In the eleventh episode, a very fitting guest joins us on the couch: Wiljan, one of the driving forces behind the festival bus trips of Eleven Travel. For many festival-goers, the journey is just as important as the party itself – and Wiljan and his team make sure it’s unforgettable. A behind-the-scenes look at bus rides, pre-parties, and unique moments on the road.
ALSO READ: Eleven Travel bus drivers love driving to hardstyle festivals
The idea of organizing bus trips came from Wiljan’s own friend group. “I actually enjoyed planning it,” he says. “At first, all I got in return was a free ticket for myself. But eventually it became so much work that my mom said: ‘Shouldn’t you start charging something for all that extra effort?’” What started small quickly grew into a well-organized festival travel service and that’s essential, because for many people, the bus ride is where their festival experience truly begins.
A carefree day from start to finish
Wiljan’s main goal is simple: to give people a carefree day. “That starts early in the process. People need to find your website easily, understand what you offer, and feel confident booking with you. Once they’re in, we make sure everything runs smoothly and we’re always reachable.”
And that’s not just a promise. “Some festivals end at 11 PM, others at 1 AM. For Defqon.1, the first buses leave at 7:00 in the morning, and the last ones return around 5:00 AM the next day. Throughout that entire window, someone from our team is always available.” Every bus has its own group chat, led by a designated bus leader. “That way we know when they leave, if there are delays, or if anything goes wrong, we try to solve it immediately.”
“The party starts and ends on the bus”
At Eleven Travel, it’s about more than just getting from A to B. “If the music on the bus doesn’t work, we make sure something gets fixed. People are heading to a party, that means music, drinks, and good vibes. We make that happen. Even if our driver is 75-year-old Piet, the beats need to be playing, with a fun driver and a great bus leader.”
The bus leader plays a key role. “It’s usually someone who’s also attending the festival,” Wiljan explains. “They get our instructions, manage the group chat, check people in, tidy the bus, organize a stop, and keep the mood upbeat. They’re our extension on the road, so the driver can focus on safety while the leader focuses on fun.”
Eleven Travel in episode 11 of PLAFONDDIENST – The Hardstyle Podcast
Especially for this episode, Wiljan from Eleven Travel joins us on the PLAFONDDIENST couch. He shares how the bus trips began, his favorite stories from the road, and how they make sure the party already starts on the bus. Listen to the full episode now on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.
