Coach Bus Prices: How Much Does a Santa Monica Coach Bus Rental Cost?

Coach bus rentals in Santa Monica typically cost between $155 and $295 per hour, $1,900 and $3,800 per day. These full-size buses can seat 47 to 56 passengers and are ideal for long-distance trips, such as taking a school group to Disneyland or transporting a sports team to a tournament in San Diego. Coaches come equipped with amenities like reclining seats, onboard restrooms, luggage bays, WiFi, power outlets, and TVs with DVD players. If you’re planning an overnight trip or need to move a large group comfortably across Southern California, a coach bus is the most efficient option. Smaller minibuses (18-35 passengers) are available for $145-$250 per hour, while sprinter vans (10-15 passengers) start at $135 per hour.

Several key factors will determine the final price of your Santa Monica bus rental:

• Trip Distance and Duration: The most important factor is how far and how long you’ll be traveling. Local trips within Santa Monica, West LA, or Downtown LA are usually billed by the hour (with a 5-hour minimum), while longer journeys to places like Palm Springs or Las Vegas are priced by the day or by total mileage. The more miles and hours your bus is on the road, the higher the cost.
• Number of Buses and Bus Type: Larger vehicles like 56-passenger coaches cost more than smaller minibuses or sprinter vans. If you need multiple buses for a big event—such as shuttling wedding guests between hotels in Beverly Hills and a reception in Pacific Palisades—your total price will increase accordingly. ADA-accessible buses are available at no extra charge, but must be requested in advance.
• Time of Year: Demand for charter buses peaks during the spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) when schools are in session and the weather is ideal for outdoor events. Summer months are also busy due to tourism and festival season. Booking during these high-demand periods may result in higher rates, so reserve early if possible. Winter is generally the cheapest time to rent a bus in Southern California.
• Day of the Week: Weekday rentals are typically less expensive than weekend bookings. If you have flexibility in your schedule, consider traveling Monday through Thursday to save money.
• Pickup Location: Buses are dispatched from depots across Los Angeles County. If your pickup point is outside the immediate service area—such as in Ventura County or the Inland Empire—you may be charged extra for “deadhead” mileage (the distance the bus travels empty to reach you).
• Itinerary Complexity: Simple, direct routes with few stops are easier to schedule and less expensive than complicated itineraries with multiple pickup/drop-off points, tight timelines, or heavy traffic congestion (think rush hour on the 405). Provide a detailed itinerary when requesting a quote so we can give you the most accurate price.
• Additional Expenses: Tolls (e.g., ExpressLanes on I-10 or I-110), parking fees (especially at venues like SoFi Stadium or the Hollywood Bowl), and driver accommodations for overnight trips are not included in the base rental rate. You’ll also need to budget for gratuity—while not mandatory, it’s customary to tip your driver 10-20% for excellent service.

If you have any questions about what’s included in your quote, our team is available 24/7 to help. We pride ourselves on transparent pricing with no hidden fees.