Charter Bus Prices: How Much Does a Columbia Bus Rental Cost?

Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia is proud to offer flexible pricing and packages that are tailored to your group’s unique travel needs! We’ve made it easier than ever to get transparent bus rental pricing in Columbia, SC, for charter buses, minibuses, party buses and more. Just give us a call at 803-853-1360 or use our online quote tool to get pricing in just seconds. You can browse all of our local options with up-to-date pictures and pricing.

Columbia Charter Bus Prices

Bus Type Per Hour Per Day Per Mile
50 to 56 Passenger Charter Bus $180 – $500+ $1,800 – $3,800 $6.00 – $9.95
40 to 50 Passenger Charter Bus $170 – $480+ $1,700 – $3,565 $6.00 – $9.95
25 to 35 Passenger Minibus $150 – $450+ $1,610 – $3,465 $4.00 – $9.95
20 to 24 Passenger Minibus $150 – $440+ $1,610 – $3,365 $4.00 – $8.95
15 to 18 Passenger Minibus $150 – $430+ $1,520 – $3,255 $4.00 – $7.95
Entertainer Coach $315 – $550+ $3,000 – $5,000+ $6.00 – $9.95
Yellow School Bus $145 – $450+ $1,520 – $3,655 $6.00 – $9.95
Shuttle Bus $155 – $450+ $1,520 – $3,655 $6.00 – $9.95

Columbia Party Bus Prices

Type of Party Bus Cost Per Hour Weekdays Cost Per Hour Weekends Cost Per Day
Small Party Bus (10 to 20 Passengers) $180 - $450+ $200 - $470+ $1,000 - $2,900+
Medium Party Bus (20 to 40 Passengers) $200 - $500+ $220 - $500+ $1,200 - $3,500+
Large Party Bus Rental (40 to 50 Passengers) $250 - $500+ $240 - $520+ $1,500 - $3,900+
Mercedes Sprinter Party Bus $160 - $400+ $180 - $450+ $1,000 - $3,900+

* Prices may vary greatly in your city and state. Due to the impact of COVID-19 and inflation, all rental prices shown are past estimates. Actual pricing may be significantly higher depending on availability and location. To get real-time pricing, call us 1-803-853-1360 or use our online quote tool.


How Much Does a Columbia Charter Bus Rental Cost?

Hourly charter bus rates in Columbia typically start between $175 and $485 or more depending on the bus model and when you’re traveling. A daily rental typically costs between $1,800 and $3,200, which is better for longer distance travels out of Columbia. Charter buses in our network can be equipped with premium amenities such as reclining seats, free WiFi, power outlets, and a restroom.

How Much Does a Columbia Party Bus Rental Cost?

Renting a party bus in Columbia can vary, depending on the type of party bus, group size, the day of the week, and how far in advance you reserve your bus. Smaller party buses for 10 to 20 people cost between $175 and $520 an hour, while larger options can cost $500 or more. Sprinter party buses accommodate 8- 15 passengers and range between $160 and $375+. Remember that party buses have a 4-hour minimum. Please call for multi-day and out-of-town pricing.

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What are the Factors Influencing Columbia Bus Rental Pricing?

There are several factors that go into determining the exact cost of renting a party bus, charter bus, minibus, or other kind of vehicle in Columbia. For example, what you pay can vary by the day of the week and time of day, along with what size of bus you rent and additional features like an onboard restroom.

Trip Distance and Duration

If your trip requires less time on the road or if your rental stays in the city where it’s based—known as a “local” trip—your rate will usually be determined by the hour. For example, if you’re arranging shuttle service to pick up wedding guests and transport them from hotels around the city to the reception venue, that’s the kind of trip that could be billed by the hour. Most providers in our network require rentals for a minimum number of hours, typically 3-4. Talk with your Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia rep about finding the right solution to meet your transportation needs for any occasion! For trips spanning multiple days or those that accumulate lots of miles on the road (like when you book a bus rental in Columbia from Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia, rent a bus to Myrtle Beach for a relaxing family vacation and then continue up to Greensboro for your annual reunion), your rate will likely be calculated by the day or by the mile. Let us know exactly how long your trip is, what amenities your passengers may want while traveling, and where everyone needs to be picked up and dropped off and we’ll make sure you get the best possible price!

28 passenger minibus

Peak and Off-Peak Travel Times

Another pricing factor you’ll want to take into account is when you’re planning to travel. Certain times of the year can be busier due to peak tourism seasons, graduations and school events, wedding season and more. Unsurprisingly, if you plan a trip during a major citywide event in Columbia, a holiday weekend like Labor Day, or anytime in spring (April, May and June), you’re more likely to encounter higher rates and fewer available vehicles—in other words, peak pricing. In our experience, booking as early as you can (six months in advance, if possible) is a good way to ensure that your group has access to the buses you want and that you’re paying the price point you want as well! Don’t worry though. Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia is committed to offering you the best possible transportation solutions in your city, with or without a special occasion happening around town!

56 passenger charter bus

Location and Availability

Where you begin and end your trip can greatly influence the final cost of your charter bus. Less popular travel areas with fewer transportation partners tend to run more costly, with prices reflecting the supply and demand in the area—so be sure to have a designated pick-up and drop-off location planned in advance! Another thing to think about is where your bus rental is coming from. Mileage sometimes occurs with no passengers aboard. This is called “deadhead” mileage, and when that happens, costs sometimes increase to cover driver compensation and mileage. Booking a bus with Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia can help minimize these costs! We have access to bus rentals all over the United States and beyond and work directly with local vendors — and since we don’t have our own fleet, we can find the closest bus provider to you. The closer your bus rental to your origin city, the better your price quote!

The Perfect Vehicle for the Job

Booking a charter or party bus through Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia is the easiest way for groups of people to reliably travel in or around Columbia or anywhere else throughout South Carolina—and now it’s even simpler and cheaper. Saving money on bus rental prices has never been more convenient. With just a few simple changes to your itinerary, you and your group could cut costs by about 5 to 10% overall. While full-size charter buses are more often reserved for long-distance travel, large passenger counts, and extra storage needs. Our fleet of vehicles comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes! When reserving a charter or mini bus with us, you won’t be faced with a one-size-fits-all transportation plan that doesn’t quite meet your needs. Rest assured you’ll only ever pay for what your trip and travelers need!

Plan According to Travel Days

You might also want to consider what day your party is going to be traveling before booking! If it can be rescheduled to any other day of the week to get the best pricing. During the week, charter bus rentals and party buses are generally available for a lower hourly cost. The hours and minimum rental times of charter bus companies tend to be more flexible, as there aren’t many groups who rent buses Monday through Thursday, especially if you don’t book near any big events. Booking a bus earlier in the week (Sunday through Wednesday) often gives your group better leverage and better cost-saving opportunities than booking one for Friday and Saturday evenings. The rates of some party bus and charter bus companies in our network even increase their rental prices by as much as 20 percent over weekends due to high demand. Try scheduling for a trip on a Wednesday or Thursday to save some cash! Want to save even more money, rent at a time of day when there isn’t a lot of traffic, especially between rush hour times 6:00-9:00am and 4:00-7:00pm, along with any additional mileage that will accrue while in transit. So if your event is not on a set date, look for some dates when there isn’t a big gathering or celebration planned for better price quotes. To be completely in the know with what kind of transportation to arrange for your group on each day, make sure you have a rough itinerary in place.

Time of Day

If you’re able to book a bus or charter in the daytime you’ll save yourself big time. Buses are more popular at night for events, making the rates and minimum rental time increase. Not all activities are suitable during the day for your party like if you are at a concert at night, but if it’s a day-time event you might be in for a pleasant suprise with your rate.

Luxury Amenities For Every Passenger

Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia offers charter buses, minibuses and more with the amenities you want at no extra cost! Some party bus, minibus and charter bus rentals have different amenity options available, so let your rental expert know when you contact us, and they’ll personalize your charter bus rental quote to your requests! The buses in our network often offer power outlets to keep electronic devices like cell phones and laptops fully charged, free WiFi to stream your favorite songs, and reclining seats and climate control to enhance the ride experience on a warm Carolina day. You may also ask about larger models of coach and party bus that include a clean and private onboard restroom. Additional premium amenities may be available upon request such as DVD players and TV monitors to stream movies for groups of children on field trips or university and sports teams with long-distance travel to look forward to.

Budgeting for Your Charter Bus Rental

When organizing your budget and coordinating with everyone onboard, it helps to plan out all potential expenses your group trip might be incurring. Things like gas are already factored into your quoted rate from Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia, but there may be extra travel expenses your group is responsible for paying at their destination, which will not be included in your initial charter bus rental cost. Here are a few common costs that could add to the total: parking fees, tolls, driver tip, and overnight lodging for your charter bus driver.

Plan ahead and call venues in your itinerary to ask if there is bus or motorcoach parking nearby and how much it costs. When you call us for your personalized bus rental quote, provide your transportation expert with as many addresses as you can. Toll costs often vary depending on mileage and what days of the week you travel, so an approximate figure might not be exact but you should still add them to your budget. The general expectation for a tip is around 10 to 20 percent of the initial rental cost. If your driver was exceptional in their performance, there’s no harm in bumping up their tip as gratitude. Finally, for long-distance road trips that need overnight stops, remember that you will need to pay for your driver’s hotel accommodation.

Tips and Tricks to Save on Bus Rental Pricing

Booking a charter or party bus through Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia is the easiest way for groups of people to comfortably and reliably travel in or around Columbia or anywhere else throughout South Carolina—and now it’s even simpler and cheaper. Saving money on bus rental prices has never been more convenient. With just a few simple changes to your itinerary, you and your group could cut costs by about 5 to 10% overall.

  • Finalize your headcount for your travel group. When you add to your headcount after finalizing your quote, you’ll likely be rematched with a more expensive option for a vehicle to accommodate the whole group.
  • Plan the closest proximity for your pickup and dropoff points to minimize deadhead.
  • Book a weekday or daytime ride. Many people reserve buses during popular nights and times for events and parties, and on major holidays—driving up pricing to meet the demand.
  • Ask your venue about free bus parking and for tips to reduce the number of hotel accommodations you may need to book for your driver(s).

Book your Bus Rental Now!

Get a Charter Bus Rental Company Columbia bus rental quote within minutes by calling 803-853-1360 today! Or just use our handy online quote tool. Either way, just let us know where your trip takes you and we’ll get you a quote! Our team members are available 24/7 — because trips don’t always run on a 9-5!