Coach transfers for cruise groups in Europe

The three transfers every cruise group needs

Most European cruises start and end in a different city from where the group lands. Plan three separate legs and give each one its own pickup time.

• Embarkation day: airport or hotel to the cruise terminal. Aim to arrive inside the check-in window printed on the cruise documents, not at the sailing time.
• Port days: cruise terminal to the city or a sight and back, usually within 6 to 9 hours.
• Disembarkation day: cruise terminal to the airport. Ships dock early in the morning, but groups often leave the ship in stages.

Which ports are far from the city they are named after

Several ports that cruise lines sell as 'Rome' or 'Florence' are an hour or more away by road. This is where a coach matters most, because public transport rarely matches a group's timing.

• Civitavecchia is the port for Rome: about 80 km, 1 hour 15 minutes to the centre.
• Livorno is the port for Florence and Pisa: about 95 km to Florence, 25 km to Pisa.
• Piraeus is the port for Athens: about 12 km to the centre, 50 km to Athens Airport.
• Kiel is a common Baltic cruise port for Hamburg: about 95 km each way.

Timing and luggage

Coaches on embarkation day carry suitcases as well as people, so choose the vehicle by luggage first. A 45 to 50-seat coach usually takes about 40 travellers with one large case each; a smaller 29 to 33-seat coach suits groups of about 20 to 25 with luggage.

On port days build the plan backwards from the 'all aboard' time. Leave at least one hour of margin for traffic and for regrouping the travellers at the coach bay.

How the price is worked out

Every route below shows an estimated 'from' price for the smallest suitable coach. The estimate already includes the driver, fuel and typical tolls and parking. After you send the trip we confirm a licensed local coach company for your date and send the final price before any payment.