Coach Bus Prices: How Much Does a Iowa City Coach Bus Rental Cost?
The cost of renting a coach bus in Iowa City depends on several factors, including the type of bus you choose, how many hours or days you need it, your exact itinerary, and even what time of year you’re traveling. In general, you can expect to pay between $170 and $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day for a full-size coach bus rental. Of course, the best way to get an accurate price is to call our team at 319-512-7990 or use our online quote tool to get an instant quote in under 30 seconds! We’ll ask you a few quick questions about your trip and send you a custom price right away. Below, you’ll find more information about estimated rates, what’s included in your rental, and all the different factors that go into determining your final price.
| 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 Coach Bus Rental Cost?
Coach bus rentals in Iowa City typically cost between $170 and $500+ per hour depending on the size of the bus, the length of your trip, and the time of year. For example, a 56-passenger charter bus will generally be more expensive than a 25-passenger minibus, but it also offers more space and amenities like onboard restrooms, luggage bays, and reclining seats. If you’re planning a multi-day trip, most companies will charge a daily rate instead of an hourly rate, which can range from $1,800 to $3,800+ per day. Keep in mind that these prices are just averages—your actual quote may be higher or lower depending on your specific needs. To get an exact price for your trip, call our team anytime at 319-512-7990 or fill out our online form to receive an instant quote in less than 30 seconds!
What Factors Influence Coach Bus Rental Pricing in Iowa City?
There are many different factors that can affect the cost of your coach bus rental in Iowa City. Some of the most important ones include:
- Distance and Duration: The longer your trip, the more expensive it will be. Most companies charge by the hour for local trips (with a minimum of 4-5 hours) and by the day for long-distance or multi-day trips. For example, a round-trip from Iowa City to Des Moines and back in one day will cost less than a three-day excursion to Chicago with multiple stops along the way.
- Type of Bus: Larger buses like 56-passenger motorcoaches are more expensive than smaller minibuses or sprinter vans because they offer more seating capacity and amenities. However, if you don’t need all that extra space, you can save money by choosing a smaller vehicle that still meets your group’s needs.
- Time of Year: Bus rental prices tend to be higher during peak travel seasons such as spring (April-June) and fall (September-November) when schools are in session and demand is high for field trips, sports tournaments, and college shuttles. Rates may also increase around major holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas due to limited availability.
- Day of the Week: Weekend rentals (Friday-Sunday) are usually more expensive than weekday rentals (Monday-Thursday) because there is greater demand for leisure travel during those times. If you have flexibility in your schedule, consider booking your trip on a weekday to get a better rate.
- Pick-Up Location: If your pick-up or drop-off point is outside of our service area, you may be charged extra for “deadhead” miles—the distance the bus has to travel empty before picking up passengers or after dropping them off. For instance, if you need a bus to pick you up in Cedar Rapids but the nearest available unit is based in Iowa City, you’ll be responsible for covering the cost of getting the bus to and from your location.
- Additional Fees: While most quotes include the base rental fee, fuel, insurance, and driver’s wages, there are some expenses that are not included such as tolls (Iowa 80 Tollway), parking fees (Kinnick Stadium, Xtream Arena), hotel accommodations for the driver on overnight trips (required by law), and gratuity (usually 10-20% of the total cost). Be sure to budget for these extras when planning your trip.
To get an accurate quote tailored to your specific itinerary, call our team at 319-512-7990 or fill out our online form today!
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Iowa City, IA and around Iowa State. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Field Trip to the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History
Mrs. Thompson is organizing a field trip for her 4th grade class of 22 students from Coralville Central Elementary. They plan to leave the school at 9:00 AM, spend the morning exploring the exhibits at the University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, eat lunch on the Pentacrest, and return to Coralville by 2:30 PM. Since this is a short, local trip within Johnson County, she was quoted $1,100 for a 25-passenger minibus. With 24 people in the group, that comes out to about $46 per person for comfortable, round-trip transportation and storage space for backpacks and lunches.
Wedding Shuttle From Downtown Iowa City to Rapid Creek Cidery
Sara and Ben are getting married at Rapid Creek Cidery, just outside Iowa City, and want to provide their 120 guests with reliable transportation from two downtown hotels to the venue and back. They’ve booked two 56-passenger charter buses to run continuous shuttles before and after the ceremony. The total rental time is 6 hours per bus, at a rate of $225 per hour, bringing the cost to $2,700 per bus or $5,400 total. This ensures all guests arrive safely, on time, and can enjoy the open bar without worrying about driving back to town.
Corporate Outing to Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery
An Iowa City tech company is treating its 40 employees to an afternoon of team-building at Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery in Swisher. The plan is to depart from the office at 1:00 PM, enjoy a private tour and tasting, have dinner on-site, and return by 8:00 PM. For this itineraryy, we recommended a 44-passenger charter bus with reclining seats, WiFi, and power outlets so everyone can relax or catch up on emails during the 30-minute drive each way. The quote came to $1,850 for the day, which covers all transportation and allows the group to travel together comfortably.
Shuttle Service for Iowa Hawkeyes Football Game at Kinnick Stadium
A group of Hawkeye fans from North Liberty wants to avoid the hassle of game day parking by renting a bus to shuttle them to and from Kinnick Stadium. They have 35 people in their party and need transportation from a central pick-up point in North Liberty to the stadium, with drop-off before kickoff and pick-up immediately after the game ends. The total duration is estimated at 5 hours, including wait time during the game. A 38-passenger minibus was quoted at $1,350 for the evening, making it an affordable and convenient option for cheering on the home team without worrying about traffic or DUIs.
Multi-day School Trip to Chicago Museums
City High School is taking 50 students and 5 chaperones on a three-day educational trip to Chicago to visit the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Museum of Science and Industry. They’ll depart Iowa City early Friday morning, spend two nights at a hotel near Grant Park, and return Sunday evening. The itineraryy includes several drop-offs and pick-ups around downtown Chicago, as well as overnight parking fees for the bus. For this package, we provided a 56-passenger charter bus with restroom, DVD players, and undercarriage storage for suitcases. The total cost was $5,900, which includes mileage, driver’s hotel room, tolls, and all transportation within the city.
Bachelorette Party in Downtown Iowa City
Emily is planning a bachelorette party for her sister with stops at several bars and restaurants in downtown Iowa City, followed by dancing at Studio 13. The group of 15 ladies wants a fun and safe way to get around town without splitting into multiple Ubers or designating a driver. They booked an 18-passenger minibus for 6 hours at a rate of $175 per hour, totaling $1,050 for the night. The bus will make multiple stops according to their schedule, provide a secure place to leave coats and purses between venues, and ensure everyone gets back to the hotel together at the end of the celebration.