- Cedar Rapids Charter Bus /
- Charter Bus Rates
Charter Bus Prices: How Much Does a Cedar Rapids Bus Rental Cost?
Are you ready to hit the road with a private charter bus rental in Cedar Rapids? Whether you’re planning a wedding shuttle to NewBo City Market, a corporate event to the U.S. Cellular Center, or a school trip to the National Czech & Slovak Museum, one of your first questions is probably “How much does it cost to rent a charter bus?” You’re in the right place! At Cedar Rapids Charter Bus, we make it easy to get fast, personalized pricing for your group travel. Our network includes everything from 18-passenger minibuses to 56-passenger motorcoaches, so you can find the perfect bus for your trip—and your budget. Call us at 319-900-8930 for a free, no-obligation 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 Cedar Rapids Charter Bus Rental?
Charter bus pricing can vary widely depending on several key factors. Here’s what goes into the cost of your Cedar Rapids charter bus rental:
- Bus size and type: Larger buses with more amenities (like onboard restrooms or premium seating) typically cost more than smaller vans or minibuses.
- Trip length and duration: Are you booking a simple airport transfer from Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) or a multi-day excursion to Chicago? Longer trips usually mean higher costs.
- Distance traveled: Most rentals include a per-mile charge, so the farther you go, the more you’ll pay.
- Time of year and demand: Peak travel seasons, weekends, and special events in Cedar Rapids can affect availability and pricing.
- Additional services: Need a driver to make multiple stops, wait between events, or provide luggage assistance? These extras can impact your quote.
When you call our team, we’ll ask about your group size, travel dates, itinerary, and any special requests to give you the most accurate price. We work with you to find a bus and route that fits your budget and schedule.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Charter Bus for a Week?
For extended trips, like a week-long tour of the Midwest or a multi-day festival shuttle, expect to budget between $8,000 and $15,000 for your charter bus rental. Weekly rentals often come with discounted daily rates, and we’ll help you find the best deal for your itinerary.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
To give you a better idea of what your trip might cost, here are some real-world pricing examples for Cedar Rapids-area groups:
Local Wedding Shuttle to NewBo Market (200 words)
When Sarah and Mike were planning their summer wedding in Cedar Rapids, they knew they wanted to make it easy for their guests to celebrate—without worrying about parking or designated drivers. Their venue was just a few blocks from NewBo City Market, a popular spot for local weddings, and they wanted to offer a simple shuttle service for friends and family coming in from out of town. They called Cedar Rapids Charter Bus for a quick quote and were thrilled to find that a wedding shuttle was more affordable than they expected!
For their wedding weekend, Sarah and Mike booked two full-day rentals of a 56-passenger charter bus. Each bus ran a continuous loop between the Graduate Hotel downtown (where many guests stayed) and the market, with stops every hour from 5 PM to midnight on Friday and Saturday. This allowed everyone to enjoy the celebration, grab a bite from local vendors, and get home safely. The couple’s total cost for the wedding shuttle service was just $3,200—a fraction of what they’d spent on other wedding vendors. Splitting the cost between 100 guests meant the shuttle was only $32 per person for round-trip transportation—an easy sell compared to ride-share surge pricing on a busy weekend.
Sarah and Mike’s guests raved about the convenience of the shuttle, and the couple was able to relax and enjoy their big day, knowing everyone had a safe and simple way to get to and from the celebration. If you’re planning a wedding in Cedar Rapids or nearby Iowa City, a private charter bus rental can be the gift that keeps on giving—for you and your guests!
Corporate Shuttle to U.S. Cellular Center (200 words)
GlobalTech Solutions, a Cedar Rapids-based software company, was gearing up to host their annual client summit at the U.S. Cellular Center. With over 150 attendees registered for the two-day event, their logistics team knew they needed a better transportation solution than relying on taxis and ride-shares. Downtown parking is limited, and they wanted to ensure their out-of-town clients and senior executives had a seamless, professional arrival experience. After a quick call to Cedar Rapids Charter Bus, they booked a custom shuttle package that fit perfectly with their event schedule.
GlobalTech reserved three 56-passenger charter buses for the duration of their summit. Each bus was equipped with onboard WiFi and power outlets, allowing their sales teams to prep for presentations and stay connected en route. The shuttles ran continuous loops between the Cedar Rapids Marriott (where most attendees stayed) and the U.S. Cellular Center, with pickups scheduled 30 minutes before each keynote and breakout session. The buses also provided transportation to a welcome dinner at Cobble Hill and a post-event networking mixer at The Republic on 2nd.
The total cost for GlobalTech’s two-day shuttle service was $4,750. When divided among the 150 attendees, the shuttle added just $31.67 to each participant’s registration fee—a small price to pay for a stress-free, professional transportation experience. The company’s CEO even noted the shuttle as a highlight in his post-event survey, praising the “seamless, executive-level service” that set the tone for the entire summit.
School Field Trip to National Mississippi River Museum (200 words)
Jefferson Middle School’s 8th-grade team was planning their annual Iowa history field trip to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque. With 75 students, chaperones, and teachers attending, their usual plan of parent volunteers driving in carpools was becoming a logistical nightmare. After a recommendation from a fellow teacher, they called Cedar Rapids Charter Bus for a quote and were pleasantly surprised at how affordable a single-bus rental could be!
Instead of coordinating 15 different cars and worrying about late arrivals, Jefferson Middle School booked one 56-passenger charter bus for a full-day rental. The bus picked up the group from Cedar Rapids Community School District headquarters at 7:30 AM and dropped them off at the museum by 10:00 AM. After a guided tour, lunch in the museum’s pavilion, and some free time at the aquarium, the group boarded the bus for a 1:00 PM departure, arriving back in Cedar Rapids by 3:30 PM. The driver also made a quick stop at a local Culver’s for ice cream treats on the way home (a pre-approved reward from the teachers).
The total cost for the Jefferson Middle School field trip transportation was $1,750. When divided among the 75 students, the bus added just $23.33 to the cost of the trip—less than the price of a single fast-food meal. Teachers reported that the day ran “smoothly and on schedule,” and parents appreciated not having to juggle their own workdays around carpools. The school’s principal has already added a charter bus rental to the budget for next year’s trip.
Sports Team Travel to UNI-Dome (200 words)
The Cedar Rapids Titans, a local semi-pro football team, were preparing for their season opener against the University of Northern Iowa Panthers at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. With 45 players, coaches, and support staff traveling, their usual plan of using personal vehicles and a single rented van wasn’t going to cut it. They needed a streamlined, all-in-one transportation solution that would keep the team together and allow coaches to focus on game strategy, not traffic. A quick call to Cedar Rapids Charter Bus gave them exactly what they needed.
The Titans booked one 56-passenger charter bus for a full-day rental, with a driver who was familiar with the Cedar Rapids to Cedar Falls route. The bus departed from Kingston Stadium at 9:00 AM, arriving at the UNI-Dome by 10:15 AM for a noon game warm-up. The team stored their equipment in the bus’s undercarriage bays, and players relaxed in reclining seats with onboard WiFi and TV screens showing game film. After the game, the bus provided a direct ride back to Cedar Rapids, with a stop at a local Buffalo Wild Wings for a post-game meal (pre-approved by the team manager).
The total cost for the Titans’ game-day transportation was $1,950. When divided among the 45 team members and staff, the bus added just $43.33 to each person’s travel cost—a small price for the convenience of a single, coordinated trip. Coaches reported that the ability to review game film en route and keep the team together was “a game-changer,” and players appreciated not having to worry about driving after the match.
