San Gabriel Charter Bus Packing and Carry-On Guide

When you rent a charter bus for your San Gabriel group trip, how much can everyone actually bring? Whether you’re packing for an overnight school field trip to Cal Poly Pomona, a weekend corporate retreat in Big Bear, or a multi-day band tour through California, it’s crucial to know what storage space your bus will offer. At Charter Bus Rental San Gabriel, we want every passenger to have a comfortable ride — and that includes making sure there’s room for all your bags, instruments, equipment, tailgate gear, or whatever else you need to stow.

The good news: charter buses offer more luggage capacity than planes, trains, or any rideshare van. The trick is choosing the right bus size and packing strategically so nothing gets left behind. In this guide, we’ll break down how much luggage space is available on our most popular San Gabriel bus rental models, share real measurements of undercarriage and overhead bins, and give you pro tips for organizing and loading your group’s stuff. Read on to become a charter bus packing pro!

Storage Space on our Different Bus Models in San Gabriel

First, let’s talk about the types of charter buses serving San Gabriel groups and where your luggage will actually go. Storage options vary by vehicle, but here’s the general breakdown:

• Full-size charter buses (40-56 passengers): These motorcoaches are built for long-haul trips and big groups. They feature large under-floor luggage bays running the length of the bus, plus overhead parcel racks inside above the seats.
• Minibuses (15-35 passengers): Smaller shuttles that may or may not have dedicated luggage compartments. Many have rear cargo holds or small underfloor spaces; some only offer overhead racks and seat-back pockets.
• Sprinter vans (10-15 passengers): Best for quick hops around San Gabriel or airport transfers with light baggage. Limited to trunk/rear storage and maybe a small shelf above seats.
• Party buses (15-50 passengers): Designed for fun, not hauling suitcases! Most party buses have minimal luggage space beyond a small trunk or cooler area. Great for events where guests just carry purses, backpacks, or jackets onboard.

For maximum luggage capacity, always choose a full-size charter bus if your group has lots of gear. But don’t worry — even our minibuses can handle day-trip essentials or a few suitcases per person. When you call 626-528-0905, our team will help you select the ideal bus size based on headcount and how much stuff you’re bringing.

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

The primary storage on any full-size charter bus is the set of external luggage bays located underneath the passenger cabin. These secure, weatherproof compartments run along both sides of the bus between the axles. On a standard 56-passenger coach, you’ll usually find three to four separate bay doors per side, each opening to reveal a huge cubby designed for checked suitcases, duffel bags, equipment trunks, or oversized items like golf clubs.

So how big are these bays, really? While exact dimensions vary by manufacturer (Prevost, MCI, Van Hool, etc.), a typical under-floor compartment measures about 8 feet wide, 3.5 feet tall, and 3-4 feet deep. Here’s a real-world example from a Prevost H3-45, one of the most common charter buses:

• Each bay: 46” high x 47” wide x 95” deep
• Four bays total (two per side), pass-through design allows loading from either curb or street
• Total under-floor luggage volume: 460 cubic feet (without wheelchair lift)

To put that in perspective, a single under-floor bay can easily fit 10-12 large checked suitcases, or bulky items like instrument cases, coolers, or boxed event supplies. With all bays combined, a 56-passenger charter bus offers enough storage for every rider to bring one standard suitcase (28” x 20” x 12”) plus extra room for group equipment or odd-shaped cargo. For most groups, the undercarriage is more than enough — but if you’re packing heavy (looking at you, marching bands and sports teams!), ask about adding a trailer hitch or towing a small cargo trailer.

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

Once everyone’s big bags are stowed below, it’s time to board and claim a spot for your personal item. Every charter bus features overhead storage bins running the length of the cabin, similar to airplane carry-on compartments but often larger and without closing doors. These are called parcel racks, and they’re perfect for backpacks, briefcases, small duffels, laptop bags, or any essentials you want within reach during the ride.

The average overhead rack on a full-size coach measures 10.5 inches high by 17.5 inches deep, with continuous open shelving above both rows of seats. Most racks are about 18-20 inches front-to-back, accommodating two carry-on bags per seat pair. Some luxury coaches upgrade to airline-style enclosed bins with latching doors, but open racks are the norm on California charter buses. Total overhead storage across the whole bus typically adds up to 100-150 cubic feet.

If you’ve ever flown Southwest out of LAX, imagine the overhead bin space but doubled in width and without fighting for a spot! Each passenger can comfortably stash a backpack or small roller bag (think 16” x 12” x 7” max) in the rack above their seat. Just remember: anything placed up top must be light enough to lift safely and should not block the aisle or emergency exits.

So, How Many Bags Can Each Person Bring?

With all that storage, how much luggage does that translate to per passenger? Here’s the general rule for charter buses:

• One large checked bag (up to 50 lbs, 62 linear inches) in the under-floor bay
• One small carry-on bag (under 25 lbs, 16” x 12” x 7”) in the overhead rack
• Personal item (purse, camera, jacket) kept at your seat or on your lap

This mirrors the standard airline allowance, but with more generous dimensions and no checked-bag fees. If your group isn’t maxing out the bus seats (say, 30 riders on a 40-passenger coach), you can get away with more bags per person since there’s extra bay and rack space. On a full bus, though, encourage everyone to pack smart and stick to the one-big-one-small guideline for the smoothest boarding and unloading process.

Special tip for event planners: if your group needs to transport bulkier cargo (band instruments, AV gear, trade show booths, etc.), request a detailed luggage manifest from your vendor and reserve a larger bus or additional trailer as needed. Nothing derails a tight itinerary faster than realizing half your stuff won’t fit at pickup time!

Packing & planning tips for group leaders

Now that you know the numbers, let’s make the most of your charter bus’s storage capacity. These tips come straight from our San Gabriel dispatch team and veteran road warriors:

• Label everything. Use durable tags with name, cell number, and destination on every checked bag. Group leaders should keep a master list of who brought what, especially for overnight trips or airport shuttles.
• Load heavy items first. In the under-floor bays, stack the heaviest suitcases and hard cases against the back wall, then layer lighter bags on top or toward the door. This prevents crushing and makes unloading easier.
• Distribute weight evenly. Don’t overload one side or one bay. Spread luggage across all compartments to maintain the bus’s balance and handling.
• Keep essentials onboard. Anything you’ll need during the drive (medications, chargers, snacks, ID) goes in your carry-on or personal bag. The driver cannot access under-floor storage while the bus is moving.
• Reserve aisle space. No bags in the main aisle or blocking exits, ever. Overhead racks are for small soft-sided items only; large suitcases stay below.
• Plan for special gear. If transporting bikes, skis, or other odd-shaped items, measure them in advance and tell us when booking. We can recommend buses with extra-large bays or arrange a tow-behind trailer.
• Arrive early for loading. Factor at least 30 minutes for the entire group to load luggage before departure, longer for big events or if you’re new to charter travel.

Hit the Road with Charter Bus Rental San Gabriel

Ready to roll with the best luggage-hauling vehicles in Los Angeles County? Charter Bus Rental San Gabriel has been moving groups of all sizes for over a decade, and we know how to match you with the perfect bus for your packing needs. Whether you’re headed to LAX with 25 suitcases or embarking on a cross-state band tour with a trailer full of instruments, our reservation experts will make sure your ride has the right storage, comfort, and amenities for the journey.

Get started today by calling 626-528-0905 or filling out our online quote form. Tell us your headcount, trip dates, and a rough estimate of baggage or equipment, and we’ll send you a custom bus recommendation and price in 30 seconds. Our fleet includes full-size charter buses (with up to 600 cubic feet of under-floor space), minibuses with rear cargo holds, and sprinter vans for light-traveling crews. No matter where your group is going or what you’re bringing, we’ll make sure it all fits aboard. Travel smarter and pack heavier with San Gabriel’s most trusted charter bus company!