# How much does a charter bus cost per person?

Source: https://bisoncharter.ca/guides/charter-bus-cost-per-person/
Publisher: Bison Charter | Updated: 2026-10-14

## Quick answer

Divide the total quote by the number of people riding. For an 8-hour day in Manitoba, a full 56-seat motorcoach typically works out to about $20–$29 per person and a full 72-passenger school bus to about $10–$15. Smaller vehicles cost more per seat: a full 14-seat Sprinter is roughly $57–$82 per person for the same day. The per-person price only drops when the vehicle is close to full, so match the vehicle size to your headcount.

## Key facts

- Per-person cost = total quote ÷ number of riders.
- A full motorcoach is typically $20–$29 per person for an 8-hour day.
- A full school bus is typically $10–$15 per person for an 8-hour day.
- Half-empty vehicles double the per-person cost, so pick the smallest vehicle that fits.
- Add a 5–10% buffer for no-shows when collecting money from a group.

Splitting a charter is the most common way teams, wedding parties and clubs pay for one. The maths is simple; the trick is choosing a vehicle that your group will actually fill.

## Cost per person by vehicle (8-hour day, full vehicle)

### Hourly charters (garage to garage, off-peak weekday, CAD)

| Vehicle | Seats | Hourly rate | Minimum | 4 hours | 6 hours | 8 hours | 10 hours |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sprinter van | 8–14 | $120/hr | 3.0 h | $400–$600 | $600–$850 | $800–$1,150 | $1,000–$1,450 |
| Mini coach | 15–30 | $145/hr | 4.0 h | $500–$700 | $750–$1,050 | $1,000–$1,400 | $1,250–$1,750 |
| School bus | 24–72 | $110/hr | 3.0 h | $350–$550 | $550–$800 | $750–$1,050 | $950–$1,300 |
| Motorcoach | 40–56 | $165/hr | 5.0 h | $700–$1,000 | $850–$1,200 | $1,100–$1,600 | $1,400–$2,000 |
| Party bus | 14–30 | $175/hr | 4.0 h | $600–$850 | $900–$1,250 | $1,200–$1,700 | $1,500–$2,100 |

### One-way routes from Winnipeg (56-seat coach vs mini coach, CAD)

| Route | Distance | Drive time | Motorcoach | Mini coach |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Winnipeg → Gimli | 90 km | ~1 h 10 min | $700–$1,000 | $500–$700 |
| Winnipeg → Grand Beach | 100 km | ~1 h 20 min | $700–$1,000 | $500–$700 |
| Winnipeg → Kenora | 210 km | ~2 h 05 min | $700–$1,000 | $600–$800 |
| Winnipeg → Brandon | 215 km | ~2 h 10 min | $700–$1,000 | $600–$850 |
| Winnipeg → Grand Forks | 233 km | ~2 h 45 min | $850–$1,200 | $750–$1,050 |
| Winnipeg → Wasagaming (Clear Lake) | 265 km | ~3 h | $900–$1,300 | $800–$1,150 |
| Winnipeg → Fargo | 355 km | ~3 h 40 min | $1,100–$1,550 | $950–$1,350 |
| Winnipeg → Regina | 570 km | ~5 h 45 min | $1,700–$2,400 | $1,500–$2,100 |
| Winnipeg → Thunder Bay | 700 km | ~7 h | $2,050–$2,850 | $1,800–$2,500 |
| Winnipeg → Minneapolis | 745 km | ~7 h 45 min | $2,250–$3,150 | $1,950–$2,800 |
| Winnipeg → Saskatoon | 780 km | ~8 h 30 min | $2,450–$3,450 | $2,150–$3,050 |

Peak periods (summer wedding season, winter holidays) on weekends can run up to about 32% higher. Multi-day trips add roughly $150 per night for the driver's hotel and meals.
These figures assume every seat is filled. If 30 people ride in a 56-seat coach, divide by 30, not 56, and the per-person price nearly doubles.

## The formula

**Per-person cost = (quote total + gratuity + taxes) ÷ confirmed riders**

When you're collecting money in advance:

1. Use the **all-in total**, including tip and taxes.
2. Divide by the number of people you're **confident** will ride.
3. Add **5–10%** for dropouts, then refund the difference after the trip.

## Worked example

A hockey team of 18 players plus 6 parents (24 people) is going to a tournament for the day. A 28-seat mini coach for 8 hours is quoted at $1,150 plus a 10% tip and 5% GST:

- All-in: $1,150 × 1.10 × 1.05 ≈ $1,328
- Per person: $1,328 ÷ 24 ≈ **$55**
- With a 5% buffer: about **$58** each

Booking a 56-seat coach for the same group would cost more in total and roughly twice as much per person, because half the seats would be empty.

## Ways to lower the per-person price

- **Fill the vehicle**: invite another team or family group to share.
- **Choose the right size**: a school bus is the cheapest per seat for short, in-province trips.
- **Travel off-peak**: weekdays and the shoulder seasons are cheaper.
- **Be flexible on vehicle type**: say so on your request and operators can offer what they have free.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a charter bus cheaper than everyone driving?

Often, for groups over 20. Once you add fuel, parking and wear for several cars, a full coach at $20–$30 per person for a day trip is usually competitive, and nobody has to drive.

### How do I collect money from a group for a bus?

Quote the per-person price with a small buffer, collect before you pay the operator's deposit, and refund any surplus after the trip.

### Do children pay the same as adults on a charter bus?

Charters are priced per vehicle, not per seat, so the operator doesn't care who sits where. How you split the cost inside the group is up to you.