Party & Charter Bus Prices: How to Calculate Your Columbus Bus Rental Costs

Party bus and charter bus rental costs in Columbus Ohio can fluctuate significantly based on your group’s specific needs. Factors like the duration of your trip, the date and time, the number of passengers, requested amenities, and distance traveled all impact pricing. However, you can instantly obtain a customized quote in just 30 seconds by calling 614-591-0565 or using our 24/7 online booking tool! Our easy-to-use system allows you to compare real-time prices and availability from reputable companies serving the Columbus area, ensuring you secure the best rates for your event or outing.

Instant Prices via Text & Email Available - Click Here

Call us at 614-591-0565

Here are some estimated price ranges to get you started planning your budget:

Hourly Rates
Vehicles	Hourly Minium Prices
Limousines
6 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-265 per hour
8 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-265 per hour
10 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-265 per hour
14 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-285 per hour
16 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-335 per hour
18 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-335 per hour
20 Passenger Limousine	$ 200-335 per hour
Coach Buses
18 Passenger Mini Bus	$155-300 per hour
20 Passenger Minibus	$155-300 per hour
25 Passenger Mini Bus	$155-320 per hour
50 Passenger Coach Bus	$195-400 per hour
56 Passenger Charter Bus	$195-400 per hour
School Bus Rental	$185-350 per hour
Party Limo Buses
14 Passenger Sprinter Party Bus	$185-355 per hour
15 Passenger Party Bus	$185-355 per hour
20 Passenger Party Bus	$235-355 per hour
30 Passenger Party Bus	$295-400 per hour
35 Passenger Party Bus	$295-400 per hour
40 Passenger Party Bus	$295-440 per hour
50 Passenger Party Bus	$300-500 per hour

The pricing listed above are just estimated rates and can vary significantly based due to COVID, inflation, and availability. To get more accurate pricing based on your trip, please give us a call and we’ll get you a quote right over the phone.

How to Calculate Bus Rental Costs

Determining charter bus and party bus rental prices in Columbus, Ohio depends on various factors. We will break down each of these factors below for a better understanding of how pricing is calculated. Contacting us directly is the best way to receive an accurate quote based on your specific needs and travel details.

Distance and Duration

When calculating your bus rental price, one of the biggest factors is the distance and duration of your trip. For short trips within Columbus, your charter bus will be rented by the hour with a typical 5-hour minimum, perfect for events like a brewery tour around the city’s top craft beer spots or a night out in the vibrant Short North district. Trips spanning multiple days, like shuttling between downtown Columbus and Ohio Stadium for a football weekend, are usually billed by the day. If your journey ventures outside of the Columbus area to nearby destinations like Cleveland or Cincinnati, you’ll likely be charged based on the total mileage. No matter the length of your trip, our reservation specialists will ensure you get an accurate quote tailored to your specific needs!

Time of Year

The time of year you plan your trip can significantly impact bus rental rates. Demand soars during peak travel seasons like spring and early summer, leading to higher costs. In Columbus and Ohio, busy periods often coincide with major events like the Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition in early March, Ohio State University’s spring break in late March, and local high school proms in April and May. Summer is another peak season as families embark on vacations and sports teams travel for tournaments. However, rates tend to be more affordable outside these windows, making late fall and winter ideal for budget-conscious groups. By being mindful of seasonal trends and major local events, you can secure the best deals on your bus rental.

Where Your Trip Begins and Ends

The starting and ending locations of your bus rental can greatly impact the overall price you pay. Bus availability varies significantly depending on your city, which affects supply and demand. Since we maintain a fleet of modern charter buses across all of Ohio’s major cities, you can count on us to find the ideal bus for your trip no matter where you need to be picked up or dropped off. Larger metropolitan areas like Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo generally have more buses readily available compared to smaller towns and rural communities. However, if your trip originates or concludes in an area with limited bus companies, you may encounter higher pricing due to lower supply meeting higher demand. A major factor that affects cost is “deadhead” miles – the distance your bus needs to travel while empty to reach your pickup or return to its home location after drop-off. For example, a group departing from Columbus to Pittsburgh (191 miles) and returning may incur deadhead charges for their bus to first travel from its home base near Cleveland (142 miles to Columbus), resulting in over 300 deadheaded miles factored into the total price.

The Size of Your Group

The type of bus you select will greatly impact your rental price. For small groups of 25 people or fewer, a minibus rental may be the most affordable option, as minibuses typically cost $100-200 less than a full-sized charter bus. If you have 35-56 passengers, a full-sized charter bus will provide the best value by allowing you to fill more seats and split the cost across more people. For added amenities like fiber-optic lighting, premium sound systems, and wrap-around seating, consider renting a party bus at rates similar to a charter bus. Entertainer buses, also known as tour buses, are the most luxurious and expensive option, equipped with amenities like bunk beds, kitchens, lounges, and flat-screen TVs for touring musicians and celebrities. No matter your group’s size, we have a bus to fit your needs and budget.

Tips for Keeping Costs Down

To keep bus rental costs down, consider booking during the off-season from December to February when demand is lower. Avoid scheduling trips during major events like the Ohio State Fair in July, Columbus Oktoberfest in September, or any Ohio State football games, which drive up prices due to increased demand. Some routes may require paying tolls on highways like I-270 or I-670, so plan your itinerary accordingly. Stadium parking fees, like those at Ohio Stadium for Buckeyes games, can also add costs, so inquire about affordable parking options near your destinations.

Get a Quote Today!

Looking to book a bus for your next big event? — you can easily get an instant online quote from us by calling 614-591-0565 or using our convenient online quote tool. Our team is here to make the rental process as smooth as possible — with a quick quote, you can get the ball rolling and have your transportation lined up in no time. Don’t wait — request your personalized quote today and let us take the stress out of your travel plans!

Sample Trip Quotes

To give you a ballpark idea, here are some sample quotes for requests we’ve gotten from our customers:

Example #1:

A local elementary school in Columbus, Ohio is planning an end-of-year field trip for their 5th grade students. With 65 kids and 10 teachers, they need a full-sized charter bus rental to transport everyone to the Center of Science and Industry museum downtown. The round-trip journey is about 20 miles and will take a full day, requiring the bus for around 8 hours. Based on the distance, duration, and large passenger count, the school can expect to pay around $900 for this single-day charter bus rental in Columbus.

Example #2:

A corporate event planner in Columbus, Ohio recently hired our charter bus services for an upcoming conference. The company needed transportation for over 200 employees from the airport to their hotel and the convention center. To accommodate their large group size, we provided a fleet of four full-sized coaches, each seating up to 56 passengers. With a distance of 15 miles between each stop, the total trip cost was $3,500 for three days of service. This included the bus rental fees, driver accommodation, and travel costs. Our client was pleased with the professional service, allowing their team to travel together comfortably and efficiently!

Example #3:

A Columbus, Ohio high school baseball team needed transportation to the state playoffs in Cincinnati. With 18 players, 3 coaches, and plenty of equipment to bring, they settled on a 25-passenger minibus rental. Since the trip was around 100 miles each way, the team was charged based on total mileage at a rate of $4 per mile. The total distance of 200 miles resulted in an $800 base cost. However, since the team required the bus for two days to accommodate the tournament schedule, an additional day rate of $600 was added. Finally, the team had to pay for the driver’s hotel room for one night at $150. With all fees included, the final cost for the high school baseball team’s minibus rental came out to $1,550 for the two-day trip.

Example #4:

A group of 40 high school seniors in Columbus, Ohio planned a day trip to tour the Ohio State University campus. The students requested a full-size charter bus to transport them comfortably for the day-long excursion. With pickup and drop-off locations just 15 miles apart, the rental company charged an hourly rate of $125 for a minimum of 5 hours, totaling $625. Additional hours beyond the minimum were billed at $100 per hour. Since the students planned to be on campus from 9am to 5pm, the rental company quoted a total price of $825 for the 8-hour day trip. A $100 parking fee at the university was also included in the final cost of $925.

Example #5:

A bride-to-be in Columbus, Ohio needed transportation for her wedding party to various locations around the city. After getting quotes from several companies, she decided to book a shuttle bus for the entire day at a rate of $800. The bus would pick up the bridal party from their hotel and take them to the church for the ceremony. After the nuptials, the shuttle would transport the wedding party to a local park for outdoor photos before dropping them off at the reception venue. With parking being a challenge in downtown Columbus, having a personal shuttle service allowed the bride’s loved ones to celebrate worry-free. The $800 cost was well worth avoiding the hassle of coordinating separate transportation and paying for parking at each stop!