Minibus Hire in Egypt: HiAce, Coaster or Midibus?

Below a full coach, we hire three sizes of minibus with a driver: the Toyota HiAce, the Toyota Coaster and the 28–33 seat midibus. The headcount narrows it down; the luggage often decides it.

• HiAce, 13–14 seats: bags inside with the passengers; up to 14 with hand luggage, fewer with full-size suitcases.
• Coaster, 21–25 seats: bags on a roof rack under a net; 15 to 25 people, if bags on the roof are fine.
• Midibus, 28–33 seats: bags in an enclosed hold underneath; 26 to 33 people, or any group that wants its bags locked away.

Above 33 people, step up to a coach (see below).

Toyota HiAce: 13–14 seats

The HiAce is the smallest vehicle we hire. It suits families, small groups, airport runs for a few people, and streets a coach cannot reach. For a family day trip from Mansoura to Gamasa or Ras El Bar, about an hour each way, it is usually all you need.

How many people with suitcases fit in a HiAce?

Fewer than its seats. The HiAce has no luggage hold and usually no roof rack, so the bags ride inside with the passengers and take the space of seats. A full 14 travel with hand luggage only; with full-size suitcases, how many fit depends on the bags, so tell us the number of bags and we size the vehicle. A larger group with suitcases needs the Coaster or the midibus.

Toyota Coaster: 21–25 seats

The Coaster fills the gap between the HiAce and the midibus, for groups of 15 to 25. It comes in two shapes:

• The newer shape seats 21, so up to 21 people sit comfortably.
• The older shape reaches 25 by adding fold-down seats in the aisle. From 22 to 25 people that is what you get, and we tell you so before you book.

The exact seat count is confirmed at booking. There is no enclosed hold: the bags ride on a roof rack under a net, secure but open to dust and rain. If that is fine, the Coaster does the job; if you want the bags locked away, take the midibus.

We do not show photos of the Coaster on the site, but we can send recent photos of the actual vehicle before you book.

Midibus: 28–33 seats

The midibus is the first size with a proper enclosed luggage hold underneath, and some units also have a roof rack. It is the size for 26 to 33 people, and also the smallest option for any group that wants its bags locked away rather than on the roof, even a small one.

Coming soon: the MCV 230 NF

A new 33-seat midibus, the MCV 230 NF, has been ordered from the factory and is coming soon. It is listed with a coming-soon badge and cannot be booked yet. If your trip is later on, send us the date.

When to step up to a coach

Above 33 people, the answer is a coach, and both sizes have an enclosed hold:

• MCV 400, 38–45 seats.
• MCV 600, 49+1 seats (Classic or Family), with a large hold. The +1 is the tour leader's seat; the driver has his own. So it takes up to 50 passengers when no guide travels. With a guide, it is 49 plus the guide.

Between two sizes we recommend the larger one: one vehicle with spare seats is more comfortable, and usually cheaper, than two smaller ones.

Three things that change the answer

• Children count as seats. Every child takes a seat; there are no children on laps.
• Bags count as much as people. We ask for both at the start and tell you before booking where the luggage will travel: inside, on the roof or in the hold.
• It is the whole vehicle, with a driver. No self-drive, no private cars and no single seats.

What decides the price

Hire is priced per vehicle, not per person. Within a vehicle's capacity the headcount does not change the price, so a Coaster with 15 people costs the same as one with 21. What changes it is the size, the distance, the number of hours, and whether a return is on the same day or another day.

The price covers the vehicle, the driver, fuel, road tolls and parking, and waiting within the agreed hours. Hours beyond those agreed, changes to the route or timings, and entrance fees are extra.

How to ask for a quote

Send us:

1. How many people, children included, and how many bags
2. The exact pickup and drop-off points
3. The date and departure time
4. One-way or return, and if return, the same day or another day
5. On trips longer than a day, who covers the driver's accommodation and meals
6. For an airport pickup, the flight number

Use the quote form or WhatsApp, and we reply within the day. All three sizes are also on the minibus and midibus rental page.