Thinking of taking a coach holiday?
Wondering what the best seats on the coach are?
Here’s my guide to where the best place to sit on a coach is.
For now, let’s just say that the best seat is not necessarily the front seat! With 49 seats to choose from on a standard coach, there is plenty of choice.
Read on to learn what the best seat on a coach actually is.
Links You Might Find Helpful:
Lots of Coach Holidays from TourRadar
Read More About Coach Holidays
Tips to Help Travel Sickness
Best Coach Seats
Best Seats on a Coach – Coach Holiday Seating Policies
What’s The Best Place to Sit on a Coach?
Seats with good legroom, away from the onboard toilet, and without a side panel blocking the view are the best. Seats ahead of the front axle will reduce motion sickness.
The first thing to mention before we talk about the best seat on a coach is that different coach holiday companies have different seating policies.
Some companies let guests book their preferred seats. Some let them book the front seats, for a premium.
Some coach holiday companies operate seat rotation on tour to ensure that everyone gets a turn in the front seat on the coach and also moves around the whole coach. Depending on the length of the tour and the size of the group you may not get a turn in the front seat.
Check out my post on coach holiday company seating policies for more information.
If seating is important to you then it’s probably best to check with your coach holiday company before you book.
Best Place to Sit on a Coach?
What Are the Best Coach Seats?
The answer really depends on you and your requirements.
One thing to bear in mind is that on every coach there is going to be a side panel which means some seats will not have a whole window to themselves.
Hopefully, you don’t have to stay in these seats for the whole of your coach holiday.
Now let’s look at the pros and cons for all the coach seats, starting at the front and working backwards.
Where is the best place to sit on a coach?
Front Seats
Many guests love the front seats because they feel they get the best view but there are other things to consider.
Pros
- No seats in front so great view through the front window
- First off the coach when you arrive somewhere – if you are quick!
Cons
- The driver may need to put the sun shade down when driving which will block the view for guests sitting behind him or her.
- In hotter places, particularly with lots of sun coming through the front window, the front seats can get quite hot.
- The temperature in the front seats can be affected by the temperature that the guide and driver have their air conditioning set at for the front part of the coach.
- There is generally less legroom in the front seats of the coach.
- Some guests find it unnerving to see all the traffic coming towards them. Seeing what is happening on the road ahead can make them feel nervous.
- If there are tables and onboard entertainment on the coach these can sometimes be absent from the front seats.
- If you are a bit slower getting out of these seats you can sometimes feel the resentment from the guests behind wanting to get off the coach!
Coach Seat
Seats Ahead of the Front Axle
Pros
- These seats can often help if you suffer from travel sickness. Being ahead of the front axle can reduce the feelings of sickness
- Towards the front of the coach so first off the coach
- The front step can often be lowered on a coach to make it easier to board or exit the coach.
Cons
- Can feel a bit of pressure to get off the coach quickly if the coach is full and only the front door is being used.
Best Seat on Coach Tour
Seats in the Middle Section of the Coach
Pros
- If the coach has a side door and it is being used it can make getting on and off the coach from these seats quicker
Cons
- The side door cannot always be used – it depends on nearby traffic
- These seats can be near the toilet. If the toilet is being used then it can start to smell.
- The steps to the side door are much steeper generally with a half step at the bottom so they are more tricky to navigate. They don’t lower like the front steps.
Best Seats on a Coach
Seats Directly Behind the Middle Door
Pros
- These seats have a big space in front of them and a great view through the side window too
Cons
- There can be reduced legroom for these seats.
- These seats can also lack tables and on board entertainment on the coach.
- If the toilet is being used you get a front-row seat of everyone going in and out of the toilet and you can get a smell too.
Best Seat on a Coach
Seats at the Back of the Coach
Pros
- Can spread out a little across the back seat if the coach isn’t full.
- Great view up the centre of the coach from the middle rear seat which can help if suffering from travel sickness.
- Some coaches have an emergency exit at the rear door which means that these seats have extra legroom.
Cons
- If the coach has an engine at the rear the back seats can be much warmer than other parts of the coach, which can make travel sickness more likely or worse.
- These seats are past the rear suspension which means you can get more bounce when sitting in these seats.
- It can take a while to get off the coach especially if only one door is being used and the coach is full.
Best Seats on a Coach – Conclusion
- Each coach holiday company has a different seating policy. It is worth checking this before you book rather than assuming and being disappointed.
- The front seats are not always the best seats on the coach.
- Coach holidays can still be enjoyed if you suffer from travel sickness – with some good planning and preparation, it shouldn’t be an issue.
You Might Also Like
If you have found this article about the best seats on a coach useful you might also like;
Coach Holiday Hand Luggage Essentials
Tips for Managing Travel Sickness
You can find lots more information on my Coach Holidays page
Further Reading
- Saga vs. Travelsphere: Touring Holidays to Italy ComparedTrying to decide about touring holidays to Italy? Italy is a very popular destination with 6.4 million visitors travelling there in 2022. That means there is plenty of choice when it comes to Italian coach holidays. In this article, I’ve compiled a side-by-side comparison of all the coach holidays to Italy available from two of… Read More »Saga vs. Travelsphere: Touring Holidays to Italy Compared
- 16 Essential Coach Holiday Hand Luggage Items – Expert GuidePlanning on taking a coach holiday? The size available for hand luggage on coach holidays is much smaller than on airplanes. Here on some helpful tips based on my 36 years as a coach holiday tour manager to help you plan and pack your coach holiday hand luggage. Links You Might Find Helpful:Huge Selection of… Read More »16 Essential Coach Holiday Hand Luggage Items – Expert Guide
- Coach Holiday Meals – What to Ask Before You Book a TripAre you planning on taking a coach holiday? Coach holiday meals vary. Sometimes it’s just breakfast that is included, sometimes it’s all evening meals as well. Meals can often be a source of frustration for guests. This is often because they assume what is included rather than checking. With around 5 million people taking coach… Read More »Coach Holiday Meals – What to Ask Before You Book a Trip
- Discover the Best Seats on a Coach Holiday With These TipsThinking of taking a coach holiday? Wondering what the best seats on the coach are? Here’s my guide to where the best place to sit on a coach is. For now, let’s just say that the best seat is not necessarily the front seat! With 49 seats to choose from on a standard coach, there… Read More »Discover the Best Seats on a Coach Holiday With These Tips
- Optional and Included Coach Excursions – What Are They?Heard the term coach excursion? Not sure what it means? A coach excursion is a tour that takes place during a coach holiday. There is usually a mix of included excursions in a holiday. These are included in the overall price of the holiday. Optional excursions are extra tours that you pay an additional fee… Read More »Optional and Included Coach Excursions – What Are They?
- What Crossing the Channel is Like on a Coach HolidayDoes your coach holiday involve crossing the channel? With over 21 million people just using the Channel Tunnel in 2019 there’s a lot of traffic across this busy route. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the differences in crossing the channel on a coach. It’s a very different experience than going… Read More »What Crossing the Channel is Like on a Coach Holiday
- What is a Cruise Escort and What Do They Do?Ever wondered what the role of a cruise escort is? Well here’s my guide based on doing the role several times over the course of my coach holiday career. It may be a bit different from what you think! What is a Cruise Escort? Cruise Ship Escort The Role A cruise escort is there to… Read More »What is a Cruise Escort and What Do They Do?
- Coach Holiday Seating: Know the Policy Before You BookCoach holiday seating is an important part of any holiday. There is nothing worse than spending a week or more in a seat on the coach with a column running through it so there is little view (yes coaches do have these!). Coach holiday companies all have different seating policies so it’s important to understand… Read More »Coach Holiday Seating: Know the Policy Before You Book
- Tour Guide Vs Tour Manager – What’s the Difference?There is a huge difference between a tour guide vs Tour Manager. The Institute of Tour Guiding gives the following definition; Tourist Guide Person who guides visitors in the language of their choice and interprets the cultural and natural heritage of an area, which person normally possesses an area-specific qualification usually issued and/or recognised by… Read More »Tour Guide Vs Tour Manager – What’s the Difference?
- 11 Coach Holiday Hacks to Help You Have a Great TripPlanning on taking a coach holiday? Over 5 million take coach holidays from the UK each year so it’s a great holiday choice. I’ve taken over 9,500 people on coach holidays all over the world. That makes me a bit of a Coach Holiday Expert. I’m sharing my list of 10 Coach Holiday Hacks to… Read More »11 Coach Holiday Hacks to Help You Have a Great Trip
- Understand The Crucial Role of a Coach Holiday DriverHave you ever wondered what a coach holiday driver does? Over the years I have worked with more than 100 coach drivers, all over the world. Read on to learn much more about the role of a coach holiday driver in particular, including duties, responsibilities, and driving regulations. There’s a bit more to it than… Read More »Understand The Crucial Role of a Coach Holiday Driver
- 4 Coach Holiday Myths – Busted (By A Coach Holiday Expert)Have you ever considered a coach holiday? Perhaps you have heard that coach holidays are only for older people or people who don’t walk very well? There are lots of myths about this type of holiday. Having spent 25 years taking coach holidays all over the world as a Tour Manager I’m here to help… Read More »4 Coach Holiday Myths – Busted (By A Coach Holiday Expert)
- What Seat on a Coach is Best to Avoid Travel Sickness?Are you thinking of taking a coach holiday? Wondering what seat on a coach is best to avoid travel sickness? Here are my tips on the best seats to help you avoid travel sickness. These tips are based on a regular coach with 49 seats. Links You Might Find Helpful:Lots of Touring and Escorted Holidays… Read More »What Seat on a Coach is Best to Avoid Travel Sickness?
- Coach Holiday Tour Manager – All You Need to KnowHave you ever wondered what a coach holiday tour manager does? Read on to discover more about this role, which could be key to your holiday experience. Find out more so you can get the best from your Tour Manager on your next coach holiday. This article is an in-depth look at the role based… Read More »Coach Holiday Tour Manager – All You Need to Know
- 10 Things You Need to Know Before Booking a Touring HolidayAre you thinking of taking a touring holiday? Want to know a bit more before you decide what to book? I’ve taken over 9500 guests on coach tours all over the world. This list is based on that experience and it’s here to help you know what to think about and ask before you book.… Read More »10 Things You Need to Know Before Booking a Touring Holiday
- Coach Holiday to Lake Garda Review – Tips & InsightsAre you looking for a coach holiday to Lake Garda? This is a detailed itinerary review of the Southern Shores of Lake Garda tour which is offered by Saga Holidays. This tour stays in Sirmione, at the Southern end of Lake Garda. It has a good mix of free time and excursions to help you… Read More »Coach Holiday to Lake Garda Review – Tips & Insights
- Coach Holidays for Single Travellers – 3 Key Things to KnowAre you a single traveller? Solo travel is on the increase and predicted to grow further, up from 19% in 2019 to 23%. There are several coach holidays for single travellers. Here are the main 3 types of coach holidays available; If you are not sure which option suits you best check out this guide… Read More »Coach Holidays for Single Travellers – 3 Key Things to Know
- Coach Holiday Companies – Is Bigger Better?Ever considered coach holiday companies and their differences when thinking of booking? There are big differences between smaller and larger coach holiday companies and these can have an impact on all aspects of the coach holiday experience. In this article, I look at 4 main coach holiday company differences you consider when choosing a coach… Read More »Coach Holiday Companies – Is Bigger Better?
- Don’t Avoid a Coach Holiday – You Are Missing a Great TripHave you heard lots of bad things about coach holidays? As a result, have you tended to avoid a coach holiday as an option for your travels? In this article, I want to discuss some of the most common issues I have experienced over my 25 year career as a coach holiday tour manager. Instead… Read More »Don’t Avoid a Coach Holiday – You Are Missing a Great Trip
- What Is An Orientation Tour? Coach Holiday TerminologyHave you seen the phrase ‘orientation tour’ and wondered what it means? Do you know what the difference is between an orientation tour and a guided tour? There are some key differences you need to know about. Read on to learn all you need to know about this coach trip terminology and what it might… Read More »What Is An Orientation Tour? Coach Holiday Terminology
- Azores Island Hopping ReviewDo you want inside tips and information about the itinerary from someone who has been? Great! You are in the exactly the right place. I have taken 5 or 6 British groups on holidays to the Azores Island Hopping and it is somewhere I really enjoy visiting. If you haven’t already read it I would… Read More »Azores Island Hopping Review
- Are Coach Holidays Worth It? Here’s 9 Reasons Why They AreIf you have ever wondered ‘Are coach holidays worth it?’ then you might be interested in these 9 reasons why they are. They are based on feedback I’ve received from guests on coach holidays. I’ve taken over 10,000 people on coach holidays all over the world. Read on to see why they recommend coach holidays.… Read More »Are Coach Holidays Worth It? Here’s 9 Reasons Why They Are