Charter Bus Prices in Cambridge
If you’re wondering how much it costs to rent a charter bus in Cambridge, you’ve come to the right place. Coach Bus Cambridge makes it easy to get an instant quote online in seconds, but if you’re looking for real-world examples of charter bus pricing for trips in and around Cambridge—including Harvard shuttles, MIT campus transportation, corporate service to Kendall Square, and airport transfers—we’ve broken down actual cost scenarios below. Whether you need a minibus for local group transportation or a full-size coach for long-distance travel, we’ll help you understand what goes into the price of your rental so you can budget effectively and get the best value for your next event or trip.
| 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 Charter Bus Rental Cost in Cambridge?
The cost of a charter bus rental in Cambridge typically ranges from $1,890 to $5,100+ for multi-day or long-distance trips, while local rentals are billed at $295–$400 per hour with a 5-hour minimum. You can book anything from an 18-, 20-, or 25-passenger minibus to a 56-passenger full-size coach. Minibuses are ideal for smaller groups and shorter trips around Boston, while 56-passenger buses are perfect for large groups and longer distances. The final price depends on several factors including the size of the bus, the length of the trip, the time of year, and any additional amenities requested. We offer both hourly and daily rates depending on your itinerary. Contact our team anytime at 857-412-6120 for exact pricing and availability.
What Factors Influence Charter Bus Prices in Cambridge?
Several key factors influence the cost of your charter bus rental in Cambridge:
- Trip Duration & Distance: Longer trips covering more miles will naturally cost more. Local trips are often billed hourly (with a 5-hour minimum), while out-of-town or multi-day trips are charged by the day or by total mileage.
- Bus Type & Size: Larger vehicles like 56-passenger motorcoaches cost more than smaller minibuses due to higher operating expenses. Upgrading to a newer model or requesting premium amenities (WiFi, power outlets, reclining seats, restrooms) can also affect the price.
- Pickup Location: If your trip starts outside the immediate Cambridge/Boston area, you may incur additional “deadhead” fees to cover the distance the bus travels empty before picking up passengers.
- Seasonal Demand: Prices increase during peak seasons such as spring (school trips, graduations), fall (college move-in/move-out), and major event weekends (Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta). Booking during these times will result in higher rates.
- Itinerary Complexity: Multi-day trips requiring hotel accommodations for drivers, multiple stops, or complex routing will add to the total cost. Simple round-trip itineraries are less expensive than those with frequent stops or layovers.
- Tolls & Parking Fees: Any tolls incurred on bridges, tunnels, or highways (e.g., Tobin Bridge, Mass Pike) and parking fees at venues (TD Garden, Fenway Park, Boston Convention Center) are typically passed through to the customer.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
To give you a clearer idea of what to expect, here are several real-world examples of recent charter bus quotes for trips starting in Cambridge. These examples include a variety of destinations, trip lengths, and bus sizes to reflect the range of services we provide. Your exact price will depend on your specific itinerary and needs, but these samples should help you estimate costs and plan your budget.
Example #1
A university department at Harvard needs a private shuttle loop between Harvard Yard, the Science Center, and housing in Riverside for a week-long summer program. They request a 25-passenger minibus running 8 hours per day for 5 days. The quote comes to $3,900 total ($780/day), including all mileage within Cambridge. Upgrading to a 56-passenger bus would raise the rate to $1,050/day. This is just one example of the types of amenities you could get on your bus—just let us know what you need, and we’ll find the perfect bus for you!
Example #2
MIT’s transportation office arranges a replacement shuttle during construction detours, operating 12 hours per day for 7 days with two 20-passenger minibuses. The total package price is $8,800 ($4,400 per vehicle), reflecting a bulk discount for multiple buses. Additional fees apply for overnight parking near Kendall Square. We can easily arrange recurring shuttle services like this one to accommodate your needs!
Example #3
A biotech company based in Kendall Square hires a 56-passenger coach to run a daily commuter route from Alewife Station to their office, 10 hours per day for 30 days. The contract rate is $32,000/month ($1,066/day), with custom branding on the exterior. This is just one example of the types of amenities you could get on your bus—just let us know what you need, and we’ll find the perfect bus for you!
Example #4
An elementary school books a 25-passenger minibus for a field trip from Cambridge to the Museum of Science, departing at 9am and returning by 2pm. The 5-hour package rate is $1,850, plus $45 reimbursement for parking at the museum. A smaller 18-seat bus would cost $1,650. We can easily arrange recurring shuttle services like this one to accommodate your needs!
Example #5
A bride and groom hire a 56-passenger charter bus to transport guests from hotels in Cambridge to a wedding venue in Gloucester, about 40 miles each way. The itinerary includes one outbound trip at noon and a return trip at 10pm, totaling 6 hours. The quoted price is $2,700, with an upgrade option to a newer model for $2,950. This is just one example of the types of amenities you could get on your bus—just let us know what you need, and we’ll find the perfect bus for you!
Example #6
A group of high school students plans a 4-day college tour departing from Cambridge with stops at Yale, Columbia, NYU, Princeton, and UPenn. They book a 20-passenger minibus with luggage storage. The all-inclusive quote is $7,600 ($1,900 per day), covering approximately 600 miles plus tolls on I-95. We can easily arrange recurring shuttle services like this one to accommodate your needs!
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