Charter Bus Prices: How Much Does a Santa Monica Bus Rental Cost?

Planning an event or a trip in or around Santa Monica? Reserving a bus rental with Bus Rental Company Santa Monica is the easiest way to get you and your group where you need to go! Simplify travel planning with an instant quote personalized to your itinerary, headcount, and amenity preferences. Call us at 323-977-2015 to get a free quote today! No matter where you’re headed in Santa Monica and the surrounding areas, our team can handle your group’s transportation needs with ease. We offer a large selection of vehicles, like charter buses, party buses, minibuses, and more—all with affordable pricing. Keep reading to gain insight into how much a bus rental will cost and the different factors to include in your budget.

Santa Monica 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

Santa Monica 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 1-323-977-2015 or use our online quote tool.


How Much Does a Santa Monica Charter Bus Rental Cost?

Charter buses are one of the best ways to transport large groups for long distances and/or multiple-day trips. These buses come with various premium amenities such as air conditioning, reclining seats, a PA system and more to keep passengers entertained and comfortable on long journeys. Our prices range from $180 to $500+ based on the size of the vehicle.

Here are some estimates for charter buses based on the number of passengers each can accommodate. Small charter bus (up to 40 passengers): $170–$480+, Medium charter bus (up to 50 passengers): $180–$500+ Large charter bus (up to 56 passengers): $315–$550+.

If you’re traveling on a budget you can always ask about our shuttle buses and yellow school buses, both of which have large passenger capacities and more economical rates.

How Much Does a Santa Monica Party Bus Rental Cost?

Turn any journey into a rolling party by renting a party bus! Make your next birthday bash, wedding reception, or night out as unique as possible. Party buses in our network include special features like premium sound systems, a dance floor and bar area, and lounge-style seating to kick off the celebration. Prices for party buses typically range from $180–$520+.

We also offer several Mercedes Sprinter models perfect medium-sized groups and provide a sleeker, more premium party experience. Here are some estimates for party buses based on the number of passengers each bus can accommodate. Small party bus (up to 20 passengers): $200–470+, Medium party bus (up to 40 passengers): $220–$500+, Large party bus (up to 50 passengers): $240-$520+ Mercedes Sprinter party bus: $180-$450+.

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What are the Factors Influencing Santa Monica Bus Rental Pricing?

Multiple factors impact the ultimate price of your bus rental, such as mileage, rental duration, tolls, parking, and even whether your event falls during peak season or when there’s low demand. Prices also increase for any overnight trips if your bus driver is required to stay in a hotel due to federal regulations.

Trip Distance

We calculate fares using mileage for longer journeys beyond Santa Monica city limits. Bus rental companies determine an hourly rate and multiply that by the time they estimate a trip will take. If you’re unsure how far your journey might be from your pickup to drop-off point, Google Maps is a great starting point for estimating the distance and potential time using one of the suggested routes calculated by the tool.

28 passenger minibus

Rental Time

Like mileage, time is money. Provide an accurate estimate of pick-up and drop-off times so your quote reflects the true cost of your travel. If you’re visiting multiple stops like in a bar crawl, or are using your bus for a shuttle between a hotel and a reception or ceremony venue, be sure to include those details in your request.

56 passenger charter bus

Time of Year

You may also want to consider how the time of year influences overall pricing. Demand is highest during the late spring and summer for proms, concerts, family reunion trips, and more, and lowest during the fall and winter, aside from the winter holidays. In times of low demand, companies are more willing to reduce rates if their buses are not being used. If you’re planning a trip in advance, consider booking then for better rates and peace of mind.

Type of Bus

The type of bus you rent also influences the final cost of your quote. A typical charter bus or party bus will be priced similarly. Minibuses are usually less expensive than full-size charter buses. And economical options like a yellow school bus are the most budget-friendly options for group transportation in most situations. If you’re prioritizing luxury, consider booking a more high-end charter bus model or a limo for a more premium travel experience.

Tolls, Parking, & Gratuity

Confirm with your rental specialist if your quoted rate includes travel expenses like tolls and parking fees. Parking permits may be required at stadiums and arenas. And permits can be obtained for beaches like Santa Monica Pier and State Beach.

You should also include a tip for your driver as a gesture of appreciation. A typical tip for exceptional service is 10–15% of your pre-tax fare. If you’re unsure of the tipping protocol, you can always ask your rental specialist for guidance.

Driver Accommodations

Drivers are legally required to take regular breaks during trips and after driving a set number of hours to ensure alertness on the road. If needed, the company may need to send an additional driver. This typically isn’t included in your basic fare, so make sure you have an up-to-date itinerary to minimize the need for unplanned driver swaps.

Additional fees may arise for trips requiring a driver to stay in a hotel or spend time waiting in the parking lot while you’re at your venue. Provide accurate timelines so your quote reflects any additional costs.

Cost-Saving Tips to Consider

Now that you have an idea of how bus rental pricing is determined, here are some easy ways to minimize your costs whenever you reserve a bus.

First and foremost, you can ask for low-cost bus rentals. Are you looking for a simple way to move a large number of people and don’t care about bells and whistles like a premium sound system or air conditioning? A yellow school bus might be sufficient. This type of ride is ideal if you’re looking to save money and don’t mind foregoing a driver to reduce your total cost.

Another strategy for cost efficiency is working with the rental company to find times of year with low demand.

You may have better luck if your trip falls on an offseason or weekday compared to a weekend. Additionally, by providing an accurate number of passengers, you can reserve the right size bus at the best value.

Rather than renting an enormous, half-full charter bus, you could try a smaller minibus for groups that are fewer than 35.

Finally, pay attention to every detail in your itinerary from the pickup and drop-off time and physical location to tolls and permits. This ensures your travel plans run as smoothly and efficiently as possible without unexpected costs.

Request Free Bus Rental Quotes from Us Today!

Now that you understand all the aspects that go into calculating a bus rental quote, you have what you need to make a data-driven decision. Regardless of your trip or event’s size, location, and occasion, renting a bus with Bus Rental Company Santa Monica gives you what you need to make your journey smooth, affordable, and memorable.

Looking for more details about our available Santa Monica buses? Browse our vehicles here to see photos of our fleet and discover the amenities we have to offer. Ready to get started? Call us at 323-977-2015 for a free, personalized bus rental quote today!