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San Mateo Charter Bus & Minibus Rental Prices: How Much Does a San Mateo Bus Rental Cost?

The cost to rent a charter bus in San Mateo ranges from $170 to $500+ per hour or $1,800 to $3,800+ per day depending on the size of the bus, length of your trip, and time of year. You can call us anytime at 650-523-8580 to get a quote in under 30 seconds. Our amazing reservation team will just ask you a few questions about your trip like where you are going, how many people are in your group and what kind of bus you want. Then we’ll get you an instant quote right over the phone! You can also use our online quote tool to compare prices and pictures of different buses in San Mateo County, Foster City, Burlingame, Redwood City, Palo Alto and more. Below we have estimated rates and go over the factors that affect your trip cost.

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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?

Most of our customers pay between $1,800 and $3,800 for a full day charter bus rental in San Mateo. If you only need the bus for a few hours, you can expect to pay around $170 to $500+ per hour with a 5-hour minimum. We also offer one-way and round-trip packages to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe and other popular destinations across California. Here are some average rates for different types of buses:

These prices include the bus, driver, and standard amenities like WiFi, power outlets, and reclining seats. Additional fees may apply for tolls, parking, driver lodging (for overnight trips), and gratuity (usually 10-20%).

What Factors Influence Bus Rental Pricing in San Mateo?

The main factors that affect your charter bus quote are the size of the bus, the duration of your trip, the distance traveled, the time of year, and any special requests. Larger buses like a 56-passenger motorcoach or a double-decker will cost more than a smaller minibus or party bus because they have more seats and features. However, if you fill up every seat, the price per person is usually lower with a big bus. Most San Mateo charter bus companies charge by the hour for local trips (with a 4- or 5-hour minimum), by the day for multi-day itineraries, or by the mile for long-distance travel. If you’re going out of town, it’s often cheaper to book the bus for the entire day than to pay for two separate one-way transfers. Busy seasons like spring (for school field trips) and summer (for weddings and vacations) tend to have higher rates due to increased demand, while winter months are generally less expensive. Major events like Dreamforce, Outside Lands, Bay to Breakers, or 49ers games can also impact availability and pricing, so it’s best to reserve your bus at least 3-6 months in advance if you’re traveling during peak times. Finally, upgrades like leather seats, hardwood floors, PA systems, TVs with DVD players, restrooms, luggage bays, bike racks, or custom wraps may add to the total cost. Be sure to mention any specific needs when you request a quote so we can give you an accurate estimate.

We proudly serve all of San Mateo County including Burlingame, Millbrae, Hillsborough, Foster City, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, South San Francisco, Daly City, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay, and more. We also provide charter bus rentals to nearby colleges like College of San Mateo, Notre Dame de Namur University, Stanford University, and UC Berkeley. Whether you need a shuttle to SFO, a wine tour in Napa, a ski trip to Tahoe, or a corporate transfer to Silicon Valley, we’ve got you covered!

Sample Trip Pricing Examples

Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in San Mateo, CA and around the Bay Area. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.

San Mateo High School Field Trip to California Academy of Sciences

18 passenger minibus rental

A teacher at San Mateo High School is organizing a field trip for 50 students and 5 chaperones to visit the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. The group will depart from the school at 8:00 AM, spend the day exploring the museum, and return by 3:00 PM. For this full-day charter, we quoted $2,400 for a 56-passenger bus with restroom, WiFi, and DVD monitors. This covers about 60 miles round trip plus waiting time. The school PTA will cover the cost, which comes out to $44 per person. Parking for the bus is free along Nancy Pelosi Drive.

Wedding Shuttle From San Mateo Marriott to Kohl Mansion

56 passenger charter bus

A bride is hosting her ceremony and reception at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame but most guests are staying at the San Mateo Marriott near Highway 92. She wants continuous shuttle service for 120 people between 3:00 PM and 11:00 PM so no one has to drive or pay for Uber. We recommended two 25-passenger minibuses making loops every 30 minutes (about 6 miles each way). The total package rate is $3,100 including standby time, and the bride tipped each driver $200. This ensures everyone arrives safely and the couple doesn’t have to worry about logistics on their big day.

Corporate Commuter Shuttle From Downtown San Mateo to Redwood Shores

56 passenger coach bus

A tech startup leases office space in downtown San Mateo but recently opened a satellite campus in Redwood Shores. To reduce solo driving and attract talent, HR contracts us to run a daily commuter shuttle for 40 employees. The minibus departs the Transit Center at 7:30 AM, makes two pickups along Delaware Street, drops off at Oracle Parkway, then returns at 5:30 PM. Monthly service (20 round trips) costs $16,000 flat, which includes WiFi, power outlets, and custom branding on the bus. The company pays the invoice directly and promotes the benefit during recruiting.

Stanford Football Fan Charter to Levi’s Stadium

18 passenger minibus

A group of alumni wants to see Stanford play Cal in the Big Game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Rather than carpool, they split the cost of a charter bus so everyone can tailgate together. The itineraryy is simple: pick up 40 fans at a bar on El Camino Real, drive 25 miles to the stadium, park for 5 hours during the game, then return home. The quote comes to $2,100 for an 18-passenger minibus, which includes all mileage, tolls, and driver’s meal allowance. With 40 riders, that’s just $53 each—cheaper than parking multiple cars and safer after drinking.

Bachelorette Party Limo Bus to San Francisco Nightclubs

20 passenger minibus

Ten women are celebrating a bachelorette party with dinner in downtown San Mateo followed by clubbing in SoMa. They book a 20-passenger party bus with wraparound seating, Bluetooth sound system, color-changing lights, and BYOB policy. Pickup is at 6:00 PM, there are stops at three venues in SF, and drop-off back home at 2:00 AM. The 8-hour package rate is $2,000 plus a $300 cash tip for exceptional service. Splitting the total comes to $230 per person for private transportation all night, no surge pricing, and no one stuck as designated driver.

Senior Group Day Trip to Filoli Historic House & Garden

25 passenger minibus

A retirement community arranges monthly outings for residents and this month’s destination is Filoli in Woodside. Twenty seniors (some with walkers) need accessible transportation for a half-day excursion. We dispatch an ADA-compliant minibus with a wheelchair lift, extra grab bars, and climate control. The driver assists with boarding at 9:30 AM, waits onsite during the tour, and brings everyone back by 2:00 PM. Total cost is $1,350 for a 5-hour local charter, which the activities director budgets from their recreation fund. Riders appreciate not having to navigate Highway 280 themselves and enjoy socializing en route.