Charter Bus Prices in Winston Salem
When it comes to booking your next group trip, Winston Salem Coach Bus Service makes it easy and quick to get an instant online quote, but you may be wondering: how much does it actually cost to rent a charter bus in Winston-Salem? While there isn’t one set answer for every trip, we can break down exactly how pricing works, what factors influence your final cost, and give real-world examples of recent trips we’ve handled so you know what to expect before you call. Read on for everything you need to know about charter bus pricing in Winston-Salem—or skip the guesswork and use our online tool to get an exact quote in seconds!
| Vehicle Type | Per Hour* | Per Day* | Per Mile* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56-Passenger Coach Bus | $197 – $519 | $1,600 – $3,800 | $5.00 – $8.00 |
| 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 |
*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.
How Much Does a Charter Bus Rental Cost in Winston Salem?
The cost of renting a charter bus in Winston-Salem typically ranges from $180 to $375 per hour, $1,295 to $3,800 per day, or $4.50 to $8.50 per mile depending on the size of the vehicle, length of the trip, and time of year. Minibuses are generally less expensive, running $150–$300 per hour or $1,100–$2,500 per day. You’ll pay either by the hour, by the day, or by the mile—whichever is most economical for your itinerary. Multi-day and long-distance trips are usually billed by the day or mile, while local service under 50 miles is charged hourly. Additional expenses like tolls, parking, and a driver hotel room (if needed) are not included in the base rate. To get exact pricing for your trip, call our reservations team anytime at 336-748-7640 with your passenger count, itinerary, and travel dates.
What Factors Influence Charter Bus Pricing in Winston Salem?
Several key factors influence the final price of your charter bus rental in Winston-Salem:
- Travel Dates: Peak demand periods—such as school breaks, major events, or wedding season—can raise prices due to limited availability. Spring and summer tend to be the busiest times.
- Trip Duration and Distance: Longer trips covering more miles will cost more, especially if they require overnight stays. Local trips under 50 miles are typically billed hourly, while longer itineraries are charged by the day or mile.
- Pickup Location: If your trip starts outside a major city like Winston-Salem, you may incur an additional fee to cover the “deadhead” mileage—the distance the bus travels empty to reach your starting point.
- Bus Type and Size: Larger vehicles with more seats generally cost more than smaller minibuses. However, upgrading to a full-size charter bus can be more economical per passenger if you have a big group.
- Special Amenities: Buses equipped with premium features—such as reclining seats, WiFi, power outlets, video screens, restrooms, or PA systems—may have higher rates.
- Tolls, Parking, and Driver Lodging: These expenses are not included in the base rental fee. You’ll need to budget separately for highway tolls, parking fees at venues, and hotel accommodations for the driver on multi-day trips.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
To give you a better idea of what to expect, here are several sample trip scenarios with estimated pricing based on recent quotes from Winston Salem Coach Bus Service. These examples assume standard vehicles with no special branding or custom wraps, and do not include additional expenses like tolls, parking fees, or driver lodging.
Example #1
A middle school in Forsyth County is organizing a field trip for 45 students and 5 chaperones (total 50 passengers) to visit Old Salem Museums & Gardens. The itinerary includes round-trip transportation from the school campus to Old Salem with a stop for lunch at a nearby park. Total mileage for the day is 30 miles, and the trip will last 6 hours. The school requests a full-size charter bus with reclining seats and a restroom. Because this is a local trip under 50 miles, it will be billed at the hourly rate of $200 per hour. With a 6-hour minimum, the total cost comes to $1,200 for the day. This works out to just $24 per person for comfortable, private transportation.
Example #2
A company in downtown Winston-Salem needs to provide a daily shuttle service for employees commuting from a satellite parking lot 10 miles away. The shuttle will operate two runs in the morning and two runs in the evening, five days a week. They require a minibus with seating for 28 passengers, WiFi, and power outlets. The service will be contracted for one month (20 weekdays). Because the shuttle will be running multiple times per day over several weeks, this trip will be billed at the daily rate. The cost for a minibus is $1,400 per day. Over 20 days, the total comes to $28,000 for the month. The company is able to offset this expense by reducing the need for expensive downtown parking spaces.
Example #3
A couple is hosting their wedding at the Graylyn Estate and needs transportation for guests between two hotels in downtown Winston-Salem and the venue. They expect 100 guests and plan to run continuous shuttles before and after the ceremony. They request two full-size charter buses with air conditioning and room for formal attire. The Graylyn Estate is located about 5 miles from the downtown hotels, making this a local shuttle service. The couple will need the buses for 8 hours to accommodate all guests. At $200 per hour per bus, the total cost is $3,200. Splitting the cost between two families makes this an affordable option for ensuring all guests arrive on time and safely.
Example #4
A university athletic department is sending its basketball team to Raleigh for a weekend tournament. The group includes 15 players, 5 coaches, and support staff, totaling 25 people. They need extra luggage space for equipment bags. The trip covers 200 miles round-trip and requires an overnight stay. Because the trip exceeds 50 miles and includes an overnight component, it will be billed at the daily rate. The team requests a minibus with additional storage, priced at $1,700 per day. With two days of travel, the total comes to $3,400. The university will also cover the cost of a hotel room for the driver. This package ensures the team travels together and stays on schedule.
Example #5
A local church is organizing a weekend retreat to a camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They have 40 adult members attending and need a charter bus with a restroom and reclining seats. The camp is 150 miles from Winston-Salem, and the trip will last three days. This long-distance trip is billed at the daily rate of $1,800 per day for a full-size charter bus. Over three days, the total cost is $5,400. Divided among 40 passengers, each person pays $135 for round-trip transportation. The onboard restroom reduces the number of stops required during the journey.
Example #6
A group of friends is planning a bachelor party in Charlotte and wants to rent a minibus for the evening. There are 12 people in the group. They will leave Winston-Salem in the afternoon, spend the evening visiting bars and restaurants, and return home late at night. The round-trip distance is 170 miles. The minibus is available at a daily rate of $1,500. Since the trip will be completed within one day, the total cost is $1,500. Split between 12 passengers, each person pays $125. Having a private shuttle allows the group to enjoy the evening without worrying about designated drivers or navigating unfamiliar streets.
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