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Charter Bus Prices in Columbia

Curious about charter bus prices in Columbia? You’re not alone! With so many factors influencing the final cost—such as the type of bus, the length of your trip, and even the time of year—it can be tough to know exactly how much you’ll pay without speaking to a reservation expert first. Luckily, the Charter Bus Rental Columbia team is available 24/7 to provide you with a fast and accurate bus rental quote tailored to your specific trip details! Just give us a call at 839-288-0930 and we’ll get you set up with a personalized estimate in minutes.

In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about Columbia bus rental pricing, including what goes into your quote and how you can get an idea of your own transportation costs ahead of time.

Vehicle Type Per Hour* Per Day* Per Mile*
56-Passenger Coach Bus $197 – $519 $1,600 – $3,800 $5.00 – $8.00
25-Passenger Minibus $165 – $428 $1,300 – $3,200 $4.00 – $7.00
20-Passenger Minibus $157 – $414 $1,300 – $3,100 $4.00 – $7.00
18-Passenger Minibus $145 – $404 $1,300 – $3,000 $4.00 – $7.00

*Prices vary and fluctuate with fuel costs, holidays, and availability. Booking early usually secures the lowest rate. For exact pricing, please call our reservations team.

How Much Does a Charter Bus Rental Cost in Columbia?

Charter bus rental prices in Columbia typically range from $1,200 to $3,000+ for a one-day, local trip, with longer or multi-day trips costing more. Most companies charge by the hour for short, local service (anywhere from $150 to $450 per hour depending on vehicle size) and by the mile or day for longer-distance or multi-day charters. Per-mile rates often fall between $5 and $9, while daily rates can run $1,800–$3,400 or more for a full-size motorcoach.

Smaller vehicles like minibuses cost less—often $1,200–$2,500 per day or $450–$650 per hour—but offer fewer seats and amenities. The best way to get an accurate price is to call 839-288-0930 with your trip details. We’ll quickly build a quote that covers everything from tolls to driver lodging, so you know exactly what to budget.

What Factors Influence Charter Bus Rental Pricing in Columbia?

Several key factors affect the cost of renting a charter bus in Columbia:

  • Type and Size of Bus: Larger vehicles (like 56-passenger motorcoaches) cost more than smaller ones (like 18- or 25-passenger minibuses). Specialty vehicles—party buses, entertainer coaches—carry premium rates.
  • Trip Duration and Distance: Local trips are billed hourly; out-of-town or multi-day trips go by mileage or daily rate. Longer trips mean higher totals.
  • Time of Year: Spring and fall are peak seasons due to school and sports travel. Summer and winter holidays can also see higher rates.
  • Pickup Location: If your trip starts far from the operator’s garage, you’ll pay extra for “deadhead” mileage.
  • Itinerary Complexity: Multiple stops, tight schedules, or routes through congested areas (like downtown or Five Points) can increase costs.
  • Additional Fees: Tolls, parking, driver lodging (for overnight trips), and gratuity (typically 10–20%) may be added.
  • Onboard Amenities: Buses with Wi-Fi, power outlets, DVD systems, or leather seating may cost more.

Sample Trip Pricing Examples

To help you understand how much your Columbia bus rental might cost, here are some real-world examples of trips we’ve booked and their corresponding price breakdowns. Keep in mind that these are just estimates, and your actual quote may vary based on your specific needs and itinerary.

Example #1

18 passenger minibus rental

Trip Details: A middle school is taking 100 students and 10 teachers from their campus in Lexington to the South Carolina State Museum for a field trip. The museum is about 15 miles away, and they’ll spend 4 hours there before returning.

Buses Needed: 2 full-size charter buses (56 seats each)

Total Hours: 1 hour to the museum + 4 hours at the museum + 1 hour back = 6 hours

Estimated Cost: 2 buses x 6 hours x $300/hour = $3,600

Notes: This price includes all mileage, driver fees, and standard amenities like A/C and reclining seats. Parking at the museum is free for buses.

Example #2

56 passenger charter bus

Trip Details: A University of South Carolina club sports team needs transportation for 20 players and 2 coaches to an away game in Atlanta. They’ll leave Friday afternoon, play Saturday, and return Sunday morning. The total distance is about 215 miles each way.

Bus Needed: 1 minibus (25 seats)

Total Miles: 215 miles x 2 = 430 miles

Total Days: 3 days

Estimated Cost: 3 days x $2,000/day = $6,000

Additional Fees: Driver hotel ($150/night x 2 nights = $300), tolls ($50), parking ($40)

Total Cost: $6,000 + $300 + $50 + $40 = $6,390

Notes: The driver’s hotel is required by law for rest breaks. The team requested luggage storage and Wi-Fi, which are included.

Example #3

56 passenger coach bus

Trip Details: A couple is getting married at a venue in downtown Columbia and wants to provide guests with a shuttle service from a nearby hotel. The venue is 5 miles from the hotel, and the shuttle will run back and forth for 5 hours during the reception.

Bus Needed: 1 minibus (20 seats)

Total Hours: 5 hours

Estimated Cost: 5 hours x $250/hour = $1,250

Notes: This is a common setup for weddings, and the continuous loop keeps guests safe and on schedule.

Example #4

18 passenger minibus

Trip Details: A local business is hosting a corporate event at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and needs to transport 80 employees from their office in Northeast Columbia to the venue. The event will last all day, and the company wants the buses to stay on-site for the return trip.

Buses Needed: 2 full-size charter buses (40 employees per bus)

Total Hours: 8-hour day

Estimated Cost: 2 buses x 8 hours x $300/hour = $4,800

Example #5

20 passenger minibus

Trip Details: A church group is planning a weekend retreat to Myrtle Beach, which is about 150 miles from Columbia. They’ll leave Friday evening, stay two nights, and return Sunday afternoon.

Bus Needed: 1 charter bus (56 seats)

Total Miles: 150 miles x 2 = 300 miles

Total Days: 3 days

Estimated Cost: 3 days x $2,800/day = $8,400

Additional Fees: Driver hotel ($200/night x 2 = $400), parking ($60)

Total Cost: $8,400 + $400 + $60 = $8,860

Example #6

25 passenger minibus

Trip Details: A corporate group of 30 people needs a one-way transfer from downtown Columbia to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) for an early morning flight.

Bus Needed: 1 minibus (30 seats)

Total Hours: 1-hour trip

Estimated Cost: 1 hour x $250/hour = $250

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