Des Moines 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 |
Des Moines 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 515-301-1200 or use our online quote tool.
How Much Does a Des Moines Charter Bus Rental Cost?
In Des Moines, charter bus rental prices will fluctuate based on the specific type and size of the vehicle needed for your journey. A full-size 50 to 56 passenger charter bus is priced between $180 and $500+ per hour, while a more compact 40 to 50 passenger charter bus might cost from $170 to $480+ per hour. For smaller groups, a 25 to 35 passenger minibus is available from $150 to $450+, and a 20 to 24 passenger minibus from $150 to $440+. Our smallest minibus rental fitting 15 to 18 people costs between $150 and $430+ hourly. For travel groups needing premium amenities, entertainer coaches run from $315 to $550+, and we even have school bus ($145–$450+) and shuttle bus ($155–$450+) options available.
How Much Does a Des Moines Party Bus Rental Cost?
Celebrations in Des Moines get a major upgrade with a party bus, and costs vary based on the bus size and day of the week. For a small party bus that fits 10 to 20 passengers, you can expect prices to be around $200 to $470+ per hour. A medium party bus fitting 20 to 40 people will run from $220 to $500+ an hour. And for those large-scale celebrations, like a big outing to the Iowa State Fair, a large party bus for 40 to 50 passengers costs between $240 to $520+ per hour. For a more luxe, intimate vibe, a Mercedes Sprinter party bus is a great option, with hourly rates of $180 to $450+.
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Call Now: 515-301-1200What Factors Influence Des Moines Charter Bus Rental Pricing?
Bus Rental Company Des Moines works with a statewide network of companies, and each has slightly different rates. However, pricing is generally determined by how you’re quoted—either by the day, hour, or mile—based on the details of your itinerary. For example, local trips in Des Moines are typically billed hourly, while multi-day excursions are quoted daily. This can all change based on several other factors, including the type of bus you book, the time of year you travel, and where your trip starts and ends. Below, our team will delve into each one of these factors to better explain how your quote comes together.
How Trip Distance and Duration Affects Bus Rental Costs
Bus rentals in Des Moines are priced hourly, daily, or by the mile, depending on the specifics of your itinerary. If you’re planning a trip that stays within the Des Moines metro area, like a shuttle service for a wedding at The Tea Room, your rental will likely be priced a five-hour minimum. Day-long or multi-day events, such as transportation for a business convention at the Iowa Events Center or a school field trip to an out-of-town tournament, are usually charged by the day. And if you’re embarking on a one-way, long-distance trip, we’ll generally work with you on a price by the mile! So for the best price, have a complete list of addresses ready when you book.
How the Time of Year Affects Your Bus Rental Pricing
Seasonality is one of the biggest factors when it comes to the price of your Des Moines bus rental. In months with high demand, charter bus prices can be at their highest. Busier months like April, May, and June are when we see the most requests for transportation to proms, graduations, school field trips, and sporting events. In late summer, particularly August, prices may be higher for transportation to big events like the Iowa State Fair, while in the fall months prices may spike during weekends of the World Food & Music Festival. When demand is high, availability is low, which increases overall costs. Booking your charter bus rental ahead of time will always get you a better deal!
How the Day of the Week Affects Your Des Moines Bus Rental
The time of the week you book your rental for also plays a part in the overall cost. Weekday rentals (Monday-Thursday) generally come at a lower rate than weekend rentals (Friday-Sunday). Charter buses are hugely popular for events that typically take place on weekends, such as weddings, concerts at Wells Fargo Arena, or brewery crawls hopping between must-tries like Exile Brewing Co. and Confluence Brewing Company. In response to this high demand, many bus companies raise their rates for weekend rentals. If your trip is flexible, consider a weekday! And if you must travel on the weekend, we recommend booking your outing as far in advance as possible.
How Your Starting and Ending Locations Impact Pricing
When you get a quote on a bus rental in Des Moines, our team will work to connect your group with a bus stationed closest a travel-related pickup and dropoff point on your itinerary. This helps you avoid charges for deadhead, which refers to the mileage that a bus covers without any passengers aboard. For example, if you book service from Ames to Des Moines but there are no buses stationed in Ames, your bus will have to travel there—which adds mileage. The easiest way to avoid these extra charges is to book with a company close to your start city. And luckily, with a massive fleet located across Iowa, that’s easy to do with us!
How Your Bus Type and Size Influences Price
Bigger buses with more amenities will almost always come at a higher price than a more compact ride with fewer amenities. Renting a coach bus that can seat up to 56 people with WiFi, TVs, a restroom, and other features is wonderful for large getaways, but it will come at a much higher price than an 18-passenger minibus with more standard accommodations. The year and model of your bus will contribute to the cost too—newer models and luxury vehicle brands like Van Hool will cost more than their standard counterparts. So if you’re a small group planning a short Des Moines Day trip, you’ll probably save money by booking a smaller ride!
The Cost of Tolls and Parking Passes in Des Moines
At Bus Rental Company Des Moines, we believe in pricing—which means the quote you’ll recieve will have no other fees. However, there are a few expenses that can’t always be predicted during your trip and which you will assume, like tolls, entry fees for state and county parks, and parking near your destinations. Be prepared for any parking fees at popular event spaces like the Iowa Events Center, which has Lot G outside the main building for oversized vehicles. Also, it’s always great practice to allot 10-20% of your total rental cost as a tip for your transportation team.
When You Should Book Your Des Moines Bus Rental
Like we mentioned, charter bus availability can get really tight and pricing may be extremely high during April, May, and June. If you know you’ll need a bus during these months, we highly encourage you to book at least six to nine months in advance, especially if you have ADA requirements in your group. This will ensure you can book the necessary bus or buses at the best price point. And during the off-season, you’re looking pretty good with just a notice of one to three months. To lock in the best rate, we recommend booking as far in advance as possible no matter the time of year.
Tips to Save Money on Your Bus Rental Cost
Finalizing the details of your trip is the best way to get the most accurate (and therefore, the best possible) deal on your Des Moines bus rental. Before you book, try to nail down your headcount to ensure you’re renting a bus that’s well-suited for your group. And don’t forget that trips during the off-season, on weekdays, and around daytime hours may give you the best cost savings on average. And to save on smaller costs, look up any parking rules for venues like Wells Fargo Arena and stadiums near your hotel with free motorcoach parking.
Get Quick & Easy Pricing with Bus Rental Company Des Moines!
Now that you have all you need to plan your Des Moines group transportation and budget, get your instant quote whenever you’re ready! Our reservation staff will gladly help if you call 515-301-1200, though you can use our 30-second online pricing tool! Bus Rental Company Des Moines has assisted all sorts of groups with get group ground transportation—including corporate shuttle service clients, wedding transportation groups, and sports teams (all of them have enjoyed our custom, flexible transportation packages). We can find you the PERFECT charter or party bus in our statewide fleet right when you need it.
