Full-Size Charter Bus
$150–$250/hr47–56 passengers
The workhorse of group travel. Maximum seats, big luggage bays and highway comfort for long hauls.
- Onboard restroom
- WiFi
- Reclining seats
- Luggage bays
- +2 more
Vehicle guide
Charter bus types, capacities and real price ranges
Seven vehicle classes cover almost every group trip in America. Match your headcount, luggage and distance to the right one — or let operators recommend it for you.
12,000+
Trips Booked
1,800+
Vetted Operators
50
States Covered
4.8/5
Average Rating
All vehicle classes
Pick the class that fits your group
Hourly rates are the industry's real unit of measure. Nearly every operator enforces a four or five hour minimum, so a short trip still bills as a half day.
Mini Bus
$110–$180/hr25–35 passengers
Mid-size and nimble. Ideal for city streets, hotel loops and groups too big for vans, too small for a coach.
- WiFi on request
- Reclining seats
- Rear luggage area
- PA system
- +2 more
Sprinter Van
$85–$140/hr12–14 passengers
Executive comfort for small groups. Black-car service with room for the whole team and their bags.
- Leather captain's chairs
- USB charging
- Bluetooth audio
- Rear luggage shelf
- +2 more
School Bus
$90–$150/hr40–54 passengers
The most affordable way to move a big group a short distance — the standard for field trips.
- Highest seat count per dollar
- Bench seating
- Compartmentalized safety design
- Roof hatches
- +2 more
Party Bus
$150–$300/hr20–40 passengers
A venue on wheels. Perimeter lounge seating, sound and lighting for celebrations that start at the curb.
- Perimeter lounge seating
- LED mood lighting
- Premium sound system
- Dance pole & bar area
- +2 more
Executive Coach
$175–$275/hr30–40 passengers
A rolling boardroom. Fewer, wider seats plus tables, power and WiFi that actually holds a video call.
- Wide leather seating
- Conference tables
- Power at every seat
- High-speed WiFi
- +2 more
Stretch Limousine
$95–$200/hr8–14 passengers
Chauffeured luxury for small groups. Wraparound leather, a bar and a partition for weddings, proms and VIP transfers.
- Leather wraparound seating
- Fiber-optic mood lighting
- Stocked bar with ice wells
- Privacy partition
- +2 more
Sizing tool
What size bus do I need?
Seven classes, one answer. Enter your headcount, luggage, hours on the road and restroom requirement — we name the vehicle, explain the trade-offs and open the quote form with it already selected.
Vehicle sizing tool
What size bus do I need?
Answer four questions. We match your group to a vehicle class, explain why, and show the national price range for that trip shape.
Our recommendation
47–56 passengersFull-Size Charter Bus
For 40 passengers with a carry-on each, 5–10 hours on the road and a restroom on board, book a full-size charter bus.
- Seats 47–56 passengers, so your 40 passengers board one vehicle with one driver — the cheapest arrangement per person.
- A carry-on each fits the rear luggage area without paying for underfloor bays you would not use.
- Air-ride suspension, reclining seats and climate zones are what make a long day at highway speed bearable.
- Onboard restroom means fewer unscheduled stops and an itinerary that actually holds.
Typical price range
$1,200–$2,200Full day (up to 10 hours)
Driver stays with the group · Hourly $150–$250/hr
Also worth quoting
Executive Coach$175–$275/hr
Same coach comfort with tables, power at every seat and WiFi that holds a call.
School Bus$90–$150/hr
The lowest cost per seat anywhere — ideal for short local runs with light bags.
Sizing guidance and ranges are national averages for planning. Operators quote against live availability, so your real price can land either side of these numbers.
How to choose in 30 seconds
Headcount gets you close, but three other things decide the answer more often than people expect.
- 1
Luggage volume
Only full-size coaches have sealed underfloor bays. A mini bus rear area holds roughly 15–25 bags total, so airport runs and multi-day trips push you to a coach at surprisingly low headcounts.
- 2
Venue access
A motorcoach is about 45 feet long and 11–12 feet tall. Historic estates, vineyards and hotel canopies frequently cannot take one — two mini buses that reach the door beat one coach parked on a shoulder.
- 3
Time between stops
Under two hours, a mini bus is fine. Over two hours — especially with children or seniors — pay for the coach with a restroom, reclining seats and air-ride suspension.
- 4
Driver count
Two mini buses means two drivers, and driver hours dominate every charter invoice. One coach is usually cheaper than two smaller vehicles the moment you cross about 30 passengers.
Mini bus vs coach, side by side
National ranges for the same trip on each vehicle class.
| Trip shape | Mini bus / Coach | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Local half-day (up to 5 hrs) | $600–$950 / $850–$1,300 | Within ~50 miles |
| Local full day (up to 10 hrs) | $800–$1,400 / $1,200–$2,200 | Driver stays on site |
| One-way airport transfer | $300–$550 / $450–$800 | Includes wait time |
| Regional round trip (250 mi) | $1,100–$1,700 / $1,500–$2,400 | Same-day return |
| Multi-day tour (per day) | $1,000–$1,600 / $1,400–$2,600 | Plus driver lodging |
| Wedding shuttle (5 hrs) | $650–$1,100 / $900–$1,400 | Hotel-to-venue loop |
Ranges are national averages for planning only. Your quotes reflect live local availability.
Not sure which bus you need?
Choose “Not sure — recommend for me” and operators will size the vehicle to your group, gear and route.