Sports Club Bus Hire in Melbourne: Away Games, Finals and Presentation Nights

Chartering a bus means your whole squad travels to the game or the presentation night together, in one vehicle, with a driver who waits until you are ready to leave. Nobody drives home after a few drinks, nobody is late because they got lost finding parking, and parents are off the hook for a two hour drive to a away fixture. Red Carpet Charters is the private charter arm of Red Carpet Wine Tours, using the same drivers and vehicles that have built a 5.0 rating from more than 6,700 reviews.

Why do sports clubs charter a bus for away games and finals?

The main reason is simple. Nobody has to drive home from the presentation night, and nobody has to drive to or from an away game either. It is the same idea behind our sports club charter service, built around the way clubs actually travel. That matters more than people expect. A club trip usually involves a few drinks after the match, a long drive back in the dark, or both, and a charter takes that risk off the table entirely.

It also gets the team there together. When everyone arrives on the same bus, the squad walks in as a unit, warms up together and is not scattered across a car park trying to find each other. For finals, that matters even more. And for a family club, it means parents are not each doing a two hour round trip for an away game on a Saturday morning.

What size vehicle suits a squad versus a whole club?

It depends on who is travelling. A single squad heading to an away game usually fits in the 14 seat Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, or the 7 seat Mercedes-Benz V-Class for a smaller side or a coaching group. A 25 seat mini coach suits a squad plus a coach, trainer and a few club officials. When the whole club travels for a grand final or a presentation night, a 57 seat full size coach covers a bigger group in one vehicle instead of splitting people across cars.

If you are not sure which size fits, our guide to choosing between a minibus and a coach walks through it in more detail. Otherwise, just tell us your numbers and we will recommend the right vehicle.

Is there room for kit bags, eskies and trophies?

Yes. Every vehicle in the fleet has room for kit bags, eskies and equipment, not just seats for players. That includes the gear bag pile that comes with any junior or senior team, the eskies for a presentation night, and trophies or silverware on the way home from a final. You do not need to work around a boot that is too small for a full squad's kit.

What about regional away games and country finals?

Charter is not limited to games inside Melbourne. Clubs use it for regional away games and country finals in places like Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Mornington Peninsula, where a long drive is otherwise the only option. Chartering a bus for these trips means the squad can rest, eat, or go over the game plan on the way, instead of arriving after everyone has driven themselves separately. Pickup can be arranged from wherever the club is based, whether that is a clubroom in Dandenong, Glen Waverley or anywhere else across Melbourne.

Can we book an end of season trip to the wine regions?

Yes. A lot of clubs use the same charter for an end of season trip to a wine region, since it is the same idea as a game day trip, just with a different destination. The driver waits as long as the day runs, so the club is not watching the clock or arranging separate transport home.

How should a committee compare quotes?

Ask for a written quote from every operator you are comparing, priced per vehicle rather than per seat, with waiting time included so there is no separate charge if the presentation night runs long or the final goes to extra time. A written quote gives the committee something concrete to put to a vote, rather than a verbal estimate that might change. Red Carpet Charters quotes every job in writing and does not take a deposit until the booking is confirmed, so there is no risk in getting a quote to compare.

How do we split the cost per head?

Because charter is priced per vehicle, the total cost divides across however many players, coaches and officials are on board. A full 25 seat mini coach works out to a much lower cost per head than a half full one, so it is worth confirming numbers before you book the vehicle size. Many committees collect a flat per head contribution from players and parents once the vehicle quote is set.

How far ahead should we book for finals season and end of year?

Book as early as you can once finals dates are set, and well ahead for end of year presentation nights and trips. Finals season and the end of year period are the busiest times for charter across Melbourne, and the dates that clubs want most tend to book out first.

Does this work for community groups and seniors clubs too?

Yes. The same charter setup suits community groups and seniors clubs heading to a bowls final, a social outing or a presentation lunch, not just junior and senior sporting clubs. If your group needs to travel together and get home together, a charter works the same way regardless of the occasion.

Tell us your squad or club numbers, the dates and where you are headed, and we will send back a written quote with no obligation. Call 0413 188 479 or get in touch through our contact page for a written quote.