Booking a Full Bus Online: What Happens After You Ask for a Price

Hiring a full bus used to mean a round of phone calls to operators, with each one quoting something different. On Oray, the process starts online: you search for buses for your dates, look at the vehicles and ask for a price. Many people ask what happens after they press the button, and whether they are bound to anything. This guide explains the steps in plain words, so that a family in Chennai, a college in Coimbatore or a temple group in Madurai knows what to expect from the first search to the day of travel.

Step one: search by city and dates

Open the Hire a full bus page and choose where you are starting from, where you are going, the dates and the number of passengers. You can also choose the type of bus, such as a tempo traveller or a coach, and whether you want air conditioning.

The search shows the buses that are available for those dates in your starting city.

If you are not sure about the exact date, search for a few options and compare the buses available on each day. The results can differ from one date to the next, especially in busy seasons.

Step two: look at the buses

Each result shows a cover photo, the operator, the number of seats and the amenities. You can open a bus to see more photos, a description and the terms of the operator. This is the best way to check that the bus is what you imagine.

Some buses show a price for your trip and some show that the price is on request. Both are normal.

Open more than one bus before you ask for a price. Compare the photos, the seat count, the amenities and the description. If you care about particular features, such as charging points or push-back seats, check the amenity list on each bus.

Step three: ask for a price

When a bus shows a price, you can ask for it to be confirmed for your trip. When it shows that the price is on request, you send an enquiry with your trip details. In both cases you give your name and phone number and a few notes about the trip, such as stops or the return time.

Pressing the button does not confirm a booking and nothing is charged at this step.

Step four: the team replies

After you send the request, the Oray team looks at it and replies with the details. You will hear about the price and what it includes, and whether the bus is available for your dates. If something needs to change, such as the pickup time or the route, the team will tell you.

You can ask questions at this stage, for example about the driver, the permit or the halts.

The reply may include questions for you, such as the exact pickup address or the number of stops. Answer them quickly, because the bus may be held for you for a limited time.

• The price for the trip and what it covers
• The availability of the bus on your dates
• Any change to the route or the timing
• The next step to confirm

Step five: confirm and prepare

If the quote suits you, you confirm and the booking is made. Before the trip, share the pickup list and the plan with your group and keep the driver's and the operator's numbers.

If the plan changes, tell the team as early as possible.

What to check before you confirm

Check the vehicle, the number of seats, the driver details, what is included in the price, the charges for extra hours or kilometres and the cancellation terms. If you are crossing a state border, ask about the permit.

It helps to give the full details of your plan in your first message, so the reply is accurate.

Keep your group's details ready: the name of the group leader, the contact number, the pickup address and the expected number of passengers. It makes the confirmation faster.

Tips for a faster reply

Give the exact pickup place and time, the number of people, the stops you plan and the return date. Be specific about the type of bus. If your dates are flexible, say so, and the team can suggest the best day.

Questions