Kirbys Coaches

Kirbys Coaches, coach travel from Rayleigh (Essex)

Kirbys Coaches is a British family-run company based in Rayleigh, in the county of Essex, dedicated to organising coach travel. Its activity covers day trips, fully escorted holidays, river cruises, holidays by air and private hire services, with departures from various pick-up points across Essex and destinations both in the UK and Europe.

The company presents itself as a family-run business and places personal, friendly service at the heart of every journey. In its communications it highlights the introduction of more modern coaches and the refurbishment of its Rayleigh office, changes which, it says, have been well received by its customers.

Holiday and excursion programmes

Kirbys Coaches' catalogue is organised into several product lines. The company offers fully escorted holidays, short breaks, river cruises and holidays by air, as well as day trips. Among the categories featured in its offering are tours of the UK, Europe, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Yorkshire, the North East and North West of England, the Midlands, East Anglia, the South East and South West, as well as city breaks and mystery trips.

The programme also includes themed and seasonal departures: West End theatre shows, Christmas and festive experiences, Christmas markets, visits to houses and gardens, heritage railways, canal cruises, zoos, flower shows, dining experiences and shopping days. The company also offers stays at Warner Leisure hotels and European river cruises.

Pick-up points and routes

Kirbys Coaches organises its departures through pick-up routes identified by letters —A, B, C, D and R—, distinguishing between holiday routes and day trip routes. Following the acquisition of East London Travel, the company says it has expanded its range of local joining points and day trips.

Groups, agencies and complementary services

In addition to direct sales to travellers, the company handles group bookings and offers the possibility of requesting a quote for group travel. It has a specific channel for travel agencies and sells gift vouchers. Customers can request printed brochures with the holiday and excursion programme, and the company runs a travel club with membership and its own blog.

Guarantees and traveller protection

Kirbys Coaches states that the combination of travel services it offers constitutes a package within the meaning of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, which gives the customer the rights associated with this type of package and makes the company responsible for its proper performance. The company states that it has the legal protection required to refund payments and, where the package includes transport, to ensure repatriation in the event of insolvency.

The company is a member of the Bonded Coach Holiday Group, overseen by The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited, a government-approved consumer protection scheme. As it explains, a bond protects clients' money in the unlikely event of the member's insolvency, and it refers customers to inspect the current membership certificate at its registered office or through the ABTOT members' directory. The company also indicates that the Bonded Coach Holiday Group Trading Charter applies to these coach package holidays.

Seasonal promotions

The site showed an autumn and winter promotion with discounts on a selection of holidays departing between October 2026 and March 2027, aimed at short breaks, festive getaways and longer stays. Featured offers included a trip to Bournemouth, Dorchester and the New Forest, a Bure Valley Railway excursion with lunch and a Norfolk Broads cruise, and the river cruises planned for 2027.

Location and contact

92a High Street, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7BY · Phone: 01268 777777 · Email: info@kirbyscoaches.co.uk