Charter Bus Prices in Austin
It’s hard to calculate how much a charter bus will cost without getting a personalized quote. The price is affected by obvious factors–how far the bus has to go, how long you need it for–and by less obvious factors–the time of year you’re traveling, what city you’re picked up and dropped off in, and the kind of amenities you want. You also have to account for additional costs like:
- Tolls
- Parking permits
- A room for your driver (drivers are required to have 8 hours of sleep for every 10 hours they drive)
- Tips (10-20% in cash at the end of the trip)
So an actual quote is the only way to get a truly accurate picture of how much you’ll be paying. But when you’re planning a big purchase, you want as much information as you can get. We understand. So we’ve created a chart with estimates (just estimates, no guarantees) on how much charter buses typically cost per hour, per day, or per mile in Austin.
| Bus Type | Per Hour | Per Day | Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charter Bus | $155 - $165 | $1300 - $1400 |
$4.50 - $4.90 |
| Minibus | $140 - $150 | $1170 - $1260 | $4.05 - $4.45 |
Keep in mind, there is a five-hour minimum rental period for daily rentals, and you may incur extra charges for any mile overages. This table is only an estimate and will not reflect the exact pricing of your Austin charter bus.
Still want more information? Here are some examples of what a charter bus might cost for different types of trips:
Example 1: Field Trip to the Thinkery
Harry is a second-grade teacher at a private school. Since his school doesn’t have buses, he’s in charge of renting motorcoaches to get 42 students, 2 teachers, and 2 parent volunteers to the Thinkery. The kids will also have backpacks and bag lunches with them.
Harry opts for one 56-person charter bus with overhead storage. Since he isn’t renting the bus overnight, he’s going to pay by the hour rather than by the day. The bus will leave the school at 8:30 a.m. and return at 2:30 p.m. For a 6-hour rental, the school is quoted a price of $140 per hour for a total of $840. Harry also tips his driver $168 (20%) for excellent service, bringing his total to $1,008.
Example 2: Destination Wedding
Ron and Hermione are planning a destination wedding in downtown Austin. They want to rent shuttles to help their guests get around all weekend. The shuttles will be reserved Friday-Sunday and will travel between the airport, the hotel, the wedding ceremony, and the reception.
They’ve invited 100 people to the wedding, so they’ve booked two 56-person charter buses. Since the bus will be needed overnight, they’ll have to pay for the drivers’ hotel rooms and for parking permits, and they intend to tip 10%. The charter bus company quotes them $1,300 per day. Therefore, their price will be:
3 days of service (2 buses): $7,800
2 nights of accommodation for 2 drivers: $520
Parking permit: $100
Tip: $842
Total: $9,262
Example 3: Weekend Youth Soccer Tournament
Ginny coaches a youth soccer travel team. They’re traveling from Austin to San Antonio for a four-day tournament (driving down on the first day and driving back on the fourth.) They’ve chosen a hotel that has free parking but will still have to pay for the driver’s room and a tip.
The team has 20 players, and 2 parents will be joining Ginny as chaperones, bringing their total party to 23. Since it’s a short drive, they’ve opted for a 25-person minibus. The minibus company quotes them $1,170 per day. Like Ron and Hermione, Ginny will give a tip of roughly 10%. Therefore, her costs are:
4 days of service (1 minibus): $4,680
3 nights of accommodation for 1 driver: $387
Tip: $507
Total: $5,574
As you can see, prices vary widely. And, of course, these are only estimates. Your best bet is to call 512-215-4891 for an accurate quote customized for your trip.
Helpful Tips to Remember
Our personalized quotes are free, and you’re under no obligation to book with us. If you do decide to accept our quote, you’ll probably need to pay a deposit in order to hold your reservation. Most of the charter bus providers we work with also require passengers to submit a final payment 30 days before the trip. If you book less than 30 days in advance, you may have to pay for the entire trip when you make your reservation.
Refund policies also vary between companies. If you cancel a month or less before your travel date, you may not receive a refund. If you cancel several months before, you may be able to get part of your deposit back, depending on the provider’s individual policies.
Make sure to ask our sales representative if you have any questions about deposit and refund policies. In fact, make sure to ask our sales representative if you have any questions at all - we’re here to help. Call us at 512-215-4891 for an exact quote and all the information you need to have a successful trip in and around Austin.