THE FIRST-TIMER’S GUIDE TO RENTING A CHARTER BUS

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THE FIRST-TIMERS GUIDE TO RENTING A CHARTER BUS
Renting a charter bus isnt something most people
think about until, well, they really need a bus.
Unlike renting a car, reserving group
transportation comes with a few extra hurdles.
Being responsible for fifty people is going to
make planning more tedious than being
responsible for five.
Dont worry! At Bus Charter Nationwide USA, we
aim to make your rental experience as simple as
possible for groups of all sizes. No matter the
type of trip or your level of bus rental
expertise (if youre an event planner, you may
have plenty of experience here), well help you
efficiently organize your group transportation.
From choosing between full-sized charter buses
and mini buses to securing parking, youll have a
helping hand every step of the way.
Need a few rental pointers before calling us?
Weve developed a guide to help you along your
charter bus rental journey.
THE CHARTER BUS RENTAL BASICS
Lets discuss the simple stuff first, step by
step.
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STEP 1 DECIDE IF A CHARTER BUS IS RIGHT FOR
YOU
We want you to choose the best mode of
transportation for your needs. A charter bus
rental isnt for everyone, but when you have a
dozen or more people, using a group
transportation service is a good option.
For groups like sports clubs in need of extensive
storage space for equipment, a charter bus
rental is a wonderful alternative to crowded
carpools.
Large businesses in need of transportation to
off-site pieces of training, team-building
events, conferences, or company social
gatherings would also benefit from a charter bus
rental.
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Even groups planning personal events like
birthday bashes or wedding ceremonies with a
long guest list should consider renting a charter
bus to simplify arrival and departure.
Determining whether or not to rent a charter bus
all boils down to how big your group is and how
much time youre willing to dedicate to driving.
If you want easy and efficient transportation
without needing to volunteer someone to get
behind the wheel, booking a bus is your best bet.
So youve determined a bus is the mode of
transportation for your group now what?
A good rule of thumb choose a model of bus based
on your groups size. Passengers traveling for
small personal events would be best suited with a
minibus, while large groups like sports teams
and businesses should consider a full-sized bus.
Now that you know the difference between
full-sized buses and minibusses, lets get to
answering an even more important question
STEP 2 FIND THE RIGHT MODEL OF BUS.
Picking the best charter bus for your group can
always be done by simply calling your reservation
specialist for rental information and a
personalized quote. However, it can also be
helpful to have a little knowledge of what you
need before you call.
Charter Buses USA are generally split into two
categories full-sized charter buses
and minibusses. Full-sized charter buses
(sometimes referred to as coaches'' or
motorcoaches) usually seat 55 or 56 passengers
and include plenty of storage space and onboard
restrooms. Minibusses are smaller vehicles that
usually seat between 18 and 25 people. Most
minibus models dont include as much storage
space as full-sized buses and dont have
onboard restrooms. Both full-sized buses and
minibusses can come equipped with WiFi, power
outlets, TVs, and other amenities, by request.
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STEP 3 HOW MUCH DOES A CHARTER BUS RENTAL COST?
There isnt a one size fits all estimate for
how much a charter bus rental will cost. National
Charter Bus personalizes your quote based on
your itinerary. The easiest way to determine the
cost of your bus is to call our reservation
experts with your travel information. All of our
quotes are free, and you wont be obligated to
book.
When you call in for a quote, keep in mind there
are many factors that will determine your rental
cost, including

• The duration of your trip. Bus Charter Nationwide
  USA requires a 5-hour rental minimum.
• Travel distance
• Where youre traveling. Major cities like New
  York City and Chicago often have more rental
  availability and more diverse offerings than
  smaller towns.
• When youre traveling. Peak travel months during
  summer can be more expensive than other months
  of the year.
• The size and model of your bus.
• Additional amenity requests like WiFi and TVs.
• How far in advance you book. Renting at least 3
  months in advance is highly
• recommended, though we try our best to
  accommodate last-minute bus rentals.

Depending on where youre traveling and the
duration of your trip, youll be charged by the
mile, by the hour or by the day.
Booking a bus can seem like a big financial
commitment, but when youre traveling with a
large group, the cost of a bus rental can easily
be split among everyone to minimize per person
cost. Have your group headcount and any other
travel information on hand before calling in to
get your personalized quote.
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Once you have a quote that meets your budget,
lets get to the next major question
STEP 4 HOW DO I ACTUALLY RESERVE A CHARTER BUS?
All Bus Charter Nationwide USA quotes are
conveniently sent to our passengers via email.
Once you receive an email, youll be able to
review your quote and reserve your bus after
providing a 30 deposit.
After making your deposit, you can rest easy
until your trip approaches and just call or email
your reservation expert with any questions about
trip adjustments. Youll need to make sure your
rental is paid in full at least 30 days before
the start of your trip. Once all payments are
squared away, well also check in with you the
week of your trip to confirm information like
your specific pick-up and drop-off locations.
BEYOND THE RENTAL BASICS
Weve covered the basic information youll need
to rent a bus, so lets get into the nitty-gritty
of everything else that may come along with
charter bus rentals.
WHO WILL BE DRIVING THE CHARTER BUS?
Every Bus Charter Nationwide USA rental includes
a professional driver with a valid CDL license,
clean background check, and clean drug test. We
dont offer services where
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passengers can drive the vehicle themselves
(regardless of CDL license ownership) or provide
an externally sourced driver. The cost of your
bus rental includes regular compensation for your
driver but does not include lodging or
much-appreciated tips. If youre taking a
multi-day trip, be sure to book your driver a
hotel room. It doesnt need to be a 5-star
accommodation, but ensure its somewhere
suitable for them to get plenty of rest to keep
your group safe on the roads. To make things
easier, you can always book your drivers hotel
alongside yours to ensure timely departures. Be
sure to inquire with your hotel about possible
discounted accommodations for charter bus
drivers.
DO I HAVE TO TIP MY DRIVER?
Tipping is always appreciated, especially when
your driver goes above and beyond to meet your
travel needs. A cash tip of 10 to 20 is standard
and can be given to your driver at the end of
your trip.
HOW DOES PARKING A CHARTER BUS WORK?
Some cities are more charter bus-friendly than
others. Locations like Washington, D.C. and
Orlando see a heavy number of charter buses each
day, which means it may be easier to find
parking resources. Other cities may have strict
regulations on charter buses traveling in
certain areas, such as Lower Manhattan in NYC,
the Garden District of New Orleans, and the many
historic districts throughout Boston.
We can happily assist you in finding parking for
your bus, but it can be exceptionally helpful if
parking options are provided upon reservation.
Inquire with the concierge at your hotel about
overnight parking for oversized vehicles, and
contact any attractions or venues youll be
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visiting to ask about parking options throughout
the day. The cost of parking your bus can vary
greatly depending on the city and oversized
parking availability. Be sure to provide.
CAN I RENT AN ADA-ACCESSIBLE BUS?
Whether youre traveling with seniors or have
other passengers with mobility concerns, youll
be able to rent an ADA-accessible vehicle with
Charter Bus Nationwide USA. Well be happy to
find your group a bus with wheelchair lifts,
railing, and extended space for mobility devices.
ADA-accessible buses can sometimes be more
difficult to acquire in busy markets, so please
give your rental expert a little bit of patience
while they book your trip.
CAN I PARTY ON THE BUS?
We do service special occasions like bachelor and
bachelorette parties and private vacations like
girls weekends and birthday bashes. We do offer
party buses. Some of the providers in our bus
network do allow passengers to drink on the bus,
but you must let your dental expert know ahead
of time.
ARE MORE UPSCALE BUSES AVAILABLE?
If you have a large group of important guests to
tow around, one of your priorities may be
renting a top-of-the-line bus to impress
everyone. Occasions like corporate events
and wedding services often warrant an upscale bus
with an all-black exterior and leather seats. All
of the buses in the Bus Charter Nationwide USA
provider network are modern and comfortable, but
if you need a fitting vehicle for a luxurious
occasion, just let your reservation specialist
know.
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I HAVE A SMALL GROUP BUT NEED PLENTY OF STORAGE
SPACE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
We always recommend groups book their bus based
on the number of passengers, but every so often,
a group will need more storage space than their
bus can offer. We offer sports bus rental
services like small sports teams may need space
for equipment, groups of sports fans may need
storage for their tailgating gear, and academic
groups may need additional room for scholarly
presentation materials. When you contact us to
book your bus, let your reservation specialist
know youll need a vehicle that has additional
storage options such as luggage bays underneath
the bus. Just give us a heads up!
NOW, LETS GET GOING!
Renting a charter bus for the first time can be
daunting, but we want to make it easier for
everyone. Whether youre a coach renting a bus
for your high school football team, an office
manager booking transportation for your company
holiday gala, or a best man needing a bus for
your buddys bachelor party, Bus Charter
Nationwide USA has you covered. Think about
contacting us.