Charter Bus Prices: How Much Does a San Clemente Bus Rental Cost?

The price of a charter bus rental in San Clemente will depend on several factors, but you can expect to pay $170 to $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day. This is due to the fact that every trip has different mileage, bus sizes, duration, and itinerary needs. You can get a quote in about 30 seconds using our online tool or by calling 949-841-2490. Below you’ll find estimated pricing for some of our most popular buses and factors that can affect your price.

Vehicle TypePer 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 a Charter Bus Rental?

When it comes to renting a charter bus in San Clemente, there are several factors that go into determining the final price. For starters, the type of bus you choose plays a big role in how much you'll pay. Larger buses like full-size charter buses tend to cost more per hour or per day compared to smaller vehicles like minibuses or sprinter vans. This is simply because they can hold more people and often come with additional amenities. Another key factor is how far you're traveling and how long you'll need the bus. If you're just staying local around San Clemente for a few hours – say, shuttling guests to and from a wedding venue – your costs will be lower than if you're taking a multi-day trip up the coast to San Francisco or even out of state. Longer distances and extended use mean more fuel, more wear and tear, and higher overall fees. The time of year also affects pricing. During peak travel seasons – like summer or major holidays – demand for charter buses goes up, and so do the prices. If you can be flexible with your dates and book during the off-season, you might snag a better deal. Additionally, any special requests or add-ons will impact your quote. Want a bus with WiFi, power outlets, premium sound systems, or leather seats? These upgraded features typically come at an extra cost. Similarly, if you need ADA-accessible transportation, make sure to mention it early on. While accessibility itself shouldn’t increase your base rate, the availability of specific vehicles might affect your options. Lastly, don't forget about tolls, parking permits, and tips. These aren't usually included in the initial quote, but they're important to budget for. For example, if your itinerary includes stops at places like the San Clemente Pier or downtown Laguna Beach, you may need to pay for parking or entry fees. And while tipping is optional, it's customary to tip your bus driver 10-20% for good service.

What is include in my quote?

Your quote from Charter Bus Rental San Clemente covers the bus rental itself and all mileage associated with your custom itinerary. Tolls, parking passes, hotels for drivers, and other incidentals are not included. For example, if your trip requires parking at the Outlets at San Clemente, budget $40/day for oversized vehicle parking. Overnight trips require providing hotel accommodations for your bus driver—often one room per night. Tolls along routes such as the 73 or 241 Express Lanes are billed separately based on usage. We recommend budgeting $5-$10 per person per day for meals and tipping your driver 10-20% of the total trip cost.

Sample Trip Pricing Examples

Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in San Clemente, CA and around Orange County. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.

Field Trip to the Ocean Institute

18 passenger minibus rental

Mrs. Thompson is organizing a field trip for her 6th grade class of 25 students from Vista Del Mar Middle School. They plan to leave San Clemente at 9:00 AM and return by 3:00 PM the same day. The day will include a guided tour of the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, lunch on the harbor, and a tide pool exploration at nearby Doheny State Beach. Since this is a local, single-day outing, Mrs. Thompson receives a quote for $1,175. With 25 students and 3 chaperones, she books a 28-passenger minibus, bringing the cost to about $42 per person.

Get a Quote

Wedding Shuttle Service to Casa Romantica

56 passenger charter bus

Sarah is planning her wedding at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens and wants to ensure all 100 guests arrive on time and safely. She arranges for two 56-passenger charter buses to shuttle guests between their hotels in Irvine and the venue in San Clemente. The buses will make continuous loops from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM to accommodate arrivals and departures throughout the day. Factoring in the cost of each bus and the full-day schedule, Sarah is quoted $3,800 total. She also budgets $80 for parking permits at the venue, making the total cost $3,880, or about $39 per guest.

Get a Quote

Corporate Retreat Transportation to Temecula

25 passenger minibus rental

A biotech company in San Clemente is hosting a two-day team-building retreat in Temecula. They need to transport 48 employees from their office to the resort and back, with a stop at a winery for dinner. The company books a single 56-passenger charter bus, departing at 8:00 AM on Day 1 and returning at 5:00 PM on Day 2. The quote for the two-day trip comes to $3,600. The company also secures a hotel room for the bus driver at $150 per night and anticipates $50 in tolls along the route, bringing the total to $3,800 for the event.

Get a Quote

Bachelor Party Night Out in Downtown San Diego

20 passenger minibus rental

Mark is organizing a bachelor party for his best friend, Alex, with 14 friends heading from San Clemente to Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego for dinner, bar hopping, and a late-night comedy show. He rents a 15-passenger sprinter party bus with onboard entertainment features for the group. The bus will pick them up at 4:00 PM, stay with them through their evening itinerary, and drop them off at home by 2:00 AM. Mark receives a quote for $2,000 for the 10-hour rental, which breaks down to about $134 per person for safe, private transportation all night.

Get a Quote
disclaimer image