A guide to renting a charter bus for a weekend getaway
A weekend trip requires a lot of planning. Group trips need a lot of work and organization, from the itinerary to bringing everyone together. Proper planning is essential to make sure everyone has a great time.
Often group travel means people getting divided to ride in different cars for traveling. This increases the confusion and can be frustrating when everyone arrives at different times making the itinerary go off schedule.

A charter bus rental is a perfect solution for your next weekend getaway. Using this solution, everyone can ride to the destination together without dealing with the usual hassles of transportation.

Below is some information about charter bus rentals to help you understand its basics.

How much does it cost to rent a charter bus?
Renting a charter bus for a weekend might sound expensive; however, it is actually a cost-effective way to travel with a group. It is important to determine what is your budget before calling any bus rental companies. Bus rental costs aren’t one price for all. Various factors play a role in determining the overall costs. Factors that play a role in the bus rental costs include the bus model, the season, the trip duration, etc.

• Charter bus – A charter bus costs approximately $125 to $180 per hour, around $1300 to $1700 per day, and about $4.00 to $5.50 per mile.
• Minibus – A minibus costs approximately $125 to $160 per hour, around $1200 to $1500 per day, and about $4.00 to $5.50 per mile.
• Entertainer bus – A entertainer bus costs around $9300 to $2500 per day and about $7.00 to $8.50 per mile.

How to pick a charter bus model?
Whether the number of people in your group is 10 or a 100+, you have a range of options to choose from. Before you call a charter bus rental service, it is ideal to have an idea about what kind of charter bus fits your group’s needs and requirements. The charter bus options include:

• Minibus – A minibus is perfect for small groups traveling short distances around the town. They work perfectly as a shuttle service for corporate events, weddings, and any other large-scale events. Minibuses come in various sizes, from 18 passengers to 35 passengers, making it simple and easy to accommodate groups of any size. These buses may come with amenities, such as a PA system, reclining seats, TVs monitors, WiFi, power outlets, and more, to make your ride enjoyable as well as comfortable.
• Charter bus – A charter bus rental is better for large groups traveling long distances like across the state lines. These buses are the most spacious option, they can comfortably accommodate up to 56 passengers. As a charter bus rental offers more space, it is the best option for luggage storage with a storage bay below the bus as well as storage bins above the seats. Also known as motorcoaches, these buses come with a wide range of amenities like air conditioning, reclining seats, flat screen TVs, WiFi, power outlets, and more.

Is having an itinerary essential?

• An itinerary is one of the most important factors when planning a trip and completing it comfortably.
• Before calling a charter bus rental service, you will need to have your complete itinerary ready to book a bus.
• The itinerary must comprise the dates of your trip, your departure and arrival times, and your desired destinations.
• If you do not know how to create an itinerary or just don’t have enough time, many charter bus rental agencies have reservation specialist who can build one for you. The reservation specialists are well-versed with building a perfect itinerary.

What are some important tips for renting a bus?

Every trip is unique and different in its own way; however, every trip needs one important thing, reliable and efficient transportation.

• Request the bus rental service to show their insurance certificates. If a coach bus company is authorized to provide interstate service, then the minimum liability coverage should approximately $5 million.
• Ensure that you look for a proof that the motorcoach you have chosen to ride has passed a mechanical inspection in the past one year. Nothing can ruin a trip quicker than faulty equipment. Most of the states in the country issue decals that certify passage.
• Verify that the bus driver has a valid, a current commercial driver’s license (CDL). A CDL is not a regular driver’s license, and it requires extra knowledge to earn it. Certain motorcoach companies have drivers that are not in compliance, and worse, sometimes do not have proper training and experience driving charter buses.
• Consult the rental service about providing additional drivers and driver switches. For safety reasons, drivers are not supposed to operate a coach bus for more than 10 hours a day. Thus, the charter bus rental service can help you plan your trip accordingly.