Des Moines Charter Bus & Minibus Rental Prices: How Much Does a Des Moines Bus Rental Cost?
The price of renting a charter bus in Des Moines is between $170 to $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day depending on your trip details. Rates will vary based on the size of the bus you book, how far you're traveling, time of year, and other factors specific to your itinerary. You can get an instant quote using our online quote tool or call our team at 515-415-9940 to get a custom quote in under 30 seconds! Below we have estimated charter bus pricing for different types of buses as well as an overview of the factors that affect your 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 charter bus rental prices in Des Moines typically range from $165 to $519 per hour depending on the type of vehicle you book and how far you're traveling. For example, a 56-passenger coach bus costs $197 to $519 per hour, $1,600 to $3,800 per day, or $5.00 to $8.00 per mile. A 25-passenger minibus is $165 to $428 per hour, $1,300 to $3,200 per day, or $4.00 to $7.00 per mile. Smaller minibuses like our 20-passenger and 18-passenger models run $145 to $414 per hour, $1,300 to $3,100 per day, or $4.00 to $7.00 per mile. The best way to get an accurate price is to call us at 515-415-9940 with your exact trip details.
What Factors Influence Bus Rental Pricing in Des Moines?
Several factors influence the price of your charter bus rental in Des Moines, including the type of bus, trip duration, distance traveled, time of year, and any special amenities requested. Larger vehicles like a 56-passenger charter bus generally cost more than smaller options, but they also offer more features like onboard restrooms, WiFi, power outlets, and luggage storage. The length of your trip—whether it’s a single-day event or a multi-day excursion—also affects the final price, as does the total mileage covered. Peak travel seasons, such as spring and summer when schools are out and weddings are in full swing, may result in higher rates due to increased demand. Additional amenities like ADA accessibility, luxury interiors, or branded wraps can also impact the overall cost. To get the most accurate estimate, have your itinerary ready with details like pickup and drop-off locations, headcount, and preferred amenities when you request a quote.
Another key factor is whether you need continuous service throughout the day or just point-to-point transfers. Continuous service, such as shuttling guests between hotels and venues for a conference at the Iowa Events Center, requires the bus to stay with your group and be available at all times, which can increase costs. Point-to-point service, like a simple round-trip transfer from downtown Des Moines to Principal Park for an Iowa Cubs game, may be less expensive since the bus isn’t needed during the downtime. Special events like weddings at Rollins Mansion or large-scale festivals at Water Works Park might require multiple vehicles or staggered schedules, further influencing the price. Lastly, booking well in advance—especially for major events like Drake Relays or state fair week—can help lock in lower rates and ensure availability.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Des Moines, IA and around Iowa State. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Des Moines School Field Trip to Science Center

Mrs. Johnson is organizing a field trip for her 6th grade class of 24 students from Waukee Middle School to the Science Center of Iowa. They plan to leave the school at 9:00 AM, spend the day at the museum, and return by 2:30 PM. With two teachers and three parent chaperones, she booked a 25-passenger minibus for the short round-trip. The quote came to $1,375 total, making it about $55 per person. This rate includes five hours of service, covering the drive downtown, waiting while the group explores, and bringing everyone back safely before the end of the school day.
Wedding Shuttle From Downtown Hotels to Rollins Mansion

Emily and Daniel are hosting their wedding ceremony and reception at Rollins Mansion, with many guests staying at hotels near Court Avenue. To ensure everyone arrives on time and has safe transportation back after the festivities, they arranged for a continuous shuttle loop between the mansion and three downtown hotels. The service runs for eight hours, starting at 3:00 PM and making trips every 30 minutes until 11:00 PM. They reserved a 20-passenger minibus for $2,950, which covers all loops, wait time, and late-night returns. The convenience and peace of mind for their 60 guests were well worth the investment.
Corporate Conference Shuttle to Iowa Events Center

A local tech company is sponsoring a two-day conference at the Iowa Events Center and needs reliable transportation for attendees staying at various hotels along University Avenue and in West Des Moines. They booked two 56-passenger charter buses to run morning and evening shuttles, ensuring everyone gets to the venue on time and back to their accommodations afterward. Each bus costs $3,400 per day, totaling $6,800 for both days. The package includes WiFi, power outlets, and luggage space for briefcases and presentation materials. This setup keeps the event running smoothly and impresses out-of-town visitors with seamless logistics.
Iowa State Fair Group Trip From Cedar Rapids

A group of friends from Cedar Rapids wants to spend a full Saturday at the Iowa State Fair without worrying about parking or driving home tired. They hired a 40-passenger charter bus to pick them up at a park-and-ride lot at 7:00 AM, drop them off at the fairgrounds, and depart for home at 10:00 PM after the grandstand concert. The quote came to $3,900 for the long-distance round-trip and 15 hours of service. Splitting the cost among 35 riders makes it just over $110 each, which everyone agreed was worth it for a hassle-free day of fun, food, and music.
Drake Relays Team Transport

The track coach at Roosevelt High School is taking his varsity squad of 32 athletes to compete in the Drake Relays. He needs a bus that can handle all the runners plus their coolers, duffel bags, and training equipment. A 40-passenger charter bus fits the bill at $2,700 for a full day of use. The driver picks up the team at 6:00 AM, stays nearby during the meet for shade and hydration breaks, and brings everyone back after the last race ends around 7:00 PM. The cost works out to about $85 per athlete and ensures the team travels together, focused and rested.
Senior Outing to Prairie Meadows Casino

A retirement community in Ankeny is planning a daytime outing for 18 residents to Prairie Meadows Casino and Racetrack in Altoona. The schedule includes lunch at the casino buffet, a few hours of gaming, and optional watching of the afternoon horse races. They booked an 18-passenger minibus for six hours at $1,150 total. The vehicle is ADA-accessible with a lift for wheelchairs and walkers, and the price includes all mileage and waiting time. Residents appreciate the door-to-door service, and organizers find the flat rate easy to budget for monthly excursions.