A trip to a West End show is one of the great group days out in London. From hit musicals to long-running classics and new plays, Theatreland draws schools, WI groups, social clubs and theatre-lovers from all over the country – and travelling together by coach is the simplest way to get there.
The London Coach Company provides private coach and minibus hire for West End theatre trips. We collect your group from your school, village hall, clubhouse or meeting point, drop you close to the theatre and collect you after the curtain comes down. No trains to catch, no Tube changes and no one getting lost in central London. Request a quote to plan your theatre trip.
Who we take to the theatre
- Schools and drama departments on curriculum, GCSE and A level theatre trips
- WI groups and other women’s groups planning a matinee outing
- Community, social and retirement clubs booking a group show and a day in London
- Theatre tour operators running coach-and-ticket packages from across the South East
- Corporate groups entertaining clients or rewarding staff with an evening show
Matinee day trips
Matinees are a popular choice for group theatre trips. Your group arrives in time for lunch, enjoys the show and heads home in the late afternoon or early evening, avoiding a late return.
Evening performances
For an evening show, we collect your group in the afternoon, drop you in Theatreland with time for dinner, and collect you after the performance. With a coach waiting to take you home, no one needs to worry about the last train.
Coach drop-off and pick-up in Theatreland
There are designated coach set-down and pick-up bays throughout Theatreland, including on Kingsway. We plan the nearest suitable drop-off for your theatre and agree the exact meeting point with your organiser before the day.
On Kingsway, coaches can park for up to four hours between 10am and 4pm and between 7pm and midnight. Outside those hours the bays are for setting down and picking up only – for example, towards the end of a matinee – so the coach moves away and returns in time to collect your group. Our base in Brentford is within easy reach if the coach needs somewhere to wait. Any parking charges are always included in your quote.
Coaches are not allowed to wait at pick-up bays for a group that is not ready, so we time the collection around the show’s running time and your driver stays in touch with your organiser.
The West End is inside the Congestion Charge (opens in a new tab) zone, but vehicles with 9 or more seats receive a 100% Congestion Charge discount. Every vehicle in our fleet is also LEZ and ULEZ compliant.
Driver guidance: Coach parking arrangements (opens in a new tab) on the TfL website.
School theatre trips
Every vehicle in our fleet has seat belts. For your trip risk assessment, we can provide our operator licence details, insurance certificate and driver DBS checks on request – just ask when you book. All journeys for school and youth groups are alcohol-free.
On board
Adult groups may bring drinks on board in moderation. We ask that everyone respects the driver and the vehicle, and our drivers may refuse travel to anyone who is drunk.
Planning your theatre trip
Getting there
Central London traffic can be slow, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings and in the weeks before Christmas. We plan your pick-up time so your group arrives with plenty of time before curtain up, and your driver confirms the drop-off point on the day.
Getting home
We agree the pick-up point and time before the day, based on the show’s published running time. For long days or journeys from further afield, we plan drivers’ hours in line with UK regulations, which can affect timings or mean a second driver is needed – we explain this clearly when we quote.
Organiser checklist
- Book your group theatre tickets and check the show’s running time
- Confirm your group size and, for schools, the number of adult supervisors
- Tell us the theatre, performance date and curtain-up time
- Share your pick-up point and a named contact with a mobile number
- Agree a meeting point after the show and make sure everyone knows it
- Tell us about any walking aids, wheelchairs or other accessibility needs
Vehicles for every size of group
From 9-seat minibuses for a small group to midi coaches and full-size coaches for a whole year group or large tour, we match the vehicle to your numbers. For bigger groups we can run several vehicles together. Browse our full fleet and see our pricing for more detail.
- 9-seat minibuses
- Midi coaches
- Full-size coaches
Make a day of it
Theatreland is a short distance from some of London’s best sights. Before a matinee, groups often visit The British Museum or St Paul’s Cathedral, and we can plan the whole day around the show.
More performances
We also run group trips to concerts and shows at the Royal Albert Hall, and festive trips to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Frequently asked questions
Where do coaches drop off for West End
theatres?
There are designated coach set-down and pick-up bays throughout Theatreland, including on Kingsway. We plan the nearest suitable drop-off for your theatre and agree the exact meeting point with your organiser before the day.
Where does the coach go during the show?
On Kingsway, coaches can park for up to four hours between 10am and 4pm and between 7pm and midnight. Outside those hours the bays are for setting down and picking up only – for example, towards the end of a matinee – so the coach moves away and returns in time to collect your group. Our base in Brentford is within easy reach if the coach needs somewhere to wait. Any parking charges are included in your quote.
Can you collect us straight after the
show?
Yes. We agree a pick-up time based on the show’s running time. Coaches are not allowed to wait at pick-up bays for a group that is not ready, so we time the collection carefully and your driver stays in touch with your organiser.
Can you provide paperwork for our school theatre
trip?
Yes. Our operator licence details, insurance certificate and driver DBS checks are all available on request, and every vehicle in our fleet has seat belts.
Do we pay the Congestion Charge?
No. The West End is inside the Congestion Charge zone, but vehicles with 9 or more seats receive a 100% discount. Every vehicle in our fleet is also LEZ and ULEZ compliant, so there are no emissions charges either.
Can we combine a show with lunch or
sightseeing?
Yes. Many groups add lunch, afternoon tea or a museum visit before a matinee. Tell us your plans and we will build the day around them.
Book your theatre coach
Call us on +44 20 3457 2071 or email [email protected] with your group size, pick-up point, theatre and performance date, and we will come back with a quote. You can also see our pricing or request a quote online.