Read Travel

Read Travel: minibus and coach hire across London since 2013

Read Travel is a minibus and coach hire operator based in Ilford, on the eastern edge of London, and active in the capital since 2013. The company positions itself as a provider of group transport for small, medium and large parties, covering everything from family holidays and airport transfers to corporate conference travel and school field trips. Its stated operating model rests on fixed quotes, licensed drivers and a fleet regulated for professional hire.

The company describes itself as TfL licensed, DVSA regulated and fully insured, and says it serves groups of between 6 and 70 passengers across London and beyond. It also advertises a price-matching policy: if a customer finds a better quote elsewhere, Read Travel states it will beat it.

A fleet organised by group size

The vehicle range is split into two families. The minibus line covers 12, 16, 20 and 24 seats, while the coach line runs from 30 and 42 seats up to 53, 57 and 61 seats. The FAQ on the site widens the upper limit, referring to a modern fleet ranging from 12 to 70 seats depending on the size of the group.

Onboard features cited for the vehicles include reclined seating, WiFi and air conditioning. The company presents the fleet as modern and suited to every kind of journey, from short city transfers to multi-day, multi-stop or long-distance group travel.

Services for different occasions

Read Travel lists a set of distinct hire formats:

• London tours
• Corporate coach hire
• Private coach hire
• Party coach hire
• Wedding coach hire
• Airport transfers

The booking form on the site accepts single journeys, return journeys, multi-stop itineraries and hourly or full-day rates, as well as one-way and return airport transfers. This suggests the service is structured around custom itineraries rather than fixed routes.

Drivers, pricing and punctuality claims

The company states that its drivers are TfL licensed and DBS checked, and that vehicles are DVSA regulated. It also says it uses a flight and traffic tracking system to monitor routes and keep to schedule, and promises on-time pickup and drop-off.

On pricing, Read Travel advertises fixed, all-inclusive quotes with no hidden charges and no last-minute surge pricing. According to its FAQ, the quote includes airport parking charges, and bookings require payment of the full price upfront. Child car seats are available on request.

Coverage beyond the capital

Although the company is based in London, it lists destinations including Cambridge, Oxford, Southampton, Liverpool and a London hub, and its footer names Birmingham, Bath, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cardiff among its top locations. It describes UK-wide coverage alongside its London base.

Reputation and booking process

The site displays a 4.9 out of 5 Google rating attributed to more than 312 reviews, and publishes customer testimonials about community trips, group outings and coach interiors. These are individual accounts presented by the company.

The booking process is described in four steps: requesting a free quote by phone, securing the booking with a deposit, meeting the assigned driver, and travelling. The company says quotes are answered within minutes and that support and vehicle availability operate around the clock.