Charter Bus Prices in Chicago

Here are some estimated price ranges to get you started planning your budget:

Bus Types	Per Hour	Per Day	Per Mile
56-Passenger Charter Bus	$184 – $382	$1,319 – $3,663	$3.08 – $5.94
25-Passenger Minibus	$177 – $321	$1,271 – $3,573	$3.33 – $5.11
20-Passenger Minibus	$170 – $319	$1,220 – $3,451	$3.21 – $5.11
18-Passenger Minibus	$162 – $314	$1,213 – $3,447	$3.99 – $5.96

The pricing listed above are just estimated rates and can vary significantly based due to COVID, inflation, and availability. To get more accurate pricing based on your trip, please give us a call and we’ll get you a quote right over the phone.

How We Calculate the Price of Your Rental

Calculating the total price of your charter bus rental depends on several key factors. To arrive at an accurate quote, we take into account the duration of your trip, the dates you’ll be traveling, your starting point and final destination, the route you select, and the size and style of vehicle you need. By looking at each of these variables individually, we’re able to provide you with a personalized quote that fits your unique trip requirements. Rest assured our team finds solutions to keep your charter costs reasonable. Read on to learn more about how each factor impacts your overall rental quote.

Factor 1: The Distance and Duration of your Trip

When we’re calculating your Chicago charter bus rental quote, the first thing we look at is how far and how long you’ll be traveling with us. Be ready to provide the pickup location, drop off location, and the times you need to be at each. Buses can be rented hourly, daily, or by mileage depending on your trip specifics. For travel within the city limits where our buses are stationed, we typically charge hourly rates. We’re happy to work with you on minimum hour requirements too. For trips over multiple days and covering some distance, the rate is usually daily or per mile. If your crew needs local transportation over a few days, like for a conference or festival, we’ll likely quote you a daily rate. We know trip details can change last minute. While we ask that you avoid altering plans when possible, our team may be amenable to taking unplanned detours. Even if you’ve paid upfront, any extra mileage outside the original plan will be billed. Alright, so that covers how distance and duration factor into your Chicago charter bus rental quote. Next we’ll look at how the time of year impacts pricing.

Factor 2: The Time of Year You’re Traveling

The time of year plays a major role in charter bus rental pricing here in Chicago. During the busy spring season from April through June, rates surge due to high demand for graduations, school field trips, proms, and early summer vacations. Locally, prom season kicks off in late April and extends through mid-May, filling many weekend routes. The Cubs, Sox, Bulls, and Bears seasons also drive up prices on game days. August is expensive too thanks to Lollapalooza. To get the best rates, aim for a winter or early spring trip in January, February or March when demand dips along with the temperatures. For summer, late July and August before the kids go back to school offer some deals once prom season and graduations wrap up. No matter when you book, reserve your bus at least 2-3 months ahead to lock in the lowest price. Rates fluctuate with demand, and buses fill up fast when thousands of events pack the calendar. Plan in advance for the best rates on your Chicago bus rental.

Factor 3: Your Starting City & Drop Off Location

Where your group is coming from and where you’re headed plays a big role in determining your charter bus rental rate. Bus availability and demand varies a lot between cities. Major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Rockford, and Joliet have tons of buses and lots of companies offering rentals, so there’s ample supply to meet the high demand. Meanwhile, smaller cities and suburbs may have fewer charter bus companies operating, meaning limited supply. If supply is low when your group needs a rental, costs go up. There’s also the issue of deadhead to consider – that’s the mileage from our HQ to your pickup spot while the bus is empty. The farther your starting point is from us, the more deadhead costs add up. For example, a trip from Rockford to Chicago is around 75 miles one-way. So 150 miles of empty bus driving gets tacked onto your total mileage. Always provide exact pickup and dropoff addresses when booking so we can calculate precise deadhead costs. The good news is that no matter what city or suburb you’re starting and ending in within Illinois, we have buses and options to accommodate your group’s trip!

Factor 4: The Type of Bus You Select

When calculating your charter bus rental price, the type of vehicle you choose makes a big difference. We offer standard motorcoaches, minibuses, party buses, entertainer coaches, and school buses to meet the needs of any group. Our 56-passenger standard coaches are ideal for long distance trips and large groups. With amenities like restrooms, luggage bays, power outlets, DVD players, and reclining seats, you’ll ride in comfort and style. For smaller groups, our minibuses seat 14-32 passengers. Minibuses offer a more affordable option for quick jaunts across town or state lines when you don’t need all the bells and whistles. Party buses combine the smaller size of a minibus with entertainment features like lighting, sound systems, and flat screens to get your crew pumped up. If you’re a band on tour or a celebrity with an entourage, our entertainer coaches are rolling five-star hotels ready to meet your needs. And for simplicity and savings, school buses get the job done. Evaluate your passenger count, trip duration, amenities required, and budget to select the best bus for you. Getting group rates requires some strategic planning, but we make it easy to get an instant quote online for any vehicle in our diverse fleet. Let our charter bus experts walk you through the options to find the optimal bus for your next big excursion.

Tips for Keeping Costs Down

Looking to save a few bucks on your Chicago charter bus rental? We get it – every dollar counts when planning group transportation. The Windy City offers so many incredible sights and sounds, you’ll want to maximize your time and budget. The key is avoiding common pitfalls that can drive up your quote. For starters, stay clear of April through June. With concerts, sports events, and festivals galore, bus demand skyrockets during these months. You’ll save a bundle by booking your rental in the off-season instead. The same goes for navigating around major stadiums on game days. If possible, map out routes avoiding Wrigley Field, Guaranteed Rate Field, Soldier Field, and the United Center when the Cubs, Sox, Bears, or Bulls are playing. Parking costs a pretty penny in those areas. Finally, outline your complete itinerary ahead of time. Any unplanned mileage or time extensions can add unexpected charges. Follow these tips and you’ll keep more green in your wallet. Ready to get a personalized quote and start planning your Windy City bus adventure? Call our team anytime. We’ll map out an affordable trip that hits all the hot spots without breaking the bank.

Get Instant Online Quotes

Getting a quick quote for your next charter bus rental doesn’t have to be a hassle. With Charter Bus Company Chicago, you can easily get instant online quotes right from our website. Our intuitive quote generator allows you to input details like passenger count, pickup location, destination, and travel dates. Within seconds, you’ll have a custom quote tailored to your unique trip. And if you have any questions, our team is standing by to walk you through the quoting process. We want to make getting a charter bus quote as quick and painless as possible. Because at Charter Bus Company Chicago, we know you’ve got better things to do than wait around for a price. Get your instant quote today by calling 331-212-8002 or booking online in just a few clicks.