Coach Bus Prices: How Much Does a El Cajon Coach Bus Rental Cost?
Coach bus rental prices in El Cajon can range from $170 to $500+ per hour, or $1,800 to $3,800+ per day depending on your trip details. The best way to get an exact price is to call our team at 858-379-9650 or use our online quote tool. We’ll ask you a few questions about your route, group size, and travel dates, then give you an instant quote in under 30 seconds! Below are some estimated rates and detailed information about what factors affect the cost of your bus rental.
Whether you’re planning a school field trip to the San Diego Zoo, organizing wedding transportation at Sycuan Casino Resort, or booking a corporate shuttle between downtown El Cajon and Mission Valley, we’ll help you find the right bus at the right price.
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 Coach Bus Rental Cost?
In general, you can expect to pay $170–$275 per hour, $1,800–$3,800 per day, or $2,200–$3,500 per trip for a coach bus rental in El Cajon. Minibuses are smaller and less expensive, with rates averaging $150–$250 per hour or $1,400–$2,200 per day. If you need a party bus, sprinter van, or entertainer coach, prices will vary based on the size, amenities, and duration of your rental. For example, a 20-passenger minibus might cost $175 per hour, while a 56-passenger motorcoach could be $225 per hour. These are just estimates—your actual quote will depend on your specific itinerary, so contact us today for an instant price!
What Factors Influence Coach Bus Rental Pricing in El Cajon?
There are many factors that influence the price of your El Cajon bus rental. The biggest ones are:
- Travel Dates: Peak season for charter buses in El Cajon is typically late spring through early fall, when schools are out and tourism is high. If you’re traveling during these months, especially around major events like Comic-Con in San Diego or summer concerts at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, expect higher rates. Off-peak months (November–March) usually offer lower prices.
- Trip Duration: Longer trips cost more overall but less per hour. For example, an 8-hour day trip to Disneyland will have a lower hourly rate than a 3-hour wedding shuttle to Granite Hills, but the total cost will be higher. Multi-day trips require you to pay for the bus and driver’s hotel room each night.
- Mileage and Distance: The farther you travel, the more you’ll pay. Local trips within East County (La Mesa, Santee, Spring Valley) are less expensive than long-distance charters to Los Angeles, Palm Springs, or Las Vegas. Most companies charge by the hour for local service and by the mile or day for out-of-town trips.
- Bus Type and Size: Larger buses with more amenities cost more than smaller, basic models. A 56-passenger motorcoach with WiFi, power outlets, and restrooms will be more expensive than a 25-passenger minibus with standard seating. Party buses and entertainer coaches (sleeper buses) are premium options with higher price tags.
- Starting Location: If your bus has to deadhead (travel empty) from another city to pick you up, you’ll pay extra for that mileage. We have vehicles based throughout San Diego County, but remote areas may incur additional fees. It’s cheapest to start and end your trip in the same place.
- Itinerary Complexity: Multiple stops, tight schedules, or hard-to-access locations (like Mount Helix Park or downtown Gaslamp Quarter) can increase costs due to added time and logistics. Simple point-to-point routes are the most affordable.
- Driver Accommodations: For overnight trips, you must provide a separate hotel room for your driver(s) each night. This is mandatory by law and not included in the base rental price. Budget $150–$250 per night for a modest hotel near your destination.
- Optional Amenities: Most standard features (A/C, reclining seats, luggage bays) are included, but extras like onboard WiFi, DVD/Blu-ray players, or custom branding may cost more. ADA-accessible buses with wheelchair lifts are available at no additional charge but must be requested in advance.
- Tolls, Parking, and Permits: Any road tolls (e.g., South Bay Expressway), parking fees (Balboa Park, Petco Park), or special permits required for your itinerary are your responsibility. These are not included in the rental quote and should be paid directly by the group organizer.
When you request a quote from El Cajon Coach Bus Service, we’ll ask for all the details of your trip so we can give you an accurate, all-inclusive price with no hidden fees. The more information you provide upfront, the better we can tailor your package to fit your budget and needs.
Sample Trip Pricing Examples
Below are a few sample pricing examples for common trips in El Cajon, CA and around California. Please note that these are estimates and your actual price may vary based on your specific needs and travel dates.
Field Trip to the San Diego Zoo

A teacher at El Cajon Valley High School is organizing a field trip for 40 students and 5 chaperones to the San Diego Zoo. The group will depart from the school at 8:00 AM, spend the day exploring the zoo, and return by 4:00 PM. This itinerary requires a 56-passenger charter bus for 8 hours, with an estimated cost of $2,200. The price includes round-trip transportation, driver gratuity, and parking fees at the zoo. With 45 people in the group, the cost comes out to about $49 per person. If the school requests an ADA-accessible bus, there is no additional charge, but they should provide at least two weeks’ notice.
Wedding Shuttle in Alpine

A couple is getting married at a vineyard in Alpine and wants to provide shuttle service for their guests. They have reserved two minibuses (one 25-passenger and one 18-passenger) to transport guests from hotels in El Cajon to the venue, with pickups starting at 3:00 PM and return trips ending at 11:00 PM. The total rental time is 8 hours per bus, at a rate of $175 per hour for the larger minibus and $160 per hour for the smaller one. The combined cost for both buses is $2,680. The couple will also tip the drivers $100 each at the end of the night.
Corporate Event at Viejas Casino

A local business is hosting a corporate event at Viejas Casino & Resort in Alpine and needs to transport 60 employees from their office in Santee. They book a 56-passenger coach bus and a 20-passenger minibus for the round-trip journey. The buses will pick up employees at 5:00 PM, drop them off at the casino by 6:00 PM, and return to Santee at midnight. This 7-hour rental costs $1,900 for the coach bus and $1,200 for the minibus, totaling $3,100. The company will provide meal vouchers for the drivers during the event.
Sports Team Travel to Los Angeles

A youth soccer team in La Mesa is traveling to Los Angeles for a weekend tournament. The team consists of 18 players, 4 coaches, and 10 parents, requiring a 40-passenger charter bus. They will depart Friday afternoon, stay two nights in LA, and return Sunday evening after the final match. The bus will remain with the group for local transportation between the hotel and sports complex. The total cost for this 3-day charter is $4,800, which includes mileage, driver hotel accommodations, and parking fees at the tournament venue. The team will split the cost among all travelers.
Bachelorette Party in Gaslamp Quarter

A group of 15 friends is celebrating a bachelorette party with a night out in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. They rent a 20-passenger party bus for 6 hours, with pickups in Santee at 7:00 PM, multiple bar stops in Gaslamp, and drop-offs back home at 1:00 AM. The party bus features wraparound seating, LED lighting, Bluetooth sound system, and a cooler for drinks. The total cost for the night is $1,350, or $90 per person. The group will tip the driver 15% ($200) for excellent service.
Convention Shuttle to San Diego Convention Center

An event planner is coordinating transportation for a tech conference at the San Diego Convention Center. They need continuous shuttle service between several downtown hotels and the convention center over three days. The planner books three 35-passenger minibuses to run on a loop from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day. The daily rate for each minibus is $1,400, totaling $4,200 per day or $12,600 for the entire event. The planner will also arrange for driver meals and secure bus parking near the convention center, which costs an additional $50 per day per bus.