Are you looking to charter a bus and really need to know how much it’s going to cost?
Chartered buses are a fantastic way to transport people for events, parties, field trips, and more. But then there’s the big question: How much does it cost to charter a bus?
Well, the answer is not entirely straightforward. Charter bus rental can be broken down into a few different factors. You need to work out your specific needs and expectations across these factors before you can get a good idea of pricing.
But, not to worry! We have all the information you need to guide you through the process.
So, hop on board and let’s get started.
Charter Bus Rental Cost Factors
We said there were some factors you need to work out before you can estimate your cost. Here are the key questions you will need to ask yourself.
1. What Sort of Distance Will You Be Traveling?
First things first, how far are you going? If you are going to use a bus in a local zone—inside the city limits—this may not be such a factor. In fact, some bus charter companies won’t have a direct cost for the mileage.
However, gas costs become particularly relevant if you are leaving the city.
Charter bus rental is all about finding a balance between costs. So, how much to charter a bus? Get a calculator ready before we answer the next questions!
2. How Long Will You Need the Bus?
The cost to charter a bus is also going to depend on how many days or hours you plan on having the bus at your disposal. You may not need to take the bus long distances. But, if you are going to keep the bus at your location for a period, you will need to pay on a time basis as well.
This is particularly relevant if you are holding a conference and are using the bus to move delegates around. Or, you may be having a multi-venue function (such as a wedding), where guests need to be taken from the first venue (e.g. the church) to the second and third venues (e.g. reception venue).
If budget is a factor, you need to try to make sure you aren’t paying for the bus during hours you don’t need it. However, there may be a minimum number of hours per booking.
3. What Size Bus Do You Need?
This is the next logical question—how many people are you transporting?
There is quite a large range of bus sizes, from minibusses accommodating around 12 people, right up to large commercial buses. These larger buses usually have a capacity of 45 to 60 people.
The size of the bus will have a direct impact on the cost. Larger buses use up more fuel and require more maintenance.
Plus, you have to pay for the convenience of moving so many people at once. After all, if you didn’t have a big bus, the cost of all those taxis would be pretty high.
4. What Level of Luxury Are You Looking For?
Now we are getting a little bit more specific. However, you may find that you will pay more or less depending on the age of the bus. Some bus companies will keep an aging fleet just for budget rentals.
On the other hand, you may want to go for a high-end option designed to take parties to proms and other special occasions.
You probably want to think about how much time you are going to be spending on the bus to work out if it’s worthwhile investing in leather seats and high-grade air conditioning.
5. When Is Your Trip or Event?
You see, buses are in much higher demand at specific times of the year, and this will impact the cost of your rental.
The most in-demand period is around Christmas. This is the time when more social events occur, such as Christmas parties and work functions.
Another peak period is going to be in the middle of summer. Buses are used at this time to take kids to summer camps and it’s also a time when all sorts of organizations have their annual meet-ups.
6. Will There Be Tolls?
Just before you answer the question ‘how much does it cost to rent a charter bus?’ you need to ask yourself one more! It may seem a bit silly, but tolls can play a part in the overall pricing of your rental.
Depending on where you live, tolls can be very expensive for buses. Buses wear roads down more than cars, so they are usually charged heavier tolls to use key routes like tunnels and bridges.
If you are going back and forth across a city, these charges could mount up. Try to plan your route to avoid tolls.
How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Bus?
So, now you’ve answered all of the key questions and you’re wondering: ‘How much does it cost to charter a bus?’
Well, obviously it is going to depend on all of the above answers. However, as a rough guide, you can say that chartering a bus for a day will cost around $1,500, plus a mileage cost of around $4 per mile.
With those figures, you can get a picture of what it will cost to change the variables. You will get a discount on that figure for using a smaller bus or an older bus. But, on the other hand, you might pay more for a party bus during peak season.
Do Your Research, Plan Your Rental
Now you should be able to answer the question: ‘How much does it cost to charter a bus?’ But, just remember that you can always save a bit by doing more research and planning.
Call around to different companies to get the best deal. But also plan your rental to perfection. Optimize your hours and your route to cut down costs. Getting a good deal is likely to make your trip or event a lot more enjoyable!
If you’ve found this information useful, why not check out some of our other great articles on travel and lifestyle?
