What does it Cost to Rent a Party Bus?
/This article was originally written in Spring 2018, but was lately updated in February 2023.
How much is a party bus for a night? You will find all the answers here.
Planning a night out with your friends? Or a big birthday bash? Or just spend some great time at a party? The best solution for these needs would be a party bus, and here is why! A popular and safe way to keep the celebration going on route to your location is renting a party bus. These party buses can be very luxurious and a great way to make your night perfect. Your entire party can travel with you, no one has to be the designated driver and the fun doesn’t have to stop on route. In addition, certain party buses are equipped with a dance pole. But there are a few things to consider when determining the overall price of chartering a party bus so that you know how much is to rent a party bus.
How Party Bus Prices are Calculated
The biggest price indicator when determining the party bus rental is time. Most rental companies offer a fixed price for renting a party bus for 5 hours. During weekends there is a 4-hour minimum. From there the price is by the hour. If you only need an hour, talk to us and let us see what we can do for you.
Most companies offer party bus rental including vehicle cleaning and preparation. This can help you tailor the experience to your party including decorations, flowers e.g. that you want. However, there may be an extra cost depending on what you bring on board. Some party bus companies will include a stocked alcoholic bar in this price and gratuity, but be sure to ask. For Bookbuses.com rental it depends on your rental location and bus type. A complimentary bottle of champagne, ice, or bottled water is usually included in party bus service.s. Let’s get more specific on the price.
How much is it to rent a party bus?
How much is a party bus? Generally, renting a party bus costs between $695 - $1,050 for a four hour time block with each additional hour costing between $100 - $300, but prices can vary depending on the city or when you are renting. The size is also a major factor. Call one of our specialists at (646) 801 6280 or use the form below to get a quote for your trip.
Party Bus Rental Price Estimates
| Price Estimates | 4-Hours Minimum | Additional Hours | 8-Hours Full Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent Party Bus | $695-$1,050 | $100-$300 | $1,200-$2,400 |
There is a four-hour minimum on party buses.
There is a cost for additional hours.
Otherwise, they are priced by the hour, unless you driver over 100 miles.
There is a legal maximum of 10 hours of driving per driver and maximum 15 minutes on the job. Full day or night is 8-10 hours.
We encourage you to tip your driver if you are happy with the experience. Some other companies might ask for gratuity up front ,we believe that is wrong. Tips have to be earned. If it is a corporate event we can add it at your discretion.
Weather, special events, holidays and peak times highly affect availability and prices.
EASY SEARCH FOR PARTY BUSES
How much is a party bus for 5 hours?
The rental price for a 5-hour party bus can range from $695 to $1,250 for a weekend night, depending on the day of the week, season, and holiday period. Additionally, the size of your party bus also affects the cost; smaller buses for fewer than 15 people are typically 30% cheaper than the standard party bus that holds 30 passengers, whereas a full-size 50-passenger party bus is more expensive and only available in certain locations. However, they are sure to bring lots of fun!
25 Passenger Party Bus Rental Cost - Calculation Example
For example, let’s consider how much it would be to rent a party bus for a night. Let’s assume this is for your birthday party and you expect 25-28 people. You are not planning to drive super far. So here is the plan for your trip. First of all, pick the right party bus, to make sure your guests feel comfortable and have enough space. A 29-seat Party Bus should be the right fit, but if you want to rent a slightly bigger bus to have more space and a few more options, a 36-seat Party Bus would be a solution as well. You can check the “Party Bus Fleet” page and have a look at the variety of party bus types and amenities.
The next step would be to understand the cost and the cost breakdown. An 8-hour rental service would cost around $800 for the first 4 hours. For the additional 4 hours each hour costs ~ $200/hour. That is a total ~ $1,500-1,900 for 25-29 passengers. With 25-28 people attending the birthday party, it will cost only $53-71 per person for the night. You may choose a bigger bus, but the cost might rise. Your location and especially the weekday also influence the price. See below.
Rental price Includes
Bus rental service, driver’s service, tolls (if any), fuel surcharge, cups, and water. A bottle of champagne is usually included as well but depends on the bus company.
Driver’s gratuity is not included in the price, unless stated otherwise, and is optional up to the client.
Entrance to paid parking lots is not included and is at client’s responsibility. Please note, if parking is required, drivers will search for free parking if it is available, but if it is not, then paid to park must be used. Read more in terms
How to Get a Better Deal on Party Bus Rental?
Location
Party Bus price estimates depend on many different factors. One of the most important factors to know how much it costs to rent a party bus is located. For instance, if you want to rent a party bus in New York City (especially during the weekend), it might get a little pricey. But even then you can plan your trip in advance, avoiding the weekends, choosing the right size bus, and saving some money. Call us at (646) 801 6280 and one of our booking specialists will help you to get the best deal!
Trip Date
As with most things, booking last minute can drive up your price. There may be limited availability. We recommend booking your bus 8 weeks in advance, but if it’s a popular time or holiday, then try booking several months, 4-6 months in advance. Canceling is always possible, but last-minute bookings can be very costly.
Size - Pick the right Party Bus
There are many options when choosing a party bus. Party bus sizes are divided into 3 categories: large, standard, and small. A smaller size party bus will fit around 14-16 passengers. A standard-size party bus will fit around 20-30 passengers. If you have a larger group other options, such as a larger party bus should be a better solution, as it can fit around 36-50 people. It is very common for standard and large-size party buses to have a service bar with insulated coolers. All party buses have a variety of interior lighting colors. Make sure to ask for alcoholic beverages, in case you need them, as they can be provided upon request, and might influence the price. The size of the bus may affect the price as well, mainly the larger the bus the higher the price, so be sure to choose the right size for your group.
Party Bus Fleet
Passenger Stretch Limo - Holds up to 8 Passengers
Party Limo Van - Holds up to 10-16 Passengers
Party Limo Bus - holds up to 22-29 Passengers
Large Party Bus - Holds up to 36, 40, and 45 Passengers
50 Passenger Party Bus
A detailed fleet description can be found in our “Rent a Party Bus” section.
Choose the right Amenities
The special thing about renting a party bus is that you don't have to have just normal transportation; you can have a lot of fun on the way to your destination. Every company will be different, but the most common features you may find on a party bus are power outlets, AM/FM/CD/DVD/TVs, Bluetooth compatible stereo system, laser and strobe lights, customizable lighting, integrated bar with cooler, alcoholic beverages (upon request), dance pole, complimentary ice and bottled water, napkins, cups and a bathroom. Most of the party bus rental companies will allow you to decorate the bus as well with balloons or flowers, although this may incur an additional cost. Also, be sure to check with the specific company what is or isn't allowed; not all will allow liquor or dancing in route, and some amenities may come with an additional cost.
Plan your trip outside of peak times
Big events like festivals, athletic events and national holidays will be busier times with less availability. Most party bus rental services are offered during the summer months as well. Try to avoid peak times by booking in the winter or planning your event away from holidays. If not, the price may be higher due to lower availability. A good tip from BookBuses! We recommend placing a reservation on your party bus rental at least 8 weeks in advance, as it may ensure the best price and availability.
Do Party Buses charge overtime?
If you go over the scheduled time, overtime fees may be charged. Make sure to plan your time accordingly, as overtime fees are usually higher than the regular hourly rate. Please note that if your bus has to be cleaned between 4-6 am in order to be ready for the next guest (ie. a wedding), someone will have to do the cleaning. Let’s plan for a good party in advance! Ask your friendly staff about your specific trip.
Plan Smart – and Save 10 – 30%
Speak with our expert travel consultants to plan the most economical solution for your journey. Providing as much details as possible will enable us to make small adjustments that will result in substantial savings. Factors such as the day, location, mode of transportation, environment and time of day can all have a bearing on the booking cost. To receive the best possible price, it is recommended to book early and communicate with our team.
