Camarillo Charter Bus Packing and Carry-On Guide

Whether you’re planning a day trip to the Camarillo Premium Outlets, organizing a wedding at McCormick Home Ranch, or shuttling a sports team to Pleasant Valley Fields, understanding your charter bus’s luggage space is essential. Charter Bus Rental Camarillo has served Ventura County for over a decade, providing thousands of groups with reliable transportation and personalized service. Our expert staff will help you pick the perfect vehicle for your group size, itinerary, and storage needs. Call 820-222-8160 today to get instant pricing and answers to all your questions about how much you can bring on board!

Storage Space on our Different Bus Models in Camarillo

We offer one of California’s largest fleets, with more than 100 vehicles available for booking across Southern California. Whether you need a sprinter van for a small wine tour, a minibus for an executive shuttle, or a full-size charter bus for a multi-day tour, we have options to fit every group’s passenger count and packing list.

Our most popular models include 15-passenger sprinter vans, 20- to 35-passenger minibuses, and 40- to 56-passenger motorcoaches. Each vehicle type offers different storage configurations, so it’s important to choose one that matches what your group needs to bring along.

Sprinter vans are best for short hops around town or airport transfers where passengers only have carry-on bags. They have limited rear cargo space, usually enough for a few rolling suitcases or duffel bags. Overhead racks may be available but are typically small.

Minibuses strike a balance between maneuverability and storage capacity. Most have either overhead parcel shelves or a dedicated rear luggage compartment (but rarely both). The rear compartment can fit several medium-sized suitcases, while overhead racks can hold backpacks and personal items.

Full-size charter buses offer the most baggage room by far. They feature large under-floor luggage bays that span the length of the vehicle, plus generous overhead bins above each seat. These coaches are designed to transport entire sports teams, bands, or tour groups with all their gear, making them ideal for longer trips or when you need to maximize storage.

How Much Space is Available in the Under-floor Bays?

If your group is bringing lots of checked luggage, musical instruments, or bulky equipment, you’ll want a charter bus with undercarriage storage. These bays run beneath the main cabin floor and are accessible from curbside doors at stops. On a standard 56-passenger motorcoach, there are usually three to four separate compartments per side, each measuring about 8 feet wide, 3-4 feet tall, and 3-4 feet deep.

For example, a Prevost H3-45 coach has a total of 460 cubic feet of under-floor storage. That’s plenty of space for each passenger to bring a full-size suitcase (28-30 inches tall) plus extra bags for special equipment. The bays connect through to the opposite side, allowing your group to load from either curb or street side depending on the venue layout. However, most operators prefer curbside loading for safety reasons.

These massive luggage holds are why full-size charter buses are the top choice for airport transfers, athletic tournaments, and touring bands. You can easily fit a team’s worth of hockey bags, golf clubs, or even drum kits and amplifiers for a concert tour. Just remember that once the bus is moving, these compartments aren’t accessible until the next stop, so keep essentials in the cabin.

How Much Space is Available in the Overhead/Parcel Racks?

Every charter bus and minibus has some form of overhead storage inside the passenger area. On full-size coaches, these bins are similar to airplane carry-on compartments: enclosed with a pull-down door, running above the seats on both sides of the aisle. Typical dimensions are 10.5 inches high by 17.5 inches deep, though this varies by manufacturer.

Most overhead bins are designed to fit two “carry-on” sized bags per section. Think of a typical roller bag that meets airline standards (22 x 14 x 9 inches), or a backpack, briefcase, or camera bag. Larger suitcases won’t fit here, but anything you’d normally take into an aircraft cabin should slide right in.

On smaller buses and vans, the overhead racks are often open shelves with a raised lip to prevent bags from falling during transit. These are great for stowing jackets, tote bags, or any items passengers might want to access while en route. Some luxury minibuses replace overhead racks with individual seatback pockets or under-seat trays for a sleeker look, but this limits storage to very small items.

So, How Many Bags Can Each Person Bring?

To ensure a comfortable ride for everyone, we recommend following the same basic rule as airlines: one checked bag in the underbus bay and one carry-on bag in the overhead rack per passenger. For a fully-loaded 56-passenger coach, this means you can expect to store 56 large suitcases below and 56 small bags above.

If your group isn’t filling every seat, you’ll have extra space to spread out. For example, if you’re taking 40 people on a 56-seat bus, those 16 empty seats translate to more room for additional luggage, equipment cases, or even a cooler for snacks and drinks. Just let our reservation specialists know about any oversized items (bikes, skis, AV gear, etc.) so we can advise on the best way to pack them.

Weight limits are also important for safety. Each piece of luggage should generally weigh no more than 50 pounds, similar to airline guidelines. If you have heavier items, such as event production crates or medical equipment, inform us in advance. We’ll check whether your selected bus model can handle the load or if you’ll need a second vehicle or trailer.

Packing & planning tips for group leaders

As the organizer, clear communication with your passengers is key to a smooth departure. Send out detailed instructions a week before your trip outlining where to meet the bus, what time boarding begins, and how much they’re allowed to bring. Encourage everyone to label their bags with their name and contact info in case anything gets misplaced during transfers.

Remind travelers to keep valuables, medications, and travel documents in their carry-on bags rather than the underbus hold. While our buses are secure, the luggage bays are only accessible when parked, so anything needed during the journey should stay within arm’s reach. This includes snacks, water bottles, electronic devices, chargers, and entertainment like books or tablets.

If your group has special packing needs—such as musical instruments for a jazz band, props for a theater troupe, or coolers for a tailgate party—let us know early in the planning process. We can recommend the best bus configuration or suggest creative solutions like using empty seats for overflow storage. Our goal is to make sure every item arrives safely alongside your passengers.

Hit the Road with Charter Bus Rental Camarillo

No matter where you’re headed in Ventura County or beyond, Charter Bus Rental Camarillo has the right vehicle and storage plan for your group. From school field trips to Channel Islands National Park, corporate retreats at Spanish Hills Country Club, or festival shuttles to the Camarillo Airshow, we’ve handled it all. Our experienced team will match you with a bus that fits both your headcount and your packing list, ensuring a stress-free start to your adventure.

Ready to reserve your ride? Call 820-222-8160 now to get an instant quote and personalized advice on maximizing your charter bus’s luggage space. With our large fleet, flexible scheduling, and commitment to customer satisfaction, you can trust us to get your group and all their gear to the destination on time and in style.