Charter Bus & Minibus Rentals in San Luis Obispo, California

The cost of a charter bus rental in San Luis Obispo typically ranges from $1,600 to $3,500+ per day depending on the size of the vehicle, length of your trip, and any additional amenities requested. Final pricing is determined by factors such as mileage, duration, time of year, and special events or local demand. For the most accurate estimate, call Charter Bus Company San Luis Obispo at 805-875-5590 with your exact itinerary for an instant, all-inclusive quote.

Charter bus pricing is based on several key factors: the type and size of vehicle (minibus, full-size charter bus, etc.), the total distance traveled (mileage), the duration of the trip (hours or days), pickup and drop-off locations, time of year, and any special requests or custom amenities. Additional charges may apply for tolls, parking fees, driver lodging on multi-day trips, or extended wait times. Your quote will include the base rental fee plus any known extras.

Yes, a non-refundable deposit is required to secure your reservation. The deposit amount is typically due at the time of booking and will be applied toward your total balance. This ensures that your vehicle is reserved exclusively for your group on the specified dates. Final payment policies and accepted payment methods will be provided during the booking process.

Final payment is due before the start of your trip. The exact deadline will be specified in your contract and is typically required several days to weeks prior to departure. Failure to pay the remaining balance by the due date may result in cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of your deposit. Please contact our billing department if you have questions about your payment schedule.

Charter Bus Company San Luis Obispo offers one of the largest and most diverse fleets of buses in San Luis Obispo County, including full-size charter buses (seating 47–56 passengers), minibuses (15–35 seats), party buses (10–50 seats), sprinter vans (8–15 seats), and even school buses for budget-friendly local transportation. Available vehicles are sourced from top industry brands like MCI, Prevost, Van Hool, Setra, Temsa, Grech, Turtle Top, and more—so you’ll always get a modern, reliable, and comfortable coach built to handle any kind of trip. Each vehicle type can be customized with optional amenities like Wi-Fi, 110V/USB power outlets, flat-screen monitors, DVD/Blu-ray players, Bluetooth sound systems, PA microphones, reclining seats, leatherette upholstery, tray tables, restrooms, luggage bays, and more. When you call to get a quote, we’ll help you choose the perfect bus based on your group size, budget, and desired features.

Our charter buses and minibuses come with a wide range of optional amenities to keep your group comfortable and entertained on the road. Standard features include cushioned seats with armrests, headrests, and recline function; overhead parcel racks; powerful HVAC system; and either vinyl/leatherette or cloth upholstery. Most larger buses offer free onboard Wi-Fi, 110V AC outlets and USB charging ports at every row, flat-screen video monitors mounted throughout the cabin, DVD/Blu-ray player, and a PA microphone at the front for announcements. You can also request upgraded seating with leatherette upholstery, folding tray tables, seat-back screens, or even a lounge-style rear seating area with facing seats around a table. Many of our larger buses include a full-size restroom with toilet and hand-washing sink located mid-bus or at the rear. Other available options include Bluetooth-enabled sound system, individual reading lights, color-changing LED accent lighting, wood-look flooring, and custom branding or signage inside the bus. Just let your reservation specialist know which amenities are important to you, and we’ll make sure you get a bus that meets your needs!

We recommend booking your charter bus at least 6-9 months in advance to ensure the best selection of vehicles and availability, especially if your trip falls during peak travel seasons or coincides with major local events. Spring and summer tend to be the busiest times of year due to weddings, graduations, school trips, and tourism along the Central Coast. Large events like Cal Poly move-in/move-out weekends, SLO International Film Festival, and local wine festivals can also impact availability. While we can often accommodate last-minute requests, booking early gives you access to the full fleet, better pricing, and more flexibility if you need to adjust your dates or itinerary. If you’re planning a complex trip with multiple buses or custom branding, it’s even more important to reserve well ahead of time. Not sure of your exact headcount yet? Go ahead and lock in a bus—you can usually upgrade or downgrade to a different size later if needed.

Booking a charter bus with Charter Bus Company San Luis Obispo is easy and can be done entirely online or over the phone. Start by requesting a free quote by calling our 24-hour line at 805-875-5590. Provide details about your trip including the date(s), pickup and drop-off locations, itinerary, number of passengers, and any special requests or amenities needed. We’ll send you a personalized quote with available vehicle options and pricing. Once you’re ready to reserve, you can sign your contract electronically and pay the deposit online via credit card, ACH transfer, or another approved method. The remaining balance is due before your trip departs. Our team is available 24/7 to answer questions, help you choose the right vehicle, and make sure your trip goes smoothly from start to finish.

Yes, on multi-day trips where the bus is away from its home base overnight, you are responsible for providing and paying for the driver’s hotel accommodations. The driver must have a private room (not shared) in a hotel that is located within reasonable proximity to the group’s lodging or event venue. Many hotels offer discounted “comp” rooms for bus drivers—be sure to ask when making your reservation. If the driver’s hotel is not within walking distance of the bus, you may need to arrange transportation to and from the bus each day. Providing proper lodging ensures your driver is rested and compliant with federal hours-of-service regulations. Single-day trips or local charters that do not require an overnight stay do not require a hotel room for the driver.

Your quote includes the base rental rate, driver’s wages, fuel, and any applicable taxes or surcharges. However, it does not include external fees such as bridge/highway tolls, parking fees at venues or hotels, or permits required by certain cities or event organizers. These additional costs are the responsibility of the customer and can either be billed separately after the trip or paid directly by the group during the trip. If your itinerary includes toll roads, airport pickups, or downtown venues with paid parking, please factor these expenses into your budget. Our team can provide estimates for common tolls and parking fees upon request. Gratuity for the driver is not included in the base rate but can be added to the final invoice or given in cash at the end of the trip.

San Luis Obispo has specific regulations regarding where charter buses can park, especially in the downtown core and near popular destinations like Cal Poly and Mission Plaza. Curbside parking is extremely limited in the downtown area, and many streets have restrictions or prohibit oversized vehicles altogether. The City of San Luis Obispo recommends that charter buses use designated loading zones for passenger drop-off and pick-up, but these are intended for short-term stops only—not long-term parking. For longer-term parking or staging, buses may need to use off-site lots or facilities outside the downtown core. Groups visiting Cal Poly should coordinate with the university’s Transportation & Parking Services to obtain the necessary permits and identify approved parking areas on campus. It’s important to plan your parking arrangements in advance to avoid fines or towing, and our team can help you identify suitable options based on your itinerary.

San Luis Obispo is served by SLO Transit, which operates fixed-route bus service within the city, and by RTA (Regional Transit Authority), which provides regional connections to neighboring communities. While these services are affordable and useful for individual riders, they are not designed to accommodate large groups traveling together to specific destinations. Routes and schedules are limited, especially on evenings and weekends, and there may be significant wait times or transfers required to reach your destination. By contrast, a private charter bus offers door-to-door service on your schedule, with no need to worry about missed connections or carrying luggage between stops. This is especially valuable for groups attending events at venues like the Performing Arts Center or Vina Robles Amphitheater, where public transit options are limited or nonexistent. A charter bus keeps everyone together, simplifies logistics, and provides a level of comfort and convenience that public transit cannot match.

Charter Bus Company San Luis Obispo provides airport shuttle services to and from all major airports in the region, including San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP), Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), and even Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or San Jose International Airport (SJC) for groups requiring longer-distance transfers. We offer curbside pickup and drop-off at each terminal, and our team will coordinate with your flight schedule to ensure timely arrivals and departures. For departing flights, we recommend arriving at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure time to allow for check-in and security screening. For arriving flights, please provide your flight number so we can monitor for delays and adjust your pickup time accordingly. If your group requires transportation between the airport and a local hotel or event venue, we can provide door-to-door service to any destination in the region.

Charter Bus Company San Luis Obispo serves every type of group you can think of—including K–12 schools, colleges and universities, corporate teams, wedding parties, sports fans, religious organizations, military units, construction crews, and more. We regularly work with local institutions like Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College, SLO High School, and major employers in the region to provide reliable transportation for events, field trips, employee shuttles, and athletic travel. Planning a wine tour in Paso Robles, a surf outing to Pismo Beach, or a group vacation up the coast? We’ve done it all. Even small groups can benefit from our services thanks to our flexible vehicle options and customizable packages. No matter your size or destination, we’ll make sure you get there comfortably.

We provide transportation for every type of event imaginable, including weddings, corporate events, sporting events, concerts, festivals, religious gatherings, and more. Popular local events we serve include the SLO International Film Festival, California Mid-State Fair, Paso Robles Wine Festival, and Cal Poly graduation ceremonies. We also handle airport transfers, hotel shuttles, campus tours, and multi-day excursions to destinations like Hearst Castle, Big Sur, and Yosemite National Park. No event is too big or too small—we’ll get your group there safel on time.

Charter Bus Company San Luis Obispo operates in every city and town across San Luis Obispo County and beyond—including Paso Robles, Atascadero, Morro Bay, Los Osos, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, Cambria, Cayucos, Templeton, and Avila Beach. Need to go farther? We also serve Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, and other destinations along the Central Coast. Whether you’re heading to a wine tasting in Paso Robles, a beach day in Avila, or a meeting in downtown SLO, we’ll get you there on time. And if your trip starts or ends outside the area, that’s no problem—we operate statewide and can handle any itinerary you throw at us.