Charter Bus Pricing: Calculating the Cost of a Charter Bus in Raleigh
Perhaps the most common question we get asked is: “How much does a Raleigh charter bus rental cost?” And while the only way to get an exact price quote on a charter bus rental in Raleigh is to call our 24/7 team, we have an estimated outline below to give you an idea.
| Bus Type | Per Hour | Per Day | Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charter Bus | $160 – $230 | $1,620 – $2,100 | $5.75 – $7.20 |
| Minibus | $145 – $200 | $1,500 – $1,920 | $5.00 – $7.00 |
*The prices listed above are estimates, not exact prices, for the cost of your Raleigh charter bus rental. Rates fluctuate based on seasonality and other factors as outlined below.
**Daily charter bus rentals require a 5-hour minimum. You may incur extra charges for mile overages on daily rentals. A reservation specialist from our team is happy to discuss this in more detail with you.
We make it super easy and quick to get a free, no-obligation price quote. Just call our team at (984) 833-2510 any time you want (24/7, remember?) with your trip details and we will get you that exact price in no time.
Raleigh Charter Bus Pricing Factors
Below is a breakdown of the factors that go into the price of a Raleigh charter bus rental. This list isn’t exhaustive, and if you have any questions or confusion, our team would be happy to clarify for you!
Travel dates: The summer months and holidays are typically the most busy when it comes to charter bus rentals in Raleigh. This is due to school breaks, graduations, and being popular for group vacations. If you’re planning a Raleigh group trip during this time, it’s best to call as far in advance as possible to get the best pricing and availability.
Travel distance and duration: We quote by either the day, hour, or mile depending on your trip details. If you have a longer rental time or are heading out of town, you may be charged by the hour or day, as opposed to shorter trips which are typically priced by the mile.
Passenger count: The number of passengers you have will determine which vehicle we match you with. Make sure you have your passenger count finalized before you book, as you cannot change the type of bus you have once it’s secured, and you don’t want to end up paying more for a bigger bus than you need.
Miscellaneous costs: Parking costs and toll fees come into play when determining the cost of your charter bus. These are not included in your price quote, so be sure to do your research before you book to determine how much you’ll need. A tip for your driver is also traditionally not included in the cost of your rental, as it’s typically given in cash directly to the driver at the end of your trip. However, if you want to include that tip in your total cost, we can definitely process your driver’s tip that way, instead!
How to Save Money on a Bus Rental in Raleigh
Before we share some of our best tips for saving money on a charter bus in Raleigh, first it’s important to understand what is and isn’t included in the cost of a charter bus rental.
What’s included: the cost of your rental, a professional charter bus driver for the duration of your trip, fuel, and full coverage insurance.
What’s not included: Tolls and parking fees, lodging for your driver during multi-day trips or more than ten consecutive hours of driving, and a tip for your driver. While tips are not required, they work hard to keep you safe and they’re the best way to say thank you.
One of the best ways to save money on a Raleigh charter bus is to make sure your trip itinerary is finalized when you book. Adding hours or mileage could rack up some extra charges, and renting a bigger bus than you end up needing could cost you more than a smaller alternative. We also recommend avoiding more popular travel months for your trip if possible, as there will be better availability and potentially better pricing. And if you have a multi-day trip and need to provide lodging for your driver, consider asking the hotel you’re staying at if they can do a discounted rate for them—you never know!
Still wondering how this all plays out in the real world? See below for a few examples of the kinds of Raleigh group trips we can provide transportation for and what they might cost.
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A Field Trip to North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
A kindergarten teacher is teaching a lesson on dinosaurs and wants to take her students to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to see the dinosaur exhibit. When she tells another teacher of her plan, they want to join, as well, bringing the total to 42 students, two teachers, and two chaperones. Instead of using the school bus, they decided to book a field trip charter bus rental from us, as they want transportation with A/C, a bathroom, and TVs for the 45-minute drive.
She is matched with a 56-passenger charter bus rental from our network for five hours at $210 an hour for a grand total of $1,050. This equals out to only about $23 per person. She also tips her driver $100 at the end of the day for a job well done.
Airport Travel at Raleigh-Durham International Airport
A tech company based around an hour out of Raleigh wants to fly their 22-person team into Atlanta for a work conference. Instead of making everybody book a rideshare or drive their own cars for the red eye flight, they decide to book a corporate charter bus rental from us. They are matched with a 25-passenger minibus that comes with overhead storage for luggage, a custom itinerary to match their flight time, and a professional driver.
To ensure they make their flight on time, they book the bus for six hours at $150 an hour for a grand total of $900, or only $40 per person—less money than they’d spend on a rideshare for each of them. They’re sure to tip their driver $90 in cash at the end of the drive.
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An Asheville Bachelorette Party
A bride and her 12 bridesmaids want to plan a weekend trip to Asheville for their bachelorette party. They decide that they want to drive the 3-hour drive themselves, then have a designated driver while they are there so that they can enjoy all the wineries like Biltmore Estate Winery without worry. They call about booking a wedding shuttle bus rental from our team and give their itinerary details, mentioning that they need a minibus with power outlets to keep their phones charged during the trip.
They are matched with an 18-passenger minibus rental for sixteen total hours, or eight hours a day. Because it’s a further distance away than usual, the price is a bit higher, at $200 per hour. This brings their transportation total to $3,200 for the weekend, or around $246 per person. They keep their charter bus clean to avoid cleaning fees and tip their driver $250.
Book a Raleigh Bus Rental Today
When you’re ready to book, we’re ready to help! Or if you are just at the information gathering stage, we’ve got you covered on that, too. Give our 24/7 team a call whenever you are ready at (984) 833-2510. We look forward to wowing you and showing you why we are Raleigh’s best charter bus rental company for all occasions.