Abilene Charter Bus & Minibus Rental Prices: How Much Does a Abilene Bus Rental Cost?
Charter bus rental prices in Abilene can range from $170 to $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day, depending on the size of your group, the type of vehicle you choose, and how far you plan to travel. The best way to get an exact price is to use our online quote tool or call our team at 325-349-0410. We’ll ask you a few quick questions about your trip, like where you’re going, when you need to leave, and how many people are in your group. Then we’ll give you an instant quote right over the phone! Below, you’ll find sample prices for different types of trips, as well as more information about what goes into the cost of renting a bus in Abilene.
| 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 Bus Rental Cost?
Abilene Minibus Company offers some of the most competitive rates for charter bus rentals in Abilene. Our fleet includes minibuses, sprinter vans, party buses, and full-size motorcoaches with seating capacities ranging from 15 to 56 passengers. Here’s a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay:
- 56-Passenger Coach Bus – $197 – $519 per hour · $1,600 – $3,800 per day · $5.00 – $8.00 per mile
- 25-Passenger Minibus – $165 – $428 per hour · $1,300 – $3,200 per day · $4.00 – $7.00 per mile
- 20-Passenger Minibus – $157 – $414 per hour · $1,300 – $3,100 per day · $4.00 – $7.00 per mile
- 18-Passenger Minibus – $145 – $404 per hour · $1,300 – $3,000 per day · $4.00 – $7.00 per mile
These are average estimates based on past reservations. Your rate may be higher or lower depending on the details of your trip. For the most accurate pricing, call us anytime at 325-349-0410 or use our instant quote tool.
What Factors Influence Bus Rental Pricing in Abilene?
Several factors affect the final cost of your bus rental in Abilene. The biggest one is the distance and duration of your trip. If you’re traveling locally—say, between downtown Abilene, Hardin-Simmons University, and the Mall of Abilene—you may be charged by the hour. Longer trips across West Texas (like to Lubbock or Midland) are usually billed by the mile or day. The size and type of vehicle also make a difference. Full-size charter buses with amenities like WiFi, power outlets, and restrooms are more expensive than smaller minibuses or sprinter vans. Party buses with custom lighting and sound systems fall somewhere in between.
The time of year matters, too. Peak seasons for charter bus rentals in Abilene include spring break, graduation weekends, and football season when ACU Wildcats fans travel en masse. Rates tend to be higher during these periods due to increased demand. Booking at least three to six months in advance can help lock in lower prices. Last-minute reservations may cost more, especially if availability is limited.
Other variables include whether you need special features (like ADA-accessible lifts), multiple pick-up or drop-off points, or overnight stays that require lodging for your driver. Additional expenses such as tolls, parking fees at venues like Taylor County Expo Center, and gratuity for your driver are not included in the base quote but should be budgeted separately. Finally, any custom requests—like branding the bus for a corporate event or stocking it with snacks and drinks—may incur extra charges.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Abilene, TX and around Texas. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Field Trip to Frontier Texas!
Mrs. Thompson is organizing a field trip for her 4th grade class of 22 students from Austin Elementary School. They plan to visit Frontier Texas! in downtown Abilene to learn about local history, followed by lunch at Oscar Rose Park and a quick stop at The Grace Museum. The group will depart at 9:00 AM and return by 2:30 PM the same day. For this itinerary, Mrs. Thompson received a quote of $1,470 for a 25-passenger minibus, which averages out to about $66 per person. This option provided enough space for students, teachers, and chaperones, making it an affordable choice for a short, local outing.
Wedding Shuttle to the Mill Barn
Amanda is planning her wedding at The Mill Barn in Tye, just outside Abilene. She needs transportation for 40 guests staying at hotels near the Mall of Abilene to the venue and back. The ceremony starts at 5:00 PM, so she wants shuttles running from 3:30 PM until midnight to accommodate arrivals and departures. Amanda’s reservation specialist recommended a 56-passenger charter bus with reclining seats, climate control, and onboard restroom. The total cost for this eight-hour rental is $2,800, which works out to $70 per guest. Amanda appreciated the convenience of keeping her guests together and on schedule while celebrating her big day.
Corporate Retreat at Lake Fort Phantom Hill
An Abilene-based tech company is hosting a two-day corporate retreat at a lakeside cabin on Lake Fort Phantom Hill. They have 18 employees who need round-trip transportation from their office on Pine Street to the lake house, with stops for groceries and team-building activities like kayaking and hiking. The organizer booked an 18-passenger minibus with USB charging ports and leather seats for $1,950 total. This package included pick-up on Friday morning, drop-off at the cabin, standby service for local excursions, and return to Abilene on Saturday evening. The cost per employee came to $108, making it a cost-effective solution for group travel.
Game Day Charter to Arlington
A group of Dallas Cowboys fans in Abilene wants to attend a Sunday game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. There are 30 people in the group, and they prefer to travel together without worrying about driving or parking. They’ll leave Abilene at 8:00 AM, arrive in Arlington by noon, tailgate before the 3:25 PM kickoff, and head back after the game. The organizer chose a 35-passenger minibus with reclining seats, overhead storage, and WiFi for streaming highlights. The quote for this 400-mile round trip was $2,995, or about $100 per person. Everyone agreed it was worth it for a hassle-free game day experience.
Church Youth Group Trip to Six Flags Over Texas
A local church is taking its youth group to Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington for a summer outing. They have 42 participants, including kids, counselors, and parent volunteers. The plan is to leave Abilene early Saturday morning, spend the entire day at the amusement park, and return late that night. To accommodate everyone comfortably, the church rented a 56-passenger charter bus equipped with DVD player, PA system, and restroom. The total cost for this all-day excursion was $3,600, which covered the 350-mile round trip and driver’s waiting time. Divided among the attendees, the per-person rate came to $86.
Multi-day College Tour Across Texas
Hardin-Simmons University is organizing a multi-day college tour for prospective students to visit campuses in Waco, Austin, and San Antonio. The group consists of 28 high school seniors and two admissions counselors. The itinerary spans four days, with overnight stays in each city, campus tours, and sightseeing. The university booked a 30-passenger minibus with reclining seats, individual reading lights, and luggage racks for $8,200 total. This price included daily mileage, driver’s hotel accommodations, and flexible scheduling for unscheduled stops. The average cost per traveler was $273, making it an efficient way to showcase multiple universities in one trip.