Rapid City Charter Bus Prices
Bus Type | Per Hour | Per Day | Per Mile |
---|---|---|---|
50 to 56 Passenger Charter Bus | $180 – $500+ | $1,800 – $3,800 | $6.00 – $9.95 |
40 to 50 Passenger Charter Bus | $170 – $480+ | $1,700 – $3,565 | $6.00 – $9.95 |
25 to 35 Passenger Minibus | $150 – $450+ | $1,610 – $3,465 | $4.00 – $9.95 |
20 to 24 Passenger Minibus | $150 – $440+ | $1,610 – $3,365 | $4.00 – $8.95 |
15 to 18 Passenger Minibus | $150 – $430+ | $1,520 – $3,255 | $4.00 – $7.95 |
Entertainer Coach | $315 – $550+ | $3,000 – $5,000+ | $6.00 – $9.95 |
Yellow School Bus | $145 – $450+ | $1,520 – $3,655 | $6.00 – $9.95 |
Shuttle Bus | $155 – $450+ | $1,520 – $3,655 | $6.00 – $9.95 |
Rapid City Party Bus Prices
Type of Party Bus | Cost Per Hour Weekdays | Cost Per Hour Weekends | Cost Per Day |
---|---|---|---|
Small Party Bus (10 to 20 Passengers) | $180 - $450+ | $200 - $470+ | $1,000 - $2,900+ |
Medium Party Bus (20 to 40 Passengers) | $200 - $500+ | $220 - $500+ | $1,200 - $3,500+ |
Large Party Bus Rental (40 to 50 Passengers) | $250 - $500+ | $240 - $520+ | $1,500 - $3,900+ |
Mercedes Sprinter Party Bus | $160 - $400+ | $180 - $450+ | $1,000 - $3,900+ |
* Prices may vary greatly in your city and state. Due to the impact of COVID-19 and inflation, all rental prices shown are past estimates. Actual pricing may be significantly higher depending on availability and location. To get real-time pricing, call us 1-605-545-9120 or use our online quote tool.
How Much Does a Rapid City Charter Bus Rental Cost?
When it comes to the cost of your Rapid City bus rental, we want you to know the price before your trip rather than wondering. Charter Bus Rapid City makes pricing charter bus rentals simple, with instant quotes tailored to your trip, and options for everyone. A reservation specialist will determine your quote based on several different factors, including your chosen mode of transportation, where your trip is and how long it lasts (in days, hours, or miles), and any special accommodations your group may need. You can count on our specialists to walk you through all available options, and present you with a package that meets your needs! From a 15-passenger mini bus to a full-size charter bus for up to 56 passengers, your bus rental costs will depend on which type of bus and amenities that you choose! For example, 50- 56 passenger charter buses range from $180 – $500 per hour or $1,800 – $3,800 per day while smaller minibuses for 15- 35 people typically start at $150 – $450 per hour or $1,520 – $3,465 per day.
How Much Does a Rapid City party bus rental Cost?
Charter Bus Rapid City offers a wide selection of party bus rentals in Rapid City, South Dakota! Our network includes 10- to 50-passenger party buses, with tons of great amenities like high-end sound systems, bar areas, comfortable seating and mood lighting to make your celebration extra special. Pricing varies based on trip and rental needs. Small party buses range from $200 – $470+, medium party buses from $220 – $500+ per day while larger models for 40- 50 people start at $250+ per hour and $1,500+ daily. Or, rent a luxury sprinter limousine for a sleek ride at $160 – $400+ on weekdays or $180 – $450+ on weekends and $1,000+ per day! No matter your group’s occasion, our reservation specialists are here 24/7 to help you create the perfect transportation solution or use our 30-second online quote tool!
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Call Now: 605-545-9120What are the Factors Influencing Rapid City Bus Rental Pricing?
Charter Bus Rapid City works with bus companies throughout South Dakota to get you a wide variety of charter bus rental options to suit any budget and occasion. Your Charter Bus Rapid City rental expert will personalize each bus rental quote based on these trip details to ensure you get the best price possible.
How Trip Logistics and Trip Length Influence Pricing?
Rapid City charter bus rentals are priced by the hour, day, or mileage, depending on the specifics of your trip or event. For short, local trips lasting a few hours, such as shuttle service or transportation for a private event, your Charter Bus Rapid City representative will likely quote you a rate by the hour. Keep in mind, however, that most charter bus companies require a minimum number of rental hours. So even if you think your event will take three hours, if the minimum required is five hours, you will still be charged for five hours. If you’re traveling over a longer distance, like from Rapid City to Sioux Falls or Pierre, or to venues or attractions in nearby states like Montana and Wyoming, your representative will probably provide a daily or per-mile quote instead. This applies to multi-day trips, as well, such as for annual conventions, sports tournaments, field trips across state lines, or other kinds of private group tours across the region. Your final quote will include the services of a bus driver for the entire duration of your trip, and you may need to factor in the costs of tolls, parking passes, driver meals and lodging during an overnight trip (most of our rental partners require drivers to rest 8 hours for every 10 they spend on the road).

How Time of Year Can Affect Pricing?
Your rental costs can depend on the time of year your trip will be. Summer tends to be busy for charter bus rentals (more trips and events are planned during nice weather and the time when school is out), so your rates may be higher because of limited availability. Winter weather can actually drive down the pricing on your bus because the demand is usually much lower. The demand for charter bus rentals in Rapid City also fluctuates depending on yearly events, and if you have a big group visiting, the time of year your trip takes place will also affect your overall rate due to increased competition for hotels and bus rentals. If you are headed to events such as Hills Alive Christian music festival, or for any other major event in the area like the Black Hills Powwow or even the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally — it’s important to check if the time you are traveling will require earlier booking to get the best rates. Book your trip at least six months in advance for the best selection of available Rapid City charter buses, and ask your reservation specialist if your vendor offers discounts for booking and/or paying in full several months ahead of your trip.

How the Supply and Demand of the Vehicle’s Base City Affects Costs?
The location of your trip’s starting point has a major impact on your overall cost. Many smaller towns do not have a big selection of charter buses. If you are traveling during a busy season, it may be challenging to find the right bus for your group. This increases the demand and lowers the supply of available charter bus options, making it more expensive for your group. It also may be the case that there aren’t many bus companies in the location you are trying to book. To ensure that you have the right vehicle available for your group, book as early as possible for both transportation and lodging. Another thing that increases charter bus pricing is when the bus must drive a long distance to meet your group before the trip even starts. The number of miles your bus drives before the first pickup is known as “deadhead.” If you’re starting your trip in a city far from the bus’s base city, expect a higher price to compensate the driver’s costs. To lower these deadhead costs, you might want to consider having your group members meet near a major city for their first pick-up.
How Charter Bus Size Impacts Your Costs?
The type of bus that you rent will impact your overall trip budget, which should come as no extra charges. For example, if your group has 15 passengers, you would probably get a 20 passenger mini bus rental. But if you end up with 19 passengers instead, you will need a larger 25-passenger minibus to fit the group comfortably. These different charter bus sizes also vary in price and can come with different amenities. While you can expect amenities like WiFi, power outlets, and reclining seats on all sizes of bus, some larger charter buses come with onboard restrooms and undercarriage storage. If you’re looking for something different, your reservation specialist can help. There are even party buses with premium features for special occasions. And if you need to accommodate every member of your group no matter what, Charter Bus Rapid City makes it easy to arrange custom fleets. Your representative can mix and match bus rentals and arrange routes and schedules for different buses to pick up and drop off your large group of guests. For example, if you’re organizing transportation for a wedding that includes a large guest list, multiple wedding party groups, and families traveling from out of town, we can customize a fleet of minibuses and charter buses to meet the needs of every passenger.
How the Day of the Week Impacts Your Rental Costs?
Your overall charter bus rental costs will also depend on the day of the week that you book your trip. Demand for charter bus rentals tends to be higher on weekends, leading to an increase in price, while pricing can drop during the week, Monday-Thursday, due to lower demand. This is because many buses sit unused during slower travel times when most events or group outings don’t happen. That is why if you can schedule your trips to occur Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, you will have a higher chance of getting the best possible rates.
The Impact of the Time of Day on Your Rental Costs
Like most things, there is a best time of day to rent a charter bus. Evenings are generally when a lot of events take place for celebrations and large get-togethers. Because of the heightened demand for buses around the evening and nighttime, you’re likely to encounter a higher price point at certain times of day. For the lowest hourly and daily rates, choose a charter bus rental during the day. If you’re booking an outing like a sporting event or a music festival, there’s no way to change the time of your main event, but consider scheduling daytime transport to and from the hotel. And if you’re planning a trip like a day-long nature tour at Custer State Park or a brewery hop, booking during the day will reduce your overall transportation costs.
How Amenities and Special Features Can Affect Costs?
Your final price also depends on the additional amenities you request. For example, while most charter buses already come with standard amenities like WiFi, power outlets, and restrooms, some buses come with premium add-ons, such as reclining seats and leather seating. If you want to reserve a specific vehicle or special features that your group may need, such as an ADA-accessible bus rental with wheelchair lifts, it’s important to let your reservation specialist know. They can find a bus that meets your needs while giving you a detailed account of the pricing when factoring in the extra charges.
Important Additional Costs
When you make your reservation, a Charter Bus Rapid City rental expert will tell you what is and isn’t included in your total cost. Your Rapid City bus rental quote will include base pay for your driver, how many hours or days you’ll be traveling, and the mileage rate or mileage from each location of your trip. Other costs that you will need to be aware of and add to your final budget include tolls and parking fees. It’s recommended that you contact venues, hotels, and airports at all of your destinations to discuss parking options and any fees you may need to pay for an oversize vehicle like a charter bus.
If you have a multi-day trip planned in Rapid City, you’ll also need to ensure that your driver has a hotel room for each overnight stay. Make sure you book a three-star hotel or higher for your driver, and most hotels offer a discounted or free room for drivers to spend the night when you book rooms for a large group. Just ask about hotel policies for booking rooms for bus drivers when you call to reserve a room block.
And while it isn’t included in your quote, don’t forget to factor in your driver’s tip! You’ll tip your driver for a successful trip like you might tip your server at a restaurant. Typically, driver gratuity is 15-20% of the total cost but use your judgment and tip higher if you feel your driver went above and beyond to provide your group with a great experience. If you’re traveling for multiple days, some groups opt to give their driver a few smaller cash tips along the way.
Money-Saving Tips
- Need to cut down on your trip spending but still want a comfortable, personalized group transportation solution in Rapid City? Charter Bus Rapid City has some of the most competitive rates in the business—but we can make your trip even more affordable. Here are some tips:
- Finalize your headcount before booking. Additional guests may need a larger bus rental than originally planned, which will affect overall costs.
- Call ahead to the locations you’re planning on visiting to inquire about their charter bus rental parking options. This will help you avoid having to search for multiple parking lots or potentially missing out on destinations because of limited parking.
- Book early, especially if you’re traveling during peak season, which occurs between April and June. The earlier you book, the better chances you’ll have of getting a lower price.
- Choose the right bus model to transport your group. It’s not always necessary to book the largest vehicle. If your group has fewer than 20 people, a minibus may be more cost-effective for your trip.
- Contact your hotel and see if they offer discounts on driver lodging when you book a block of rooms. Some hotels and venues will offer complimentary driver lodging.
- Finalize your itinerary before you call. This will reduce any additional charges if your group has to take an unplanned detour or add more stops along the way.
Get A Quote In Under 30-Seconds!
Need to rent a charter bus, mini bus, party bus, or limo rental in Rapid City? We’re available 24/7 to answer your transportation questions, provide you with a personalized quote and get you on the road in no time! Use our instant online quote tool to receive a free charter bus quote in seconds.