Costa Mesa Charter Bus & Minibus Rental Prices: How Much Does a Costa Mesa Bus Rental Cost?
Charter bus rental prices in Costa Mesa can vary depending on your trip details, but most rentals cost between $170 to $500 per hour or $1,800 to $3,800 per day. The best way to get an accurate price is to call Costa Mesa Minibus Company at 657-228-5015 or use our online quote tool. We’ll ask you about your travel dates, group size, and itinerary to build a custom package that fits your needs and budget. Below, we’ve included estimated rates for different bus types and trip lengths, along with detailed information about the factors that affect pricing for groups traveling in and around Costa Mesa.
| 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?
We offer several types of buses to accommodate groups of all sizes. Our 56-passenger coach bus is perfect for large groups and costs $197–$519 per hour, $1,600–$3,800 per day, or $5.00–$8.00 per mile. For medium-sized groups, our 25-passenger minibus is available at $165–$428 per hour, $1,300–$3,200 per day, or $4.00–$7.00 per mile. Smaller groups can choose our 20-passenger minibus at $157–$414 per hour, $1,300–$3,100 per day, or $4.00–$7.00 per mile, or our 18-passenger minibus at $145–$404 per hour, $1,300–$3,000 per day, or $4.00–$7.00 per mile. All prices are estimates and may vary based on the specifics of your trip.
What Factors Influence Bus Rental Pricing in Costa Mesa?
Several factors influence the cost of renting a charter bus in Costa Mesa. The biggest factor is the type and size of bus you choose. Larger buses like a 56-passenger motorcoach cost more than smaller options like an 18- or 20-passenger minibus. Your travel dates also impact pricing—rates are higher during peak seasons such as spring break, summer months, and major event weekends when demand increases across Orange County.
The length and distance of your trip play a significant role too. Local trips within Costa Mesa or short shuttles to nearby cities like Irvine, Huntington Beach, or Newport Beach are usually billed by the hour, while longer journeys to Los Angeles, San Diego, or even Las Vegas might be priced by the day or mile. If your itinerary includes multiple days or requires the bus to wait for your group, those hours will be factored into the total cost.
Additional amenities requested—such as onboard WiFi, power outlets, extra luggage storage for surfboards or musical instruments, or premium features like leather seats and entertainment systems—can also affect the final price. Special requests like ADA-accessible vehicles are available at no extra charge but should be mentioned when booking. Parking fees at venues like Segerstrom Center for the Arts, OC Fair & Event Center, or Angel Stadium, as well as tolls on roads like the 73 or 405, are typically not included in the base quote and should be budgeted separately.
For overnight trips, you’ll need to provide hotel accommodations for your driver. Most hotels in the area offer discounted rates for bus drivers, and this ensures that they comply with hours-of-service regulations. Tipping your driver 10-20% of the total rental cost is customary and always appreciated for excellent service.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in Costa Mesa and around Orange County. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Field Trip to Discovery Cube Orange County
Mrs. Ramirez is organizing a field trip for her 4th grade class of 22 students from College Park Elementary. They plan to leave Costa Mesa at 9:00 AM, spend the day exploring science exhibits at Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana, have lunch on-site, and return to school by 2:30 PM. With two teachers and three parent chaperones, she books a 25-passenger minibus. The quote comes to $1,350 for a 6-hour rental, which breaks down to about $54 per person. This price covers round-trip transportation, parking at the museum, and a quick stop at TeWinkle Park for recess before heading back to campus.
Wedding Shuttle to the Harper
Amanda is getting married at The Harper in Costa Mesa and wants to provide her 120 guests with easy transportation between their hotels in South Coast Metro and the venue. She arranges two 56-passenger charter buses to run continuous shuttles before and after the ceremony, each making three loops over an 8-hour period. The total cost is $3,600 ($1,800 per bus), which includes staging at The Westin South Coast Plaza, waiting time during the reception, and drop-offs at multiple hotels along Bristol Street. Amanda’s guests appreciate not having to worry about parking or driving after celebrating.
Corporate Event at Oc Fair & Event Center
A tech company is hosting a product launch at the OC Fair & Event Center and needs to move 200 employees from their office in Irvine Spectrum to Costa Mesa. They book three 56-passenger buses for a full-day rental, with each bus making one round-trip in the morning and evening. The total cost is $7,200 ($2,400 per bus), which covers 10 hours of service, WiFi for onboard presentations, and coordination with event security for designated drop-off zones near The Hangar. The company opts for this solution instead of reimbursing mileage for dozens of individual cars.
Bachelorette Party in Laguna Beach
Sarah is planning a bachelorette party for her best friend and invites 14 women to spend the evening bar-hopping in Laguna Beach. She rents an 18-passenger minibus for 8 hours so the group can be picked up in Costa Mesa, visit Main Street bars, enjoy dinner at Las Brisas, and return home safely after midnight. The quote is $1,600, which includes unlimited mileage, stops at multiple locations, and storage space for coolers and beach bags. Splitting the cost among 15 people makes it affordable, and everyone loves having a designated driver for the night.
Day Trip to Disneyland
A youth soccer team from Costa Mesa United schedules a day trip to Disneyland to celebrate the end of their season. With 18 players and 6 parents, they choose a 25-passenger minibus for the 12-hour outing. The bus departs early to arrive at the park by opening, stays parked nearby, and brings the group back after fireworks. The flat rate is $2,100, which covers all transportation, driver’s meals, and a quick detour to In-N-Out on Harbor Blvd. Parents appreciate not having to navigate Anaheim traffic or pay for multiple vehicles in the Disneyland parking structure.
Airport Transfer to Lax
A local church is sending a mission team of 30 people to Central America and needs reliable transportation to LAX for their early morning flight. They reserve a 36-passenger minibus for a one-way transfer from Costa Mesa to the airport, departing at 4:00 AM to allow plenty of time for check-in and security. The cost is $950, which includes pickup at the church, express lanes on the 405, and drop-off at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The group coordinator adds a 15% tip for the driver, bringing the total to $1,092.