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Charter Bus Prices in Madera

Madera Coach Bus Service is here to make charter bus pricing simple! We know how important it is to understand the cost before you book, so we put together this complete guide to help you get the answers you need. Whether you're planning a school trip, corporate event, wedding, or sports travel, you'll find everything you need to know about charter bus prices right here. Read on for real-world examples, sample calculations, and expert tips from our reservation team—or call us anytime at 559-975-8980 to get an instant quote and speak with one of our experts about your trip!

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 Madera?

The cost of a charter bus rental in Madera typically ranges from $1,620 to $4,075+ for multi-day, out-of-town, and full-day trips, while local rentals (5 hours) cost $1,100–$3,250+ depending on vehicle size. Minibuses (20–35 passengers) are $1,100–$2,500 for local trips and $1,385–$3,950+ for longer itineraries. You can get an instant price estimate using our online charter bus pricing tool or call our reservations team at 559-975-8980 with your trip itinerary to receive an exact quote with pictures of vehicles, pricing, and availability in under 30-seconds.

What Factors Influence Charter Bus Pricing in Madera?

No two trips are exactly alike, and there are several key factors that go into determining the final cost of your charter bus rental:

  • Trip Duration & Mileage: Longer trips covering more miles will naturally cost more. Local trips are often billed hourly (with a 5-hour minimum), while out-of-town or multi-day trips are charged by the day or by total mileage.
  • Vehicle Type & Size: Larger vehicles like 56-passenger full-size charter buses cost more than smaller minibuses, but they also offer more seats—so your per-person cost may be lower if you fill the bus. Upgrading to a party bus, sprinter van, or an executive coach with premium amenities will affect pricing as well.
  • Number of Buses Needed: If your group requires multiple vehicles, your total cost will increase accordingly. However, splitting a large group across two or three buses may be more cost-effective than upgrading everyone to a single larger coach.
  • Time of Year: Demand for charter buses peaks during certain seasons—especially spring (April–June) for school trips and fall weekends for weddings and sporting events. You’ll see higher rates during these busy periods.
  • Pickup Location & Deadhead Fees: Your rental clock starts when the bus leaves the depot, not when it picks up your group. If you’re located far from the nearest available vehicle, you’ll pay extra “deadhead” fees to cover the empty miles traveled to and from your pickup point.
  • Additional Expenses: While not included in your base rental fee, you’ll be responsible for covering tolls, parking fees, and hotel accommodations for the driver on overnight trips. These costs vary by destination but should be factored into your overall budget.

Sample Trip Pricing Examples

To give you a better idea of what to expect, here are several sample trip scenarios with estimated pricing. All examples assume standard vehicle types, and sample rates are based on recent quotes generated through our online tool.

Example #1

18 passenger minibus rental

A local elementary school is organizing a field trip to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. They need transportation for 50 students and 5 chaperones. The zoo is approximately 30 miles from the school, making it a 60-mile round trip. The trip will be completed in one day.

  • Vehicle: 56-passenger charter bus
  • Distance: 60 miles round trip
  • Duration: 1 day
  • Price: $2,200

Because this is a short, local trip that can be completed within a single day, the school is charged a flat rate of $2,200. This covers the cost of the bus, driver, and fuel.

Example #2

56 passenger charter bus

A corporation is hosting a conference in downtown Fresno and needs to shuttle 30 employees from their office in Madera to the event venue each day for three days. The distance between Madera and downtown Fresno is about 25 miles one way, resulting in a 50-mile round trip. The shuttle will make one round trip per day.

  • Vehicle: 35-passenger minibus
  • Distance: 50 miles round trip x 3 days = 150 miles total
  • Duration: 3 days
  • Price: $3,900 ($1,300 per day)

This multi-day shuttle service is billed at $1,300 per day, totaling $3,900 for the three-day event. The price includes the minibus, driver, and fuel for all trips.

Example #3

56 passenger coach bus

A couple is getting married at a vineyard just outside Madera and needs a shuttle service to transport guests between local hotels and the venue. The shuttle will operate continuously for 6 hours, making multiple trips back and forth. All locations are within a 15-mile radius.

This is an hourly rental with a 5-hour minimum. Since the event lasts 6 hours, the total comes to $1,500. This covers continuous shuttle service for the duration of the wedding.

Example #4

18 passenger minibus

A high school basketball team needs transportation to a tournament in Los Angeles. The team consists of 15 players and 3 coaches. The distance from Madera to Los Angeles is approximately 220 miles one way, making it a 440-mile round trip. The team will stay overnight and return the next day.

  • Vehicle: 20-passenger minibus
  • Distance: 440 miles round trip
  • Duration: 2 days
  • Price: $3,600 ($1,800 per day)

For this long-distance trip, the school is charged a daily rate of $1,800. With a two-day rental, the total cost is $3,600. Additional expenses such as tolls and driver accommodations may apply.

Example #5

20 passenger minibus

A church group is planning a weekend retreat to Yosemite National Park. There are 40 participants, so they opt for a 47-passenger bus. The park is about 90 miles from Madera, resulting in a 180-mile round trip. The group will spend two nights in the park before returning home.

  • Vehicle: 47-passenger bus
  • Distance: 180 miles round trip
  • Duration: 3 days
  • Price: $4,500 ($1,500 per day)

This three-day trip is billed at $1,500 per day, totaling $4,500. The price includes transportation to and from Yosemite, but the group is responsible for providing lodging for the driver.

Example #6

25 passenger minibus

An organization is hosting a large event and requires multiple buses to transport attendees. They rent two 56-passenger charter buses and one 35-passenger minibus. The event spans two days, with each vehicle operating 8 hours per day.

  • Vehicles: Two 56-passenger buses and one 35-passenger minibus
  • Duration: 2 days x 8 hours per day
  • Price: $12,000 ($4,000 per 56-passenger bus, $4,000 per minibus)

The total cost for all three vehicles over two days is $12,000. This package deal provides ample seating and flexibility for transporting large groups.

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