Affordable, classic charter bus rentals
A school bus charter bus rental provides convenient and affordable group transportation
A school bus rental is a great option for shuttle services, field trips, and they even make a great backdrop for wedding photos. Any time you’re planning something short and sweet, renting a school bus from a charter bus company is a safe bet.
New: looking to rent a vehicle that be can be driven by a member of your team? While a school bus rental must be driven by a professional driver, we now offer sprinter van rentals that come with or without a driver. More information here.
School bus pricing
Start planning your school bus rental armed with all the information you need to charter a school bus. If you're looking for a charter bus for rent, the school bus is one of the most budget-friendly ways of transporting groups. Questions? We’ve got answers.
How much does a school bus rental cost?
Renting a school bus typically costs between $389 and $850 per-day. Please note that this price is subject to vary based on many factors such as your trip date, length, and location. There is a four hour minimum rental fee, as per industry standards. Visit our online booking tool to receive an instant accurate pricing overview for your particular trip and to find a charter bus for rent.
What impacts school bus rental prices?
As with every charter bus, school bus rental prices vary depending on a few factors. Everything from which time of year you book your school bus to which time of day has a significant impact on school bus rental prices. School bus rental prices are generally more expensive during the early mornings (since you’re in direct competition with school bus fleets dedicated to actual schools), and late at night, when it’s harder to secure a driver. The best times of year to book a school bus are during July and August, when school’s out and bus availability becomes abundant, which impacts the price to rent a school bus.
School bus amenities
School buses are the perfect group transportation option for shorter trips or for groups with less luggage/equipment to bring along. Check out these FAQs to learn more about what amenities are available on a school bus.
How many people fit on a school bus?
The average school bus fits 47 people. When you decide how many school buses you need for your trip or shuttle service, remember to account for chaperones and other leaders. School buses do not have undercarriages like coach buses do. That means you’ll have to account for luggage space. Reserve a few rows of seats if you are transporting lots of equipment. This is an important consideration for sports teams and campers. If you’re planning a shuttle service for a wedding or an office party, you may want to book more than one school bus. Speak to a Bus.com booking specialist for shuttle bus details.
Which amenities are available with a school bus rental?
Consider the school bus as the bare bones of buses – you’ll have all the basic essentials for your trip: an easy, affordable, and reliable way to get from Point A to Point B. It is the ideal bus type for a student trip or a shuttle service. However, the lack of amenities like air conditioning, storage space, and onboard restrooms means you’ll need to be conscious of how you’re planning to use your charter bus rental.
Is there a lot of storage on a school bus?
School bus rentals typically come with limited or no storage, but with a little bit of creativity, you can make it work regardless. Set aside your own storage space by reserving a few seats in the front or back of the bus, and there you have it, extra room for baggage! Just make sure you rent a school bus with a number of seats that’s a little over your number of passengers.
Are school buses safe?
Yes, school bus rentals are safe. Every bus is equipped with security features like specialized brake systems, lighting, emergency exits, and escape hatches in the roof. The driver has also been strictly vetted to ensure quality and safe service. Many people wonder about the safety of school buses because they don’t typically have seat belts, but their lack of belts is actually a safety feature. The school bus was designed to transport children, and historically, passenger groups have been comprised of mostly kids and one or two adults. The belts were left off because it would be too unsafe for the adults to undo all 40 kids in the case of an emergency. To make up for the lack of belts, the seats are designed to absorb impact. Before you rent a charter bus, learn more about school bus safety here.
Are school buses comfortable?
Yes, the school bus is a comfortable form of charter bus. We wouldn’t call school buses luxury vehicles—they’re no coach bus—but the school bus has come along way since their first iteration. Early school buses took the form of a vehicle called “the kid hack.” They were designed by Wayne Works Company, and they were pretty much a big sled or wagon. Today, school buses are spacious and fitted with cushioned seats. But they don’t have onboard restrooms, so they’re not great for trips longer than 3 hours. But shuttle bus services, field trips, and other short rides are well-served by a school bus.
School bus rental FAQ
Ready to book a school bus rental? Check out these FAQs on how to rent a school bus to learn how to best plan your next school bus trip.
Why should I rent a school bus for my trip?
Pretty much any time you’re looking to save money on short trips, consider the school bus as your go-to vehicle when you rent a charter bus. It’s a no-fuss bus that does its job. Field trips, camping weekends, bachelor parties, festival transportation, shuttle services, and more can all benefit from a school bus rental.
If you’re looking for a charter bus that’ll fit in with rustic design, charter a school bus. Renting a school bus for wedding shuttle services is very on trend, after all. Their gorgeous yellow color and retro design is a perfect addition to any wedding photo. For long distance trips, a coach bus may be more suitable.
Why do people typically rent a school bus?
School buses are super practical, as well as one of the most inexpensive group transportation options out there. Instead of having a stream of cabs lined up outside your venue (making navigation a bit harder to do!), rent a charter bus and set up a convenient school bus rental to guarantee a smooth ride for your guests, whether it’s for your wedding, conference, corporate retreat, or school outing.
Which details do I need to know before I rent a school bus?
Before you find a school bus to rent, add up the amount of people who’ll be traveling in your group, determine the date of your trip, the venues you’ll visit, and an idea of the type of bus you’d like to ride. You’ll also need the contact information of the person responsible for booking transportation—which may be you. Simply enter this information into our online booking tool to receive a custom quote for your trip. You’re under no obligation to accept a quote, so feel free to play around with different group sizes, different dates, and different bus types.
How do I rent a school bus near me?
To explore school bus rental options, start by inputting your trip date, destination, and preferred bus type into our easy to use booking tool. You are under no obligation to accept a bus rental price option at this point, so feel free to play around with different travel scenarios. Also, keep in mind that when you’ve accepted a price option, you then three days before it expires. Once you’ve confirmed your booking with our booking team, you can move on to collecting funds from your participants, communicating your transportation plan, and organizing any necessary permission slips (very important if you’re traveling with minors). If at any point you need help, be sure to contact our 24/7 customer care team or consult our travel guides. For all school bus road trips, we recommend reading our “Carry-On Packing Guide.”
How can I rent a school bus rental near me?
By inputting the details of your upcoming trip into Bus.com’s easy to use online booking tool, you’ll be given a range of school bus rental options in your area. If there aren’t any school buses available in the region for the dates you’ve chosen, be sure to contact our customer care team at 1-855-428-7266 or [email protected]. We’re standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to turn your trip plans into a reality.
Is it possible to rent multiple school buses?
Yes, it is possible to not only rent a school bus, but to rent school buses from Bus.com. This can be done using our online trip builder.
When should I choose a school bus rental?
Rent a school bus at least 6 months in advance. We recommend this time frame because it allows renters to benefit from early bird prices. The closer you get to your departure date, the fewer buses will be available. As bus availability dwindles, prices tend to increase. That’s why booking early is important. If you’re waiting for funding and don’t have the full amount up front, take advantage of our Book Now, Pay Later option. Accept your quote at the best price, but wait to pay until 21 days before departure.
If you are traveling with a smaller group, a minibus rental may better suit your needs.
What if I only need a minibus rental?
Rent a minibus! The minibus is a smaller version of the school bus. If you are looking for a school bus to rent for a smaller sized group, then a minibus might be the right option for you. It isn’t always yellow, but it’s the same idea. Besides its size—big enough for 21 passengers—the minibus can be equipped with a few extras that the school bus cannot. Air conditioning and sometimes DVD/TV systems can be added to your minibus rental. The average minibus cost is $98/hour, so depending on your priorities you may want to stick with the school bus.
How do I know which type of bus is right for my group?
If you are having a difficult time deciding which type of charter bus rental is ideal for your group, please consult our handy Guide to Charter Bus Rentals.
Is it possible to rent a school bus for a wedding?
Absolutely. Please consult our wedding page for more information.
Any tips for transporting students?
Whenever you’re transporting minors, planning becomes a bit more complicated. There are a few extra items to add to your to-do list when you rent a school bus. At the top of that list should be collecting permission slips. It’s also important to account for chaperones on your school bus. We recommend having at least two chaperones on every charter bus. For more information about student transportation, read “The Ultimate Guide to Student Bus Rentals.”
Is it possible to rent a school bus without a driver?
No. As a special driver’s license is required to drive a school bus, we only offer chauffeured school bus rentals. However, we do offer sprinter van rentals that can be driven by a member of your group. If you are looking to transport a large group, your best bet is to rent a charter bus.
I have a question that has not been answered here. Is there somebody I can talk to?
Bus.com’s support team is there for you 24/7. You can contact a reservation specialist by calling us 1-855-428-7266 or emailing us at [email protected].
What sets Bus.com apart from other school bus companies?
Safety measures for all trips
In order to better protect our customers and our bus partners, we have implemented new measures such as the disinfecting of buses between school bus rental trips
Making a change? No problem
Bus.com customers benefit from a flexible change and cancellation policy, including no-fee changes and cancellations for most trips
Here for you 24/7
Our award-winning team of bus experts can offer custom school bus rental solutions for you and your team — and our support team is can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Available school bus models
Passengers
A/C
Bathroom
Driver
DVD
Gps
Gratuity
Karaoke
Baggage
Outlets
Wi-fi
Other available bus types
Uses for school buses
K-12 field trips
School buses are the quintessential field trip bus types, and are great for large class sizes, even with chaperones and teachers, as the buses seat up to 48 people. School buses are also our most cost-effective bus type for large groups and offer a safe, comfortable ride, purpose-built for travel times of 2.5 hours or less.
Student groups
Not just for younger students, classic big yellow school buses can be a great option for college and university events. When you charter a school bus, you guarantee your groups won’t get lost, arrive staggered, or show up late. When you rent a charter bus, it also prevents them from having to grapple with expensive taxis or public transit systems they may not be familiar with.
Corporations
A school bus rental is our most economic bus type for larger groups, with seating for up to 48 people, and are best employed in situations when overall travel time is less than 2.5 hours. A school bus rental is great for ensuring your guests or employees get to your event venues without having to grapple with securing their own transportation. Corporations rent charter buses for all kinds of events, such as team building or transport to training sessions.
Weddings
A school bus makes a fun choice for wedding transportation, and it’s quickly gaining in popularity. School buses are a quirky, nostalgic way to get you and your guests around and are perfect for creating a less formal, more lighthearted celebratory atmosphere. Many wedding planners rent charter buses as an alternative to multiple vehicle transport. Rent a school bus for your wedding if you are not willing to compromise on price or convenience.
Conferences
A bus type valued for its functionality and affordability, a school bus is also a great fit for conferences. A school bus is an efficient way to get your attendees between their hotels and conference venues, and all Bus.com school bus charter rentals include vetted drivers. Conference organizers rent charter buses to cut down on planning time and parking headaches.
Shuttle services
Along with traditional “point A to point B” charter bus services, Bus.com also offers dynamic shuttle services that can be customized to fit your group’s unique needs. A school bus is a great vehicle for a shuttle service as it is economical and comfortable for short distances.
Companies big and small rent charter buses from Bus.com
Church and spiritual groups
A school bus rental is an excellent choice to facilitate your spiritual event plans and is a great way to keep your group together and accounted for while in transit. They’re our most cost-effective bus type, so large groups of up to 48 people will often charter school buses. Rent a school bus to transport your large church group for less.
Non-profits
A school bus is an excellent choice for non-profit organizations who charter school buses when they are in need of efficient and cost-effective transportation. Non-profits will benefit from the versatility and high passenger capacity of a school bus, and as with all Bus.com charter rentals, a school bus comes with a professional driver who will handle all aspects of your transportation and has a knowledge of the area you’ll be traveling through.
Tourist groups
A school bus is an excellent option for tour groups in need of reliable, cost-effective transportation. School buses are well-suited for multiple short trips, as might be the case for tours around a city’s museum district, or between vineyards in wine-growing regions. As with all charter bookings from Bus.com, a school bus charter also comes with a vetted driver who will handle all the necessary transportation logistics for your group.
Government groups
Whether for municipal, state, or federal government transportation, a school bus is a great choice for reliability, flexibility, and overall cost-effectiveness. A school bus features a high passenger capacity, omits the inclusion of unnecessary amenities, and includes a vetted, professional driver for each booking. A school bus charter is an efficient way to ensure your governmental group on time at their destination and as a cohesive unit.
Rent a school bus from North America's most trusted charter bus company
Military personnel
For reliable personnel transportation across all branches of the military, a school bus is ideally suited to the job. School buses have some of the largest passenger capacities among available bus types while being one of the most affordable, and without including unnecessary amenities. Military groups may rent a school bus as an economical way to get them to and from points of duty. Booking a school bus charter will ensure your team relocation goes off without a hitch, and that they will arrive at their destination as a unit and on time.
Festivals
A popular choice for festival-goers, school bus charter rentals provide reliable and affordable transportation to and from festival sites. The large passenger capacity and functional lack of unnecessary added amenities of a school bus make it a great choice. School bus charter rentals from Bus.com also include a professional driver to handle all your transportation logistics, leaving your entire group free to socialize and relax in transit.
Touring musicians
For their functionality and affordability, a school bus is a great choice for touring bands. School buses are extremely versatile, and their large passenger capacity can be partially dedicated to equipment storage. Large bands may rent a school bus because it may be more economical than renting a number of separate vehicles. A charter bus rental ensures your entire band will arrive together, and the vetted, professional driver included in each charter bus rental will guarantee each band member has time to rest up before the show.
Event planners
Whether you’re planning a class reunion, an industry tradeshow, a company party, or even if you’re after a school bus for a birthday party, a school bus is a reliable and cost-effective transportation solution for event planners. A school bus provides a nostalgic touch that guests, attendees, and employees are sure to appreciate, and Bus.com’s charter rentals always include a professional driver who will ensure your groups arrive safely, together, and on time to your carefully planned events. Many event planners may opt to rent a school bus as an effective way to stay on-budget.
Sports teams
A school bus is a great candidate for providing sports teams with functional, efficient transport. The high passenger capacity of a school bus is well suited to even large teams, especially those without the need for dedicated equipment storage. A school bus is one of the most affordable bus types, and with a professional driver included in each charter rental, you can ensure your entire team gets the rest they need so they can focus on the upcoming game.
Construction sites
For assembling construction workers as efficiently and affordably as possible, a school bus rental is an excellent choice. School buses are reliable and functional bus type with high passenger capacity and without unnecessary amenities. Rent a school bus to quickly deliver your workforce according to your time frame, and each charter rental includes a thoroughly vetted driver with knowledge of the local area.
Read up more on school buses...
March 20, 2020
Resources and Tips for Event Planners During COVID-19
February 1, 2019
The Ultimate Guide to Student Bus Rentals
January 31, 2019
The Ultimate Guide to Planning Wedding Transportation
September 5, 2019
What You Need to Know About Chartering a Bus for Minors
September 30, 2019
Student Event Planner’s Guide to Conference Transportation
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