Clearwater Charter Bus & Minibus Rental Prices: How Much Does a Clearwater Bus Rental Cost?
The cost of renting a charter bus in Clearwater varies depending on your trip details, but most trips will cost between $170 to $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day. Smaller minibuses are more affordable, while larger charter buses and specialty vehicles are priced higher. The fastest way to get an exact price is to use our online quote tool or call our team at 727-855-4830. We’ll get you a quote in under 30 seconds! Below, we’ve listed estimated rates for each vehicle type and explained all the factors that go into your final 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 Bus Rental Cost?
Clearwater Minibus Company offers competitive rates on all of our bus rentals in Clearwater. Here’s what you can expect to pay for each type of 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 prices are only estimates—your actual quote may be higher or lower based on your specific trip details. For example, a short shuttle from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach will cost less than a multi-day charter for a spring training tour across multiple cities. The best way to get an accurate price is to call our team or use our online quote tool. We’ll ask about your passenger count, itinerary, and amenity requests to build a custom package that fits your budget.
What Factors Influence Bus Rental Pricing in Clearwater?
Several factors affect the final price of your charter bus rental in Clearwater. The biggest one is the size and type of vehicle you choose. Full-size charter buses (40-56 passengers) cost more than midsize minibuses (18-35 passengers) because they have more seats and features like restrooms, luggage bays, and reclining seats. Specialty vehicles like party buses and entertainer coaches are priced at a premium due to their luxury amenities.
The length and distance of your trip also play a major role. Most rentals are billed by the hour, day, or mile depending on which option is cheapest for your itinerary. Short local shuttles (like between Clearwater Beach hotels and Pier 60) are usually hourly, while long-distance trips (to Orlando theme parks or Fort Myers wedding venues) are quoted by the day or mile. Multi-day charters will include driver lodging costs if you’re traveling overnight.
Seasonality matters too. Spring break (March-April), summer weekends, and major event dates (Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Ruth Eckerd Hall concerts, Phillies spring training games) see higher demand and rates. Booking 3-6 months in advance locks in the best prices. Last-minute reservations may cost extra, especially during peak season.
Additional fees can include tolls (like on the Veterans Expressway/SR 589), parking permits at destinations (Bus drop-off zones at Sand Key Park, Spectrum Field, or downtown St. Petersburg museums), and optional gratuity. Amenities such as WiFi, power outlets, or ADA-accessible lifts are included at no extra charge when requested at booking.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Clearwater, FL and around Pinellas County. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Corporate Shuttle Between Tampa International Airport and Downtown Clearwater Hotels
A pharmaceutical company is flying 60 employees into TPA for a three-day sales conference at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. They need airport transfers on arrival/departure days and daily shuttles between the hotel and Ruth Eckerd Hall for breakout sessions. We quoted them $5,400 total for two 56-passenger charter buses running dedicated routes from 8am-6pm each day. This includes driver per diem for meals but no overnight lodging since the buses return to the depot nightly. The company appreciated having WiFi onboard so attendees could check email en route.
Wedding Transportation From Safety Harbor Resort to Sandpearl Resort
A bride booked an 18-passenger minibus to shuttle guests from her ceremony at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor to the reception at Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach. The vehicle made three round trips over five hours, allowing guests to enjoy the open bar without worrying about driving or parking. The total cost was $1,450, including a decorated “Just Married” sign and cooler of bottled water onboard. She tipped the driver 10% for excellent service. This was much cheaper than hiring multiple SUVs or relying on rideshare apps during peak beach traffic.
Sporting Event Charter to Raymond James Stadium
A youth soccer team from Largo United SC advanced to the finals of a tournament held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. To keep the players focused and avoid carpool chaos, the coach reserved a 25-passenger minibus for the entire weekend. The bus picked up the team at Largo Central Park, dropped them off at the stadium entrance, and waited nearby until the matches ended each day. Parents rode along as chaperones and brought coolers of snacks stored in the overhead racks. The flat rate for two days was $2,900, split evenly among 20 families. Everyone arrived on time and celebrated together after the big win.
School Field Trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium
An elementary school in Dunedin planned a field trip to see Winter the dolphin at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. With 90 students plus teachers and parent volunteers, they needed two full-size charter buses to accommodate everyone. The itinerary included a morning tour of the rehab tanks, lunch at Coachman Park, and an afternoon science lesson on marine conservation. The district paid $2,700 per bus for the day, which covered all transportation, tolls on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, and free admission for drivers. Teachers appreciated the DVD players to show educational videos during the ride.
Concert Shuttle From Countryside Mall to Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
A group of friends bought tickets to see their favorite band perform at MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa. Rather than deal with expensive parking and post-concert traffic jams, they hired a 20-passenger minibus to take them door-to-door. The bus picked up passengers at Countryside Mall, made a quick pit stop for fast food, and dropped everyone off steps from the venue. After the encore, the driver was waiting in the designated bus lot ready to head home. The round-trip fare was $1,600, split among 15 riders. They enjoyed pre-gaming with music videos on the flat-screen TV and didn’t have to designate a sober driver.
Multi-day Charter for College Tour Across Florida
A high school guidance counselor organized a week-long college tour for juniors and seniors interested in attending universities across the state. The itinerary included visits to University of South Florida in Tampa, University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida State University in Tallahassee, and University of Central Florida in Orlando. To keep costs manageable, students and chaperones traveled together on a 56-passenger charter bus equipped with WiFi and reclining seats. The package rate was $10,500 for seven days, which averaged out to less than $200 per person. Staying together as a group fostered camaraderie and allowed for productive Q&A sessions between campus stops.