Bus Rentals: Why and How to Choose One

Kristian Zara
June 23, 2022

When to rent a bus?

When you go for renting a bus for your trip or event you need to think about two factors: a) how many people will need to be transported and b) how long will the passengers be travelling for. Out there, you will find wide variety of comfortable and affordable bus rental options to lodge the needs of any party and provide the best in suitable group travel solutions.
The best thing about bus rentals is how adaptable they are! From weddings and sports groups to student and tours, buses can help accommodate several kinds of group travel. As a matter of fact, charter buses are among the safest and most cost-efficient means of group transportation that’ll get you from point A to B (and back again!) as simply as possible.

We’ve put together some occasions for which bus rentals would be perfect.

For group of students and school events

Student life is vibrant and jammed with events. Whether these are happening on campus or away from the school ground, there are benefits to chartering a bus for the purposes of student groups, university events, or large group trips. It’s not always easy to find transportation for large groups, but when chartering a bus, the problems disappear.
Students can be transported in a comfortable way to their campus events such as sports games, concerts, etc. The charter bus company can also help with organizing transportation for other groups on campus such as faculty members and alumni who want to attend these special events. Charter buses can also be used by universities that have students studying abroad in another country so they can come back home for special school events like graduation ceremonies. Charter buses make traveling with large groups very convenient and organized. This is especially true if you’re renting from a professional charter bus company that has been doing business for many years and knows what it takes to get people where they need to go in an efficient manner without any hassle involved.

Tour group bus

These buses are almost identical to transport rentals; they’re just meant for larger groups or families that want extra room. Tour bus rentals can hold up to 45 people, but are typically loaded with amenities—they come with GPS, overhead lights, DVD players, a restroom and more. Be prepared for lots of questions about why you need such a big bus when you fill out your reservation form. It’s helpful to think through all of your options when planning your trip so that you can decide what sort of space will fit your group best.

Bus for wedding events

Wedding buses are becoming more popular for couples looking for a fun way to get from their ceremony to their reception. These kinds of transportation can be used for bridal parties, wedding guests, families or anyone else that is attending a wedding celebration. If you’re planning on taking part in a tour group, choosing a bus might be your best option if you need to travel with lots of people but don’t want them taking up too much space in your vehicle. Since these types of rentals are so versatile, they’re usually quite affordable and there is no limit as to what they can transport or how many people they can carry. One thing that you will want to consider when renting an entire bus is what kind of amenities it comes with.

Corporate events

If you’re planning a business meeting or retreat, there are plenty of ways to make your trip efficient and successful. One way is to book a bus for corporate events. This has several advantages over flying or taking multiple taxis, including less work for attendees who need to book their own flights, fewer worries about airport delays or lost luggage, and lower costs than traveling individually by car or renting a limo service. Instead of having different people check into hotels around town during an event or tour group rental, everyone can stay in close quarters on your private bus tour. If you don’t think it will fit in your budget, try looking at charter services like party buses that are popular with bachelor parties as well as bachelorette parties.

Bus for sporting teams

When it comes to sporting teams bus rentals is the best to choose. A tour group rental is perfect for a group traveling together with amenities like luggage, tour guides, and activities to look forward to along the way. Buses can provide special touches for road trips.
Coach buses are ideal for offering many modern comforts and tournament travel. They are the best for travelling longer distances, while school bus rentals are more affordable solutions for local away games. Coach buses for sporting events are also very effective way to get your team to its destination on time. They have plenty of options to set aside storage space for sports equipment.

Kinds of vehicles you can rent

You should choose different types of bus according to your occasion needs. Starting from sprinter vans to full-sized coach buses. There is a type for each individual trip needs.
Each vehicle comes with its own set of amenities and advantages.

Sprinter Vans

Sprinter vans are an economical way to transport smaller groups and can accommodate between eight and 15 people at a time. Sprinter van is the perfect balance between a minivan and a bus. It includes such facilities as air conditioning, baggage storage, and sometimes Wi-Fi.
Sprinter vans are an economical choice because drivers aren’t required always.
There are three of the most popular sprinter van options, according on your desire and needs. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and the Ford Transit Passenger are basic and more cost-efficient than other options.

Minibus

The best option for corporate events, field trips, and tours is a minibus. It seats up to 21 people and is suited for trips where the distance travelled is short and with several stops. Equipped with a school bus layout but smaller, the minibus is a convenient and versatile bus rental with an economic and efficient design. Not needing a separate driver in addition to the one driving the bus, you can quickly load and unload passengers without hassle. The minibus also has good visibility from the inside and it’s safer than traveling on busier roads or highways. Plus, it also has better fuel economy than the larger buses. So, it’s ideal if you’re looking to save money on transportation costs.
One way to cut costs is to go with a budget-friendly minibus instead of something more expensive. The Ford E450 minibus, for example, comes with some basic amenities to help keep you on budget, such as air conditioning, baggage storage, and a driver. Despite this, buses with Wi-Fi, power outlets, and DVD capabilities can be booked by special request. As well, some companies offer other nice touches such as satellite radio or television screens for passengers.

Coach Bus

When it comes to group transportation, the coach bus is widely known for its superior amenities, so it’s perfect for those traveling long distances. In addition to seats, the coach bus provides amenities that many other types of bus rentals don’t have. As a result, the coach bus is one of the most convenient and comfortable modes of group transportation. Several of these benefits include free Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, reclining seats with footrests, air conditioning, and restrooms on board. Beyond these, there are also a few other perks you might take advantage of such as a tour guide or audio guides available in multiple languages. If you’re planning a large group trip, then you’ll definitely want to consider renting a coach bus!
This vehicle is spacious enough to accommodate up to 55 people and includes a variety of features like audio-visual equipment, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, onboard bathrooms, and more comfortable seating. However, it is the driver’s time that is the biggest factor in the cost of your bus rental. For example, if you’re scheduling an all-day tour, you might want to consult an experienced professional who knows where and when to stop for bathroom breaks or food breaks on your route. If you want to keep a tight schedule but also want to be comfortable, try renting a luxury coach bus equipped with features like reclining seats and wireless Internet access.

Mini Coach Bus

Enjoy the various amenities of the coach bus, but in a more compact package with a mini coach bus rental. The mini coach bus can be used for both shorter hops and longer distances. This vehicle seats up to 31 people, offering a perfect in-between a minibus and a coach bus. The mini coach bus comes equipped with both overhead and undercarriage storage and is a great choice for weddings, sports trips, and corporate events which may require space for various equipment.
The mini coach bus boasts a wide range of amenities, including air conditioning, power outlets, and hi-speed Wi-Fi. In some cases, these rentals even come with TV and DVD configuration, making your trip all the more pleasant. However, the mini coach bus does not come with onboard restrooms, whereas a full-sized coach bus does — something to keep in mind during longer trips.

Mini coach bus can also be used as a school bus.

How to decide what type of bus to choose

To get the best of coach buses when you travel in groups or in case you organize a trip for your employee, have these three steps as decision making method.

Step 1: Calirfy the time-length of the trip
Of all the variables to consider when renting a bus, one of the most important is how long you will be on the road. In other words, you need to find out the duration of your trip to plan the perfect bus. A Google Maps search will be handy, giving you a brief look at how long your travel time might be. Typically, a school bus is more efficient for shorter trips, while a coach bus is better for trips over three hours.

Step 2: What bus comforts do you need
The next thing to do is to figure out which features will work best for your group. Buses can come with the bare necessities or a range of extras like fast Wi-Fi, onboard bathrooms, TVs, and air conditioning. Since it’s the driver’s time that has the biggest impact on your bus rental quote, the price difference from option to option will be less when amenities are included. When including all the amenities, the coach bus is the most comfortable choice for your travel.

Step 3: Get an accurate headcount
You can pick between different options such as shuttle buses, sprinter vans, charter buses, motorcoaches, and party buses. Be careful of the capacity! It’s illegal to transport more than a car can handle. As an example, if your group is over 20 people, then renting a coach bus may be a better option. For small groups of people less than 20, rent a minibus, a van, or a mini coach bus.

Benefits of bus rentals vs other means of transport

Every form of transportation has its pros and cons.

In comparison with other forms of transportation, bus rental is not only safe and reliable way to transport groups of people. Coach buses are more environmentally-friendly and allow you to enjoy a comfortable and spacious way of traveling with luxuries like DVD players for long journeys.
Bus rentals are convenient for group travel as they give you the possibility to have everything in control and well organized without having so much gas intervals and the risk of losing some members of the group. This, keeping your group in a single vehicle, will save you money, stress and time.

Bus rentals are more convenient for group travel as they replace the need for finding or renting a fleet of 5-6 cars. No need to argue over who the designated drivers should be, or pull up for gas at different intervals and risk losing the other half of your group. Instead, keeping your group together in one single vehicle will save you both time and money when organizing your trip.

With bus rentals, you can plan personalized routes around your own itinerary, or even organize a bus rideshare for a big event if that’s something that interests you. Bus rentals are also great for companies looking to give their employees an incentive trip; whether it’s a long weekend in Vegas or a retreat at some exotic locale, bus rentals are perfect for groups of all sizes. No matter what kind of group you have in mind, having someone else do all of the driving means you can focus on enjoying yourself! And don’t forget about tour group rental benefits—when renting buses with other people, it makes sense to share resources!

Find a Charter Bus Operator in Your Area

Get in touch with Elite Mobility whenever you need a bus, mini bus or van, or coach bus for your event and groups. The company operates in Albania, the Balkans and Southeast Europe. It has high level vehicle and professional drivers over these areas. So in any case you plan your events in the countries within the areas Elite Mobility will help you with excellence. Place your request!