New Orleans Charter Bus Pricing & Rates
Wherever your group is headed in New Orleans — from a Saints game at Caesars Superdome to a bachelorette night through the French Quarter — charter bus rental costs are not one-price-fits-all. Your group size, the day of the week, the type of bus, and where you're going all shape the final number. The fastest way to know what your specific trip costs is to fill out the quote form on this page and see pricing from a network of transportation companies serving New Orleans in under a minute.
Or call 504-334-1320 any time. Keep reading to learn every factor that shapes your quote and how to get the best deal!
Instantly Receive New Orleans Bus Rental Pricing In Seconds
The form takes only a few seconds to complete! After you submit your trip details, you can review pricing and available vehicles through a national booking company that works with bus companies serving New Orleans.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Charter Bus in New Orleans, Louisiana?
Neworleanscoachbuscompany.com is how you compare pricing from a network of transportation companies serving New Orleans in one place, without calling five companies and waiting on callbacks. Charter buses cost $205–$385+ per hour on weekdays, $225–$410+ per hour on weekends, and $1,650–$2,950+ per day. Minibuses cost $180–$370+ per hour on weekdays, $180–$385+ per hour on weekends, and $1,150–$2,415+ per day.
Party buses cost $248–$426+ per hour on weekdays, $265–$460+ per hour on weekends, and $1,827–$2,954+ per day. School buses, Sprinter vans, and Sprinter limos are also available through the network at their own price points. These are ranges — your actual quote depends on the specifics of your trip.
| Type of Vehicle | Cost Per Hour Weekdays | Cost Per Hour Weekends | Cost Per Day | Cost Per Mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 Passenger Charter Bus | $205 – $385+ | $225 – $410+ | $1,650 – $2,950+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 35 Passenger Minibus | $225 – $370+ | $255 – $385+ | $1,815 – $2,415+ | $6.20 – $8.95+ |
| 30 Passenger Minibus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.90 – $8.60+ |
| 28 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $355+ | $220 – $370+ | $1,540 – $2,255+ | $5.65 – $8.25+ |
| 25 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $350+ | $195 – $365+ | $1,420 – $2,180+ | $5.40 – $7.90+ |
| 20 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| 18 Passenger Minibus | $190 – $330+ | $190 – $350+ | $1,210 – $1,990+ | $5.00 – $7.25+ |
| 15 Passenger Minibus | $180 – $310+ | $180 – $330+ | $1,150 – $1,880+ | $4.75 – $6.95+ |
| 15-50 Passenger Party Bus | $248 – $426+ | $265 – $460+ | $1,827 – $2,954+ | $6.75 – $9.95+ |
| Sprinter Van with Driver | $190 – $373+ | $218 – $466+ | $1,395 – $2,848+ | $5.00 – $6.95+ |
| Sprinter Limo | $190 – $340+ | $190 – $355+ | $1,300 – $2,080+ | $5.15 – $7.50+ |
| School Bus | $205 – $365+ | $240 – $380+ | $1,670 – $2,335+ | $5.00 – $7.60+ |
| ABOVE PRICES ARE JUST EXAMPLES. Your final price and vehicle options depend entirely on your specific trip details. To get an instant price quote for your trip, request an online quote or call 504-334-1320. | ||||
What Factors Affect Charter Bus Rental Prices in New Orleans, Louisiana?
Six factors shape every charter bus quote in New Orleans: the type and size of bus, how far and how long you need it, the day of the week, the time of year, where the bus is coming from, and any extra stops along the route. Each of these is covered in its own section below, so you know exactly what you're looking at when pricing comes back — and you'll know which details to adjust if you want to bring the number down. Read on to learn more about each factor and how to prepare!
How the Type of Bus Changes the Price in New Orleans, Louisiana
It depends on what you're actually looking for. Bigger buses, newer buses, and buses with more amenities cost more per hour than plain ones. Charter buses and minibuses have forward-facing seats, overhead storage, and climate control — they're the practical, lower-cost way to move a large group.
Party buses and Sprinter limos add LED lighting, flat-panel TVs, and lounge seating, and they cost more per hour as a result. Because Neworleanscoachbuscompany.com pulls from a network of transportation companies serving New Orleans, you can compare a straightforward 28-passenger minibus against a 30-passenger party bus side by side and find the vehicle that actually fits your group and your budget!
How the Distance and Duration of Your Trip Affect Charter Bus Rates in New Orleans
It depends on what you're planning. Buses are rented by the hour, by the day, or by mileage — which structure applies to your trip depends on the total distance, how many hours the vehicle is in use, and whether you need the bus for one event or across multiple days. A two-hour airport transfer from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to a French Quarter hotel prices very differently than a full-day charter to the Gulf Coast casinos in Biloxi.
Fill out the quote form and you'll see pricing for your specific trip in seconds. If the results page doesn't show the exact package you need, call for quote-request help at 504-334-1320 and they'll work to put a custom package together for you!
How the Day of the Week Changes What a Bus Costs in New Orleans, Louisiana
Yes, the day absolutely matters. Saturday evenings typically price highest across the New Orleans market. Friday evenings come in next.
Sunday through Thursday are typically the lowest, and Friday or Saturday daytime trips cost less than those same evenings. If your event has any flexibility, a trip that comes back too high on a Saturday may work for less on a Thursday or Wednesday — and shorter bookings tend to be easier to find on weekday dates too. That said, certain New Orleans dates make the whole market disappear early regardless of what day they fall on.
Mardi Gras parade season, Jazz Fest across both weekends in late April and early May, the Sugar Bowl on January 1, the Essence Festival over the Fourth of July weekend, the Bayou Classic at Caesars Superdome, and prom season across metro-area high schools all pull demand across the entire city at once. Book four to six months out for any of those dates — and up to a year out for Fat Tuesday itself. April, May, and June are more expensive across the board.
How Your Starting Location and Deadhead Miles Affect Charter Bus Rates in New Orleans
Where your group boards changes what the platform prices against. Many operators serving the New Orleans market are based in Metairie, Kenner, or along the I-10 corridor west of the city. If your group is picking up in the French Quarter, the Warehouse District, or Uptown, those staging areas are close by.
If your pickup is far from the city center — in Slidell, Mandeville across Lake Pontchartrain, or in the Westbank — the bus covers more ground before anyone boards, and that distance is part of the trip cost. Choosing a central pickup point, or keeping your pickup and drop-off closer together, is one of the most direct ways to bring your quote down.
How Seasonality and Peak Times Affect Charter Bus Rates in New Orleans
New Orleans is a warm-weather market, which means the slow-season rules that apply to northern cities do not apply here. January is NOT a cheap month in New Orleans — Mardi Gras parade season begins January 6, and the Sugar Bowl on January 1 drives enormous demand before the calendar even turns. The highest-demand stretch of the year runs from late January through early May, covering Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, French Quarter Festival, and graduation season.
The Essence Festival in early July creates a second summer spike. The most affordable windows to rent a bus in New Orleans are typically late August through September, mid-October, and mid-November between the Bayou Classic and the holiday push — when convention traffic is lighter and the city's biggest festivals have passed.
Hypothetical Bus Rental Pricing Examples
Example only. These sample scenarios are for illustration only. They are not real quotes, guaranteed prices, or offers. Your actual trip price and availability may be higher or lower depending on your city, date, vehicle, passenger count, route, trip length, booking details, fees, gratuity, and other details. Submit your trip details to compare quote options for your specific request.
Example Quote #1
A group of 44 friends and family members wants a game-day shuttle from a Metairie neighborhood to Caesars Superdome (1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, LA 70112) for a Sunday afternoon Saints home game, with a pregame stop at a restaurant on Poydras Street before kickoff and a return trip after the final whistle. They've chosen a 40–56 passenger charter bus.
Sunday is a weekend rate, so a charter bus costs $225–$410+ per hour. With pickup at 10:00 a.m., the restaurant stop, game time, and a return trip after the game, the group estimates nine total booked hours. At the lower end of the weekend range, nine hours at $225 per hour comes to approximately $2,025.
At the higher end of $410 per hour, the same nine hours reaches $3,690. What your trip costs inside that spread depends on the operator, the vehicle, and how much demand is on that specific Sunday — a late-season divisional game prices differently than a September opener.
This is an example to give you a general sense of scale, not a guaranteed quote. Your actual number depends on your specific pickup location, the operator available for your date, and the vehicle selected. Fill out the form or call 504-334-1320 for pricing on your date.
Example Quote #2
Sixteen women are planning a Saturday bachelorette night starting in the Garden District — cocktails at a Magazine Street bar, dinner in the Warehouse District, and a late-night crawl through the French Quarter ending near Canal Street. They want a party bus with a built-in bar, LED lighting, and a Bluetooth sound system.
On a weekend, a 15–50 passenger party bus costs $265–$460+ per hour. With pickup at 6:00 p.m. and a return to their hotel near Canal Street at 1:30 a.m., the group is looking at roughly seven and a half booked hours. At the lower end of the weekend party bus range, seven and a half hours at $265 per hour comes to approximately $1,988.
At $460 per hour, the same block of time reaches $3,450. Late Saturday night in the French Quarter sits at the busiest point of the week in New Orleans, so this kind of itinerary tends to price toward the upper half of that range rather than the lower — especially during Jazz Fest or Mardi Gras season.
This is a sample quote. The actual number depends on the operator, the specific vehicle, and your confirmed itinerary. Use the quote form or call 504-334-1320 to see what's available for your date!
Example Quote #3
A group of 22 festival-goers staying at hotels in the French Quarter needs round-trip shuttle service to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course (1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70119) on a Saturday. They want a morning run to the festival and an afternoon return, with the bus making two pickup loops. They've selected a 25-passenger minibus.
On a weekend, a 25-passenger minibus costs $195–$365+ per hour. With the first pickup at 9:30 a.m. and the last return drop-off at 6:30 p.m., the vehicle is in service for approximately nine hours. At the lower end of the weekend range, nine hours at $195 per hour comes to approximately $1,755.
At $365 per hour, the same day reaches $3,285. Jazz Fest Saturdays are among the highest-demand days of the entire New Orleans year — availability tightens months in advance and pricing reflects it.
This is a sample to illustrate what a festival shuttle costs, not a final price. Your actual quote will reflect your specific route, timing, and the operator available on your date. Call 504-334-1320 or use the form to get pricing!
Example Quote #4
A corporate group of 18 employees is flying into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) (1 Terminal Drive, Kenner, LA 70062) for a three-day conference at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (900 Convention Center Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70130). They need an airport pickup on a Wednesday afternoon and a return transfer to MSY on Friday morning, with hotel drop-offs at two properties in the French Quarter. They've selected an 18-passenger minibus.
On a weekday, an 18-passenger minibus costs $190–$330+ per hour. The Wednesday pickup run — airport to two hotels including the hotel loop — is estimated at three hours. The Friday return to MSY is estimated at two hours.
That's five total booked hours across two separate trips. At the lower end of the weekday range, five hours at $190 per hour comes to approximately $950. At $330 per hour, five hours reaches $1,650.
Midweek convention transfers tend to price toward the lower half of that range when the city's major festival calendar is quiet.
This is an example only. Use the quote form or call 504-334-1320 for pricing on your specific travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Orleans Charter Bus Rental Prices
Neworleanscoachbuscompany.com helps you compare buses rental options; it is not a transportation company and does not rent, own, or operate vehicles. When you submit the quote form, your trip details go through a booking company so you can review pricing and available vehicles for your date. You compare the options and book through the process shown with your quote.
Neworleanscoachbuscompany.com is an advertising and quote comparison website. It is not a bus operator, not a motor carrier, and it does not set prices. You fill out the quote form with your trip details, and those details go to an online booking platform that returns pricing based on what independent operators have available for your trip.
Booking is completed on that platform, not on this site. Neworleanscoachbuscompany.com's job is to make finding and comparing your options fast and easy!
Enter your pickup city, date, passenger count, trip times, and any stops as accurately as possible — those details are what the booking platform prices against. More complete trip details return more accurate vehicle options. Weekday trips, shorter routes, earlier booking, and flexible timing may help with pricing when those options are available for your date and route.
Neworleanscoachbuscompany.com passes your trip details — pickup location, date, group size, timing, and stops — to the online booking platform. The platform then prices the trip against what independent operators in the network have available for those specifics. The result reflects availability on your date, not a published rate card.
That's why filling out the form with accurate details matters so much.
Different operators in the network price the same itinerary differently. Each independent operator sets its own rates based on its fleet, its costs, and its availability on a given date. The booking platform returns what each operator has available for your trip.
Two quotes for the same route on the same day can differ because two different operators are behind them — and comparing those options side by side is exactly what this site is built for!
Demand is higher on weekends. Saturday evenings in New Orleans — bachelorette parties in the French Quarter, Saints games at Caesars Superdome, private events in the Warehouse District — all pull from the same pool of available vehicles at the same time. When more groups compete for the same buses, pricing goes up.
Tuesday through Thursday, demand is lower and pricing reflects that. A party bus costs $248–$426+ per hour on weekdays versus $265–$460+ per hour on weekends.
Every additional stop adds time to the trip, and more time means more hours booked. Multiple pickup locations — say, two French Quarter hotels and a Garden District address before heading to the Superdome — extend the vehicle's schedule before the main event even begins. The more stops on the itinerary, the more accurately you need to map the timing when you fill out the quote form, so the platform can price the full block of hours correctly.
Significantly. Mardi Gras parade season — running from January 6 through Fat Tuesday, February 17, 2026 — is the highest-demand period of the year for all ground transportation in New Orleans, and prime dates book out six to twelve months in advance. Jazz Fest across both weekends (April 23–26 and April 30–May 3, 2026) at Fair Grounds Race Course is the second-largest spike.
The Sugar Bowl on January 1, the Essence Festival on July 3–5, 2026, the Bayou Classic at Caesars Superdome, and Saints home games all drive demand across the entire metro. When every group in the city needs a bus on the same weekend, available vehicles get taken early and pricing reflects the competition.
Unlike northern cities, New Orleans does not have a cheap winter — January is one of the most expensive months of the year because Mardi Gras parade season begins January 6 and the Sugar Bowl falls on January 1. The most affordable windows are typically late August through September, mid-October, and mid-November between the Bayou Classic and the holiday season, when the city's biggest festivals have passed and convention traffic is lighter.
Book three to six months out for most New Orleans trips. For Mardi Gras, book six to twelve months out — prime Fat Tuesday dates disappear fastest. Jazz Fest, the Sugar Bowl, and Essence Festival also fill four to six months in advance.
The New Orleans market moves fast on high-demand dates, and waiting until the last minute means higher rates and fewer vehicles to choose from.
Total distance and how much of the day the vehicle spends in motion versus parked are the primary factors. Short in-city trips — a shuttle loop between a French Quarter hotel and Caesars Superdome — are typically priced by the hour. Long-distance trips where the bus covers significant highway miles, like a charter to Biloxi or Baton Rouge, are more likely to be priced by the day or by mileage.
The booking platform determines the structure based on your specific itinerary.