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Charter Bus Prices: How Much Does a Louisville Bus Rental Cost?
When you need group transportation in Louisville, Kentucky, you want to know what to expect. You’ve come to the right place! Louisville Charter Bus is your trusted source for easy, affordable charter bus rentals and minibuses. With over 15 years of experience, we help groups of all sizes get where they need to go. We work with an extensive network of modern buses and offer instant online quotes, 24/7 reservations, great discounts, and so much more. Call our team at 502-856-9310 to get your free, personalized quote today!
| 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 an Louisville Charter Bus Rental?
Charter bus rental prices in Louisville vary based on several factors. The main things that affect your cost are the type of bus you choose, how long you need it, how far you’re traveling, and when you’re booking. Here’s what you need to know to get the best price for your group.
Type of Bus: A full-size charter bus (49-56 passengers) usually costs more per day than a smaller minibus (15-30 passengers). But bigger buses are often more budget-friendly for large groups since you only need one vehicle. For smaller groups, a minibus rental can save you money.
Duration of Rental: Most charter bus companies charge by the hour or day. A typical minimum rental is 4 hours. If you need the bus for a full day (8-12 hours), you usually get a better hourly rate. Multi-day trips get even better discounts, so let us know if you’re planning a trip for several days.
Mileage and Route: Your total mileage affects the price, especially for trips outside Louisville. Most rentals include a set number of miles per day (around 100-150). Extra miles are charged separately. Local trips around Louisville, Bardstown, or Lexington usually fit within the included mileage. For one-way trips to Cincinnati or Lexington, mileage fees apply.
Time of Year and Demand: Prices can be higher during peak travel times in Louisville, like the Kentucky Derby Festival in April or football season at Papa John’s Stadium. Booking early for popular dates helps lock in lower rates. Off-peak months usually have better availability and prices.
Extras and Amenities: Charter buses come with different features. Standard amenities include air conditioning, reclining seats, and a PA system. You can also request WiFi, power outlets, TVs with a DVD player, and restrooms on full-size buses. Let us know what you need, and we’ll find a bus with the right features. Some amenities may add a small fee.
Pickup and Drop-off Locations: Picking up from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), downtown Louisville, or a hotel near Fourth Street Live! is usually straightforward. If you need service to a remote area or multiple stops (like a bourbon tour with stops in Bardstown and Clermont), that can affect the price. We’ll plan the best route for your group.
Other factors that can influence your price include whether you need a driver overnight, parking fees at venues like the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, and how many luggage or equipment items you have. For school trips to the Louisville Slugger Museum or corporate shuttles to the Kentucky International Convention Center, we can customize your quote to include everything.
When you call 502-856-9310, our team will ask about your group size, trip itinerary, and any special requests. We’ll explain all the pricing details and help you compare options so you get the best value. You can also use our online quote tool for an instant estimate.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Charter Bus for a Week?
A weekly charter bus rental in Louisville typically ranges from $8,000 to $15,000, depending on the bus type and mileage. Weekly rentals are great for extended school trips, sports team tours, or film crews working in Kentucky for several days. This price usually includes driver lodging, a set daily mileage, and 24/7 service. We recommend booking weekly rentals at least 4-6 weeks in advance for the best availability and rates.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Here are some real examples of how much charter bus rentals in Louisville cost for different types of trips. Your price may vary based on your exact needs, but this will give you a good idea of what to expect.
Local Bourbon Trail Tour (35 Passengers)
A group of 35 friends booked a full-day (10-hour) charter bus rental for a private bourbon trail tour. They visited Maker’s Mark in Loretto, Heaven Hill in Bardstown, and had lunch in downtown Bardstown. They wanted a bus with WiFi, reclining seats, and a restroom onboard. The bus company quoted them $1,700 for the day, including 150 miles. Extra miles were $6 each, and they used 20 extra miles for detours and a late-night stop in Louisville. Total mileage charge was $120. The total trip cost was $1,820.
Each person paid about $52 for a comfortable, safe, and fun day. The bus driver also acted as the tour’s designated driver and helped with luggage. The group didn’t have to worry about traffic on I-65 or finding parking in Bardstown.
University of Louisville Game Day Shuttle (56 Passengers)
A local company rented two 56-passenger charter buses to shuttle 110 employees to a University of Louisville football game at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. They booked the buses for a 6-hour block, from 3 hours before kickoff to 3 hours after. The buses were parked at the company’s Louisville office near the airport and shuttled groups in shifts to the stadium. The company paid $1,100 per bus for the 6 hours, totaling $2,200. There were no extra mileage charges since the stadium was 7 miles away, and the buses stayed local.
Each employee’s shuttle cost was $20, much less than parking or ride-shares. The buses had TVs and a PA system so the driver could share game-day announcements. Employees enjoyed the ride with coworkers and arrived right at the stadium gates.
School Field Trip to Louisville Zoo (48 Passengers)
A Louisville elementary school booked a 48-passenger school bus rental for an all-day field trip to the Louisville Zoo and Kentucky Science Center. The trip was 8 hours, from 9 AM to 5 PM, with a picnic lunch at the zoo. The school paid $1,600 for the day, which included 100 miles and driver gratuity. The bus had a PA system so teachers could make announcements, and the driver helped with boarding. The total cost per student was $33.33 for transportation, chaperones paid separately.
The bus driver followed the school’s itinerary exactly and helped with crossing streets near Waterfront Park. The students enjoyed the ride in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus, and the teachers didn’t have to organize carpools for 100 students and chaperones.
Corporate Shuttle for Derby Festival Event (20 Passengers)
A Louisville tech startup rented a 20-passenger minibus to shuttle VIP clients from SDF Airport to their hotel downtown and then to a private event at the Kentucky Center during Derby Festival. The rental was for 3 days, including airport pickups, hotel shuttles, and one event night. The company paid $450 per day for the minibus and driver, totaling $1,350. They used an extra 30 miles over the 3 days (at $6/mile), adding $180. The total shuttle cost was $1,530.
Each client’s shuttle cost was $76.50, included in their event package. The minibus had WiFi and leather seats, and the driver acted as a concierge, helping with luggage and local recommendations. The startup team didn’t have to arrange rides during the busy festival weekend.
