Our fleet
Every RYDES ride is reserved by class, not by model. Six chauffeured classes cover 1 to 16 passengers and book online at a fixed price. Charter coaches carry up to 55. This page is the specification: seats, cases, what actually fits, and when the cheaper class is the right answer.
Each class publishes seated passengers and large cases side by side. The numbers describe what the vehicle carries with the luggage loaded, not the theoretical seatbelt count, so the car that arrives fits the booking as described.
Models differ across 1,200 cities and 3,500 licensed chauffeur operators. The named examples set the standard for the class, and the operator supplies that vehicle or one above it. You are never downgraded without being told first.
The fare covers the vehicle, the chauffeur, the wait allowance, tolls, taxes and airport access fees. Gratuity is optional and offered at payment. Meet and greet, child seats and pets are the paid add-ons. Kerbside pickup is free and service animals always travel free.
A vehicle class is a category defined by seated capacity, luggage capacity and interior standard rather than by a single make or model. Booking a class reserves a guaranteed number of seats and cases, and the operator supplies a vehicle that meets or exceeds the standard for that class in that city.
Classes exist because a network spanning 90 countries cannot promise one model everywhere. A Mercedes E-Class in Frankfurt, a Cadillac XT5 in Chicago and a BMW 5 Series in Singapore are the same product from the passenger's point of view: three seats, two large cases, a professional saloon with a licensed chauffeur. What is fixed is the capacity and the standard. What varies is the badge on the bonnet.
RYDES publishes nine tiers in total. Six are chauffeured classes covering 1 to 16 passengers, booked online at a fixed price. Three are charter coach tiers covering 17 to 55 passengers, quoted on request because coach availability, parking and city access permits differ by market.
Seated passengers and large cases are the two numbers that decide your booking. Read them together: a class is only right if it satisfies both.
| Class | Passengers | Large cases | Carry-on | Example models | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chauffeured classes1 to 16 passengers, book online at a fixed price | |||||
| Standard | 2 | 2 | 1 | Toyota Camry, Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen Passat | One or two people with a case each, on a tighter budget |
| Business | 3 | 3 | 2 | Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac XT5 | Airport runs and city work for one to three people travelling light |
| First | 3 | 3 | 2 | Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 | Client-facing arrivals and longer intercity legs |
| Van | 5 | 5 | 6 | Mercedes V-Class, Mercedes Vito, Ford Transit | Cruise transfers and groups who need a seat and a case each |
| SUV | 6 | 6 | 3 | Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Mercedes GLS | Families, ski and golf trips, and four adults with full luggage |
| Group | Up to 16 | Up to 16 | Up to 6 | Mercedes Sprinter, executive minibus | Corporate movements and wedding parties in a single vehicle |
| Charter coaches17 to 55 passengers, quoted on request | |||||
| Shuttle Bus | 17 to 24 | 1 per person | 1 per person | Executive shuttle bus, 24-seat minibus | Conference shuttles and hotel-to-venue loops |
| Mini Coach | 25 to 35 | 1 per person | 1 per person | Mini coach with rear luggage bay | Day tours and roadshows that stay together all day |
| Motorcoach | 36 to 55 | 1 per person | 1 per person | Full-size motorcoach with underfloor holds | Airport meets for large delegations and multi-day itineraries |
Above 16 passengers, luggage is carried in rear bays or underfloor holds and is quoted per trip rather than per case. Group luggage is arranged with the operator before travel.
Most undersized bookings come from counting people and forgetting cases. Find your trip length, multiply by your party size, then check the total against the master table.
| Trip | Per person | Two people | Four people | Smallest class for two | Smallest class for four |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip or overnight | 1 carry-on | 2 carry-on | 4 carry-on | Standard | SUV |
| 2 to 3 nights | 1 carry-on and 1 personal bag | 2 carry-on | 4 carry-on | Standard | SUV |
| 4 to 7 nights | 1 large case | 2 large | 4 large | Standard | SUV |
| 8 to 14 nights | 1 large case and 1 carry-on | 2 large and 2 carry-on | 4 large and 4 carry-on | Business | Van |
| Cruise embarkation | 2 large cases | 4 large | 8 large | SUV | Van |
| Relocation or long stay | 2 large and 1 carry-on | 4 large and 2 carry-on | 8 large and 4 carry-on | SUV | Van, or two vehicles |
Cruise passengers consistently carry more than air passengers for the same number of nights, because formal wear and the absence of an airline weight limit both push the count up. Size one class above your instinct for embarkation day.
Count every person who needs a seatbelt, including children in child seats. A child seat occupies one passenger position in every class.
Count checked suitcases first, then carry-on. Ski bags, golf bags and boxed bicycles each count as one large case. Handbags and laptop bags do not count.
Take the higher requirement of the two. Four passengers with two cases and two passengers with five cases both point at SUV, for different reasons.
Short city runs for one or two people suit Standard. Long intercity legs favour First for cabin comfort. Cruise terminals and airports with heavy luggage favour Van.
Child seats, meet and greet and pet carriage are requested at booking so the operator can prepare before pickup. Service animals need no request and no fee.
Classes up to 16 passengers confirm online at a fixed price. For 17 to 55, send the details to reserve@rydes.co and a charter quote comes back with the same inclusions.
1 to 16 passengers, booked online at a fixed price. The capacity is the honest number, not the manufacturer maximum. Carrying full-size cases, take the next class up.
2 passengers2 large cases1 carry-on
A comfortable mid-size saloon with a licensed chauffeur, for the trips where a flagship car adds nothing. Two passengers in the rear and a case each in the boot covers most solo and couple airport runs. Book it for one or two people with a case each, and move up to Business when a third person or a third case joins the trip.
Representative models: Toyota Camry, Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen Passat. Availability varies by city and the vehicle supplied is equivalent or better.
3 passengers3 large cases2 carry-on
A full-size executive saloon with three usable seats and boot space for two checked cases, which covers the large majority of airport runs and city work. Choose it for one to three people travelling with hand luggage or a case each, and spend the difference on a larger class only when the count says you must.
Representative models: Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac XT5. Availability varies by city and the vehicle supplied is equivalent or better.
3 passengers3 large cases2 carry-on
The flagship saloon of each marque, with the same three seats and two cases as Business and a materially different cabin: more rear legroom, deeper sound insulation, adjustable rear seating and climate the passenger controls. Worth the upgrade on legs long enough that comfort changes the trip, and on arrivals where the vehicle is part of the impression.
Representative models: Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8. Availability varies by city and the vehicle supplied is equivalent or better.
5 passengers5 large cases3 carry-on
A seat and a case for every passenger. This is the cruise transfer class and the family relocation class, with a flat floor, sliding doors that open in tight terminal ranks, and a rear compartment sized for embarkation-day luggage. Rear rows can be removed to trade seats for cargo when the booking calls for it.
Representative models: Mercedes V-Class, Mercedes Vito, Ford Transit. Availability varies by city and the vehicle supplied is equivalent or better.
6 passengers6 large cases3 carry-on
Five seats and five large cases, the point at which luggage stops being the constraint. The class that solves families with strollers, four adults with full checked bags, and ski or golf trips where the equipment counts against the case allowance. Higher seating and easier entry make it the practical choice for passengers with limited mobility who do not need a ramp.
Representative models: Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Mercedes GLS. Availability varies by city and the vehicle supplied is equivalent or better.
Up to 16 passengersLuggage by arrangement
Up to 16 passengers in one vehicle under one booking reference, on an executive Sprinter or minibus with individual seating and rear luggage storage. The largest class that still books online at a fixed price. Luggage is arranged with the operator before travel, because the split between seats and cargo is set by the vehicle configuration in that city.
Representative models: Mercedes Sprinter, executive minibus. Availability varies by city and the vehicle supplied is equivalent or better.
Charter coaches carry 17 to 55 passengers in three tiers. They are quoted rather than booked instantly, because coach availability, terminal access and city parking permits differ by market. Everything else is the same: a licensed chauffeur operator and one fixed price agreed before you travel.
| Tier | Passengers | Luggage | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle Bus | 17 to 24 | Rear rack, one case per person | Conference shuttles, hotel-to-venue loops, crew movements |
| Mini Coach | 25 to 35 | Rear luggage bay, one case per person | Day tours, roadshows, wedding parties travelling together |
| Motorcoach | 36 to 55 | Underfloor holds, one large case and one carry-on per person | Airport meets for delegations, multi-day itineraries, incentive travel |
Beyond 55 passengers, movements run as several vehicles under a single booking reference with one point of contact and one invoice. Send the manifest to reserve@rydes.co and the plan comes back with vehicle allocation and staggered pickup times.
The common situations, resolved. Where two classes both work, the cheaper one is listed first.
| Situation | Book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveller, carry-on only | Standard | One seat and a carry-on. Business adds a third seat and a larger cabin, not anything you need. |
| Two people, two checked cases, airport | Standard | Exactly at the published capacity. Size up to Business for a third person or an oversized case. |
| Three adults travelling light | Business | Three seats and two cases. Standard seats two. |
| Three adults, three checked cases | SUV | Business seats three but carries two cases. The luggage count is what forces the upgrade. |
| Family of four with a stroller | SUV | A stroller counts as a large case. Add a child seat at booking so it is in the car before pickup. |
| Four people, cruise embarkation | Van | Cruise luggage runs to two large cases each. SUV would be over capacity before anyone sits down. |
| Ski or golf trip, two people | SUV | Each equipment bag counts as one large case alongside your suitcases. |
| Client arrival that sets the tone | First | Same capacity as Business. Pair it with meet and greet so the chauffeur is inside the terminal. |
| Board offsite, nine people | Group | One vehicle, one reference, everyone arrives together. Two SUVs split the conversation and rarely arrive at the same minute. |
| Conference shuttle, 40 delegates | Motorcoach | Quoted on request. Include the venue so access and parking permits are covered in the price. |
| Passenger using a folding wheelchair | SUV or Van | Folding chairs travel as luggage at no charge. For a ramp or lift, request an accessible vehicle at reserve@rydes.co. |
An executive saloon has five seatbelts. RYDES rates it at three passengers, and a mid-size Standard saloon at two. The gap is deliberate, and it is the single most useful thing to understand about how these numbers are set.
Three adults across a rear bench is uncomfortable for more than a few minutes, and the front passenger seat is often taken by luggage that will not fit in the boot. Rating the car at five would produce a technically accurate number and a steady stream of rides where the vehicle cannot take the party standing beside it.
The same logic runs up the ladder. A Van is rated at seven passengers and seven large cases because that combination loads without the rear rows coming out. A Motorcoach is rated at 55 because underfloor hold space, not seating, is what runs out first on an airport run.
RYDES works with 3,500 licensed chauffeur operators across 1,200 cities. Fleet composition follows local supply, local taxation and local road conditions. Promising one specific model everywhere would mean either refusing most of the network or breaking the promise regularly.
So the class carries the guarantee instead. Book Business and the vehicle that arrives meets the standard set by an E-Class, a 5 Series or an XT5, or exceeds it. If the operator's Business car is unavailable and the next vehicle is a First saloon, you travel in it at the price you booked. Substitution runs upward, never down.
Where a specific model is genuinely required for a protocol or brand reason, ask before booking rather than after.
Passengers over-book class more often than they under-book it. A page like this one can encourage that, so it is worth being direct about where the extra spend does nothing.
Two people with two checked cases do not need an SUV, or even Business. Standard carries them at capacity with the same licensed chauffeur and the same wait allowance. A solo traveller with a carry-on gains nothing measurable from Van. Group is a worse choice than SUV for five people, because a minibus is harder to park at kerbside and slower through a terminal rank.
Upgrade for one of three reasons: the capacity table says you must, the leg is long enough that cabin comfort changes the trip, or the arrival is client-facing and the vehicle is part of it. Outside those three, the entry class in each capacity band is the better booking.
Infant, toddler and booster stages, supplied ready in the car. You fit it. Each seat uses one passenger position. Give the child's age and weight at booking.
Always free, in every class, with no advance notice required and no add-on to select. No operator may decline a service animal.
Carried in a suitable crate or carrier where the operator accepts them, requested at booking. The carrier counts against the luggage allowance for the class.
Your chauffeur waits inside the terminal with a name board and takes the luggage from there. Kerbside pickup is the free default in every class.
Ramp and lift-equipped vehicles are arranged on request in most major cities. Folding wheelchairs travel as luggage at no charge.
Ski bags and golf bags count as one large case each and travel in SUV, Van and Group. Boxed bicycles are accepted in Van and Group.
60 minutes free from the actual landing time, 15 minutes at every other pickup, then billed per 15 minutes. You are told before it starts. Identical in every class.
Any class can be held by the hour, minimum 2 hours, in 30-minute increments, with your chauffeur waiting between stops.
Requested at booking, priced before you confirm, and on the same single invoice.
| Add-on | Price | Request by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerbside pickup | Free | Default | The standard arrangement in every class |
| Meet and greet | $50 | At booking | Chauffeur inside the terminal with a name board |
| Child seat | $20 per seat | At booking | Supplied ready in the car, fitted by the parent. Occupies one passenger position |
| Pet in carrier | $20 cleaning fee | At booking | Carrier counts against the luggage allowance |
| Service animal | Free | No request needed | Accepted in every class, always |
| Gratuity | Optional | At payment | Add a percentage, enter your own amount, or decline. Not part of the fare |
| Wait beyond the free window | Per 15 minutes | Automatic | After 60 minutes at airports, 15 minutes elsewhere. You are told before it starts |
Between 1 and 55. The six chauffeured classes cover 1 to 16 passengers and book online at a fixed price. Above 16 the ride moves to charter coaches, in three tiers up to 55 seats, quoted on request because availability and parking depend on the city. Larger movements run as several vehicles under one booking reference.
Standard. It is a mid-size saloon with a licensed chauffeur, rated for two passengers, two large cases and one carry-on. It suits solo travellers and couples with a case each. Add a third passenger and you need Business.
A checked suitcase of roughly 75 by 50 by 30 cm, the size most airlines accept up to 23 kg. A carry-on is a cabin-sized case of roughly 55 by 40 by 23 cm. Handbags, laptop bags and backpacks held on the lap are not counted.
Standard. It carries two passengers and two large cases at the lowest price. Add a third passenger and you need Business or First, and a third large case as well points to SUV. The entry class is almost always enough.
Business carries one more passenger and is a full-size executive saloon with more rear space. Standard is a mid-size saloon rated for two passengers and two large cases. Both have the same chauffeur standard and wait allowance. Choose Standard for one or two people, and Business for three or when the car is part of the impression.
Capacity is identical at three passengers and two large cases. First uses the flagship saloon of each marque, with more rear legroom, quieter cabins and better rear-seat adjustment. Choose Business for routine work and First when the arrival matters or the leg is long.
You book a class, not a model. Every operator is held to a vehicle that is equivalent or better than the examples for the class you booked. If a particular model genuinely matters, write to reserve@rydes.co before booking and we will confirm what is available in that city.
The chauffeur cannot leave a case behind or exceed the vehicle's seatbelt count, so an undersized booking has to be upgraded on the spot and the difference is charged. It is cheaper to size up when you book. Count your large cases, add your passengers, and read the master table.
A vehicle is rated by what it carries comfortably with luggage loaded, not by its seatbelt count. A saloon has five belts but three usable seats once cases go in the boot and adults need shoulder room. Publishing the honest figure means the vehicle that arrives fits the people and bags in the booking.
Child seats are a paid add-on at $20 per seat, requested at booking and supplied ready in the vehicle. Infant, toddler and booster stages are available, subject to local law and the operator. The seat is fitted by the parent, and each seat occupies one passenger position.
Yes, where the operator accepts them. Pets travel in a suitable crate or carrier with a $20 cleaning fee, requested at booking. The carrier takes up luggage space. Service animals are always free and accepted in every class without notice.
Ramp and lift-equipped vehicles are available in most major cities and are arranged on request rather than booked online, because supply varies by market. Ask at reserve@rydes.co with your city and date. Folding wheelchairs travel as luggage in SUV, Van and Group at no extra charge.
No. The fare covers the vehicle, the chauffeur, tolls, taxes and airport access fees, and gratuity sits outside it. At payment you can add a percentage, enter your own amount, or decline. Your chauffeur's pay for the journey is agreed before they accept it.
At airports, 60 minutes free from the actual landing time, tracked against your flight. Everywhere else, 15 minutes. Beyond that, waiting is billed per 15 minutes and you are told before it starts. The allowance is the same in every class.
Yes. Any booking can be changed or cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before pickup. Moving to a larger class is charged at the difference in price, subject to availability in that city. Inside the 24-hour window the booking is charged in full, because a vehicle and chauffeur are already committed.
Skis and golf bags travel in SUV, Van and Group, and each set counts as one large case. Bicycles need to be boxed or have the front wheel removed and are accepted in Van and Group only. Tell us at booking, because a rear seat row may need to come out, which reduces the passenger count.
Charter tiers above 16 seats are quoted rather than booked instantly. Send the date, city, pickup and drop-off points, passenger count and luggage estimate to reserve@rydes.co, or call +1 888 881 7933. Quotes cover the vehicle, the chauffeur, and any parking or access permits the venue requires.
Flight tracking, 60 minutes of free wait from landing, and the class that fits the luggage you are checking.
Hold any class by the hour, minimum 2 hours, in 30-minute increments, with your chauffeur waiting between stops.
Multi-vehicle, multi-day ground programmes with one coordinator and one invoice.
Nine tiers, 1 to 55 passengers, across 1,200 cities and 90 countries. One fixed price agreed before you travel, and a vehicle equivalent or better than the class you booked.
