Is Renting a Party Bus Affordable? A Guide to Throwing a Budget-Friendly Party

| Updated on March 27, 2024

Are you planning for a memorable time out with your family and friends? If this is the case, there’s no better way of ensuring everyone has an exciting and fun time than hiring a party bus. But like with every other decision you have to make; you must think about your budget. This is why you need to find out how much a party bus rent is in advance before placing your booking. After all, you want to have a customized fun time but don’t want to go overboard with your spending.

The cost of hiring a party bus ranges between $150 to $1,050, with the average cost usually $600. If you’re on a budget and don’t want to overspend, here’s a guide on things to consider to throw a budget-friendly celebration on a party bus. 

Consider Bus Size 

Typically, the bigger the size of the party bus, the more you’ll need to pay when hiring one. Fortunately, there are three categories to choose from: small, standard, and large. Knowing which is the right pick depends on the number of passengers on board. And if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, it’s advisable to reduce the number of people invited to your party. This way, you’ll get to book a smaller party bus which is a lot more affordable. 

The small party bus can comfortably carry between 14 to 16 passengers. On the other hand, the standard size carries between 20 to 30 persons while the large bus can accommodate 36 to 50 individuals. While features such as lighting are standard regardless of the bus size, others such as service bars with insulated coolers are only found on the standard and larger sized buses. 

Length of Trip

The duration you intend to use the party bus usually affects how much you’ll be expected to pay. This means when taking longer trips, you’ll end up paying more than someone who’s booking for shorter tours. Therefore, you need to closely look at your budget to determine the exact duration your trip should take.

Most party bus services usually provide their services in a four-hour time block. This means you’ll need to pay for the four hours even when you only use the party bus for an hour. The four-hour is usually considered a half-day charge, and in most cases, you’ll be expected to pay around 60% of the entire day amount. This might seem somewhat steep, but it’s done this way because 

getting booked on the later parts of the day will be much harder. In addition, the bus needs to be cleaned in between this period before another client can use it. 

Type of Party Bus   

Another vital factor that affects party bus prices is the integrated amenities available. You need to consider this because party buses aren’t conventional means of transportation. This is because they need to come integrated with amenities that help bring the life of the party to you and your friends during your time out. Some of the amenities include; 

  • Bluetooth compatible stereo system  
  • Power outlets 
  • FM/AM/DVD/CD/TVs 
  • Alcoholic beverages  
  • Napkins 
  • Bathroom
  • Cups
  • Complimentary bottled water and ice 
  • Dance pole 
  • Customizable lighting 
  • Strobe and laser lights 

Not all these amenities are standard, and you’ll be required to pay more for some, such as the dance pole, flowers, balloons, and alcoholic drinks. Make sure to find this out in advance before renting a party bus to ensure it falls within your budget. 

Peak Times 

For most party bus companies, many bookings are placed during the weekends and not during weekdays. These bookings are especially very high on Saturday. Other peak periods for party buses include huge events, including national holidays, athletic events, or festivals. This is also true during the summer months. 

If you know this and don’t want to overspend on a party bus, it’s best not to book during peak times. This way, you’ll get much lower deals. You can also get an improved deal by placing your booking in advance, ideally eight weeks before your intended event. Doing this ensures you land not only the best deal but also are guaranteed availability of the party bus. 

The party bus price also varies depending on the time of day, with peak times usually after 5 p.m. Therefore, you’ll pay more for evening events such as birthday or bachelorette parties scheduled for evening hours. Some party bus companies will also charge you extra if their services are deemed necessary past midnight. 


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