Charter Bus Prices in Cary
Reserving a charter bus rental in Cary is easy with Cary Coach Bus Service! We make it easy to get an instant quote and book your bus online. But how much does it cost to rent a charter bus in Cary? The answer depends on several factors, including the size of the bus, the length of your trip, and the time of year you’re traveling. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about charter bus pricing in Cary so you can plan your next event with confidence.
| 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 Cary?
The cost of a charter bus rental in Cary typically ranges from $1,800 to $4,500+ for multi-day, out-of-town, or longer-distance trips, while local trips under 50 miles are billed hourly at rates between $200 and $375 per hour with a five-hour minimum. Larger vehicles like 56-passenger motorcoaches generally have a higher base price but offer the lowest cost per seat, making them ideal for transporting big groups affordably. Smaller options such as 18-, 20-, or 25-passenger minibuses come with a lower total price tag but a higher per-person rate. Final pricing depends on your exact itinerary, including pickup and drop-off locations, mileage, number of days, and any additional services required. The best way to determine your exact cost is to call our team at 984-378-1200 and get an instant quote based on your trip details.
What Factors Influence Charter Bus Pricing in Cary?
Several key factors influence the final price of your charter bus rental in Cary:
- Trip Duration and Distance: Longer trips covering more miles will naturally cost more. Local Cary-area trips are often billed hourly, while out-of-town or multi-day itineraries (such as shuttles to Charlotte, Atlanta, or Washington DC) are priced by the day or mile.
- Bus Type and Size: Larger 56-passenger motorcoaches have a higher base price but lower cost per seat, making them economical for big groups. Smaller 18-, 20-, and 25-passenger minibuses are cheaper overall but may have a higher per-person rate.
- Number of Buses Needed: If your group requires multiple vehicles—common for large events like weddings at The Umstead Hotel ∓ Spa or corporate conferences at the Raleigh Convention Center—your total cost will increase accordingly.
- Time of Year: Demand peaks during spring and summer due to school field trips, graduations (NCSU, Duke, UNC), and wedding season. Booking during these times can result in higher rates.
- Pickup Location: Trips starting outside the immediate Cary/Raleigh area may incur additional fees to cover the extra distance traveled by the bus.
- Additional Expenses: Tolls, parking fees (such as those at PNC Arena or Red Hat Amphitheater), and lodging expenses for the driver on overnight trips are not included in the base rental price and will be added separately.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
To give you a better idea of what to expect, here are some real-world examples of recent charter bus rentals we've booked in the Cary area. These examples include different types of trips, vehicles, and itineraries to show how pricing can vary based on your specific needs. If you don't see a scenario that matches your upcoming trip, contact our team anytime at 984-378-1200, and we'll quickly provide a custom quote built around your exact itinerary.
Example #1
A tech company based in downtown Cary needed a daily employee shuttle to their new office in Research Triangle Park. The round-trip distance was 28 miles, and they required a 25-passenger minibus with WiFi and power outlets. The service ran five days a week for one month.
Pricing: $275 per hour x 3 hours per day x 22 days = $18,150 total
Breakdown: $18,150 / 22 days = $825 per day
Cost per seat: $825 / 25 seats = $33 per seat per day
Example #2
A couple hosting their wedding at The Merrimon-Wynne House in downtown Raleigh booked a 20-passenger minibus to shuttle guests between the venue and two nearby hotels. The service ran for six hours with multiple loops around the city. They received a package deal for a six-hour block.
Pricing: $225 per hour x 6 hours = $1,350 total
Cost per guest: $1,350 / 20 seats = $67.50 per guest
Example #3
An area high school booked a 56-passenger charter bus for a three-day field trip to Washington, DC. The itinerary included visits to the National Mall, Smithsonian museums, and Arlington National Cemetery. The total round-trip distance was 540 miles. Additional expenses included hotel accommodations for the driver and tolls along I-95.
Pricing: $4,200 base rate + $300 driver hotel + $75 tolls = $4,575 total
Cost per student: $4,575 / 56 seats = $81.70 per student
Example #4
A group of prospective students and parents organized a campus tour to several universities in Charlotte, including UNC Charlotte and Queens University. They rented a 25-passenger minibus for a two-day trip, with an itinerary that included overnight lodging and local transportation around the city. The total distance was 330 miles.
Pricing: $2,400 base rate + $150 driver hotel = $2,550 total
Cost per person: $2,550 / 25 seats = $102 per person
Example #5
A youth soccer club qualified for a regional tournament in Atlanta and needed transportation for players, coaches, and families. They booked two 56-passenger charter buses to accommodate everyone. The trip spanned four days with a total distance of 800 miles. Each bus required separate driver accommodations.
Pricing: ($5,600 base rate x 2 buses) + ($400 driver hotels x 2) = $12,000 total
Cost per seat: $12,000 / 112 seats = $107.14 per seat
Example #6
A corporate client arranged for a 20-passenger minibus to pick up a group of executives arriving at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). The minibus featured leather seats and a PA system for announcements. The transfer included curbside pickup at the terminal and drop-off at a downtown hotel. The client paid an hourly rate plus airport parking fees.
Pricing: $250 per hour x 2 hours = $500 + $35 airport fee = $535 total
Cost per executive: $535 / 20 seats = $26.75 per executive
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