CHARTER BUS PRICES IN ARLINGTON

How are Bus Prices Determined?

You’re planning a group outing and you’ve done the research. You like the flexibility, dependability and safety of a charter bus rental. But what’s it going to cost? What steps can you take to make sure you’re getting the best price? It probably won’t surprise you to learn that charter bus travel is consistently considered to offer more for your travel dollars than any other mode of transportation. Most charter bus companies charge a fixed price for the coach, so the more people you have in your group, the less each person will typically pay. In addition, fixed expenses such as gas, parking and highway tolls are all shared. Okay, we have convinced you that charter bus travel will be easier on your pocketbook than other options, but just how much will it cost? Interestingly, one of the advantages of charter bus travel that makes it an attractive option for travelers, also makes it more difficult to nail down an exact cost. There are such a wide range of options available! Here are some of the variables that affect the cost of a charter bus trip.

When you want to travel

Like most industries, bus charters have peak seasons and off-seasons, and costs vary accordingly. In addition, the seasonal variations can differ based on geography—winters see a greater demand for a charter bus rental in Florida than New England, but during the summer, New York City is a more popular destination that Phoenix. There’s greater interest in charter bus rentals in the spring and summer, when they are ideal for graduation parties, family reunions and weddings. Due to this you will likely pay more for a bus in summer than in winter. The time of the week can also have an impact on charter bus costs. There’s a greater demand for coaches on weekends than during the week, so you can expect to pay more if you rent Friday through Sunday than if you book a weekday trip.

Where you’re going and how long you’ll be there

As a general rule, charter bus rental fees are based on one of two methods—the amount of time you need the bus or by the total number of miles traveled. If you’re planning to be gone only a few hours, you’ll usually pay an hourly rate. There’s typically a minimum number of hours billed—five is the standard. However, if you plan to be gone the entire day, you’ll most likely be charged by the mile. If your trip requires an overnight stay or involves being gone overnight, expect to be billed by the day. Furthermore, if you have overnight accommodations anywhere, you’ll need to cover the costs of lodging for your driver(s). Government regulations prohibit charter bus drivers from being on the road more than ten hours consecutively without a minimum of eight hours off. You can hire an additional driver if you don’t want to stop for that long. The distance you travel—Though the greater the distance, the greater the cost, the increase is not necessarily proportional to the distance. For example, a day trip from Birmingham, Alabama to Nashville, Tennessee, on a 49 passenger bus, will cost approximately $2,122 for a 390 mile trip. A day trip from Birmingham to Atlanta, Georgia, on the same sized bus, will cost $1,930 for a 295 mile excursion.

The number of people in your group

This will determine the type of coach you rent. Different buses have different seating capacities and different pricing. For example, an executive mini-coach will cost approximately $115 per hour, but a mini-bus can range from $75 to $105 per hour. Executive buses are usually between $175 to $250 per hour, school buses range from around $55 to $70 per hour, and the standard charter buses usually run $100 to $150 per hour.

Any special needs you have

Most charter buses have certain basic features—Wifi, smartphone hookups and DVD players are standard with most coaches now. There are additional options, such as on-board restroom facilities, but they’ll add to the total cost.

Where you depart

Some geographic locations are simply more conducive to charter bus travel than others. In some of the nation’s older cities, for example, the streets can be narrow, making it difficult for larger charter buses to navigate. For that reason, there may be fewer charter bus operators and fewer options, potentially leading to higher costs. If there’s no charter bus provider in your place of departure, you may have to pay extra to bring a charter bus from a distant location.

Whether you’re traveling round-trip or one-way

When traveling a long distance round trip is more cost effective then a one-way trip.

Additional fees and costs incurred

It’s common practice to include certain out-of-pocket expenses, such as parking and road tolls, in the total cost of renting a charter bus. In addition, though it’s optional, it’s customary to tip your driver(s) before or at the end of your trip. The standard tip is 10% of the total cost of your charter bus rental.

Request a Quote Online

With Charter Bus Company Arlington, you can get an instant online quote for your transportation needs with just a few clicks. Our user-friendly website allows you to enter details like passenger count, pick-up/drop-off locations, and travel dates, and receive a customized quote instantly. No more waiting around for days or playing phone tag – our system provides upfront pricing immediately. We know when coordinating group travel, plans can change. Our instant online quotes allow you to efficiently compare rates for different bus sizes and trip durations, ensuring you select the best fit!