Iowa City 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 |
Iowa City 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 1-319-719-0040 or use our online quote tool.
How Much Does an Iowa City Charter bus Rental Cost?
Iowa City charter bus rental prices can vary based on several different factors, from the size of the bus needed and the type of bus you book to the time of year you’re traveling and even how far in advance you book. For standard charter buses in Iowa City, hourly rentals start at $150 – $500+, with daily rentals typically costing between $1,500 and $3,800+. Specifically, a 50 to 56 passenger charter bus is available for $180 to $500+ per hour or $1,800 to $3,800+ per day, while smaller Iowa City minibuses accommodating 15 to 35 passengers start around $150 to $450+ per hour and $1,520 to $3,465 per day. Mileage charges for Iowa City charter buses generally fall between $4.00 and $9.95 per mile. We also offer entertainer coaches starting at $315–$550+ per hour and $3,500–$5,000+ per day, and yellow school buses for $145–$450+ hourly and $1,520–$3,655 daily. Additionally, shuttle bus rentals range from $155–$450+ per hour and $1,575–$3,500+ daily, depending on your event or trip itinerary. At Charter Bus Iowa City, we pride ourselves on personalized service and providing pricing upfront — so you can compare and book your Iowa City bus rental with confidence!
How Much Does an Iowa City Party Bus Rental Cost?
Iowa City party bus rental pricing varies depending on whether or not your event is on a weekday or weekend. Small party buses (10 to 20 passengers) cost between $200 – $450+ per hour on weekdays, with weekend rates falling between $200 and $470+, or daily rentals ranging from $1,000 to $2,900+. Medium-sized party buses (20 to 40 passengers) start at $200 – $500+ per hour on weekdays, $220 – $500+ an hour on weekends, or daily rates from $1,200 to $3,500+. A large party bus rental (40 to 50 passengers) is priced around $250 – $520+ an hour with daily rentals ranging from $1,500 – $3,900+. You can also book a Mercedes Sprinter party bus for $160 – $400+ an hour on weekdays and $180 – $450+ per hour on weekends, or $1,000 to $3,900+ per day. If you don’t find what you need, just call us!
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Call Now: 319-719-0040What are the Factors Influencing Iowa City Bus Rental Pricing?
Charter Bus Iowa City works with many different bus companies across Iowa, and each provider has slightly different rates. But generally, pricing is determined by whether your group is quoted by the day, hour, or mile based on what kind of travel plan your group has in mind. The price per hour is usually only used for local trips that last several hours. Multi-day trips are more often quoted by the day. And there are also special packages like one-ways, and round trips that we also offer. Again, this all varies depending on many different factors.
Trip Length and Distance
The cost of an Iowa City bus rental will depend on different factors, from where you are traveling and when to the number of passengers you are accommodating and the type of bus you book. One-off trips that are local will usually be priced by the hour, with a minimum of five hours. The more hours your trip requires, the more expensive it will be. Multi-day trips that take your group out of Iowa City are more likely to be priced by the day, with rates adjusted accordingly based on the number of days you need the bus. However, long-distance, one-way trips out of state that require multiple days of travel are more often charged by the mile. If you need shuttle services, your rental price may be adjusted as well. For example, an hourly rate is used for shuttle services around town, but a multi-day rate will likely be used if you need a charter bus to be a shuttle for multiple days.
Time of Year
The timing of when you plan to travel throughout Iowa City can also affect charter bus pricing. Like most states, travel is more popular and in-demand in the warmer months such as April, May, June, September and October. This increased popularity leads to less availability and higher demand, which can increase your rates. Similarly, traveling around the time of a big event in Iowa City such as a Hawkeye game, a University of Iowa graduation ceremony, or a major festival can lead to a price surge due to lowered bus availability. Check your city’s events calendar before booking to ensure you’re avoiding busy seasons and potential price surges, especially if your group is traveling on a tighter budget. When you do have a set budget, let your reservation specialist know when you call to ensure you’re getting the best quote possible.
Location & Vehicle Availability
Another thing that affects the cost of your bus rental is where the bus is coming from, and if that bus needs to drive a long distance to get to your group’s starting point, you may be charged an extra fee called “deadhead.” This mileage accumulates on the driver’s odometer even if you and your group members aren’t there, but at Charter Bus Iowa City, we have buses located across the state so we are able to reduce deadhead costs when booking your trip or event.
Bus Model Type and Passenger Count
When choosing a bus, it can be overwhelming for first-time renters because of the variety of bus types available to choose from. The smallest options available in our network are our mini buses, which are great for small-scale events like airport transfers and shuttle service for weddings. The next type are our party buses, which come with features that are suited for events like birthdays and bachelor/ette parties. For longer trips, especially when transporting large groups or those with special equipment, we recommend the full-size charter buses and motor coaches as they are large enough to accommodate up to 56 passengers, have enough space for luggage, and some even come with onboard restrooms.
There are many other types of charter buses in our network, and your reservation specialist can help you choose the best charter bus rental or mini bus in Iowa City for your group. Your final quote depends on what type of vehicle you rent. Since they offer greater storage space and comfortable features, high-end charter buses will cost more to rent than minibuses or older charter bus models. If you have any questions about which bus type best fits your needs, your reservation specialist will be able to break down each type and its respective features when you call.
Day of Travel
Weekends are typically more expensive than weekdays due to higher demand. In addition to likely paying more per hour on Friday and Saturday, you can expect a higher minimum rental time requirement than on weekdays, which means even short trips will require more time and, therefore, money. Booking a Friday night ride in a city or town where there are lots of weddings, proms and parties, like Miami or Las Vegas, may even cost double, triple or even quadruple for shorter periods like 2 to 3 hours. If you have an event that could be scheduled on a different day of the week, try celebrating on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
Time of Travel
Similar to the prices associated with weekend rentals, the time of day can influence prices as well. If your group can hit the road earlier in the day or during the daytime (before 6 p.m.), it may reduce your total cost. When you aren’t traveling during busy evenings, you could have a lower minimum rental time, such as a minimum of 4 hours instead of 5 hours. Daytime travel also helps ensure that your driver will not need an additional overnight hotel room, cutting down on additional costs at the end of your trip.
Bus Amenities
While standard amenities like WiFi, plush seating, and overhead storage come standard, others like an onboard restroom or TVs and DVD player will vary depending on bus size. Some also include additional upgrades like custom wraparound seats, leather interiors, and fiber-optic lighting to make your trip even more special. Discuss what amenities would enhance your bus rental experience in Iowa City when you call to book, and our team will do our absolute best to find them for you.
Additional Costs
The price of your charter bus rental may not include road tolls, gratuities, or parking fees. When you speak to our 24/7 team to get your instant online quote, be sure to let us know any potential added fees that you should expect to pay during your trip to ensure you aren’t blindsided by additional costs down the road. You may also have to consider paying for overnight accommodations for your bus driver if your trip extends across several days.
Tips for Saving Money on a Bus Rental
It’s always wise to look for ways to save money on a group trip—and it turns out there are many ways to reduce the cost of your trip when you rent a bus. One of the simplest ways is by simply calling in advance. You’ll likely be able to secure a better price if you book your charter bus further in advance, particularly during the months of April, May and June. Try reserving at least 6 months ahead of time if you are traveling during those months. If you are traveling during a slower travel season you should still call at least 3 months ahead to ensure more availability and options at a price point that works for you. Another way to save money is by simply renting the right kind of charter bus or minibus to ensure you aren’t overspending on more seats than you need! Be sure to discuss your budget needs with your reservation specialist. They’ll help you out and do everything they can to find a cost-effective solution without sacrificing comfort for you and your group. Finally, make sure your itinerary is solidified before you book so there won’t be any extra mileage and costs.
Get Pricing in 30-Seconds With Charter Bus Iowa City!
With a variety of charter bus and minibus options, our network of partners will work with you to find the perfect ride for any trip or occasion, like prom or homecoming. Get a personalized, free charter bus quote tailored to your needs by calling the Charter Bus Iowa City team at 319-719-0040 today. We know how important every event can be, so leave the stress of the transportation details to us. Or get an instant quote with live pricing and availability using our online quote tool! It’s that easy!
