Coach Bus Prices: How Much Does a Manhattan Coach Bus Rental Cost?
Coach bus rental prices in Manhattan vary depending on several factors, but you can generally expect to pay between $170 and $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day. The exact cost of your bus will depend on the size of the bus, the length of your trip, the time of year, and any additional amenities you request. To get an exact quote for your trip, call our team at 332-287-7530 or use our online quote tool. We’ll ask you a few questions about your itinerary and send you a personalized quote in less than 30 seconds. Below, we’ve provided some estimated rates and explained the main factors that affect the cost of renting a bus in Manhattan.
Manhattan Coach Bus Service makes it easy to get instant online quotes in under 30 seconds. Just enter your trip details into our online quote tool—your headcount, travel dates, pickup and drop-off locations, and a few more details—and you’ll see pricing and photos for available vehicles in seconds. Or, if you prefer, call our team anytime at 332-287-7530 and we’ll walk you through the process, answer your questions, and help you find the best bus at the best price.
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 Coach Bus Rental Cost?
In general, you can expect to pay around $170-$350 per hour for a standard coach bus (with a 5-hour minimum), $1,800-$2,800 per day for an 8-12 hour rental, or $3,200-$3,800 per day for multi-day trips. Mini buses are slightly cheaper at $155-$275 per hour or $1,650-$2,400 per day. If you need a school bus, those usually start at $152 per hour or $1,550 per day. Sprinter vans are the most affordable option at $155-$225 per hour or $1,350-$1,950 per day. These prices are just averages—your actual quote may be higher or lower depending on your specific needs. For example, a short local trip from Midtown to Yankee Stadium might only cost $1,500 total, while an overnight trip to Atlantic City could be $3,500 or more. The best way to get an accurate price is to contact us with your itinerary and let us build a custom package for you.
What Factors Influence Coach Bus Rental Pricing in Manhattan?
There are several key factors that will determine how much you pay for a coach bus rental in Manhattan:
- Trip Duration: Most companies charge by the hour (with a 4- or 5-hour minimum), by the day (up to 12-14 hours), or by the mile for long-distance trips. The longer you need the bus, the more it will cost. For example, an 8-hour rental will be cheaper than a 3-day rental to Washington D.C.
- Distance Traveled: Local trips within Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx are usually billed hourly or daily. Out-of-town trips to places like Atlantic City, Boston, or Philadelphia may be charged by the mile (typically $6-$8 per mile) or as a flat daily rate plus mileage. The farther you go, the higher the price.
- Time of Year: Bus rental rates are highest during peak season (April-June and September-December) when demand is greatest for school trips, weddings, and corporate events. Prices are lower in January-March and July-August. Major holidays like New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving, and Christmas also command premium rates.
- Day of the Week: Weekend rentals (Friday-Sunday) are more expensive than weekday rentals (Monday-Thursday) due to higher demand. If you have flexibility, booking your trip on a Tuesday or Wednesday can save you money.
- Bus Size and Type: Full-size coach buses (47-56 passengers) are more expensive than mini buses (20-35 passengers), sprinter vans (10-15 passengers), or school buses (40-50 passengers). Luxury coaches with premium amenities like leather seats, hardwood floors, and onboard restrooms cost more than standard models.
- Amenities: Buses with extra features such as WiFi, power outlets, USB ports, TV monitors, DVD players, PA systems, reclining seats, footrests, tray tables, and restrooms will cost more than basic models. ADA-accessible buses with wheelchair lifts are available at no extra charge but must be requested in advance.
- Parking and Tolls: In Manhattan, parking a 45-foot coach bus can be challenging and expensive. You may need to pay for parking permits, meter fees, or private lot access near venues like Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, or Lincoln Center. All bridge and tunnel tolls (e.g., George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel) are the responsibility of the renter.
- Driver Accommodations: For multi-day trips, you are required by law to provide hotel accommodations (minimum 3-star) for your driver. Drivers cannot sleep on the bus. You are also expected to cover the cost of meals or provide a daily per diem.
- Gratuity: A standard tip for your driver is 10-20% of the total rental cost. While not mandatory, it is customary to show appreciation for good service.
Other factors that can affect pricing include last-minute bookings (less than 2 weeks’ notice), special requests (e.g., wrapped/exterior branding, onboard catering, or additional stops), and supply/demand fluctuations due to major events (e.g., NYC Marathon, UN General Assembly, or large-scale protests).
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Manhattan and New York City. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Field Trip From Manhattan to the American Museum of Natural History

A public school teacher is organizing a field trip for 52 students and 4 chaperones from Washington Heights to the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. The group will depart the school at 9:00 AM, spend the day exploring exhibits, and return by 2:30 PM. Since this is a local trip within Manhattan, the reservation specialist recommends a 56-passenger coach bus with an onboard restroom, DVD player, and PA system for announcements. The museum does not charge for bus parking, but the driver will need to wait nearby until the group is ready to depart. With a total trip duration of 5.5 hours and an hourly rate of $175, the quote comes to $962.50. The teacher plans to tip the driver $100 for excellent service, bringing the total cost to $1,062.50.
Wedding Shuttle From Midtown Hotels to Central Park Boathouse

A bride is planning her wedding ceremony at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park and wants to provide transportation for 80 guests staying at two different hotels in Midtown East. She books two 40-passenger mini buses to run continuous shuttles between the hotels and the venue before and after the ceremony. The shuttle service will operate for 6 hours total, with each mini bus making multiple trips. At an average rate of $215 per hour per bus, the total cost for both buses is $2,580. The bride also budgets $200 for driver gratuities. Since there is no parking available inside Central Park, the buses will drop off guests at the closest entrance and stage nearby until the return trip.
Corporate Commuter Shuttle From Astoria to Hudson Yards

A tech company based in Hudson Yards offers a daily commuter shuttle for employees living in Astoria, Queens. The company contracts a 28-passenger mini bus to run two round trips each weekday morning and evening, picking up workers at designated stops along Broadway and Steinway Street and dropping them off near 34th Street and 10th Avenue. The mini bus is equipped with WiFi, power outlets, and reclining seats. For a recurring contract of 10 hours per day, 5 days a week, the negotiated rate is $2,100 per week, or $8,400 per month. This arrangement helps the company attract talent from outside Manhattan and reduces reliance on the crowded E and 7 subway lines.
Sports Team Charter From Harlem to Metlife Stadium

A youth football team based in Harlem is playing an exhibition game against another team in New Jersey. The coach arranges for a 47-passenger coach bus to transport players, coaches, and equipment from their practice field near Marcus Garvey Park to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The bus will depart at 8:00 AM, cross the George Washington Bridge, and arrive at the stadium by 9:00 AM for warm-ups. After the game, the bus will return to Harlem by 3:00 PM. Total trip time is 7 hours, with an hourly rate of $185, resulting in a quote of $1,295. The coach adds a $150 tip for the driver. The team is responsible for paying the outbound and return tolls on the GWB and NJ Turnpike, which total $36 round-trip.
Private Tour of Brooklyn Breweries

A group of friends wants to spend a Saturday visiting several craft breweries in Brooklyn, including Other Half, Threes, and Grimm Artisanal Ales. They hire a 20-passenger mini bus to pick them up in Williamsburg at noon, make stops at three different breweries in Gowanus and East Williamsburg, and drop everyone off safely by 8:00 PM. The mini bus has comfortable seating, air conditioning, and space for coolers. For an 8-hour rental at $195 per hour, the total cost is $1,560. The group splits the cost evenly and gives the driver a $100 cash tip at the end of the night. No additional permits or parking fees are required since the bus will be making frequent stops and not parking long-term.
Multi-day Charter From Manhattan to Washington, D.c.

A nonprofit organization is sending 38 members to a three-day advocacy conference in Washington, D.C. They depart Manhattan on a Friday morning, travel 230 miles to downtown D.C., and stay through Sunday afternoon. The group books a 40-passenger coach bus with a restroom, WiFi, and reclining seats for the duration of the trip. The daily rate for the bus is $2,200, totaling $6,600 for three days. The organizer is responsible for reserving and paying for a hotel room for the driver for two nights, which costs $300 per night ($600 total). The group also covers all tolls on the NJ Turnpike, I-95, and Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, estimated at $75 round-trip. The suggested driver gratuity for a multi-day trip is $400, bringing the grand total to $7,675.