Party & Charter Bus Prices: How to Calculate Your Austin Bus Rental Costs

The cost of renting a party bus or charter bus depends entirely on your unique trip details. Factors like the number of passengers, total miles traveled, number of stops, and your exact route all impact the final price quote. But don’t stress – it’s easy to get an instant, customized quote that fits your group’s needs and budget. Whether you’re organizing a bachelor party bus or need a charter bus for a corporate conference, there are plenty of vehicle options available. Call 512-375-4204 anytime, 24/7, and a reservation specialist can provide a personalized price estimate in just 30 seconds. Or, use the handy online booking tool to compare real-time prices and availability from top-rated bus companies serving Austin and the surrounding area. Booking group transportation has never been easier – you can lock in the perfect bus and best rate in no time. Call 512-375-4204 now or request a quote online to get an instant price and start planning your Austin bus rental today.

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Here are some estimated price ranges to get you started planning your budget:

Hourly Rates
Vehicles	Hourly Minium Prices
Limousines
6 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-265 per hour
8 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-265 per hour
10 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-265 per hour
14 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-285 per hour
16 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-335 per hour
18 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-335 per hour
20 Passenger Limousine	$ 200-335 per hour
Coach Buses
18 Passenger Mini Bus	$155-300 per hour
20 Passenger Minibus	$155-300 per hour
25 Passenger Mini Bus	$155-320 per hour
50 Passenger Coach Bus	$195-400 per hour
56 Passenger Charter Bus	$195-400 per hour
School Bus Rental	$185-350 per hour
Party Limo Buses
14 Passenger Sprinter Party Bus	$185-355 per hour
15 Passenger Party Bus	$185-355 per hour
20 Passenger Party Bus	$235-355 per hour
30 Passenger Party Bus	$295-400 per hour
35 Passenger Party Bus	$295-400 per hour
40 Passenger Party Bus	$295-440 per hour
50 Passenger Party Bus	$300-500 per hour

The pricing listed above are just estimated rates and can vary significantly based due to COVID, inflation, and availability. To get more accurate pricing based on your trip, please give us a call and we’ll get you a quote right over the phone.

Calculating Your Bus Rental Price

When you request a quote for a party bus or charter bus rental, there are several factors that go into calculating the final price. The size of your group, the type of vehicle you need, mileage, time of your rental and any additional services will all impact the total cost. Here we’ll walk through the key details we consider when preparing your personalized quote. By understanding how pricing works, you can provide the necessary details to get an accurate estimate for your next group transportation.

Distance and Duration

The distance and duration of your trip are key factors in determining the cost of your Austin bus rental. Buses are typically rented by the hour for shorter trips within the city, such as a night out on 6th Street or a ride to Circuit of the Americas for a concert. For longer journeys that span multiple days, like a weekend getaway to San Antonio or a road trip to Houston, you’ll likely be charged by the day or by total mileage. If you’re planning a multi-day event in Austin, such as SXSW or ACL Music Festival, renting a bus by the day is usually the most cost-effective option. Keep in mind that even if you’ve prepaid for your trip, any last-minute changes to your itinerary that add miles or hours may incur additional charges. When requesting a quote, be sure to provide accurate pickup and drop-off locations and times to ensure you receive the most precise pricing for your Austin bus rental.

Time of Year

The time of year you book your charter bus rental makes a big difference in the final price. In Austin, rates spike between April and June when graduations, school trips, proms, and summer vacations drive up demand. Major events like SXSW, Austin City Limits, and University of Texas football games also pack the calendar from March through November, making buses scarce. To get the best rate, book your rental at least 3 months ahead when demand is lower, especially in January, February or July. Avoid booking last-minute during peak seasons – prices can double! For a weekend in late April, expect to pay 15-25% more than an identical rental in February. Planning your Austin bus transportation in advance ensures you get seats during busy times without overpaying. Know the city’s event schedule, book early, and leverage lower prices in the off-season. You’ll save money and avoid the scramble for buses during peak demand.

Your Trip’s Starting Point and Final Stop

The starting and ending points of your bus rental determine a large part of the total cost. We have charter buses stationed in every major Texas city, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso, so we can provide service no matter where your trip begins or ends. Larger metropolitan areas like these five cities have high demand, so more charter buses are available for rentals. Smaller towns and rural areas have lower demand, so fewer buses and potentially higher prices. One cost factor is “deadhead” – the mileage our bus logs traveling from our hub to your starting point while empty. For example, a one-way rental from Austin to Dallas, with a 200 mile distance, will include deadhead mileage to factor into your quote. Providing service statewide means factoring varying supply and demand into our pricing.

Type and Number of Buses

When booking a bus rental in Austin, the type and number of buses you choose will directly impact the total cost. We offer a variety of buses to accommodate groups of all sizes, including minibuses, motorcoaches, entertainer coaches, party buses, and more. Minibuses typically cost $100-200 less per day than a standard full-sized motorcoach and work well for groups under 35 people. However, minibuses lack amenities like restrooms and extensive luggage storage. For larger groups, motorcoaches offer amenities like WiFi, power outlets, and TVs—but cost more per day. Specialty buses like entertainer coaches or party buses have unique features that increase the price, like bunk beds, kitchens, premium sound systems, and lighting. The best way to keep rental costs low is to choose the smallest bus that can comfortably fit your group. Opting for a minibus over a large motorcoach can save you money, as long as it meets your transportation needs.

How to Keep Costs Down

Book at least 2-3 months in advance, especially if you’re traveling during SXSW, ACL Festival, or Texas Longhorns football games when demand is highest. Avoid booking last-minute during major events when availability is limited. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons like winter or summer to get lower rates. Opt for shorter in-town routes rather than longer out-of-town trips which incur more mileage fees. Request a bus without lavatory or entertainment systems to avoid those additional amenity fees. Avoid stadium parking fees and traffic by getting dropped off and picked up curbside at your event venue. Following these tips will help you get the best rate possible on your next Austin charter bus rental.

Get You Quote in Just Seconds

Getting a fast quote for your next bus rental in Austin is simple. Just call 512-375-4204 or use our online booking tool to get an instant price estimate tailored to your group’s needs. Specify the date, start and end locations, passenger count, and any amenities you require. Within seconds our system will provide a custom quote for review. Prefer to speak to a live agent? Our booking experts are standing by 7 days a week to discuss options and provide quotes over the phone. We make getting group transportation quotes easy, so you can focus on planning a great event. With real-time pricing at your fingertips, you can quickly compare vehicles, review costs for extras, and reserve your perfect party bus hassle-free. Get the perfect ride for any occasion without the hassle – just call or go online to get your custom bus rental quote in an instant.

Sample Trip Quotes

To give you a ballpark idea, here are some sample quotes for requests we’ve gotten from our customers:

Example #1:

A middle school in Austin wanted to take their 6th grade students on a fun field trip at the end of the school year. There were 4 different 6th grade classes with 25 students each, totaling 100 students needing transportation. The school decided to rent charter buses to handle the large group size and provide a comfortable ride with A/C. They booked two 56-passenger charter buses for the day at a rate of $140/hour each. The total trip time needed was 8 hours to allow for travel and a full zoo experience. So the total cost for the two charter bus rentals was $140 x 8 hours x 2 buses = $2,240. With 100 students split between the two buses, it came out to only $22 per student for safe, reliable transportation. The school added an extra 7% tip for the drivers, bringing the grand total for their Austin charter bus rentals to $2,397.20. It was an affordable way to end the year on a high note!

Example #2:

A tech startup in Austin is planning their annual company retreat. They want to treat their employees to a fun day exploring the city. The event planner books a 56-passenger charter bus to pick up the group from their office downtown and take them around to different Austin landmarks. They create an itinerary hitting must-see spots like the State Capitol, Zilker Park, and Rainey Street. The charter bus rental is booked for 8 hours to allow plenty of time. With a rate of $140 per hour, their total Austin charter bus rental cost comes to $1,120. The employees have a fantastic time checking out the sights of Austin together. At the end of the day, the event planner tips the exceptional charter bus driver 10% for providing smooth transportation and keeping everyone on schedule. That brings their grand total for the Austin corporate charter bus to $1,232. It was money well spent for a memorable company retreat exploring the city.

Example #3:

A girls soccer team from Round Rock is traveling to Austin for a weekend tournament. The coach books transportation for the team of 18 players plus himself to get to and from games at various fields around the city. He decides to book a 25 passenger charter bus for the convenience of keeping the team together. The total rental time needed is 14 hours – 2 hours on Friday for a practice, 8 hours on Saturday for games, and 4 hours on Sunday for the final matches. At a rate of $125 per hour, their Austin charter bus rental costs $1,750 for the weekend. With the large charter bus, the cost per person is only about $93 for safe, comfortable transportation. The coach tips the exceptional charter bus driver 10% at $175 for providing excellent service to the team all weekend. Renting the charter bus takes the hassle out of coordinating multiple vehicles and gets the team to their games on time.

Example #4:

A group of friends planned a bachelorette party in Austin for a weekend getaway before one of the girls was getting married. They wanted to visit some of Austin’s best bars and restaurants for a fun night out on the town. To keep things safe and make transportation easy, they decided to rent a party bus for the night. They chose a 20 passenger party bus and booked it for 10 hours from 6pm to 4am to have plenty of time to hit all the hot spots. The total for their Austin party bus came out to $1,650. This covered pickup and dropoff at their hotel, a personal bartender on board, and a professional chauffeur to drive them around Austin’s bar district safely. They added an 18% tip at the end of the night for exemplary service, bringing their total party bus rental cost to around $1,947. Split between the 10 girls, it came out to only $195 each for a night out they’d always remember.

Example #5:

A couple is getting married in Austin with the ceremony at a historic chapel downtown and the reception at a scenic ranch venue outside the city. With over 100 guests attending from out of town, coordinating transportation is crucial. The couple decides to book a 56-passenger charter bus to shuttle guests between the ceremony and reception. They are quoted $150 per hour, booking the bus for 5 hours total from 2pm when the ceremony starts until 7pm when the reception ends. With a buffer built in for traffic or delays, the total comes to $750. The charter bus features leather seats, TVs, WiFi and a bathroom to keep guests comfortable on the 30 minute drive each way. To show their appreciation for the driver’s work, the couple tips 10% or $75. Altogether their Austin charter bus rental for their wedding day transportation comes to $825, keeping their guests together and on schedule.