Franklin 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 |
Franklin 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 1-615-996-1110 or use our online quote tool.
How Much Does a Franklin Charter Bus Rental Cost?
Franklin charter bus rental prices are influenced by the size and type of bus you need, the distance of your trip, how long you’ll be on the road, and the time of year. Hourly rentals start at $110-180 for standard charter buses and minibuses. Daily rentals typically fall between $1,100 and $3,800+. And, for those long-distance trips, expect to pay between $3.20 and $9.95 per mile.
How Much Does a Franklin Party Bus Rental Cost?
If you’re wondering about the cost of renting a party bus, the answer is: it depends! How many people are you traveling with? Are you traveling on a weekday or a weekend? How long do you need your party bus? Party bus rates tend to be higher during the weekend and on holidays, and a longer trip or a trip to a further destination will cost more as well. You can get a better idea of how pricing works for party bus rentals when you give us a call. We can provide you with a free, all-inclusive party bus quote for your next event. Or just use our online tool to get an instant, 30-second quote by text and email!
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Call Now: 615-996-1110What are the Factors Influencing Franklin Bus Rental Pricing?
Charter Bus Franklin works with a number of bus companies across Tennessee, so each company sets its own rates. Factors include trip specifics like when you’re traveling, whether you rent hourly or by the day, where you are departing from, and which amenities you’d like on your bus.
Trip Mileage and Time
Franklin charter bus rentals are usually quoted either by the hour, the day, or by the mile. If your trip begins and ends on the same day and is relatively close to where the bus company is located, we typically recommend an hourly rental rate. Multi-day trips, like that cross-country family vacation from Nashville to Los Angeles, or longer road trips in general, will likely be quoted by the day. And if you’re traveling hundreds of miles in a day, but don’t plan to spend very long in each city, you’ll be quoted by the mile.
It’s worth noting that most charter bus companies in our network have a minimum hourly rental. Even if you only need a quick shuttle to a restaurant for a team dinner, you may be required to pay for a few hours’ worth of time with your driver. The specific number of hours needed will be included in your quote, so be sure to have a flexible itinerary when you book your trip, especially if you want to get the best value for your money.
Seasonality and Time of Year
Believe it or not, when you are traveling can affect how much your bus rental costs. Charter bus availability is less limited during what’s called the “shoulder season” for Franklin—the period of time in between the busy summer and the quiet winter. In Franklin, this can include months like February, March, and early April. When the school year is nearing its end, expect an increase in prom and graduation outings, field trips, weddings, family vacations, and just about every other type of group travel, causing a spike in prices and limited vehicle options. The same can be said around major holidays like Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Halloween, and popular regional or statewide events, like the Kentucky Derby in nearby Louisville. It also helps to book early, at least 3 to 6 months before you plan to travel, to get the best possible charter bus pricing. When you call 615-996-1110 with an itinerary, we can find the perfect bus, at the perfect time, for the perfect price.
Location and Availability of your Bus
When you’re planning a trip, you can book a charter bus or a fleet of minibuses or other vehicles from anywhere in the state, thanks to Charter Bus Franklin’s extensive network of partners. However, your rental costs can increase depending on where your bus is located and whether your start point is a big city or a more remote location. That’s because bus providers in less-populated areas may charge more to compensate for limited business. If your departure location is in an area with limited charter bus companies, prices may increase, making it harder to secure a last-minute charter bus. It also helps to book your trip in advance!
Your starting destination also plays into the “deadhead” cost of your bus rental, which is the distance between the bus company’s lot and your pickup point that accrues with no passengers onboard.
Bus Type and Size
If you are on a tighter budget or have fewer than 30 people in your group, consider booking a minibus shuttle instead of a full-size charter bus. On average, these smaller vehicles have lower hourly and daily rates for local trips and may be better suited to your group size. If you have more than 35 passengers in your group or are traveling out of town, you’ll want to stick with a full-size motorcoach. They include amenities that make for easier long-distance travel, such as an onboard restroom and storage bays underneath the bus.
What about party buses or school buses? A party bus rental is similar in size to a minibus, but its features make it a more expensive option. Party buses tend to have features like laser light displays, upgraded sound systems, TVs, and onboard bar areas.
School buses are traditionally known as one of the least expensive ways to transport a large group of people, they may not always be available to rent or offer comfortable amenities. If you’re looking to transport school-aged children, school districts may require you to rent school bus models that meet certain standards or that are on an approved vendor list. If that’s the case, our team at Charter Bus Franklin will be happy to locate these types of buses for you. We can also help you find a bus with accessibility features.
The Day of the Week Impacts Your Trip Costs
Not surprisingly, the day of the week is a factor when pricing a bus rental. Weekend rates for buses and limousines are usually higher than those booked on weekdays (Monday through Thursday), since there’s a higher demand. Many high schools and universities typically host events like sporting events, dances, and graduations on the weekends, which makes it more difficult to book transportation on weekends.
Time of Day
Similarly to how the day of the week can affect your bus price, so can the time of day. Buses and party buses are more often booked for nights, evenings, and weekends. Due to higher demand for travel, bus companies will increase the minimum rental hour limit and charge more per hour. If you can change your plans to a weekday, you may also experience a decreased minimum number of rental hours required for your reservation. For most standard charter buses and minibuses, daytime trips tend to be slightly more affordable than evening or nighttime trips, but not always!
Bus Amenities
There are several ways to upgrade your bus rental or limo ride when you book with Charter Bus Franklin. We can provide you with all the additional features you want for your group, from WiFi, reclining seats and a lavatory, to entertainment systems and more. And remember, some of those come at an additional charge. Be sure to check with your agent before booking and see what kind of add-ons your bus can include.
Additional Costs
Remember, your quoted charter bus price may not include additional costs like tolls and parking fees. To minimize some of these costs, ask your reservation specialist if tolls and parking can be included at the time of booking. You can also plan your itinerary to minimize the number of times your driver needs to pay for parking or book a hotel that offers free parking for oversized vehicles to avoid extra costs.
If your trip or event lasts multiple days, your total bus rental cost will also include your driver’s daily necessities. For overnight trips, drivers are required to take a break from driving for at least 8 hours after working 10 hours at a time. So if you are doing an overnight trip, your drivers will need a hotel or motel room and other accommodations like food and drink. You may be able to keep costs down for this by booking lodging near a local grocery store or cafe where your drivers can eat at their leisure.
You’ll also want to give your driver a tip at the end of your trip as a “thank you” for getting your group to its destination. Tipping for a charter bus isn’t required, but if you felt that your driver has done a good job, a tip of around 10-20% of your total rental cost is customary.
How to Save on Bus Rentals
You and your group deserve to get the most cost-efficient transportation. It doesn’t matter if your group is booking for a single trip or needs to contract bus service for an entire year. To ensure that your group has a budget-friendly bus rental, remember these simple cost-saving tips:
Finalize a headcount so you know exactly how many seats your group needs to reserve. This way, you don’t overpay for too many seats or end up stuck with a bus that’s too small.
If your group is traveling by charter bus from multiple cities, book a bus in each departure city to cut down on the cost of deadhead mileage. Book your trip as far in advance as possible to secure lower rates and better bus availability. Choose a destination that’s close to your starting city to minimize costs like lodging and additional driver needs.
Find venues with convenient, cost-effective parking for oversized vehicles like buses and motorcoaches. Check if your chosen hotel or other overnight accommodations provide complimentary parking for your bus. Parking in city centers and areas near major sporting events can get exceptionally expensive, and we recommend that your group finds a venue that offers some form of free parking for your driver and the bus.
Get your Instant Quote
At Charter Bus Franklin, our pricing isn’t just transparent, it’s also quick to obtain. Simply call our offices at 615-996-1110 or use our online 30-second quote tool! No matter what event or outing you are planning in Franklin, Charter Bus Franklin is more than ready to help you find the best transportation possible. Get your no-obligation, free quote now to start making memories, and leave the driving to us!
