Charlotte 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 |
Charlotte 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 980-249-9840 or use our online quote tool.
How Much Does a Charter Bus Rental Cost?
The average cost of a charter bus rental in Charlotte is $170-$230 per hour, $1,800-$2,900 per day, or $2,400-$3,200 per round-trip. These prices are estimates based on trips we’ve serviced over the years and are subject to change due to your group’s specific needs. Your reservation specialist will always provide you with the most accurate pricing for your Charlotte bus rental when you call our team at 980-249-9840. Have any questions? They’re available 24/7 to help!
How Much Does a Party Bus Rental Cost?
The average cost of a party bus rental in Charlotte is $200-$500+ per hour or $2,500-$3,800 per day. Final pricing depends on the type of party bus you rent, your itinerary, the time of year you book, and other trip details. We recommend getting a quote using our online tool or calling us for an exact quote for your trip. A party bus rental is great for events like bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthday parties, nights out on the town, prom, and more!
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Call Now: 980-249-9840What Factors Influence Charter Bus Rental Pricing?
When it comes to renting a bus in Charlotte, there’s no “one size fits all” price. You’ll find that the total cost of your bus rental depends on several factors unique to your trip. Below, we break down what goes into determining your quote so you can book with confidence and stay within your budget.
Distance and Duration of Your Trip
The most significant factor in determining your bus rental cost is how far and how long you’ll be traveling. Trips within Charlotte city limits are often priced by the hour (usually with a minimum of 5 hours), while longer trips—such as an overnight trip to Asheville or Atlanta—are priced by the day or by mileage. The farther you travel and the more days you need the bus, the higher your overall price will be.
The Time of Year You Book
Charlotte experiences high demand for charter buses during peak travel seasons like spring and early summer. This is when schools schedule field trips, churches plan retreats, and sports teams travel for tournaments—all competing for limited vehicles and drivers. Booking during these busy months (March through June) may result in higher rates compared to slower seasons like winter. If possible, plan your trip during the off-peak season to take advantage of better rates.
The Day of the Week
Weekend trips (Friday-Sunday) are generally more expensive than weekday trips (Monday-Thursday). This is due to higher demand for buses on weekends for weddings, sporting events, concerts, and other gatherings. If you have flexibility in your schedule, consider traveling on a weekday to save on your charter bus rental cost.
Your Starting and Ending Locations
Where your trip starts and ends affects the price as well. Buses must “deadhead”—travel without passengers—from their home base to your pickup location and back again after dropping you off. The farther away you are from Charlotte, the more you’ll pay for deadhead mileage. To keep costs down, try to use a local provider and start/end your trip close to Charlotte city limits.
Your Bus Type and Size
The size and type of bus you choose will also impact your quote. A full-size 56-passenger charter bus is more expensive than a smaller 18- or 25-passenger minibus due to its larger capacity and additional amenities like restrooms and luggage bays. However, if you have a large group, it’s more cost-effective to book one big bus than multiple smaller ones. On the other hand, smaller groups can save by opting for a minibus or sprinter van.
Tolls and Parking
Tolls and parking fees are not included in our quotes, so you’ll need to budget for them separately. If your itinerary includes toll roads like I-77 Express Lanes or I-485 Express Lanes, be sure to factor those costs in. Parking can also add up—for example, daily bus parking at Bank of America Stadium for Panthers games is around $40-$60, while parking at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is $16/day in the Long Term Lot. Always check with your destinations about parking fees for oversized vehicles.
Booking Timing
When you book your bus rental also plays a role in pricing. The earlier you reserve (ideally 6+ months in advance), the better chance you have at locking in lower rates and securing the vehicle you want. Last-minute bookings often cost more due to limited availability, especially during peak seasons or major events like CIAA Basketball Tournament or NASCAR races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Cost-Saving Tips to Consider
Book early: The sooner you book, the more options you’ll have and the lower your rate may be.
Travel during off-peak times: Weekdays and winter months typically have lower demand and prices.
Be flexible with your itinerary: Shorter trips with fewer stops will cost less.
Choose the right size bus: Don’t pay for empty seats—select a bus that fits your group size.
Split costs among passengers: Divide the total price by the number of people to make it more affordable per person.
Get a Quote for Your Charlotte Bus Rental
Ready to get an exact price for your next group trip? Our team is available 24/7 at 980-249-9840 to answer your questions and provide a personalized quote based on your itinerary. You can also use our online quote tool for an instant estimate in under 30 seconds. With transparent pricing , we make it easy to find the best charter bus rental for your budget and needs.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Charlotte and around North Carolina. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Charlotte to Asheville Winery Tour
A bachelorette party of 14 friends is planning a day trip from Uptown Charlotte to Asheville to tour wineries along the Asheville Wine Trail. They’ll leave Charlotte at 9:00 AM and return by 9:00 PM after visiting three wineries and having dinner in downtown Asheville. The group is quoted $2,900 for an 18-passenger minibus, which includes 12 hours of service. With 14 people splitting the cost, it comes out to about $207 per person for transportation and a designated driver.
Charlotte Douglas Airport Shuttle
A corporate event planner needs a shuttle service to transport attendees from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to hotels in Uptown Charlotte during a 3-day conference. They book a 25-passenger minibus to run an airport loop from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM each day. The total cost for three 12-hour days is $7,200 ($2,400 per day), not including airport parking fees of $16/day in the Long Term Lot.
School Field Trip to Discovery Place Science
A local elementary school is organizing a field trip for 120 students and 10 teachers from Ballantyne to Discovery Place Science in Uptown Charlotte. They need two 56-passenger charter buses for a full day (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). The quote is $2,000 per bus ($4,000 total). Discovery Place does not charge for school bus parking, but teachers plan to tip their drivers $100 each for great service.
Panthers Game Day Shuttle
A group of Carolina Panthers fans wants round-trip transportation from Matthews to Bank of America Stadium for a Sunday home game. They book a 25-passenger minibus for 6 hours (noon to 6:00 PM) at $1,500 total. Stadium parking for buses is $60, which the group pays directly. Divided among 20 riders, it’s $78 per person including parking—a stress-free way to avoid traffic and parking hassles on game day.
Wedding Shuttle in SouthPark
A bride books two 18-passenger minibuses to shuttle guests between a hotel in SouthPark and her wedding venue in Myers Park. Each bus runs a continuous loop from 3:00 PM to midnight (9 hours). The total cost for both buses is $3,600 ($1,800 each). The venue offers free bus parking, so the only additional expense is tipping the drivers at the end of the night.
Marching Band Competition in Raleigh
A high school marching band with 90 members needs transportation from Charlotte to Raleigh for a weekend competition. They reserve two 56-passenger charter buses departing Friday afternoon and returning Sunday evening. The quote for both buses is $6,200 ($3,100 each), which covers all transportation for the weekend. The band also budgets $400 for two nights of hotel rooms for their drivers.
Corporate Retreat at Lake Norman
A company is hosting a retreat at Lake Norman and wants a shuttle to transport employees from their office in Uptown Charlotte to a lakeside resort in Mooresville. They book a 25-passenger minibus for two days (8:00 AM to 10:00 PM each day) at $4,800 ($2,400 per day). The resort charges $20/day for bus parking, which is paid separately. With 20 employees attending, it’s $240 per person for comfortable round-trip transportation.
