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Charter Bus Prices: How Much Does a Asheville Bus Rental Cost?
The cost of your Asheville charter bus rental will depend on several factors, including how many people you’re transporting, the distance and duration of your trip, and which type of vehicle you book. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $170 to $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day for a bus rental in Asheville. For an accurate price, call our 24/7 team at 828-903-0410 or use our online quote tool to get a personalized estimate in just 30 seconds. Below, we’ve provided estimated rates and detailed the key factors that influence your trip cost.
| 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?
Several factors play a role in determining the final cost of your Asheville charter bus rental. The size of the bus you choose is a major consideration—a compact minibus will generally be less expensive than a full-size 56-passenger charter bus. Your travel dates also matter; prices tend to be higher during peak seasons such as spring and fall when school trips and events are most common in Asheville. Additionally, weekend rentals or bookings around large local festivals like LEAF Festival or Brewgrass Festival may come at a premium.
The length and mileage of your trip are also critical. Local trips within Asheville or nearby areas like Black Mountain or Hendersonville are often billed by the hour, while longer journeys across North Carolina might be priced by the mile or as a flat daily rate. Multi-day trips, such as those requiring overnight stays in Charlotte or Raleigh, will increase the overall cost due to additional mileage and accommodation needs.
Onboard amenities and special requests can further impact pricing. Buses equipped with luxury features like WiFi, power outlets, restrooms, or entertainment systems may carry a higher price tag. If you require multiple pick-up or drop-off locations, last-minute changes to your itinerary, or need ADA-accessible vehicles, these can also affect your quote.
Seasonal demand, bus availability, and advance booking times all play a part in shaping your final price. Booking well in advance, especially for large events or during busy periods, can help secure better rates and ensure you get the exact bus type and amenities your group needs.
What is included in my quote?
Your charter bus rental quote includes the cost of the bus, fuel, and insurance. However, it does not cover additional expenses such as tolls, parking passes, or hotel accommodations for overnight trips. For example, if you’re attending an event downtown, parking fees at city lots typically range from $15 to $25 per day. If your itinerary requires overnight stays, you’ll need to reserve and cover the cost of hotel rooms. Tolls along highways like I-40 or I-26 are also not included and should be factored into your budget. Our team will help identify any extra costs based on your specific route and schedule so there are no surprises on the day of your trip.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Asheville, NC and around North Carolina. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
School Field Trip to the North Carolina Arboretum
Mrs. Thompson is organizing a field trip for her 6th grade class from Asheville Middle School to the North Carolina Arboretum. She has 28 students and 4 chaperones, making a total group of 32 people. The plan is to leave the school at 9:00 AM, spend the day exploring the gardens and participating in educational workshops, and return by 2:30 PM. Since this trip is local and only requires a single day of service, Mrs. Thompson received a quote for a 35-passenger minibus at $185 per hour. With a total trip duration of 6 hours, the cost comes to $1,110. The Arboretum offers free bus parking, so there are no additional parking fees, making this an affordable and convenient option for the school.
Corporate Retreat Shuttle to Omni Grove Park Inn
A tech company based in downtown Asheville is hosting a two-day corporate retreat at the Omni Grove Park Inn. They need transportation for 45 employees between their office, the hotel, and various offsite activities such as hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The company books a 56-passenger charter bus to ensure everyone travels together comfortably. The retreat spans two days, with the bus running from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day. At a daily rate of $2,400, the total cost for the charter bus service is $4,800. The company is also responsible for providing a hotel room for the driver at the Omni Grove Park Inn, which costs $220 per night. This brings the total expense for transportation to $5,240, ensuring seamless and reliable travel for all attendees.
Bachelorette Party in Downtown Asheville
Samantha is planning a bachelorette party for her best friend with 12 guests. The evening itinerary includes dinner at Curate, bar hopping along Lexington Avenue, and ending the night with live music at The Orange Peel. To keep the group safe and eliminate the hassle of finding multiple rideshares, Samantha books a 15-passenger party bus. The rental is scheduled from 5:00 PM to midnight, covering 7 hours at a rate of $210 per hour. The total cost for the party bus is $1,470. Downtown Asheville has designated bus parking near Rankin Avenue for $20 per night, which Samantha adds to the budget. Splitting the total cost among 13 people makes for an affordable and memorable night out with private transportation.
Wedding Guest Shuttle Service to Highland Brewing Company
Emily and Jake are getting married at Highland Brewing Company and want to provide a shuttle service for their 80 out-of-town guests staying at hotels in Biltmore Village. They arrange for two 40-passenger minibuses to run continuous loops between the hotels and the brewery before and after the ceremony. The service runs from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM to accommodate arrivals and departures throughout the event. Each minibus is booked at a flat daily rate of $1,900, totaling $3,800 for both vehicles. Highland Brewing Company offers free bus parking, but the couple sets aside an additional $100 for unexpected expenses. Providing this shuttle ensures guests can enjoy the celebration without worrying about transportation or parking, contributing to a smooth and stress-free wedding day.
