Party & Charter Bus Prices: How to Calculate Your Indianapolis Bus Rental Costs

The cost of renting a party bus or charter bus is entirely dependent on your unique trip details. Factors like passenger count, number of stops, mileage, route, and more will determine your total rental price. Not to worry though — we make it easy to compare pricing and availability for vehicles that accommodate your group size. Whether you need a party bus for a bachelorette bash or a charter bus for a corporate event, our extensive fleet offers the perfect transportation option. Our professional team can promptly provide a customized quote tailored to your specific requirements in just 30 seconds – or you can use our online booking tool 24/7! Call 317-229-6481 or visit our website to receive an instant price estimate and start planning your next group adventure. With our streamlined process, it’s easier than ever to find the ideal bus rental to fit your unique needs and budget.

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

Hourly Rates
Vehicles	Hourly Minium Prices
Limousines
6 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-265 per hour
8 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-265 per hour
10 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-265 per hour
14 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-285 per hour
16 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-335 per hour
18 Passenger Limousine	$ 155-335 per hour
20 Passenger Limousine	$ 200-335 per hour
Coach Buses
18 Passenger Mini Bus	$155-300 per hour
20 Passenger Minibus	$155-300 per hour
25 Passenger Mini Bus	$155-320 per hour
50 Passenger Coach Bus	$195-400 per hour
56 Passenger Charter Bus	$195-400 per hour
School Bus Rental	$185-350 per hour
Party Limo Buses
14 Passenger Sprinter Party Bus	$185-355 per hour
15 Passenger Party Bus	$185-355 per hour
20 Passenger Party Bus	$235-355 per hour
30 Passenger Party Bus	$295-400 per hour
35 Passenger Party Bus	$295-400 per hour
40 Passenger Party Bus	$295-440 per hour
50 Passenger Party Bus	$300-500 per hour

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 Your Cost

The cost of renting a bus depends on several key factors. These include the number of passengers, mileage and route, duration of the rental, amenities and features, and more. We take all of these details into account when providing you with a custom price quote for your group’s needs. Our goal is to make the process easy and transparent. Simply provide us with your trip details and we’ll match you with the perfect vehicle at a competitive price. Keep reading to learn more about how each of these factors contributes to your overall bus rental cost.

Distance and Duration

When preparing your quote, our representatives first consider the pickup and drop off times and locations to determine total trip duration and mileage. Buses are rented hourly, daily, or by mileage depending on your itinerary. Local trips within Indianapolis typically charge by the hour with a minimum requirement. Multi-day trips like conferences or music festivals charge a flat daily rate since the bus remains with your group. Cross-state trips to Chicago, Cincinnati, or Louisville bill by mileage to account for significant ground covered. Whatever your plans may be, our exceptional team accommodate last-minute stops and are flexible if schedules change. Just know additional mileage will incur further costs if substantially beyond original trip parameters we quoted.

When You Take Your Trip

Indianapolis charter bus prices fluctuate based on the local events calendar. Rates typically peak from March through June when demand jumps for NCAA tournaments, the Indy 500, high school proms, and graduations. Expect higher quotes during Colts home games, when students return in August, and for events like Gen Con and the State Fair. Conversely, January through February and November to early December are slower tourism months, making these months more budget-friendly for renting a bus. Savvy planners aim to reserve vehicles at least 90 days out and steer clear of blocks for major conventions and sports playoffs when possible. Tracking the schedules for IHSAA tournaments, Pacers games, FFA conventions, and large concerts can help you strategically book transport during lower-demand windows in Indy’s seasonal calendar.

Where Your Trip Starts and Finishes

The availability of charter buses differs across cities and suburbs. Major metro areas like Indianapolis typically have more buses due to higher demand from larger populations. However, narrow one-way streets or limited parking in some big cities can restrict access. Smaller suburbs may have fewer buses if demand is lower. We have vehicles stationed across Indiana so we can serve every city and town. But the starting point for your trip still impacts your quote because of “deadhead” – the miles our bus logs traveling to your group with no passengers on board. For example, a one-way trip from Fort Wayne to Bloomington is 120 miles. The deadhead cost from our Indianapolis depot to Fort Wayne would be added to your quote. Supply and deadhead are why your start and end points matter when calculating your rental price.

The Size of Your Group

The type of bus is a major factor when determining your Indianapolis bus rental’s price – larger, high-end buses typically cost more. We offer standard charter buses, compact minibuses, luxurious party buses, specialized entertainer coaches, and classic school buses. Luxury rentals like party buses, fitted with flat-screen TVs, sound systems, and fiber optic lighting, come closer in price to charter buses. Entertainer buses – outfitted like traveling apartments – command premium prices due to their amenities. School buses typically offer the most budget-friendly rates, but lack features like restrooms, AC, or storage space. Unsure which bus suits your needs? We can help you make the perfect choice, just call.

How to Keep Costs Down

Book early—3-6 months out—to get the best rates. Consider per person costs; splitting total cost makes bus affordable. Finalize passenger count so you don’t pay for unused seats or require a larger, pricier vehicle. Schedule during quiet months like December-February to find lowest fares. Avoid major events like races and conventions when demand spikes prices. Steer clear of routes requiring tolls or parking fees. Stadium vicinity parking raises costs; have attendees meet at a free lot and provide transport. Careful planning ensures ideal vehicle at great value.

Get You Quote in Just Seconds

Getting a fast quote for bus rentals is easy with Indianapolis Party Bus Company—simply call 317-229-6481 or use our online booking tool to receive an instant price estimate tailored to your group’s specific needs. Specify the date, start and end locations, passenger count, and any special amenities you require. Within seconds our system will crunch the numbers and provide a quote for your review. Prefer to speak with a live booking agent? No problem, our experts are standing by 7 days a week to walk through options and provide a custom quote over the phone. We know booking transportation for large groups can feel overwhelming. Let our simple quoting process take the stress out of event planning. With pricing at your fingertips, you can easily compare vehicles, weigh costs and extras, and reserve your ideal bus hassle-free.

Sample Trip Quotes

To give you a ballpark idea, here are some sample quotes for requests we’ve gotten from our customers:

Example #1:

A group of 30 fifth grade students from Washington Township Elementary School in Indianapolis is planning a field trip to tour the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. The school rents a charter bus for the day to transport the students and chaperones. The charter bus rental costs $350 per hour. The bus picks up the group at 8 AM in Indianapolis and drops them off back at the school at 5 PM after the campus tour. That is 9 hours total. At $350 per hour, the total cost comes out to $3,150. The school tips the charter bus team 10% for good service. That tip equals $315. So the grand total for the campus tour transportation by charter bus is $3,465.

Example #2:

A large technology company based in Indianapolis wants to host an off-site team building event for 75 employees. They decide to charter two 40-passenger buses to transport attendees to and from a full-day retreat at a conference center outside the city. The total cost for the bus rentals is $350 per hour. They require transportation for 2 hours in the morning to bring employees from the office to the retreat venue, as well as 2 return hours in the evening back to the office. In total, they charter the buses for 8 hours for the day. At $350 per bus per hour, their total comes out to $5,600 for reliable, comfortable transportation equipping with WiFi and entertainment systems. They add an 18% tip for our team. The cost per employee ends up being under $100 for a productive day of team building and networking with co-workers.

Example #3:

The head coach of a prominent high school football team in Indianapolis wants to take his players on a weekend trip to tour Purdue University and watch them play Michigan State. He books a 30 passenger party bus for the 2.5 hour drive up to West Lafayette. The total rental time is 14 hours – from 6 AM Saturday morning until 8 PM that evening. At a rate of $250 per hour, the total cost comes out to $3,500. They also decide to pay extra for a professional chauffeur to drive the bus both ways. With the chauffeur tips and fees, the total cost rises to $4,100. The 50 person travel party of players, coaches, parents enjoy premium leather seats, TVs, WiFi and a bathroom on board the ride up. Everyone has a great time at the game and exploring campus. On the return ride, the coaches replay game footage and talk strategy with players. It’s a rewarding team bonding experience for $82 per traveler.

Example #4:

A group of 10 friends from Indianapolis decide to rent a party bus for a bachelorette celebration. They find a company that offers 14-passenger party buses for $250 per hour, with a 4-hour minimum. For their Saturday during the day, they reserve the bus from 10am-6pm, for 8 hours total. At $250 per hour, their base cost is $2,000. The bus includes amenities like a sound system, lights, leather seats, and even a dance pole. Our team will shuttle them between brunch, a wine tasting, shopping at the boutiques in Broad Ripple, and dinner at an upscale restaurant downtown. The bus company requires a 20% deposit to secure the reservation. So when the bridesmaid in charge books it, her credit card is charged $400 upfront. The remaining balance of $1,600 will be due at the end of the rental period via credit card, plus any overtime charges if they go over 8 hours and gratuity for the team.

Example #5:

A bride and groom are getting married in downtown Indianapolis and having their reception at a historic venue. They expect 150 guests and want to arrange transportation between the hotel, ceremony, and reception. They decide to rent a 30-passenger charter bus for the day. The bus picks up guests from the downtown hotel starting at 2 PM and takes them to the ceremony venue, then transports everyone to the cocktail hour and reception, making continuous loops as needed. They book the bus for 6 hours at a rate of $250 per hour, totaling $1,500. After the reception ends at midnight, the charter bus takes guests back to the hotel, with the last drop-off at 1 AM. They add an extra hour of service for $250. With optional 20% gratuity, the total for their Indianapolis charter bus rental comes to $2,100. Having reliable transportation allows all their guests to enjoy the full wedding day. The bride and groom are thrilled with the service and think the cost is reasonable to treat their guests to a wonderful wedding experience.