tour bus driver salary

What Does a Tour Bus Driver Do?

Find out what a Tour Bus Driver does, how to get this job, salary information, and what it takes to succeed as a Tour Bus Driver.

The Tour Bus Driver plays an essential role in the travel and tourism industry, offering a unique blend of safety, navigation, and hospitality to passengers eager to explore new destinations. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of local attractions, routes, and traffic regulations, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey for all on board. Beyond the operation of the vehicle, these professionals are ambassadors of the travel experience, often providing insightful commentary about the sights and sounds encountered along the way. Their expertise in managing schedules and maintaining a comfortable environment makes them an integral part of creating memorable trips for tourists and travelers alike.

Tour Bus Driver Job Duties

• Safely operate the tour bus along predetermined routes, adhering to all traffic laws and regulations.
• Provide informative and engaging commentary about landmarks, historical sites, and local attractions.
• Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of the bus to ensure it is in proper working condition.
• Manage the boarding and deboarding of passengers, ensuring a smooth flow and accounting for all individuals.
• Handle ticket sales, reservations, and confirmations for the tour, including processing payments and issuing receipts.
• Coordinate with tour operators or event planners on scheduling, route adjustments, and specific group needs.
• Maintain cleanliness and orderliness inside the bus throughout the tour to ensure a pleasant environment for passengers.
• Respond to emergencies or unexpected situations, such as medical incidents or vehicle malfunctions, in a calm and efficient manner.

Tour Bus Driver Salary & Outlook

Tour bus driver salaries are influenced by factors such as experience, the type of tours conducted (historical, adventure, etc.), seasonal demand, employer size (independent vs. large tour companies), and customer service skills. Additionally, drivers specializing in niche tours or possessing unique knowledge may command higher wages.

• Median Annual Salary: $36,763 ($17.67/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $61,000 ($29.33/hour)

The employment of tour bus drivers is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Increased global tourism, rising interest in local and international travel experiences, and the expansion of tour companies are driving the demand for Tour Bus Drivers. Additionally, the growing popularity of eco-friendly and cultural tours requires skilled drivers familiar with diverse locales, further boosting employment opportunities in this sector.

Tour Bus Driver Job Requirements

Education: A Tour Bus Driver typically holds a High School Diploma, with a focus on subjects that enhance communication and geographical knowledge. Courses in English, geography, and customer service are beneficial, providing foundational skills for interacting with passengers and navigating routes. While specific majors are not required, electives in tourism or hospitality can offer a competitive edge, emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded educational background in ensuring both safety and an enjoyable experience for passengers.

Experience: Tour Bus Drivers often enter the field without prior experience, learning through on-the-job training programs. These programs equip them with necessary skills, including safe driving practices, customer service, and route planning. Employers may also provide specific training related to the tour content, enabling drivers to share interesting facts and stories with passengers. Continuous learning and improvement in areas such as communication and emergency response are essential for success in this role.

Certifications & Licenses: Tour Bus Drivers typically require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), often with a Passenger (P) endorsement. Some regions may also mandate a specific Tour Bus Operator license or certification, and a clean driving record is generally essential. Additional certifications, such as First Aid or CPR, can be beneficial but are not universally required.

Tour Bus Driver Skills

Passenger Safety Procedures: Tour bus drivers are tasked with briefing each passenger on emergency exits, safety equipment, and protocols before departure. They must also conduct regular inspections of safety equipment, including first aid kits and fire extinguishers, and stay informed on the latest safety regulations and training to ensure a secure environment for everyone on board.

Route Planning: Developing efficient and scenic routes that meet time constraints while enhancing the passenger experience requires extensive knowledge of local geography, traffic patterns, and points of interest. Such planning ensures tours are memorable, smooth, and punctual, reflecting positively on the driver’s professionalism and the tour company’s reputation.

Defensive Driving: The ability to safely navigate a large vehicle through various environments demands a heightened awareness of surroundings and the skill to anticipate potential hazards. Tour bus drivers must adjust their driving in response to the actions of other drivers and pedestrians to maintain safety and comfort for passengers.

Customer Service: From the moment passengers board the bus, making them feel welcomed and valued is crucial for an enjoyable tour experience. Addressing concerns or questions attentively enhances overall satisfaction and increases the likelihood of passengers recommending the service.

ADA Compliance: Familiarity with the accommodations and modifications necessary to ensure all passengers, regardless of physical ability, can access and enjoy the tour is essential. Knowledge of lift systems, seating arrangements, and communication aids is required to provide an inclusive experience.

Emergency Response: In unexpected emergencies, tour bus drivers must quickly assess situations and implement safety protocols to ensure passenger well-being. A calm demeanor and clear communication, coordinating with emergency services when necessary, are imperative.

Tour Bus Driver Work Environment

Tour bus drivers operate in a dynamic environment, primarily within the confines of their vehicle, navigating through diverse terrains and cityscapes. Their workspace is the driver’s seat, equipped with standard vehicular controls and often enhanced with GPS and communication devices to stay connected with tour operators and passengers.

The nature of their work dictates irregular hours, with weekends and holidays being peak times for tours. Dress codes can vary, often leaning towards company-branded attire for easy identification by clients. The social aspect of the job is significant, requiring drivers to interact frequently with passengers, providing not just a service but an experience.

Health and safety are paramount, with drivers adhering to strict regulations to ensure everyone’s well-being. Noise levels can fluctuate, especially in bustling city tours or when engaging with passengers. The pace of work is generally steady, punctuated by periods of waiting or downtime between tours.

Travel is inherent to the role, with some positions requiring overnight stays or long-distance travel, impacting work-life balance. Despite the challenges, the role offers a unique opportunity to meet diverse groups of people and explore new locations, making it appealing to those with a love for travel and customer service.

Advancement Prospects

Tour bus drivers can advance their careers by transitioning into roles with higher responsibility and pay, such as becoming a tour operations manager or starting their own tour company. Gaining experience in diverse routes and specializing in niche tours (e.g., historical, adventure) enhances their value and opens up opportunities for leading more exclusive and higher-paying tours.

Building a strong reputation for safety, knowledge, and customer service is crucial. Drivers can leverage this reputation to negotiate better terms or move into luxury tour segments. Additionally, mastering multiple languages can significantly boost a driver’s appeal to international tourists, potentially leading to opportunities with global tour operators.

Progressing in this career often involves a mix of practical experience, customer service excellence, and strategic career moves, such as identifying and specializing in high-demand tour niches.

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What is a tour bus driver and how to become one

A tour bus driver is a professional responsible for transporting passengers to and from designated locations. They communicate effectively with all school officials and department supervisors regarding bus schedule and student disciplinary problems. They also perform post-trip inspections and clean the bus before the next trip. They maintain records concerning vehicle maintenance, miles driven, and other related matters. They prepare specialized logistics of travel routes and respond to customer inquiries regarding tour route, boarding, drop-off policies, and instructions. They transport passengers on various locations throughout East Coast, maintain a clean and safe work environment, and adhere to DOT regulations and safety rules. They also perform daily visual safety checks and complete daily pre and post-trip checklists.

How long does it takes to become a tour bus driver?

It takes about 1 to 3 months to become a tour bus driver. This timeline includes the typical on-site and on-job training required after obtaining a high school diploma.

Year 1 During the first year, aspiring tour bus drivers undergo training that lasts between 1 to 3 months. This period is crucial for gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to operate a tour bus safely and effectively.

• Salary $37,754
• Growth Rate 5%
• Jobs Number 42,170
• Most Common Skill CDL
• Most Common Degree High School Diploma
• Best State New Jersey

Tour Bus Driver career paths

Tour bus drivers can move into other roles within the transportation industry, such as bus drivers and technicians. They can also transition into supervisory roles like production supervisors and plant managers. Additionally, they may choose to pursue careers outside of transportation, such as emergency medical technicians, coordinators, or fleet managers. Some even move into other industries entirely, becoming foremen, owners/operators, or operators in construction and manufacturing.

Key steps to become a tour bus driver

Explore tour bus driver education requirements, most common tour bus driver degrees.

High School Diploma

Bachelor's

Start to develop specific tour bus driver skills

Tour bus drivers must be able to communicate effectively with school officials, maintain records, and follow safety regulations. They also need to prepare for logistics, transport customers, and work closely with dispatch and tour guides to provide a positive experience. They perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections of the bus and have general mechanical knowledge.

Complete relevant tour bus driver training and internships

Obtain the necessary licensing, research tour bus driver duties and responsibilities.

Tour bus drivers are responsible for communicating effectively with school officials and department supervisors regarding bus schedules and disciplinary problems. They also maintain records of vehicle maintenance and other related matters, such as incident and accident reports. In addition, they ensure they are on time by strictly following itineraries to provide outstanding customer service.

• Conduct vehicle inspections on bus pre and post-schedule trips for bus maintenance and passenger safety.
• Certify in CPR and sensitivity training.
• Require to maintain CDL drivers licensing on a yearly basis.
• Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment

Prepare your tour bus driver resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your tour bus driver resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a tour bus driver resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Tour Bus Driver Resume templates

Apply for tour bus driver jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a tour bus driver job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

• Browse job boards for relevant postings
• Consult your professional network
• Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
• Watch out for job scams

Are you a Tour Bus Driver?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average tour bus driver salary

The average Tour Bus Driver salary in the United States is $37,754 per year or $18 per hour. Tour bus driver salaries range between $28,000 and $49,000 per year.

What Am I Worth?

How do tour bus drivers rate their job?

Tour bus driver reviews.

Not enough overtime , the hours are not enough, and since their are meaningful, being able to sign up for overtime helps . Then there are the class C drivers who take advantage of bus drivers, by cutting us off, or just not being aware that a 40ft/ 60ft bus can not stop on a dime And while class C drivers take unnecessary traffic risk. A bus driver must stay alert and expect the unexpected every minute under the wheel of a bus

The road rage drivers: people lose their empathy when driving. They become aggressive and angry by the slightest event on the road. Hence, taking the fun out of driving. However, driving is still relaxing and fun.

The ability to gain the trust of a customer to know satisfied and happy with the assignments set all personal belongings and artifacts have not been touched or moved and deliver to him one time it is a sure note for return business which Fields customer service and repetitive returns safety orientated and knowledgeable have a special detail and driving skills safety assured first and foremost

Updated April 5, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Overall Score 4.7 / 10

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How Much Does a Bus Driver Make?

Salary outlook, best-paying cities for bus drivers, the 5 best-paying cities for bus drivers.

Best-Paying States for Bus Drivers

The states and districts that pay Bus Drivers the highest mean salary are New York ($73,130), Washington ($64,530), Illinois ($61,990), Massachusetts ($60,270), and California ($59,450).

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ARE YOU THE "SPECIAL FORCES" QUALITY?

There are over a million Bus Drivers and Truck Drivers in North America... But there are only about a thousand entertainer coach drivers...

At Star Coaches, we consider Entertainer Coach Drivers to be the "Special Forces" of the Transportation Industry.

We are interested in individuals who believe that "actions speak louder than words"...  You know, the "Silent Warrior" type of driver...

Don't tell us what you can do, show us!

Class "A" with a "Passenger Endorsement" is required...

You should be mechanically inclined.  Knowledge of a Detroit Series 60 is a plus!

Previous experience as an Entertainer Coach Driver can be a plus...

We are NOT interested in "big talkers"... We are NOT interested in "steering wheel holders"... We are NOT interested in "how many tours you can bring us"... We are NOT interested in "cell phone addicts"... We are NOT interested in "rock star wannabes"... We are NOT interested in "whiners" and "complainers"... We are NOT interested in "clock watchers" or "odometer watchers"...

And, if you have a problem with drug use or alcohol use...  please don't waste your time applying with Star Coaches, Inc.  You WILL be tested randomly!

IMPORTANT:  If you are unable to get into Canada, you do not need to apply.

Having said all that...

If you are interested in becoming a driver for Star Coaches, Inc., please download the Star Coaches Driver Application in PDF form which is located in the sidebar to your right.

Star Coaches, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

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Cruise passenger dies after shuttle bus crash

One woman has died and 10 others were injured after a shuttle bus crashed into the transportation area outside a Honolulu cruise terminal Friday, according to police.

The ship, Carnival Miracle, was on a 15-day journey, departing Long Beach, California, on April 6, according to Carnival Cruise Line. Nine of the people hit by the vehicle were cruise ship passengers.

"Sadly, one guest has died from her injuries. She was traveling with her husband, who was also injured and is expected to recover. Members of the Carnival Care Team are assisting the guests. Our thoughts are with the guests affected and their loved ones," Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement to ABC News.

A 57-year-old man was dropping off customers at pier 2 when a bystander told him that his vehicle was moving forward. He then jumped into the drivers seat, trying to stop the vehicle, but he accidentally pressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes, colliding with two concrete barriers and eleven pedestrians, according to the Honolulu Police Department.

Five pedestrians were transported to the hospital -- one of whom was later pronounced dead and four others are in good condition. Six other pedestrians refused treatment on the scene, police said.

According to police, speed does not appear to be a contributing factor in the collision and it is unknown if drugs or alcohol were contributing factors.

The investigation is ongoing.