Group Festival Travel Made Easy: Why You Should Choose Coach Hire

18th July 2025

Festival season in the UK is a cultural phenomenon like no other. From iconic rock gigs to serene countryside escapes, the UK’s festival calendar is packed with energy, diversity, and unforgettable memories. But while the music, food, and vibes are what draw people in, getting to and from the festival can often be the most challenging part, especially for groups.

At Centaur Travel, we offer tailored festival coach hire solutions that get you and your group to the action safely, comfortably, and on time. Whether you’re planning to mosh at Reading Festival or wind down at Wildkind, private coach hire makes your festival journey part of the experience, not just the prelude.

In this guide, we explore the UK's top festivals from Reading to Wildkind and show why coach hire for festivals is the smart and stress-free choice for groups of any size.

Why Hire a Coach for Festivals?

1. Comfort from Start to Finish

Long hours in traffic, tired feet, and public transport delays are the antithesis of a good festival vibe. With Centaur’s coaches, you enjoy reclining seats, climate control, and onboard storage for all your gear from camping equipment to glittery outfits.

2. Eco-Conscious Group Travel

Hiring a coach is a more sustainable choice. By travelling together, you cut down on carbon emissions compared to multiple cars. Many festivals, including Camp Wildfire and Wilderness, actively encourage sustainable transport and private coach hire aligns perfectly with that ethos.

3. No Parking Stress or Permit Headaches

Festival parking can be a nightmare. Permits sell out quickly, fields get muddy, and navigating traffic in rural areas can be draining. Our professional drivers drop you off at designated zones and handle all the logistics, leaving you free to focus on fun.

4. Safety First

Let’s face it, festivals involve late nights and tired legs, and in many cases, a few drinks. Choosing a coach means everyone gets home safely. No need for designated drivers or expensive last-minute taxis.

5. Cost-Effective for Groups

Splitting the cost of a private coach between 10, 20, or even 50 people makes it one of the most economical transport options available. You get door-to-door service for a fraction of the price of individual transport options.

Top UK Festivals to Book a Coach For

Let’s take a closer look at some of the UK’s best-loved festivals and why coach hire for festival events like these makes perfect sense.

Reading Festival

When: August Bank Holiday
Where: Richfield Avenue, Reading

Reading Festival is one of the most legendary events on the UK music calendar. With a history spanning back to the 1970s, it’s a rite of passage for rock, punk, indie, and alternative fans.

But with over 100,000 attendees, traffic and train congestion can be overwhelming. Our festival coach hire service means you arrive refreshed and ready to pitch your tent before the crowds descend.

Group Tip: Booking a coach allows everyone to travel together, even if you’re coming from multiple locations. Centaur can arrange group pick-ups en route.

Leeds Festival

When: August Bank Holiday
Where: Bramham Park, Leeds

The northern twin of Reading Festival, Leeds, offers the same stellar line-up and high-energy experience. It's a favourite for university students and music lovers from across the Midlands and North.

Getting to Bramham Park, located just outside Leeds, can be tricky. Public transport only gets you so far, and navigating country roads after hours isn’t ideal. With our coach hire for festivals, your group is dropped off at the gate and picked up when you’re done, no hassle.

Wilderness Festival

When: Early August
Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

Wilderness is more than a festival; it’s a weekend retreat for the soul. Think wild swimming, yoga, Michelin-star food stalls, spoken word, and the occasional glitter-drenched rave in the woods.

But it’s also nestled in rural Oxfordshire, far from train stations and limited in parking. For a festival like Wilderness, where the journey is part of the ethos, private coach hire sets the tone for a weekend of magic and community.

Sustainability Note: Wilderness actively promotes green travel. Coaches are considered one of the lowest-impact forms of transport per head.

Wildkind Festival

When: Summer (Dates Vary)
Where: Various Countryside Locations

Wildkind is a small-scale, family-friendly eco-festival that prioritises connection with nature. With bushcraft workshops, wild camping, and nature walks, it’s a peaceful contrast to the chaos of larger events.

Getting there often involves remote countryside locations where public transport isn’t practical. Coach hire for festival events like Wildkind allows your group to experience the wild together, without logistical headaches.

Camp Wildfire

When: August
Where: Kent

Equal parts summer camp and music festival, Camp Wildfire is a one-of-a-kind experience where you can go axe throwing in the morning and party under the stars by night. Designed for adults, it’s built around creativity, self-discovery, and connection.

Held in the Kent countryside, it's just remote enough to make getting there a chore unless, of course, you book private coach hire.

Why It’s Ideal for Groups: If you're planning a team-building weekend, hen/stag do, or group adventure, Camp Wildfire and coach hire go hand in hand.

All Points East

When: Late August
Where: Victoria Park, London

A multi-day music celebration set right in the heart of London, All Points East offers incredible line-ups with big-city convenience. But don’t be fooled, getting in and out of central London during a festival is far from easy.

Whether you’re coming from outside the city or need group transport to avoid the Tube, a private coach keeps your festival crew together and gets you home without the typical city transport chaos.

Big Feastival

When: Late August
Where: Alex James’ Farm, Cotswolds

A family favourite combining food, music, and fun on a dairy farm, Big Feastival is the ultimate countryside celebration. With gourmet chefs, chart-topping acts, and family-friendly entertainment, it appeals to every age group.

Because it’s in the heart of the Cotswolds, parking is tight and remote travel tricky. Centaur’s coaches can drop you at the festival entrance, help with storing camping gear, and even offer return pickups to suit your schedule.

Family Group Tip: If you’re travelling with kids, coach travel means no stress with car seats or multiple vehicles. Everyone’s together, and the fun starts as soon as you board.

Why Choose Centaur Travel for Festival Coach Hire?

We’ve spent decades getting people where they need to be, whether it’s educational trips, football tournaments, or music festivals. Here's why we’re trusted by thousands of groups across the UK:

Tailored Packages

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re a group of 10 or 100, we tailor your coach hire for festivals around your needs, pick-up points, schedules, storage, and vehicle size.

Modern Fleet with Festival-Friendly Features

From minibuses to full-size luxury coaches, our vehicles are fitted for comfort. We know you’ll have gear, snacks, costumes, and tents, and we make sure there's room for it all.

DBS-Checked, Professional Drivers

Our drivers aren’t just experienced, they’re also approachable and helpful. They’ll handle the navigation, the schedule, and even offer tips for the quickest exits post-festival.

24/7 Support

Festivals are unpredictable. That’s why we offer round-the-clock support for any last-minute changes, emergencies, or questions you might have while you're away.

What to Consider When Booking Festival Coach Hire

  • Book Early: Festivals sell out quickly, and so does transport. Secure your coach early to avoid price hikes or availability issues.
  • Know Your Group Size: The more accurate your group count, the better we can match your vehicle.
  • Bring the Essentials: While we’ll transport your gear, pack it sensibly, especially if you're bringing bulky items.
  • Stay Connected: We provide the driver's contact details and journey itinerary so you're always in the loop.

Your Festival Starts with the Journey

Festival memories are made on and off the stage. Whether it’s singing along to your favourite band or sharing laughs with friends on the way there, the journey is part of the magic. With Centaur Travel’s festival coach hire, you turn travel stress into pre-party energy and make sure your group arrives ready to soak up every moment.

So, whether you're off to Reading, Wildkind, or the Big Feastival, let us handle the road while you focus on what really matters: the music, the people, and the memories.

Ready to Book Festival Coach Hire?

Let’s make your next festival journey seamless from start to finish. Request a quote online today or get in touch with us to discuss your specific group travel requirements.