Charter Bus Rentals Santa Barbara, California

Charter bus rental prices in Santa Barbara typically range from $1,600 to $3,800 per day or $197–$519 per hour, depending on the size of the vehicle, length of the trip, and time of year. You’ll pay toward the higher end of that range for the largest 56-passenger buses, while minibus rentals usually cost $1,200–$2,900 per day. Multi-day and out-of-state trips are billed by the day or by total mileage. Additional expenses like driver gratuity, hotel, tolls, and parking are not included in the base rate. The only way to get exact pricing is to call our reservation team at 805-951-1230 anytime. We’re available 24/7, 365 days a year—including holidays—to help you!

Example #1: A biotech company in Goleta is sending 40 employees to a three-day industry conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. They need a 56-passenger charter bus to handle both passengers and luggage, with the driver shuttling between their hotel and the venue each day. The company received a quote for $6,300 for the full three-day trip. They plan to tip their driver 15% at the end of the charter.

Final cost including gratuity: $7,245

Example #2: Last fall, a UC Santa Barbara club sports team needed transportation to a weekend tournament at UCLA. With 22 players, three coaches, and gear bags, they booked a 25-passenger minibus. The head coach was quoted $2,100 for the round-trip rental and budgeted an additional 10% for gratuity.

Final cost including gratuity: $2,310

Example #3: A destination wedding couple is hosting their ceremony at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and reception at a winery in the Santa Ynez Valley. To shuttle 60 guests between venues and local hotels, they book two 28-passenger minibuses for a total of eight hours. Their quote comes to $3,400, not including the driver tip.

Final cost including gratuity: $3,740

Example #4: A Solvang middle school is taking eighth-graders on a day trip to the California Science Center in Los Angeles. They book one 56-passenger charter bus for the full day. The school receives a quote for $2,800 and adds a 15% tip to their final payment.

Final cost including gratuity: $3,220

The price of your charter bus rental depends on the size of vehicle you choose, the length and mileage of your trip, how many days you’ll need the bus, your pickup location, and the time of year. Multi-day and long-distance trips cost more than single-day local service. Additional expenses like driver tip, tolls, and parking are billed separately. Major events like UCSB move-in weekend, Fiesta Week, and summer wedding season can impact availability and rates. You’ll get a fixed, all-inclusive quote when you call us with your itinerary.

Yes. Bus Rental Company Santa Barbara can provide an ADA-accessible bus with features like wheelchair lifts, wider aisles, and designated securement areas at no additional cost, as long as you request it in advance. Please let your reservation specialist know about any special mobility needs when you book so we can match you with an appropriate vehicle. We proudly serve groups of all abilities and believe everyone deserves reliable transportation.

We’ve seen it all! Bus Rental Company Santa Barbara regularly transports K-12 field trips to the Santa Barbara Zoo and Museum of Natural History, UCSB and SBCC student organizations, corporate commuters heading to tech campuses in Goleta, wedding parties shuttling guests between beach ceremonies and Funk Zone receptions, wine tours through Santa Ynez Valley, cruise transfers to the Port of Los Angeles, and even large family reunions at Elings Park or Shoreline Drive. Local sports fans book buses to catch LA Rams and Lakers games, while faith groups and nonprofits rely on us for regional retreats and volunteer projects.

Bus Rental Company Santa Barbara offers everything from 18-, 20-, and 25-passenger minibuses to full-size 56-passenger charter buses, plus sprinter vans for smaller groups. Our fleet includes vehicles from top manufacturers like Van Hool, Prevost, MCI, Setra, and Temsa—so you’ll always get a modern bus with the latest amenities. Need multiple buses or something specific? Just ask!

Standard amenities on a Bus Rental Company Santa Barbara bus include cushioned reclining seats, strong Wi-Fi, power outlets and USB ports at every row, flat-screen monitors with HDMI input, DVD player, Bluetooth-capable sound system, individual reading lights, overhead parcel racks, climate control, and PA microphone. Full-size buses add undercarriage luggage bays and an onboard restroom. Minibuses have rear storage but no restroom. Buses can be upgraded with leatherette upholstery, wood-look flooring, or custom headrest covers upon request. ADA-accessible units feature wheelchair lifts and securement areas. Tell us what matters most to your group—we’ll match you with the perfect vehicle.

You should book your charter bus in Santa Barbara at least six months in advance for the best selection and price—especially if your trip falls during the busy spring and summer months. Major events like Old Spanish Days Fiesta, UCSB move-in weekend, and local wedding season can quickly sell out the most popular vehicles. Last-minute reservations are possible if we have availability, but you may have fewer options. Once you have confirmed dates and a rough headcount, call us right away to lock in your bus. A deposit is required to secure the reservation, with the balance due before departure.

Getting a quote from Bus Rental Company Santa Barbara is fast and easy—you can call us anytime at 805-951-1230 or use the online form on our website to submit your trip details. We’re available 24/7 to answer questions, check availability, and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote in less than 30 seconds. Just tell us your headcount, pickup location, destination, travel dates, and any special requests—like Wi-Fi, ADA accessibility, or multiple stops—and we’ll quickly calculate an accurate price. Once you receive your quote, you can book immediately, save it for later, or contact us again if your plans change. Need to compare different bus sizes or add extra services? We’ll customize the quote until it’s exactly what you need. And if you prefer to communicate by text or email, we can send pictures and pricing directly to your phone or inbox. 

Your quote includes the bus rental, driver, fuel, and mileage for the duration of your trip. It does NOT include tolls, driver accommodations (hotel and meals), parking fees, or gratuity. You are responsible for arranging and paying for your driver’s hotel room on overnight trips. Major venues like the Santa Barbara Bowl, Peabody Stadium, and UCSB Thunderdome charge separate parking fees that must be paid in advance—these range from $40 to $120 per bus depending on the event. Please ask about specific policies for your destination so there are no surprises on the day of travel.

Once you’ve received a quote and are ready to book, you can reserve your bus by calling our office at 805-951-1230 or using our online reservation portal. You’ll need to sign a contract and pay a deposit to confirm the booking. The remaining balance is due before your departure date. We accept major credit cards and ACH payments. After your reservation is finalized, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your trip details and contact information for dispatch. Our team is available 24/7 to answer questions and provide support before, during, and after your trip.

Bus Rental Company Santa Barbara provides service to destinations across California and beyond—including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield, Sacramento, Palm Springs, Anaheim, Long Beach, Ventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, Solvang, Buellton, and the Santa Ynez Valley. We also handle out-of-state trips to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Lake Tahoe, and Reno. Whether you’re planning a wine tour, corporate event, wedding shuttle, airport transfer, or multi-day excursion, we’ll get you there comfortably and on schedule. Not sure if we serve your route? Just ask! If it’s accessible by road, we’ll make it happen.