Charter Bus Prices: How Much Does a South Bend Bus Rental Cost?

Planning a group trip in South Bend and want to know how much it costs to rent a charter bus? Charter Bus South Bend makes it easy to find and book a bus in Indiana with transparent pricing and access to a variety of vehicles. Whether you are traveling from out of state or are locals organizing an event, you can trust our team of experts to organize a smooth transportation solution at a fair price. Call 574-314-9166 today and we can give you a free, no-obligation quote.

South Bend 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

South Bend 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 1-574-314-9166 or use our online quote tool.


How Much Does a South Bend Charter Bus Rental Cost?

Depending on what type of charter bus you need in South Bend, you’ll likely encounter a price range of $140-$400+ per hour, $1,520 to $3,655+ per day, or $4 to $9.95 per mile.

A full-size, 50-to- 56-passenger motorcoach in South Bend typically costs from $180 to $500+ per hour or from $1,800 to $3,800+ per day. A smaller South Bend minibus for 15 to 35 passengers can range from $150 to $450+ per hour, with daily costs between $1,520 to $3,465+.

How Much Does a South Bend Party Bus Rental Cost?

If you book a smaller party bus (for 10 to 20 people) in South Bend during the week, expect to pay around $180 to $450 per hour. Prices increase for larger party buses with over 20 passengers or when booking Friday-Sunday. Medium-sized party buses (20-40 passengers) usually cost $200 to $500 per hour during the week and $220-$520+ per hour during the weekend, and large party buses (40-50 passengers) start at $250 to $550 during the week and $270-$570 on weekends. These buses also have daily rates starting between $1,000 to $3,900+

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What Influences South Bend Party Bus & Charter Bus Pricing?

Charter Bus South Bend works with hundreds of bus providers all throughout Indiana, and each provider has different rates. Generally, though, charter bus pricing in South Bend is calculated on whether your trip will be priced by day, hour, or mileage, based on your travel plans. Here are a few of the things that we take into account when providing quotes:

Trip Factors That Affect Your Bus Rental Cost

There are two factors that affect your overall charter bus rental cost: local vs. long-distance, and how long your trip will last.

Local trips are those where your pickup point and destination are within the same city and surrounding area. For example, if you’re traveling from Notre Dame’s campus to the Morris Performing Arts Center, your trip will likely be calculated by the hour. Long-distance trips, such as a trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from South Bend, will be charged by mileage. Multi-day trips where you stay in one location like Chicago can also be charged by the day. Your Charter Bus South Bend representative can discuss how to lower your charter bus quote for long trips if you need to minimize your travel budget.

For long-distance travel and large groups of passengers, we suggest renting a 56-passenger charter bus. These full-size motorcoaches offer plenty of storage space for each traveler to store their luggage in an undercarriage bay. Inside the cabin, they’ll find entertainment options to help while away hours on the road.

Local travels on your mind? Minibus rentals are ideal for shuttling medium-sized groups across shorter distances than charter buses, thanks to their compact frames and ability to seat up to 35 passengers at a time. The models of minibuses in our network can include a variety of the same amenities you’ll find on a charter bus: WiFi, in-cabin storage, reclining seats, and more. That means shuttle services for events, local gatherings, and commuter programs have never been more comfortable than with an South Bend minibus rental!

28 passenger minibus

Seasonal Pricing Changes

Another major factor affecting your charter bus quote? The time of year you’re traveling. From prom season to graduation and wedding seasons, the busy season in South Bend, like in every other major US city is April, May and June. Booking travel with school groups of any kind is extremely difficult during this time due to massive demand from high school after-prom celebrations and other end of the school year events. For example, if your group trip includes a visit to a museum at a historic site, you may notice higher pricing and less availability for your charter bus rental. If you have to travel during the peak season, call and book as far in advance as possible—at least six months prior to ensure the best possible availability and rates. For events during less busy travel seasons, you should contact Charter Bus South Bend around three months in advance. Whenever you’re ready, our reservation team is available 24/7 to provide you with accurate, personalized quotes.

56 passenger charter bus

Availability in South Bend

Limited availability can make booking a charter bus in South Bend tricky, especially in towns and suburbs where charter bus company availability may be limited. If your start or ending point requires drivers to travel an extended distance to pick you up or drop you off without passengers onboard, you will see what is known as “deadhead” added to your overall rate. Deadhead refers to the mileage that accumulates without passengers on board. To avoid added deadhead costs, start or end your itinerary in South Bend or choose a bus that’s already stationed in your start point, like Elkhart and Warsaw. Charter Bus South Bend has one of the biggest transportation networks in the country—and can often pair you with the closest bus company to your destinations to minimize deadhead costs.

The Right Bus Type

When you rent with Charter Bus South Bend, you get a tailored trip that’s perfectly suited to your group’s transportation needs. With minibuses, charter buses and more available in our statewide network, you’ll never have to worry about passengers feeling cramped or overpaying for space you won’t use. If you’re taking a small group on a trip, we can connect you with a minibus or even an amazing Mercedes Sprinter Van. For big groups of sports fans or a long-distance road trip to Niagara Falls or Nashville, a full-sized coach can fit up to 56 passengers and carry amenities like a clean onboard restroom and reclining seats for ultimate comfort and convenience.

Book a Weekday Party Bus Rental!

Just like with charter buses, weekend party bus rentals (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) usually cost more to book, while renting on a weekday (Monday-Thursday) can come with a smaller fee. Since party buses are so frequently booked during peak times, most companies charge an additional rate during the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. Some companies may also increase their minimum number of hours required for reservations during peak times and days. If your prom or special event isn’t set for a particular date, try celebrating a bit earlier in the week—like a Tuesday or Wednesday—to lower the overall cost. And if you’re with a small group and a party bus is out of your price range, we also have limousines and black car rentals.

The Best Time of Day

Weekend rentals usually start at higher prices due to the higher volume of calls from passengers. So, booking a daytime trip rather than a night out on the town with your party bus or shuttle is the best way to get the lowest possible price! Booking a daytime rental also means a better chance of lower minimum hour limits, so your ride can be shorter than on weekends. If your trip doesn’t involve anything specifically in the evening, try going out in the daytime for an easier trip.

Amenities

Each bus rental has its own variety of amenities depending on the company you work with. However, you can request additional amenities like WiFi and TVs or an onboard restroom—that might be available with an added charge, so be sure to ask! Standard amenities, such as comfortable seating, power outlets, climate controls, and storage solutions are already included in most of our party buses, so there’s no extra cost involved there. Just ask about these features when you reserve.

Tips to Budget

Not every cost associated with your trip will be reflected in your charter bus quote. Some providers don’t include tolls, parking, and gratuity to ensure they’re offering you the lowest possible price on your bus rental in South Bend. Additional costs may also include a bus driver’s hotel stay or meals on long or multi-day journeys.

If you do need to make some cuts from your budget, ask your Charter Bus South Bend representative about ways to keep costs low, like booking with a local bus company that will reduce deadhead miles, picking a venue with more parking accommodations, and asking your driver if you can cut lodging costs from their share by coordinating driver accommodations with family members who may be staying on your trip route.

Saving for the Perfect Rental

Want to save a little cash on your next charter bus rental? Follow these simple tips, and it’s easy as pie. Plan to have a finalized passenger count to avoid paying for a charter bus or minibus with too much space or too few seats. Reduce or completely eliminate deadhead mileage by finding a charter bus already located in your city. Schedule your trip to and from South Bend during less-busy seasons (like in the fall and winter) or on weekdays to minimize price surges. Pick a venue or location with an oversize parking lot, and book your bus at least 6 months ahead.

Book Your Charter Bus Rental in South Bend, Indiana

Ready to get started on booking your charter bus or minibus rental for your South Bend trip? We’ve put together a ton of resources for you to refer to as you organize a bus rental. Our complete guide to charter bus rentals has information about all aspects of renting a bus, like sizes, amenities, pricing, and the rental process.

If you still have questions about renting a charter bus in South Bend after browsing our page, we are always here to help with the bus rental process! Contact a Charter Bus South Bend representative today by calling us at 574-314-9166 and we can help! And for a free quote in 30 seconds, just use our quote tool!