Albert
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Albert, in the heart of the Somme, is one of the main gateways to the First World War battlefields. For many visitors from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and beyond, this small town is a base for exploring the sites of the Battle of the Somme, from Thiepval and Pozieres to Villers-Bretonneux. Group travel here is very specific: early-morning commemorations, quiet country roads, and sensitive visits to cemeteries and memorials where timing and logistics really matter.
Whether you are organising a school battlefield tour, a veterans’ association visit, or a group travelling specially for the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial near Villers-Bretonneux, having a reliable coach with driver in Albert allows you to focus on remembrance while we handle the roads, parking and schedules. Our local partners know the Somme battlefield area in detail and are used to the needs of international groups.
From Albert, you can arrange a wide range of coach services for group travel across the Somme and northern France. Typical services include full-day battlefield tours, half-day transfers between memorials and museums, and multi-day itineraries linking Albert with Amiens, Arras and the Channel ports.
For groups travelling for Anzac Day, coaches can be scheduled for very early departures from Albert to reach the Australian National Memorial near Villers-Bretonneux in time for security checks and the Dawn Service on 25 April. The ceremony traditionally starts at around 5:30 am, which means departures from hotels in Albert often take place in the middle of the night, something our local drivers are fully used to managing smoothly.
Beyond remembrance travel, coaches are also available for more general tourism: visiting Amiens Cathedral, exploring the Picardy countryside, or linking Albert with airports, train stations and hotels across the region. Services can be arranged for one-off transfers, shuttles over several days, or a fully bespoke touring schedule.
Do you need a minibus or coach in Albert? Save time and ask us for a free quote straight away.
In and around Albert, our local partners can provide a wide range of vehicles suited to different group sizes and styles of travel. For smaller groups, there are comfortable minibuses that work very well on country roads and in village centres. Mid-size coaches are ideal for school classes or medium groups visiting several sites in one day, while full-size touring coaches are available for larger parties, longer distances or multi-day itineraries.
Typical seating capacities in France range from around 16 seats for smaller minibuses up to approximately 57 seats for full-size touring coaches, depending on the exact vehicle used. Some partners, depending on the coach companies scheduled for your service, can also provide large-capacity vehicles offering around 61 or 63 seats, which are particularly useful for big school groups or combined associations travelling together.
Across all categories, the focus is on comfort and safety. Vehicles usually feature reclining seats, air-conditioning and luggage space adapted to your programme, whether you are travelling just for the day around the Somme or combining Albert with other regions of France. The vehicle provided will always be suitable for your group size and luggage requirements. Professional drivers familiar with the area ensure that loading, drop-offs and pick-ups at memorials and hotels are handled efficiently and calmly.
Albert → Australian National Memorial and Villers-Bretonneux
This classic itinerary focuses on the Australian contribution to the Western Front. Starting from Albert, your coach drives to the Australian National Memorial near Villers-Bretonneux, where the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service takes place every 25 April. The site includes the military cemetery and the imposing memorial tower, with far-reaching views over the Somme countryside. You can then visit the town of Villers-Bretonneux itself and the Franco-Australian Museum, before returning to Albert in the afternoon. Practical information about Anzac Day ceremonies is regularly updated on the Somme tourism website, which many organisers consult when planning their trip.
Albert → Thiepval Memorial and Beaumont-Hamel
Another very popular day trip is a circuit including the Thiepval Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park. Your coach picks up the group in Albert and follows the former front line, stopping at viewpoints and smaller cemeteries along the way. At Thiepval, you can spend time at both the memorial and its visitor centre, before continuing to the preserved trenches and landscape at Beaumont-Hamel. The Thiepval site is recognised internationally as one of the most significant WWI memorials in France.
Albert → Amiens and the Somme Valley
For groups wanting a mix of remembrance and relaxation, a day combining Amiens and the Somme Valley works very well. The coach leaves Albert for Amiens, where you can visit the UNESCO-listed cathedral and walk in the historic centre. In the afternoon, you might add a gentle cruise on the Somme or a stop in one of the small riverside villages before returning to Albert in the evening. If your group later continues its journey from Amiens, more detailed options are available via coach hire in Amiens.
When you are ready to organise coach hire in Albert, it helps to prepare a few key details so that the right vehicle and schedule can be arranged from the start. Indicate your travel dates, approximate timetable, and the main sites you wish to include, such as the Australian National Memorial, Thiepval or Amiens. For Anzac Day, it is particularly important to specify the exact ceremony you plan to attend and any official timings already published by the organisers.
You should also confirm the size of your group, the amount of luggage, and whether you need the coach to remain with you all day or simply provide transfers between fixed points. If your group includes elderly passengers, veterans or schoolchildren, this can be taken into account when planning driving times and rest breaks. With this information, a clear itinerary and a suitable vehicle can be scheduled for your visit to the Somme.
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Is Albert a good base for visiting the Somme battlefields?
Yes, Albert is very well positioned for exploring many of the key Somme sites. Thiepval, Beaumont-Hamel, Pozieres and Villers-Bretonneux are all within coach-driving distance, making it easy to build full or half-day itineraries from a hotel base in the town. Many international groups choose Albert precisely because it sits close to the former front line.
Can a coach from Albert take us to the Anzac Day Dawn Service?
Coaches can be booked specifically for Anzac Day, with departures from Albert timed to reach the Australian National Memorial near Villers-Bretonneux before the Dawn Service begins. As security checks and access procedures are usually in place, pick-up times are set very early, often in the middle of the night. Using a private coach and driver ensures that your group travels together, arrives on time and can continue to other sites after the ceremony if you wish.
Are drivers used to visiting memorials and cemeteries?
Drivers operating in the Albert and Somme area regularly serve battlefield tours and remembrance groups. They are accustomed to the respectful atmosphere at cemeteries and memorials and understand the need for punctuality at official ceremonies, quiet pick-ups, and careful manoeuvring in rural locations with limited parking. This experience helps the day run smoothly for both organisers and participants.
Can we combine Albert with other cities in one itinerary?
Yes, many groups start their tour in Paris or Lille, then travel by coach to Albert for a few days on the Somme before continuing to other remembrance centres such as Arras, Ypres (in Belgium) or the Normandy beaches. Coaches can be hired either just for the Somme section of your journey or for a longer multi-region tour across France and neighbouring countries.
What information should we provide when requesting a quote?
To receive an accurate proposal, it is useful to provide your group size, travel dates, pick-up and drop-off locations, the main sites you wish to visit, and whether you need the vehicle for continuous use or only for specific transfers. Mentioning any commemorations such as Anzac Day or 1 July ceremonies on the Somme helps planners to anticipate timings and traffic conditions around major events.
Ebba Fischer
Sweden
Dear Arnaud, Thank you for your kind help. Everything went well. I didn´t go with the bus myself and my friends were very happy. I think the communication with you also has been fine. We will contact you again if we need help another time.
10-13 October 2025
Karel Ford
UK
Hello Arnaud, Thank you for your service and your dedication to making the transfer happen. The driver was very kind and helpful, the motorcoach was new and clean.
30 Sept 2025
Paul Williams
UK
Hi Arnaud, Just a quick note to say thank you for providing us with 2 great drivers and coaches. Both journeys were on time smooth and without issue. We could not have asked for a better service.
26-29 Sept 2025
