Carmel 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 |
Carmel 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 1-317-688-8230 or use our online quote tool.
How Much Does a Carmel Charter Bus Rental Cost?
Charter bus rentals are an excellent choice for group transportation around Carmel and its neighboring cities. From quick day trips down the street in Westfield and Zionsville to long journeys to points further off like the big cities in Indianapolis and Cincinnati, OH. Our charter buses come in a wide array of options.
Our 50– to 56-passenger, full-size charter buses cost anywhere between $180 and $500+ for smaller trips, such as a wedding shuttle between the ceremony and reception or corporate event transportation. Our 40- to 50-passenger charter buses will be in a similar price range at $170 to $480+. For day trips and other shorter outings, the 25– to 35-passenger and 20– to 24-passenger minibuses are typically $150 to $450+ and $150 to $440+, respectively. Our 15– to 18-passenger minibuses have similar pricing and cost $150 to $430+. Entertainer coach rentals for performers and film production crews are $315 to $550+, while our yellow school buses and shuttle buses are generally in the same pricing ballpark at $145 to $450+ and $155 to $450+, respectively.
How Much Does a Carmel Party Bus Rental Cost?
If your trip is more of a party than just getting from point A to point B, a party bus is the perfect upgrade for transporting groups all across Carmel and the surrounding areas. Our small party bus rentals that fit 10–20 people are between $200 and $470+ and ideal for bachelor and bachelorette celebrations, birthdays, and other festive get-togethers. Our medium party buses that fit 20–40 passengers will be slightly more at $220 to $500+. Our large, 40- to 50-passenger models cost between $240 and $520+.
For groups that prefer maximum luxury or need more flexible pick-up locations in narrower side streets, a Mercedes Sprinter party bus is ideal for groups up to 20. These cost anywhere from $180 to $450+ and have a modern feel. It’s party time, so why not do it in style?
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Call Now: 317-688-8230What are the Factors Influencing Carmel Bus Rental Pricing?
Bus rental pricing is different for every situation and determined by several factors. From the type of bus and whether it’s going on a long or short trip to the time of year you’re traveling and where the trip will begin and end, these various elements will have an impact on the pricing for your Carmel bus rental. Below we outline the main factors that impact your rental pricing overall to help you prepare for an effective and budget-friendly group trip.
Distance and Trip Duration
The distance and duration of your rental will strongly influence the price quoted. Trips around Carmel or longer distances to Anderson or Terre Haute for a few hours will be charged on an hourly basis, while bookings for days will be charged for the day. If your group is headed on a multi-day excursion along I-65 to visit Indianapolis or further south for the Kentucky Derby, the rate will be per day. Any changes or adjustments to the duration of trip will also have an impact on pricing — if you have to add a last-minute pick-up location in Greenwood, make sure to notify your reservation specialist and give them the address information. That way, there are no last minute changes to itinerary details or surprise additions to the final bus rental in Lafayette bill.
Time of Year
Bus rental prices change with time of year, like flights and hotels. They are cheaper during the winter months and more expensive in summer, due to higher demand and more usage of buses for weddings, schools, and other special event transportation. We recommend booking your bus rental at least three to six months prior to your trip, and avoid booking buses in April, May and June, as these tend to be extremely popular months for weddings, holidays, school dances, and more.
Your Starting Point
If you’re asking for a bus rental in a city different from your departure location, you will be charged for the distance between the location of the bus and where your first pick-up location is scheduled to be. This is known as deadhead mileage. To minimize deadhead mileage and lower costs, having your charter bus rental stationed in or near Carmel to align with a trip to Fishers or Anderson is always the preferred pick-up point.
Additional Travel Fees
Most quotes do not take into account travel fees such as tolls or parking fees since these tend to be unplanned or arise at the last minute. However, if you do know your trip will have any parking or tolls, make sure to add this information when starting your quote process, so this gets incorporated. If a toll road or other travel fee appears on your trip itinerary unexpectedly, make sure to pay for it as it arises—like when you have to cross a toll bridge or pay for bus parking at large venues.
Driver Costs
In addition to the cost of the bus rental itself, also take into account the cost of a driver. Bus drivers are often an extra cost you pay separately, and they should be tipped for their services. Although most drivers work standard hours, they are often willing to accommodate special requests and last-minute schedule changes, and you’ll be charged for overtime when that happens.
Hotel Costs for Drivers
For multi-day or overnight trips, your driver may be required to stay in a hotel per federal regulations, so add this cost in advance during the reservation process. There are two strategies to reduce or eliminate this cost. First, if your group is traveling between two hotels, ask the front desk about extending an extra room for the driver. Many would rather offer a free or reduced rate to avoid bus drivers taking up overnight parking spots.
If you know your group is going to spend the night at a hotel, reach out to the hotel to ask if they would offer your driver a room for free rather than paying for additional bus parking. As hotel parking spots are highly sought after, they’re more likely to make that trade. In the meantime, ask if they offer a discounted rate. It couldn’t hurt to try, and in our experience, more hotels than you’d think are happy to work with you here.
The Type of Bus
From small, 15-passenger minibuses and compact sprinter vans to large, luxury coaches and school buses, the cost of your trip will depend on how many passengers need to be carried and the vehicle chosen. If you’re unsure about what kind of bus to choose, contact our reservations team and they’ll be happy to walk you through the different types of buses available for your next group outing. They can offer recommendations on models that are both suitable to your needs and budget.
Passenger Count
How much you pay per person will depend on the size of the bus and the number of passengers in your party. In other words, renting a 50-passenger charter bus for 15 people is a waste of your money — and a higher per person cost in the end — so you may want to consider a smaller 15- or 18-passenger minibus instead if you hope to keep costs down. Similarly, there’s usually no value in renting two 15-passenger minibuses if your trip is longer than a few hours‐since you double your dead head mileage. In this case it’s better to rent a 35-passgenger model. Booking a 35-passenger model also ensures that more or less everyone has their own shuttle bus rentals seat, with even more space if a few people can’t make it, rather than cramming guests.
Cost-Saving Tips to Save on Your Carmel, Indiana Bus Trip
Now that you are more familiar with the factors influencing Carmel bus rental pricing, here are a few ways to save some cash on your upcoming trip!
Build a Detailed Itinerary: Providing as much information upfront can help minimize or even eliminate surprise costs. Giving start and end times, pick up and drop-off locations, and total number of guests can give you an extremely accurate estimate of how much your bus rental will cost.
Book During the Off-Season: This is best practice for pretty much all travel, but if your trip timing isn’t rigid, consider traveling during the off-season to reduce costs. Avoid months with popular holidays or events where possible. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, some of the more expensive months to travel in will be April, May, June, and October.
Reduce Deadhead Mileage: As previously mentioned, you’ll want to minimize the distance between the location of the bus and your first pick-up point if you hope to save some dollars.
Choose the Right Bus: Consider your total charter bus rental trip length, passenger count, and the available amenities to help determine what bus will be the most cost effective for you. If you’re taking a shorter trip across town you probably won’t need onboard bathrooms or premium, plush seating, and opting for a more basic bus can help with costs. Similarly, if you’re transporting a smaller group that needs to reach the airport or another location for the weekend with luggage, you may prefer a sprinter van.
By doing the above, you can save money on your Carmel bus rental.
Ready To Take Your Carmel, Indiana Group Trip to the Next Level?
Now that you’re an expert on Carmel bus rental pricing, give us a call and hit the road! Bus Rental Company Carmel has a dedicated reservations team that’s prepared to help you sort through our inventory of available Carmel bus rentals and make your trip easy on every last detail, from suggesting amenities that will keep your guests comfortable and entertained on long hauls—like a Noblesville minibus rental—to calculating mileage totals between your pick-up/drop-off locations in town and to places across the state—such as Cincinnati, OH, Bloomington and more.
If your group is in an area outside of Carmel, we can provide transport as well. Our vast network of transport options includes a bus rental in Lafayette as well as transportation in all Indiana regions. Contact us at 317-688-8230 for custom quote on your next group outing in a charter bus rental or minibus from Noblesville.
