Portsmouth Charter Bus Packing and Carry-On Guide

Whether your group is heading to a conference at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel or planning a class trip to Strawbery Banke Museum, knowing how much you can pack on your charter bus makes travel day simple. At Charter Bus Rental Portsmouth, we’ve moved thousands of groups around New England over the last decade. Our fleet includes full-size 56-passenger buses with huge undercarriage bays, compact minibuses for quick shuttles around Market Square, and even party buses with rear storage for big events. We know how to match your itinerary to the right-size vehicle — and what that means for luggage space.

Use this guide to get the facts about charter bus storage capacity, including real dimensions, luggage-per-person estimates, and tips for packing smart. If you have oversized equipment or need extra room for gear, call our team 24/7 at 603-605-0130. We’ll find a solution that fits your group.

Storage Space on Our Different Bus Models in Portsmouth

Every bus model offers a different amount of storage, so it’s important to pick the one that best fits your group’s needs. For most trips, a full-size 56-passenger coach will offer the most luggage space. These vehicles have large, climate-controlled underfloor bays running the length of the bus, plus overhead racks inside that are similar to airline bins. If you’re moving sports teams with duffel bags, musicians with road cases, or any group with checked-size suitcases, this is the way to go.

Mid-size coaches (like our 35- to 40-passenger models) typically have two underfloor compartments and slightly smaller overhead racks. These are great for groups bringing moderate luggage or when street parking is tight — think wedding shuttles between Prescott Park and the Seacoast Science Center or corporate outings with briefcases and backpacks.

Minibuses (15- to 28-passenger) usually offer limited storage, sometimes just a rear compartment accessible from the back door. Overhead racks may be shallow or absent. These work best for local shuttles where everyone has just a small bag, like a brewery hop between Great Rhythm Brewing and Liar’s Bench.

Party buses often have rear or side cargo areas but prioritize seating and onboard amenities. They’re ideal for bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, or nights out where guests only need to stash coats and purses while enjoying the ride.

If your group has special cargo (like ski gear for a weekend at Gunstock Mountain or AV equipment for an event at The Music Hall), tell us when you book. We can recommend the right bus size or even arrange a trailer for overflow items.

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

On a standard 56-passenger motorcoach, the underfloor luggage bays are the main storage area for large bags. These are accessible from curbside doors that lift up, running beneath the passenger cabin from the front axle to the rear wheels. Most models have three or four bays per side, each measuring roughly 8 feet wide by 3 feet high by 3 feet deep. That adds up to about 500 cubic feet of total storage space — enough for one large suitcase per person if fully loaded.

To put it another way: each bay can hold 5-6 full-size checked suitcases (28-30” tall), stacked upright with handles facing out. If your group packs soft duffels or compressible bags, you might fit more. Hard-shell cases and odd-shaped items (like instrument trunks or folding tables) take up more room, so plan accordingly.

Keep in mind that these bays are not accessible while the bus is moving. Anything you’ll need during the trip should stay with you in the cabin. Also, there’s usually a weight limit of 50 pounds per bag to ensure safe loading and unloading. If your itinerary includes multiple stops (like a college tour of UNH, Dartmouth, and Bowdoin), let us know if you’ll need frequent access to certain luggage so we can load efficiently.

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

Inside the bus, overhead racks run along both sides above the seats. On a full-size coach, these measure about 10 inches high by 17 inches deep — similar to airplane bins but open, without closing doors. Each section can hold two carry-on bags (think rollerboards or small duffels) or several backpacks and purses.

Across the entire bus, overhead racks provide space for every passenger to bring a personal item onboard. This is where you should keep anything you want easy access to during the ride: laptops, snacks, jackets, medications, or entertainment devices. If your group includes kids or older adults who may need assistive devices, make sure those items fit here too.

On minibuses, overhead storage is often smaller or absent altogether. You may have to keep bags at your feet or use a rear compartment for anything larger than a purse or briefcase. When booking, ask about interior storage if your group needs to bring materials for meetings, presentations, or activities en route.

So, How Many Bags Can Each Person Bring?

A good rule of thumb for charter bus packing is one large suitcase in the underfloor bay plus one carry-on bag in the overhead rack per person. This matches the typical baggage allowance for airlines and ensures there’s enough room for everyone’s essentials.

If your group isn’t filling every seat, you’ll have extra space to spread out. For example, a 40-person group on a 56-passenger bus can bring additional gear or bulky items without crowding the aisles. Conversely, if you’re at full capacity, encourage travelers to pack as lightly as possible to avoid exceeding the bus’s storage limits.

For trips with unusual cargo (like band instruments, art displays, or trade show booths), we recommend making an inventory list and measuring large pieces before booking. Share these details with us so we can confirm everything will fit safely. In some cases, it may be necessary to rent a separate cargo van or trailer to haul overflow items alongside the bus.

Packing & Planning Tips for Group Leaders

To make loading day smooth, communicate clear guidelines to your group about what to bring and how to label their luggage. Ask everyone to tag bags with their name and contact info, especially if you’ll be making multiple stops or transferring between buses. Remind travelers to keep valuables, medications, and critical documents in their carry-ons rather than checked bags.

Consider creating a packing checklist tailored to your itinerary. For example, a school field trip to Odiorne Point State Park might require students to bring rain gear and hiking boots, while a business retreat at Wentworth by the Sea could call for formal attire and presentation materials. If your schedule includes overnight stays, coordinate with hotels to arrange luggage delivery or storage as needed.

On travel day, arrive early to allow ample time for loading. Assign a few volunteers or staff members to help organize bags by type or destination. Load heavier items first and distribute weight evenly across the bays to maintain the bus’s balance. Keep essential supplies (like first aid kits, water bottles, and emergency contacts) easily accessible in the cabin.

During the trip, do periodic headcounts and check that all luggage remains secure. If you’re stopping at multiple locations, establish a system for unloading only the bags needed at each stop to minimize confusion and lost items.

Hit the Road with Charter Bus Rental Portsmouth

Charter Bus Rental Portsmouth has been moving groups around New Hampshire and beyond since 2013. Whether you’re planning a family reunion at Hampton Beach, a corporate outing to Pease International Tradeport, or a school excursion to the USS Albacore Museum, we have the experience and fleet to handle your luggage needs.

Our 24/7 reservation team is always available to answer questions about bus sizes, storage capacity, and special requirements. We’ll work with you to build a custom transportation package that fits your group’s itinerary and budget. From providing detailed floor plans to arranging extra cargo space, we go the extra mile to ensure your trip runs smoothly.

Ready to hit the road? Call us today at 603-605-0130 or request a quote online. With Charter Bus Rental Portsmouth, you can focus on your destination — we’ll handle the logistics.