Evanston Charter Bus & Minibus Rental Prices: How Much Does a Evanston Bus Rental Cost?
The cost of renting a bus in Evanston will vary depending on your trip details, including the type of bus and when you are traveling. Prices typically range from $170 to $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day. To get an accurate quote for your trip, call our team at 224-547-4970 or use our online quote tool. We’ll ask about your passenger count, itinerary, and amenity requests to provide a personalized estimate. Below, we’ve included estimated rates for each vehicle type and explained the main factors that influence pricing.
| 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?
Evanston Minibus Company offers several types of buses in Evanston, each with different capacities and amenities. Our fleet includes 56-passenger coach buses, 25-passenger minibuses, 20-passenger minibuses, and 18-passenger minibuses. Here are the average rates for each vehicle:
- 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 rates are estimates and can fluctuate based on demand, seasonality, and specific trip requirements. For example, renting a bus during Northwestern University’s graduation weekend or a major festival may cost more due to higher demand.
What Factors Influence Bus Rental Pricing in Evanston?
Several factors affect the price of your Evanston bus rental:
- Travel Dates: Peak seasons like summer, college move-in weekends, and holiday periods often have higher rates due to increased demand. Planning your trip during off-peak times can help you secure lower prices.
- Trip Duration and Distance: Short local trips within Evanston are usually billed by the hour, while longer journeys to Chicago or out-of-state destinations may be charged by the day or mile. Multi-day rentals and overnight stays will increase the total cost.
- Passenger Count: Larger groups require bigger buses, which are more expensive than smaller minibuses. Make sure to choose a vehicle that fits your group size without paying for unnecessary extra seats.
- Itinerary Complexity: Multiple stops, tight schedules, or routes that include heavy traffic areas like downtown Chicago can affect pricing. Providing a detailed itinerary helps us give you the most accurate quote.
- Amenities: Features like WiFi, power outlets, reclining seats, restrooms, and ADA accessibility may impact the cost. Let us know what amenities are important to your group so we can match you with the right bus.
- Parking and Tolls: Fees for parking at venues such as Ryan Field, the Levy Senior Center, or popular wedding sites like the Woman’s Club of Evanston are not included in your quote. Plan to cover these costs separately.
- Driver Accommodations: For overnight trips, you’ll need to book a hotel room for your driver. This expense is not included in the initial quote and should be budgeted separately.
We recommend booking your bus as early as possible to lock in the best rates, especially if you’re traveling during busy times like Northwestern University events or major concerts at Canal Shores Golf Course.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Evanston, IL and around Illinois. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Northwestern University Campus Shuttle
A student organization at Northwestern University is hosting a weeklong conference and needs daily transportation between campus, local hotels, and dinner venues in Evanston. They book a 25-passenger minibus for 8 hours each day, Monday through Friday. The minibus shuttles attendees from Hilton Garden Inn Evanston to Norris University Center, then to Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria for dinner before returning to the hotel. At $225 per hour for 8 hours over 5 days, the total rental cost comes to $9,000. With 25 passengers, this averages $360 per person for the entire week of private transportation.
Wedding Shuttle at the Woman’s Club of Evanston
A couple is getting married at The Woman’s Club of Evanston and wants to provide guests with round-trip transportation from two hotels: Graduate Evanston and Hyatt House Chicago/Evanston. They rent a 20-passenger minibus for 6 hours to run continuous loops before and after the ceremony. The bus picks up guests at 3:00 PM, drops them at the venue, waits nearby during the event, and returns everyone to their hotels by 10:00 PM. The total cost for this 6-hour rental is $2,400, or $120 per guest if fully occupied.
Field Trip to the Museum of Science and Industry
An Evanston middle school is planning a field trip for 50 students and 5 teachers to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. They book a 56-passenger coach bus with WiFi and DVD players for the full-day excursion. The bus departs from the school at 9:00 AM, spends the day at the museum, and returns by 4:00 PM. The flat rate for this day trip is $2,500, which breaks down to about $47 per person for comfortable, direct transportation with onboard entertainment.
Corporate Outing to Ravinia Festival
A tech company in downtown Evanston is organizing a summer outing to Ravinia Festival in Highland Park for 40 employees. They reserve a 40-passenger minibus for 10 hours to accommodate the round-trip journey and waiting time during the concert. The bus leaves the office at noon, drops the group at Ravinia, and brings them back after the evening performance. The total cost for this outing is $3,800, or $95 per employee for a stress-free ride to and from the event.
Sports Team Travel to Springfield
A youth soccer team needs transportation for a weekend tournament in Springfield, Illinois. The group consists of 18 players and 4 coaches, so they book a 25-passenger minibus for the 3-day trip. The itinerary includes departing Evanston on Friday afternoon, staying two nights in Springfield, and returning Sunday evening. The all-inclusive rate for mileage, driver hotel, and per diem totals $6,000, averaging $273 per person for reliable group travel across the state.
Bachelorette Party Downtown Chicago
A group of 15 friends is celebrating a bachelorette party with a night out in downtown Chicago. They hire an 18-passenger minibus for 7 hours to shuttle between Evanston, River North bars, and a rooftop club. The minibus picks up the group at 6:00 PM, makes multiple stops throughout the city, and returns everyone home by 1:00 AM. The cost for this private party bus is $2,100, or $140 per person for safe, door-to-door service all night long.