Albany Charter Bus & Minibus Rental Prices: How Much Does a Albany Bus Rental Cost?
Charter bus prices in Albany typically range from $170 to $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day depending on the type of vehicle and your trip details. We have a fleet of minibuses, party buses, sprinter vans, school buses, and full-size motorcoaches available for rent throughout the Capital Region and beyond. To get an instant quote, simply call us at 518-971-9810 or use our online quote tool. Below, you’ll find estimated rates for each vehicle type along with a detailed breakdown of the factors that influence your total trip cost.
| 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?
Our Albany charter bus rental rates are based on the size of your vehicle, the length of your trip, and your itinerary. Here’s a quick overview of average pricing for each vehicle type:
- 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
For exact pricing on your next trip, call our team at 518-971-9810 anytime. We’ll build a custom package based on your headcount, itinerary, and amenity requests.
What Factors Influence Bus Rental Pricing in Albany?
Several key factors affect the final price of your Albany bus rental:
- Distance and Duration: Most rentals are priced by the hour, day, or mile. Trips within downtown Albany or short hops to Troy and Schenectady may be billed hourly, while longer journeys to NYC, Boston, or Buffalo are often charged by the day or mile.
- Time of Year: Peak travel seasons—like spring field trips, summer weddings, or fall college sports—can drive up demand and rates. Booking during off-peak months (January through March) may yield lower prices.
- Type of Bus: Full-size motorcoaches cost more than compact minibuses or school buses. Choose a vehicle that matches your group size and budget. Party buses and luxury coaches with premium amenities (WiFi, power outlets, restrooms, leather seats) will be priced higher.
- Itinerary Complexity: Multiple stops, layovers, or overnight stays outside Albany city limits may increase your quote. For example, shuttling between hotels in Colonie, Latham, and downtown venues like Empire State Plaza requires extra planning and mileage.
- Special Requests: ADA-accessible vehicles, onboard restrooms, or specific branding/wraps can add to the overall cost. Let us know your must-have features when requesting a quote.
- Tolls, Parking, and Permits: Any bridge tolls (e.g., Thruway/I-87), parking fees at Times Union Center or local museums, and special permits are typically passed through to the customer.
- Driver Accommodations: For multi-day trips, you’ll need to cover hotel rooms (minimum 3-star) and daily per diem for the driver if traveling outside Albany County.
The best way to get an accurate estimate is to call us with your exact headcount, pickup/drop-off locations, and desired amenities. We’ll walk you through the options and help you build a package that fits your budget.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Albany, NY and around new York State. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Exploring the Adirondacks
Mr. Carver is planning a field trip for his 5th grade class of 19 students. He intends to depart from Albany at 8:30 AM, and return to Pine Hills Elementary School by 4:00 PM the same day. Upon arrival, they intend to view the educational displays at the Adirondack Interpretive Center, enjoy lunch near Lake George, and hike at the Prospect Mountain Trail. Due to the specifics of his itineraryy, Mr. Carver was quoted at $1,825.00. Because his group included 19 students, himself, and 2 chaperones, he booked a 25-passenger minibus that made costs average out to about $87 per person.
Cruising From Manhattan
Chante decided she wants to have her wedding ceremony aboard a cruise ship. She’s invited 17 of her closest friends and family, and they’re heading from a meetup point in Albany to Manhattan Cruise Terminal for a three-day cruise. Because the cruise ship casts off at 10:00 AM, the group has decided to drive to NYC the night before and head to the port the next morning from their hotel. Chante’s reservation specialist booked her a 20-passenger minibus for the departure and return. After factoring the costs of getting to Manhattan from Albany, staying the night, departing early the next morning to the port, waiting for the passengers to return, and then driving the group back home, the cost of the rental is about $6,400. Add in four nights of hotel rentals (for the driver) at about $60 per night, and the trip totals $6,640, or about $369 per person.
Charter to the State Championship
Headed to the state championship game, The Albany High School football team is looking to put the finishing touches on an undefeated season. The coaching staff plans on leaving Albany at 12:00 PM and arriving in Syracuse at 4:00 PM before a 7:30 PM kickoff. Head Coach Rusty Queenan has worked long and hard to get his team to this point, and it’s pertinent that they show up on time and ready to play. Coach Queenan has a roster of around 60 players, so his reservation specialist recommended he book two 56-passenger minibuses to accommodate the team, coaches, and training staff. The game will conclude no later than 10:30 PM, so the team will likely be back in Albany no later than 3:00 AM. Because this is a full-day trip with two buses, estimated costs totaled around $6,900.
Senior Citizen Trip in Saratoga Springs
An assisted living community administrator contacts us to arrange a minibus rental for their next social outing. Members of the community will travel to see the Saratoga Performing Arts Center for a symphony performance. Since several of the residents use wheelchairs, the minibus needs to be ADA-accessible, which won’t cost any extra (but they will need to give at least two weeks’ notice). With 3 staff members and 15 residents in attendance, our reservation agents paired the group with a compact minibus. The total outing will take about 4 hours, at a rate of $175 per hour, bringing the rental cost to $700. They will also need to pay $10 for parking, bringing the total trip cost to $710.
Field Trip in Downtown Albany
An administrator from a local middle school would like to rent full-size minibuses for a field trip in Downtown Albany. The sixth-grade students will go to the new York State Museum for an educational tour and finish the day with recreational time at Washington Park. They plan to leave the school by 8 a.m. and return by 4 p.m., so they will be charged an hourly rate of $185. Since there are 102 students in the sixth grade and they are accompanied by 9 teachers, they will need two 56-person minibuses. The new York State Museum does not charge buses for parking, but they will still need to tip their driver.
The Albany Conference
A marketing organization is hosting a conference at a hotel and event center in Albany, NY. To ensure all attendees arrive on time to each workshop, the event coordinator has arranged for a minibus shuttle service to transport guests between the venue and several partner hotels throughout the city. One of the hotels offers free bus parking, which helps reduce overall costs, but the coordinator will still need to provide room and board for the driver. The conference will span three days, and with an average minibus rental rate of $1,125 per day in Albany, the base rental cost totals $3,375. The coordinator has also budgeted $350 for two nights of accommodations for the driver. After the event, the coordinator plans to tip the driver 15% for a job well done, which comes out to $506. Altogether, the total cost of the minibus rental, accommodations, and tip will be $4,231.