Complete Guide to Chartering a Bus for an Entire Weekend

Planning a weekend getaway with a large group of friends or family? Renting a charter bus is the perfect transportation solution to keep your group together and make your trip enjoyable from start to finish. At Busrental.net, we make it easy to rent a charter bus or minibus for any weekend occasion. With thousands of rental options available, we have the ideal coach to fit your group’s size and accommodate your travel plans. Leave the driving to professionals so you can sit back, relax, and focus on making memories with your favorite people.

Whether you need a bus for a bachelorette weekend, company retreat, school field trip, or friends' reunion, this complete guide will walk you through how to rent a charter bus for a weekend trip. We’ll cover determining your budget, picking the right bus model, building your itinerary, and tips for certain trips. Let’s hit the road and start planning your next charter bus adventure!

Put Together a Ballpark Budget

The first step when renting a charter bus for the weekend is determining your budget. This allows you to get the best value and find the perfect bus rental within your price range. While a full weekend charter bus rental may seem costly upfront, it's actually a very economical transportation option when you factor in how many people it transports. The overall cost is shared between passengers, making it cheaper than alternatives like driving multiple smaller vehicles, flying, or booking train tickets.

When determining your charter bus budget, have these average prices in mind:

  1. Charter bus: $1,300-$3,700 per day; $4-$5.50 per mile

  2. Minibus: $1,200-$3,500 per day; $4-$5.50 per mile

These are just estimates since pricing depends on details like your travel dates, group size, mileage, type of bus, and more. The best way to get an accurate quote tailored to your trip is to call our team at 877-200-4461 with your complete itinerary. A reservations expert will provide a free, personalized quote with no hidden fees.

When renting a charter bus for a full weekend, you'll likely be charged the daily rate for each travel day. You're also responsible for covering your driver's lodging each night if you are traveling out of town. We recommend booking a hotel room rated 3 stars or above so your driver is well-rested and ready to transport your group.

Then, Pick a Bus

With Busrental.net, you'll have access to a variety of bus models ranging from spacious 56-passenger motorcoaches to compact minibuses that hold 18 passengers. Determining the right bus size and type for your weekend group trip is key. Consider these factors when choosing your ideal coach:

  1. Group Size: Mini and mid-size buses work well for intimately sized groups of 18-35 passengers. For large parties of 40-56 travelers, a full-size charter bus is best.

  2. Trip Distance: Mini and mid-size buses are great for local travel within a city or region. Full-size charter buses have more amenities for comfort on long out-of-state trips.

  3. Equipment: Charter buses have ample overhead and undercarriage storage space for large items like sports gear. Minibuses have overhead racks to store smaller bags and luggage.

  4. Amenities: All coach buses can include entertainment like WiFi, TVs, and power outlets. Full-size buses may also have restrooms, whereas most minibuses do not.

Once you consider your group's size, route, luggage, and priority amenities, our reservations team will match you with the perfect charter bus or minibus rental for your weekend adventure.

Call Us With Your Itinerary

Having a complete itinerary planned is crucial when renting a charter bus for the entire weekend. Your itinerary outlines important trip logistics like:

  1. Dates of rental

  2. Departure and return cities

  3. Exact addresses of pickup/dropoff locations

  4. Time bus needs to arrive and depart each destination

  5. Any scheduled stops along your route

Provide as many precise travel details in your itinerary as possible. This allows us to give an accurate quote and ensure your bus schedule accommodates your plans. Building a sensible itinerary also helps your charter bus trip stay on time. Be sure to allow 15-30 minutes for loading passengers at pickup points and visiting rest stop facilities during long journeys. If you need help planning weekend trip itineraries, our travel experts know exciting destinations and can provide efficient routing and timing recommendations. Just give us a call!

How To Plan Weekend Rentals For Different Events

From weddings to school events to reunions, Busrental.net provides charter bus rentals for weekends of all types. Here are some of our top tips for planning transportation for popular weekend trips:

Wedding Bus Rentals

For guest shuttles between your hotel, ceremony, reception, and other wedding events, book your charter bus 6+ months in advance for best availability and pricing. Consider reserving a personal minibus just for you, your new spouse, and the wedding party. Provide your complete schedule with exact addresses and timing for all weddings events, including buffer time for loading guests.

Corporate Events

Map out efficient pickup and dropoff locations for corporate event shuttles based on where attendees are staying. Build schedules with ample time for passenger loading/unloading. Book your bus 3-6 months early to get your best deal. Add extra buses as needed if your attendee list grows. Request amenities like WiFi and power outlets so professionals stay connected and productive.

School Trips

Safety is key when renting buses for school trips. Choose companies that work with certified, professional drivers and only use well-maintained buses. Collect permission forms, emergency contacts, and insurance information for all student travelers prior to your trip date. Bring medications, electronics, and overnight luggage in case of traffic or weather delays. Keep kids engaged with movies, games, and reading materials for long bus rides.

Private Trips

For weekends away with friends, family reunions, church retreats, and other private group trips, make all reservations well in advance based on your itinerary. Research any required bus parking permissions or road tolls ahead of time to avoid surprises. Bring pillows, blankets, snacks, and fully charged phones/tablets to stay cozy and entertained. And don’t forget the tunes! Create a collaborative road trip playlist to set the vibe.

Rent a Bus With Busrental.net

Let the professionals at Busrental.net handle all the driving and logistics, so your group can focus on bonding and making lifelong memories on your weekend getaway. With extensive experience providing charter bus rentals for groups of all kinds, we make the rental process seamless from start to finish. Our team is available 24/7 at 877-200-4461 to answer your bus rental questions and walk you through planning your perfect weekend trip, hassle-free.