Frequently Asked Questions

Browse through the topics to find answers to your most common questions.

Amenities

How many people can fit on a charter bus?

Most charter buses transport up to 56 passengers. Depending on the design of the bus, there might be one or two fewer seats. When you rent a charter bus, calculate the number of vehicles needed to accommodate your trip or shuttle service, remember to include the number of chaperones, tour guides, or other facilitators in your guest list.

What amenities are available on a charter bus?

When you rent a charter bus, you are assured of the most luxurious experience. But there are levels of comfort to the charter bus that depend on the number of features you request. The standard charter bus rental includes an onboard restroom, a vetted and courteous driver, and a massive undercarriage for extra luggage or sports equipment.

Charter buses are the roomiest option out of all the bus types, with plenty of undercarriage space for any of your luggage. With the possibility of having dedicated storage both below and above seats, you’ll be able to bring along your baggage worry-free and access your carry-on during your journey. Additionally, charter buses can also include TV/DVDs to keep guests entertained, onboard Wi-Fi to keep everyone connected, and electric outlets to make sure devices are fully charged when your guests arrive at their destination.

Can I rent a charter bus with wheelchair access?

Yes, most charter buses are wheelchair accessible. However, to be sure, you can always confirm with our booking specialist when you rent with Bus.com. Our team can also ensure you have the right ADA compliance for your needs.

Can Bus.com help me organize a shuttle service with one or more coach buses?

Certainly! Coach bus rentals are great for shuttle services, transporting large groups of people over longer distances. Refer to our shuttle page for more detailed information, or email us at [email protected] for your shuttle bus rental.

Can I request a coach bus shuttle service instead of two coach buses doing one transfer each?

Absolutely! A shuttle bus rental is a great way to keep your coach bus rental cost down when moving groups over shorter distances. However, keep in mind that a portion of your group will have to wait for the shuttle service to make the full round trip, so it may not always be a viable option.

Booking

How do I book a charter bus rental?

Rather than calling a dozen providers to find a charter bus, simply request a price option using our online booking tool. We’ll call on our network of bus partner companies to find the one that can provide the best price. Once you have accepted a quote, our award-winning booking specialists will reach out to complete the booking. You can then take advantage of our Book Now, Pay Later option, and put off paying until 21 days before your departure. 24 hours before you leave, you will receive your driver’s name and phone number and an emergency number to contact if there are any problems. If you have questions, our customer service team is here to help!

How far in advance should I book a charter bus?

It’s best to book your charter bus rental at least 6 months in advance. As your departure date approaches, bus availability tends to dwindle and consequently, prices tend to increase. We can provide last-minute charter bus rentals, but it won’t be at that sweet early-bird price. Our Book Now, Pay Later option makes booking early easy.

Pro tip: Find out when your city’s tourism industry is at its peak. If you’re traveling during that time, it’s a good idea to book even earlier. For example, the prime time for weddings in San Francisco is autumn. If you’re renting a charter bus for a wedding shuttle service in the fall, aim to book your bus at least 9 months in advance.

How do I book a shuttle service?

You can always get started online by requesting a shuttle bus rental price using our online booking tool. Input your trip details inside our booking widget, and you will receive an instant quote. Fret not, you are under no obligation to action the quote as it will remain valid for another three days. If ever it expires, simply request a new quote for your shuttle service and confirm it when ready. If you have any additional questions, you can always contact us at (855) 428-7266.

How do I find a Shuttle Bus rental near me?

Local availability plays a direct factor in your shuttle bus rental price. You can search for a shuttle bus rental in your area by filling in the details of your upcoming trip in our online booking tool. If you can’t find a shuttle bus rental that suits your needs, reach out to our 24/7 booking specialists for assistance at [email protected], or call us at (855) 428-7266 to organize your shuttle service.

When should I book my shuttle service?

It is always recommended to book your shuttle bus rental at least six months in advance. As your departure date approaches, bus availability tends to dwindle, and consequently, the price of your shuttle service will increase. Bus.com offers last-minute shuttle bus rentals; however, it will not be at the early-bird price. In any case, our Book Now, Pay Later option offers you the ability to defer the final payment of your shuttle bus rental up until 21 days of your departure date.

Cost

What is the average charter bus rental cost?

The average charter bus rental cost ranges from $600 to $1200 per day. Please note that cost is subject to vary based on many factors such as your trip date, length, and location. Visit our online booking tool to receive an instant accurate overview of the charter bus rental cost for your particular trip.

When renting a charter bus, there are certain factors that come into play to affect cost. The most important? Time.

When you book—from the time of day to the time of year—will have a significant impact on the cost. For example, charter buses typically run higher bills during night routes, given that suppliers often need to pay drivers a premium when driving after dark. Prices also peak during longer trips.

The more time spent on the road, the higher your rental costs will be due to mileage rates, fuel surcharges, and the possibility of employing multiple drivers to cover the distance of the trip.

Does Bus.com offer discounts for multi-day or multi-bus rentals?

Typically, we reserve our premium rates for multi-month contracts, trips that span over several days, or multiple trips in the same year. Be sure to ask us about setting up an enterprise account for you, and we’ll see what’s possible!

What can I do to ensure I have access to the lowest shuttle service price?

There are a few ways to ensure you get the lowest shuttle bus rental price. Booking your shuttle service in the off-season is ideal as charter bus rental prices will be at their lowest. The off-season tends to fall between December and March! In any case, it is always recommended to book your shuttle bus rental as early as possible, offering Bus.com the ability to source your rental from a number of our local providers. We also run a price-matching program! If you have found a quote for your shuttle service at a more competitive price, let us know, and we will do all we can to match it.

What is your shuttle service cancellation policy?

Our cancellation policy can be found here, including refund request timelines on all bus types! If you have any other questions or would like to apply changes to your booking, please contact us at [email protected] or call us at (855) 428-7266.

How do payments work for shuttle service rentals? Do you have any payment plans?

We offer a Book Now, Pay Later option for your shuttle bus rental that allows you to defer the payment up until 21 days before your departure date. Bus.com also offers payment plans for your shuttle service! Simply reach out to [email protected] for further details on a payment plan for your shuttle bus rental.

General

What is a charter bus?

A charter bus is a large motor vehicle used for transporting groups of up to 56 people. Renting a charter bus is the preferred type of transportation for many groups, including corporations, sports teams, tour groups, wedding parties, faith groups, nonprofit organizations, military or local government groups, and more.

What kinds of trips can I rent a charter bus for?

Renting a charter bus is the best option for longer trips and for large groups that need transportation from one city to another. Sports teams often rent a charter bus to move coaches, players, and support staff to out-of-town games. They’re also frequently rented by sports fans attending tailgate parties for their favorite teams.

You can also rent a charter bus simply for the comfort it offers due to the largest number of amenities onboard. They are also a great travel option for Faith groups who often rent a charter bus for spiritual trips involving many members of their congregation. Companies can also benefit from renting a charter bus when transporting their employees to corporate retreats or conferences. With outlets on board and the possibility of adding Wi-Fi connectivity, employees and guests are able to remain productive and stick to their routine, even while on the road!

Does my charter bus rental come with a driver?

All charter bus rentals come with professionally vetted drivers with knowledge of the areas you’ll be traveling through.

Are charter bus rentals a safe mode of transportation?

Travel by charter bus is the 2nd safest way to travel in the world. For comparison, it’s four times safer than traveling by train and a shocking 50 times safer than traveling by car. If you’re interested in more information about charter bus safety, check out our blog post on the safest ways to travel.

What is a shuttle service?

A shuttle service helps move both small and large groups of people between different locations in an efficient and convenient manner. Shuttle bus rentals are perfectly suited to multiple ongoing trips with looping routes and can be customized for groups of all sizes. Designate specific pick-up and drop-off points for your shuttle bus rental and a fully-vetted and experienced driver will meet your group there.