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Charter Bus Prices: How Much Does a Santa Monica Bus Rental Cost?
When you rent a charter bus in Santa Monica, the cost will vary depending on your trip details. Factors such as your travel dates, group size, and itinerary will all impact pricing. In general, expect to pay between $170 and $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day for most trips. For an exact quote tailored to your needs, call our team at 424-525-1700 or use our online quote tool! We’ll provide estimates within 30 seconds—no obligation required. Below, we break down the key factors that affect your rental price and provide sample quotes from past customers.
| Vehicle Type | Per Hour* | Per Day* | Per Mile* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56-Passenger Charter Bus | $197 – $519 | $1,600 – $3,800 | $5.00 – $8.00 |
| 50-Passenger Charter Bus | $190 – $500 | $1,500 – $3,600 | $4.50 – $7.50 |
| 40–45-Passenger Charter Bus | $180 – $480 | $1,500 – $3,500 | $4.50 – $7.50 |
| 35-Passenger Minibus | $180 – $475 | $1,500 – $3,400 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
| 30-Passenger Minibus | $180 – $475 | $1,500 – $3,400 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
| 28-Passenger Minibus | $175 – $450 | $1,500 – $3,300 | $4.00 – $7.00 |
| 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 |
| School Bus (-47 pax) | $155 – $450 | $1,520 – $3,655 | $5.00 – $8.95 |
| Entertainer / Sleeper Coach | N/A | $1,900 – $2,500 | $7.00 – $10.50 |
| Mercedes Sprinter Party Bus (10-14) | $160 – $450 | $1,200 – $2,900 | $3.00 – $6.00 |
| Small Party Bus (10-20) | $180 – $470 | $1,200 – $2,900 | $3.00 – $6.00 |
| Mid-Size Party Bus (20-30) | $200 – $500 | $1,200 – $3,500 | $4.00 – $8.00 |
| Large Party Bus (30-50) | $250 – $520 | $1,500 – $3,900 | $4.00 – $8.00 |
*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.
What Affects the Price of a Charter Bus Rental?
The main factors affecting the cost of your Santa Monica charter bus rental are trip duration, distance, group size, and time of year. If your trip is local and only lasts a few hours, like a bachelorette party hopping from Main Street to Downtown LA, you’ll likely be charged hourly. Longer trips spanning several days, such as a weekend excursion to San Diego, usually incur a daily rate. The number of miles you plan to travel will also influence the final price — traveling up the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara costs more than staying within city limits. Group size matters, too. We offer minibuses (15-35 passengers), sprinter vans (10-15), party buses (10-50), and full-size charter buses (40-56). Larger vehicles are more expensive but may be more cost-effective per person if you have a big group. Seasonality can play a role, as well. Spring and summer, with graduations, festivals, and peak tourism, tend to have higher demand and may see increased prices. Booking early helps secure better rates during these busy periods. Onboard amenities such as WiFi, power outlets, restrooms, and extra luggage space can add to the cost, especially if you require premium features for business events or luxury outings. Lastly, if your itinerary requires overnight stays, you’ll need to budget for hotel accommodations for the driver. Don’t forget additional expenses like tolls, parking permits, and tips, which are not included in the initial quote. For a personalized estimate, use our instant online quoting tool or call us at 424-525-1700. We’ll provide a detailed breakdown based on your specific trip needs, ensuring there are no surprises on your bill.
What is included in my quote?
Your quote includes the bus, fuel, mileage, and all taxes and fees associated with the rental. However, it does not cover tolls, parking passes, or hotels for drivers during multi-day trips. For example, parking at the Santa Monica Pier lot for a bus is $45 per day, and downtown event parking can range from $20 to $60 depending on the location and duration. If your trip requires overnight accommodations, you’ll need to reserve a separate hotel room. Tolls along routes like I-405 or CA-1 are also your responsibility. Our team will help identify potential extra costs so you can budget accordingly.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Santa Monica, CA and around California. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Field Trip to the Getty Villa
Ms. Ramirez is organizing an educational field trip for her 4th-grade class of 28 students from a Santa Monica elementary school. They plan to leave campus at 9:00 AM, spend the morning exploring Ancient Greek and Roman art exhibits at the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, enjoy lunch in the museum gardens, and return by 2:30 PM. For this five-hour, round-trip journey, Ms. Ramirez requested a 30-passenger minibus with storage for lunches and backpacks. Her quote came to $1,050 for the day. With 28 students, two teachers, and one chaperone on board, the cost averaged about $35 per person.
Corporate Retreat Shuttle to Malibu
A Santa Monica tech company is hosting a corporate retreat at a beachfront resort in Malibu. They want to provide a comfortable shuttle for 40 employees from their office near Third Street Promenade to the resort, departing at 8:00 AM and returning after dinner at 7:00 PM. The organizer requested a full-size 40-passenger charter bus with WiFi and power outlets for team-building activities en route. Factoring in an 11-hour rental and round-trip mileage on PCH, the total quote was $2,700. This breaks down to $67.50 per employee for seamless transportation and onboard productivity.
Wedding Guest Transportation in Downtown LA
Samantha is planning her wedding at a popular venue in Downtown Los Angeles but wants to keep her 80 guests safe and stress-free by shuttling them from two Santa Monica hotels. She schedules two 56-passenger charter buses to make continuous loops between the hotels and venue from 3:00 PM until midnight. The total service time is nine hours, including wait times between trips. After factoring in the bus rental, mileage, and late-night hours, Samantha received a quote of $5,600 for both buses. Splitting the cost with her partner, they ensured their guests could celebrate without worrying about traffic or parking.
UCLA Football Game Day Shuttle
Diego and his friends are die-hard Bruins fans who never miss a home game at the Rose Bowl. This season, they decide to upgrade their experience by renting a 20-passenger party bus for transportation from Santa Monica to Pasadena. Their itinerary includes a noon departure, tailgating in the stadium lot before the 4:00 PM kickoff, and a ride back after the game ends around 8:00 PM. The group requests a party bus with a sound system and coolers for refreshments. The quote for this eight-hour Saturday rental is $2,400. Divided among 18 friends, each pays just $133 for a fun, hassle-free game day round trip.
