 based on 439 reviews
Reasons Groups Book This Journey
Airport Transfers
Corporate Travel
Weddings
Shared Coach Parking
Things to Check First
The parts worth reading twice.
Belfast is 29 miles from Ballymena by road, which takes about 39 minutes by coach. No legally required breaks apply to a journey this short, so it's a quick and simple route for day trips or transfers.
Yes, a same day return between Ballymena and Belfast is lawful under drivers hours rules. With a 39 minute journey each way, there's plenty of time in the day for the visit itself before heading back.
Vehicle size depends on the operator covering your booking, ranging from small minibuses to full size coaches. Tell us your group size when you enquire and we'll match you with an operator who has the right vehicle.
For the 39 minute run to Belfast, no breaks are legally required under GB drivers hours rules. Longer routes may require scheduled stops, which the operator will plan into the journey time.
You submit your trip details, including group size, pickup points and timing, and we connect you with a licensed operator covering Ballymena and County Antrim who can confirm availability and vehicle type.
Yes, its position in County Antrim and the short 39 minute run to Belfast make it a practical base for day trips that need a reliable, same day return without a long journey eating into the day.
Common questions about coach hire in Ballymena
Answers to what people ask before booking a coach or minibus from Ballymena, covering journey times, group sizes and how bookings work.
Coach hire in Ballymena for groups of all sizes
Ballymena, home to around 28,704 people, generates regular demand for group travel, from school trips to private hires. Operators in the area provide vehicles matched to group size, whether that's a small minibus or a full size coach.
Belfast in under 40 minutes
At 29 miles away, Belfast is the closest major city to Ballymena, reachable by coach in around 39 minutes. That short run makes same day trips easy to plan, with no mandatory breaks along the way.
Licensed operators, not owned vehicles
BusRoute connects you with licensed operators covering Ballymena and County Antrim rather than running its own fleet. That means your booking is matched to an operator suited to your route and group size.
Same day returns made simple
A same day return from Ballymena to Belfast is lawful and practical, given the short 39 minute journey each way. It suits day trips, transfers and events where the group needs to be back the same evening.
Booking Takes Four Steps
No account, no deposit to enquire, no waiting on hold.
1. Tell Us The Journey
Pickup, destination, date and how many of you there are.
- •Takes two minutes
- •No obligation
2. We Match An Operator
We find a licensed operator with the right vehicle for your group.
Checked, licensed, insured
3. You Get One Clear Price
Driver, fuel and VAT included, with nothing added later.
- •No booking fees
- •Free cancellation
4. Travel Together
Your driver arrives at the agreed pickup and the group travels as one.
- •One vehicle, one arrival
- •Driver contact shared before travel
About BusRoute
BusRoute is a UK coach and minibus booking platform. We do not own vehicles. We connect groups with licensed operators who do, which means you are matched to the operator best placed to run your journey rather than to whoever happens to own the nearest coach.
Every operator we work with holds a valid PSV operator licence and full passenger insurance. Drivers on school and youth bookings are DBS checked as standard.
Journeys That Speak for Themselves!
DO
David Oliver Berglund-Seland
2026-06-22
“Good and accommodating bus-rental Great at following up with news and update for the journey, and good at accommodating the bus-rentals for our needs. :-)”
ED
Estephanie Domingo
2026-07-24
“We booked Bus Route for our group of 35 passengers travelling from London to Ipswich return trio and the experience was excellent from start to finish.On our way to the venue, the road was unexpectedly closed when we were only about 15 minutes away. Our driver remained calm, patient, and professional throughout, finding an alternative route without any stress or delay on our part. We really appreciated how composed and experienced he was in handling the situation.The coach was clean, comfortable, and the air conditioning worked perfectly, which made a huge difference as we were travelling during an extremely hot day. Everyone in our group was able to relax and enjoy the journey.Overall, we had a fantastic experience on both the outbound and return trips. The service was reliable, comfortable, and well-organised. I would highly recommend Bus Route to anyone looking for coach transport for a large group. Thank you for helping make our trip so enjoyable!”
HL
Heidi Lees
2026-06-27
“Very helpful, great communication and would definitely use again!”
JS
Jimmy Sorrie
2026-07-04
“Excellent customer service from start to finish. Easy booking system and cost was the best we could find. Driver was brilliant with all our group and we will definitely be using this company again”
KS
Katie Scott
2026-07-04
“Booked for a hen do for 20 girls. Seamless experience! Drivers were great, very prompt and swift communication throughout. Very reasonable quote too compared with other providers. Would recommend!”
K
Kiera
2026-07-06
“Great service on time nice comfortable bus would highly reccomend”
LL
Lauren Lancaster
2026-07-27
“Really good, clean vehicle, friendly driver, who was talkative n helped with our bags,”
LD
Lee Dutton
2026-06-27
“Fantastic trip. I was a little concerned that the bus might not turn up but can’t compliment the service enough on time lots of communication and driver was really nice. The busses themselves were clean and actually of a lot higher quality than I was expecting will definitely use again.”
L
Lesley
2026-06-24
“Absolutely amazing company everything went smoothly & the students loved it door to door pick up and drop off. Worth every penny”
MO
Matthew Oram
2026-06-27
“Great communication throughout, arrived on time for both ends of our journey, driver was great”
MH
Meghan Hall
2026-07-27
“We booked through this company as we needed to organise transport for guests to our son’s wedding. The staff were amazing from our first contact. On the day the driver was cheery courteous and helpful.”
MT
Michael Toomey
2026-07-04
“Great service! I hired BusRoute to provide a shuttle bus service for guests at my wedding in Gordon, Scotland. The bus was perfect and arrived promptly both for drop-off and pick-ups. The customer service and the communication with the company was fantastic. And it was very affordable. Two thumbs up!”
NP
Nicola Pearse
2026-06-27
“Driver arrived promptly. He was very polite and ensured we were happy throughout the journey. Arrived at our destination safely and on time. Minibus had air conditioning and plenty space for all our luggage and passengers.”
OO
Ona Onyekweli
2026-06-27
“We hired two buses for our event last Saturday. The drivers were prompt and accommodated all our needs. I just want to say a huge thank you to the team which were absolutely lovely, we definitely will be using this service again in future.”
R
Rhodri
2026-06-18
“The booking process with Busroute was easy, and follow up communication excellent. Despite a 6a.m. start the bus was there at 5.40, ready to load and ensure a prompt getaway. Our driver was very friendly, helpful and courteous and helped with unloading at the airport. The return to Swansea from the airport was equally easy and comfortable with an ontime pick-up and arrival back in Swansea. I highly recommend BusRoute and0 their partners.”
SM
Sonana Mielo
2026-06-27
“Busroute were able to accommodate my plans effectively and for a good price. It was easy to communicate with the team from planning phases to the day itself - Peter was an especially huge help in making ideal plans a reality. The team are very open to questions, feedback, and care greatly about offering the best experience for you.”
DL
demi lindo-lewis
2026-07-20
“Great driver and polite, the company was easy to work with, no issues”
L
lexi
2026-06-18
“Driver was early was easy to book and a very good price in comparison to other places i looked”
MW
morgan winchurch
2026-06-19
“Driver was friendly and helpful. Booking process was easy and service was exceptional.”
A
Amy
2026-06-28
“Great customer service and communications before the trip. Very clear and flexible as well.”
DO
David Oliver Berglund-Seland
2026-06-22
“Good and accommodating bus-rental Great at following up with news and update for the journey, and good at accommodating the bus-rentals for our needs. :-)”
ED
Estephanie Domingo
2026-07-24
“We booked Bus Route for our group of 35 passengers travelling from London to Ipswich return trio and the experience was excellent from start to finish.On our way to the venue, the road was unexpectedly closed when we were only about 15 minutes away. Our driver remained calm, patient, and professional throughout, finding an alternative route without any stress or delay on our part. We really appreciated how composed and experienced he was in handling the situation.The coach was clean, comfortable, and the air conditioning worked perfectly, which made a huge difference as we were travelling during an extremely hot day. Everyone in our group was able to relax and enjoy the journey.Overall, we had a fantastic experience on both the outbound and return trips. The service was reliable, comfortable, and well-organised. I would highly recommend Bus Route to anyone looking for coach transport for a large group. Thank you for helping make our trip so enjoyable!”
HL
Heidi Lees
2026-06-27
“Very helpful, great communication and would definitely use again!”
JS
Jimmy Sorrie
2026-07-04
“Excellent customer service from start to finish. Easy booking system and cost was the best we could find. Driver was brilliant with all our group and we will definitely be using this company again”
KS
Katie Scott
2026-07-04
“Booked for a hen do for 20 girls. Seamless experience! Drivers were great, very prompt and swift communication throughout. Very reasonable quote too compared with other providers. Would recommend!”
K
Kiera
2026-07-06
“Great service on time nice comfortable bus would highly reccomend”
LL
Lauren Lancaster
2026-07-27
“Really good, clean vehicle, friendly driver, who was talkative n helped with our bags,”
LD
Lee Dutton
2026-06-27
“Fantastic trip. I was a little concerned that the bus might not turn up but can’t compliment the service enough on time lots of communication and driver was really nice. The busses themselves were clean and actually of a lot higher quality than I was expecting will definitely use again.”
L
Lesley
2026-06-24
“Absolutely amazing company everything went smoothly & the students loved it door to door pick up and drop off. Worth every penny”
MO
Matthew Oram
2026-06-27
“Great communication throughout, arrived on time for both ends of our journey, driver was great”
MH
Meghan Hall
2026-07-27
“We booked through this company as we needed to organise transport for guests to our son’s wedding. The staff were amazing from our first contact. On the day the driver was cheery courteous and helpful.”
MT
Michael Toomey
2026-07-04
“Great service! I hired BusRoute to provide a shuttle bus service for guests at my wedding in Gordon, Scotland. The bus was perfect and arrived promptly both for drop-off and pick-ups. The customer service and the communication with the company was fantastic. And it was very affordable. Two thumbs up!”
NP
Nicola Pearse
2026-06-27
“Driver arrived promptly. He was very polite and ensured we were happy throughout the journey. Arrived at our destination safely and on time. Minibus had air conditioning and plenty space for all our luggage and passengers.”
OO
Ona Onyekweli
2026-06-27
“We hired two buses for our event last Saturday. The drivers were prompt and accommodated all our needs. I just want to say a huge thank you to the team which were absolutely lovely, we definitely will be using this service again in future.”
R
Rhodri
2026-06-18
“The booking process with Busroute was easy, and follow up communication excellent. Despite a 6a.m. start the bus was there at 5.40, ready to load and ensure a prompt getaway. Our driver was very friendly, helpful and courteous and helped with unloading at the airport. The return to Swansea from the airport was equally easy and comfortable with an ontime pick-up and arrival back in Swansea. I highly recommend BusRoute and0 their partners.”
SM
Sonana Mielo
2026-06-27
“Busroute were able to accommodate my plans effectively and for a good price. It was easy to communicate with the team from planning phases to the day itself - Peter was an especially huge help in making ideal plans a reality. The team are very open to questions, feedback, and care greatly about offering the best experience for you.”
DL
demi lindo-lewis
2026-07-20
“Great driver and polite, the company was easy to work with, no issues”
L
lexi
2026-06-18
“Driver was early was easy to book and a very good price in comparison to other places i looked”
MW
morgan winchurch
2026-06-19
“Driver was friendly and helpful. Booking process was easy and service was exceptional.”
4.4/5 based on 439 reviews
Book It Once, Forget About It
Everyone travels together and nobody has to drive home.
Get Your Quote4.4/5 based on 439 reviews
Book It Once, Forget About It
Everyone travels together and nobody has to drive home.
Get Your Quote
