In terms of visual impact, few vehicles can compete with a double-decker bus! This mobile billboard can be fully customised inside to build something unique – but how can you tell if it’s right for you? In this guide to double-decker bus hire, you’ll discover what these vehicles have to offer, see popular customisation options, and learn about some of our previous projects.
We also cover the top considerations to help make your campaign the best it can be!
Why should I hire a double-decker bus?
These promotional buses are some of the most popular in our fleet – and we adore them just as much as our clients do. Here’s why a double-decker bus could be just the ticket, whether you’re running a weekend activation or a much longer, multi-stop campaign.
A disruptive size for city takeovers
A bus is a terrific way to get noticed. At around 4.5 metres high and 10-11 metres long, it stands out in any setting – especially when wrapped in branded colours or imagery. Its size grabs attention quickly, leading to long lines as people wait to see what the fuss is about. So, a double-decker bus lends gravitas and mystique to your activation.
A spacious interior to make your own
Our double-deckers are about 2.4 metres wide and feature ceilings tall enough for six-foot guests to stand. They're also ideal for customisation because there's so much you can do with them! We transformed a bus for Cadbury’s Crème Egg, fitting a café plus scramble pit, photo-op and spotter’s hide. Imagine what we could do for your brand!
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A reliable and versatile vehicle
When you hire a double-decker bus, you get a modern vehicle that can be used for stationary setups and city-wide tours alike. Our buses have been used by Universal Pictures, Be At One, SHEIN, ITV, Samsung and more besides. Whatever you have in mind, it’s one of the best ways to get your brand seen and your message heard.
It could be greener than you think
High demand means we’ve invested heavily in our buses. Euro-6 compliant models reduce carbon emissions, and because they’re ULEZ-compliant, you won’t fall foul of clean air charges. With ultra-low emissions, a huge exterior for branding, and an interior that can be fully customised, double-decker bus hire provides maximum impact.
What do I need to consider?
Your campaign is a major investment, so it needs to be a hit. Think about the challenges you might face, and which campaign support services will help ensure its success.
How your bus will engage your audience
Thanks to its spacious interior, double-decker bus hire lets you get creative. From spin-the-wheel competitions and ball pits to nail bars, makeup stations and demo spaces, you can turn the standard interior into a brightly coloured wonderland.
Whatever your vision, our vehicle design and build services can bring it to life. Everyone from in-house carpenters, electricians, engineers and decorators work as one to customise the bus inside and out – finding cost-effective solutions without compromise.
You could face logistical challenges
Double-decker bus hires can’t be missed, but they can run into logistical issues, and you might have trouble with hard-access spaces. That’s why routes have to be planned carefully, with ample time, using venues allowing for large vehicles.
When you hire a double-decker bus with Promohire, our driver will bring it to each event and take it away at the end of the day. But with ultimate logistical support, we can also provide route planning and site surveys, cater to early access, and manage all locations.
How you’ll drive traffic in person and online
With a big vehicle comes high expectations. Decide early how you’ll get the word out, either through your social channels, website, or traditional advertising. Once your vehicle’s on the road, capture images, videos and reels for even more engagement!
If you plan to hire a double-decker bus, why not ask us to arrange a live studio day or pre-campaign tour showing your vehicle by famous landmarks? These ‘teasers’ can get people invested early, generating buzz and encouraging people to attend.
Which types of double-decker can I hire?
With Promohire, you can choose from a closed- or open-top bus to suit your campaign goals. Both of these are highly modern and provide the same amount of space for customisation – so it’s really down to preference!
Closed-top double-decker
With a fully enclosed roof, this vehicle is perfect for the UK’s changeable weather and means you can fully immerse your guests over two floors. It also allows for a full wrap which covers the entire vehicle to create a truly seamless design.
If you want your bus to be a mobile billboard with engagement pieces inside, then a fully enclosed double-decker is likely the best bet for your next campaign.
Open-top double-decker
Just like the kind used for sightseeing tours, this bus acts much like a moving stage. Clients use it for tours of their own, influencer days or ‘photo calls’, and even live concerts.
That’s exactly how it was used by McDonald’s in partnership with Jesse J to run a live concert to surprise fans all over London. It can also be a showcase in parades like Pride, as well as launches and activations.
How double-deckers helped brands succeed
Check out some of the previous campaigns we’ve helped bring to life.
SHEIN – This popular label wanted to build awareness throughout the year, with buses for Christmas, Easter and Halloween, plus a summer Airstream for something different. Highlights included a ball pit and nail bar, a spin-the-wheel game and a claw machine with prizes to be won. Each bus was fully wrapped to celebrate the holiday season.
Check out SHEIN's four-season extravaganza
Fuller’s Kitchen – Fuller's hired a double-decker bus to celebrate National Ice Cream Day in the summer. Planned as a busy sampling activation, we fitted an on-board kitchen with freezers for easy storage, table and chairs for guests to relax, and turned the upper deck into a unique photo-op.
See Fuller Kitchen’s ice cream tour
Dani Dyer’s ‘In the Style’ – How do you spread awareness about a new fashion line? With an open-top double-decker bus! The whole bus was fully wrapped with high-res imagery, with a gorgeous pink colour that stood out as it journeyed across London. Pink flowers adorned the inside to welcome influencers on the day.
Read more about Dani Dyer’s collection launch
How much does it cost to hire a double-decker bus?
We make it easy to get an estimated cost, so you can budget effectively. As you can see using our budget calculator, a 7-day activation may cost around £19,000 excluding VAT, but this includes external branding, standard logistics and RAMS documentation.
Use the calculator below and view our costs and services guide to see the price of each support service. It’s the best way to decide if a bus will be cost-effective for your brand!
