How Much Does Renting a Bus Cost? How Much is it to Charter Bus?
Is a mini bus able to travel long distances?
Typically, most operators will not allow a
minibus to travel over 150 mile radius.
Minibuses are not built for extended travel which it makes the ride less comfortable for passengers over longer trips. Check out our
Mini Bus page for more information.
If I don't need the bus for the whole day, do I still need to pay for it all day?
Typically, operators have a 4 or 5 hour minimum on their buses. However, there are some operators who offer a transfer rate if you have a one-way short trip (i.e. Airport Transfer). Check out our
charter bus pricing to learn more or ask an account executive.
Do I need to find a hotel room for the driver?
Typically, it is the responsibility of the client to book a room for the driver. Often, a hotel will include a complimentary room for the driver if you have a large group staying at the hotel. Additionally, The BusBank can help you with
group hotel rates.
Do your buses have air conditioning?
Yes, most buses have air conditioning available.
Mini Buses, Deluxe Motorcoaches and
Party Buses all have air conditioning. Most of our
school buses do not have air conditioning availability so please specify your needs to the Account Executive at time of booking.
How many video monitors will my bus have?
Depending on the size of the bus, there are usually 2 to 6 monitors on the bus. However, not all buses have video monitors. If you have special video requirements, please notify your Account Executive. Our
Mini bus rentals typically have between 2-3 monitors, while our
deluxe motorcoaches have 4-6 monitors.
Are alcohol and/or smoking allowed on board?
Smoking is not allowed. Policies on alcohol vary from operator to operator. If you want to bring alcohol, let your Account Executive know ahead of time so they can search for that option. Some operators require refundable or non-refundable alcohol deposits. Kegs and glass bottles are not permitted.
What if my bus is late or has a breakdown?
The BusBank has a
24/7 Rapid Response line to assist you in any emergency. This line can be reached at (866) 428.7226 ext. 3. Please reach out to us if you are having a
charter bus issue as we can assist.
Can I bring a cooler on the bus?
Coolers are allowed on most buses; however the cooler must be placed on a seat so that the aisles are clear.
Will my bus look like the one on your website?
The buses shown on our website are examples of the buses we charter. If you have a specific question about a certain bus and its look or layout, please contact your Account Executive for assistance.
Are you able to get buses that have handicap accessibility?
Yes. We have access to buses with
ADA accessibility available. Please request that option of your Account Executive at time of booking.
How Far Can A Driver Drive in a Day?
Various rules are in place to make sure that a driver is following FMSCA guidelines for hours of service. You should keep the idea of 10 hours and 500 Miles as a rough guideline. Our Account Executives will be able to look at your specific itinerary to help ensure you stay within the guidelines for travel.
What is the booking process?
Once you have submitted a request for a quote either online or by phone, you will be contacted by an Account Executive. You will be required to sign a reservation confirmation as well as make a deposit when booking an order.
What type of deposit is required?
Deposit amounts vary according to the length of time in advance that the trip is booked. Most frequently a 30% deposit is required at the time of reservation with Full payment due 1 month prior to charter. If you have specific questions, please ask your Account Executive for more information.
What is the refund policy?
Your deposit is refundable up to 31 days prior to departure date. Service cancelled within 30-15 days prior to departure will forfeit 30% of the cost of the trip. Any service cancelled within 14-7days of departure will be assessed a fee of no more than 50% of the trip cost. Any service that is cancelled within 7 days of departure will forfeit the full amount of the trip cost.
When is final payment due?
The final payment is due 30 days before departure. Trips booked within 30 days of departure require full payment at time of booking.
How can I pay?
The BusBank® accepts Visa, MC, AMEX, checks, money orders and wire transfers.
How do you handle change of plans?
Generally, we can accommodate just about any changes to your trip if given notice. When changes involve moving up or postponing your trip, this is generally handled as a cancellation and rebooking. We can sometimes waive cancellation fees on rebooking as long as there is availability, the same bus partner is used and the total cost of your trip does not change.
Is there a discount for renting more then one bus?
Typically, when booking 5 or more buses in a single area you will receive a quantity discount. Discounts are always dependent on availability and time of year.
What if my trip runs longer than expected?
The cost of your trip is based on the itinerary that was given to us by the group organizer. If there are additional hours added to the trip, you will be responsible for covering those costs.
Do I pay for parking or tolls?
Parking, bridge tolls and road tolls are not included in your quote and are the responsibility of the customer.
Do I need to tip the driver?
You are not obligated to tip a driver, but we recommend that if you are satisfied with your service, you do so. Although you may prefer to tip the driver in person, we suggest that you include the tip at the time of your charter payment. By including the tip at that point, you can avoid carrying this cash with you; we can tip the driver on your behalf after your trip. Typical rates for tipping a driver range from 10-20% for short charters and on over the road/Multi-day trips giving $1 or $2 per person/per day.
How can I pay?
The BusBank® accepts Visa, MC, AMEX, checks, money orders and wire transfers.
How do you handle change of plans?
Generally, we can accommodate just about any changes to your trip if given notice. When changes involve moving up or postponing your trip, this is generally handled as a cancellation and rebooking. We can sometimes waive cancellation fees on rebooking as long as there is availability, the same bus partner is used and the total cost of your trip does not change.
How do you select your bus partners?
We have a comprehensive bus operator qualification process that, among many factors, includes a review of an operator's insurance, safety program, driver certification and customer feedback. Additionally our relationship with
Lancer Insurance gives us additional insight about safety trends.
Do you have buses with SPAB certification?
Yes. We do work with operators who are School Pupil Activity Buses (SPAB) certified. Please make this request to your Account Executive at time of booking.
Can I get proof of insurance?
Yes. The BusBank only partners with operators who have a minimum of $5 million in insurance. If necessary, we can get you proof of insurance after booking. We understand the importance of this and additionally monitor all of operators in our networks insurance.
Does The BusBank do convention transportation?
Can I arrange to have a bus wrapped?
The BusBank can definitely help you get your
bus wrap made and put on the bus.
How can The BusBank help with competitive bids?
Many companies require competitive bids when booking trips. We offer a no-cost Request for Quote (RFQ) service presenting several different options for you to choose from. We will work with you from beginning to end to ensure you receive the best option for your needs.
Can you provide on-site logistics services?
Yes. Just let your Account Executive know you're interested in our
Event Logistics Services. We will tailor this service to your needs.