Charter Bus Rentals Dubuque, Iowa

The cost of renting a charter bus in Dubuque typically ranges from $1,200 to $3,500 or more, depending on the size of the vehicle, length of the trip, and time of year. Local trips are usually billed by the hour (with a 4- or 5-hour minimum), while longer out-of-town or multi-day rentals are charged by the mile or day. You’ll also need to budget for additional expenses like tolls, parking, driver lodging (for overnight trips), and a 5–10% gratuity for the driver. The best way to get an accurate price is to call Charter Bus Rental Dubuque at 563-348-4800 with your trip details for an instant, all-inclusive quote.

Here are some real-world examples of charter bus pricing for common trips in and around Dubuque:

• School field trip to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium: $1,500 for an 8-hour local rental of a 56-passenger coach
• Wedding shuttle between downtown hotels and Eagle Point Park: $250 per hour for a 25-passenger minibus, 5-hour minimum
• Casino outing to Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque: $1,800 flat rate for an evening package with a full-size bus
• Sports team travel to Cedar Rapids or Iowa City: $4.50 per mile for a charter bus traveling 90–110 miles one-way
• Corporate event at Grand River Center: $300 per hour for a 32-passenger minibus, 4-hour minimum
• Multi-day church retreat to Backbone State Park: $2,400 for a two-day, 120-mile round-trip with a 47-passenger bus

Rates are lower in winter and midweek, and higher during spring/fall peak seasons.

Several key factors influence the total cost of a charter bus rental in Dubuque:

• Vehicle size and type: Larger buses (50–56 passengers) cost more than minibuses (18–35 passengers), but the price per seat is lower. Newer, luxury, or specialty coaches (e.g., ADA-accessible) are more expensive.
• Trip duration and distance: Local trips are billed hourly; longer trips are billed by mileage or by the day. Multi-day out-of-town trips incur higher fees.
• Time of year: Spring and fall are peak seasons due to school and sports travel, so rates are higher. Summer and winter are less expensive.
• Day of the week: Weekends (especially Saturdays) are in higher demand and cost more than weekdays.
• Itinerary details: Multiple pickup/drop-off locations, layovers, or custom routes increase the price.
• Additional expenses: Tolls, parking fees, driver lodging (for overnight trips), and gratuity are extra.

Charter Bus Rental Dubuque is a leading charter bus company in Dubuque because we offer the largest and most diverse fleet of modern buses in the region, backed by 24/7 customer support and a reputation for reliability. We’ve helped groups of all sizes travel comfortably across Iowa and the Midwest, from school field trips to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium to corporate events at the Grand River Center or wedding shuttles to Eagle Point Park. Our team is available around the clock to answer questions, provide quick quotes, and assist with any issues that arise before or during your trip. We understand that every group has unique needs, so we offer fully customizable itineraries and vehicles with the amenities you want. With Charter Bus Rental Dubuque, you’ll get a clean, comfortable bus driven by a professional driver who puts safety first.

We proudly serve a wide variety of groups across Dubuque County, including schools, sports teams, businesses, wedding parties, churches, and local government agencies. Educational clients frequently book buses for campus tours of Clarke University or Loras College, as well as field trips to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Athletic departments and fan groups rely on us for game-day transportation to Dalzell Field or road games against rivals in Cedar Rapids and Davenport. Corporate customers use our services for employee shuttles, training sessions at the Grand River Center, and airport transfers to Dubuque Regional Airport. We also provide custom packages for weddings at venues like Hotel Julien Dubuque, multi-day church retreats, and senior outings to Diamond Jo Casino.

Charter Bus Rental Dubuque offers a full range of vehicles from 18-passenger minibuses to 56-passenger full-size motorcoaches, plus several mid-size and specialty options. Our fleet includes vehicles from top manufacturers like Van Hool, Prevost, MCI, Setra, and Grech—so you can always get exactly the size and style of bus your group needs. Minibuses (18–35 seats) are popular for wedding shuttles, corporate events, and small sports teams. Full-size charter buses (up to 56 seats) are ideal for school trips, large athletic groups, and long-distance travel. We also offer ADA-accessible buses and can provide multiple vehicles for very large groups or complex itineraries.

Most of our modern charter buses come equipped with reclining seats, powerful air conditioning, onboard Wi-Fi, 110V/USB power outlets at every row, and flat-screen monitors with DVD capability. Larger coaches offer additional amenities such as PA systems, individual reading lights, tray tables, and generous undercarriage luggage bays. Many of our 56-passenger motorcoaches feature a clean onboard restroom, which is essential for longer trips across Iowa or into neighboring states.

We also have several ADA-accessible buses with wheelchair lifts and priority seating for passengers with mobility challenges. If you need something specific—like leather upholstery, extra video screens, or a fully integrated sound system—just ask. We can usually accommodate special requests as long as we know about them in advance.

Yes, most full-size charter buses (47–56 passengers) are equipped with a basic onboard restroom located at the rear of the coach. The restroom includes a toilet and hand sanitizer but typically does not have running water or a sink. While suitable for emergencies and short breaks, it's recommended to schedule periodic stops at facilities with full restrooms during longer trips. Smaller minibuses (18–35 passengers) usually do not have restroom facilities due to space constraints.

Yes, nearly all of our modern charter buses and minibuses come equipped with 110V power outlets and USB charging ports. On full-size motorcoaches, you’ll typically find one or two outlets per seating row, either above the seats or between them. This setup allows passengers to charge laptops, tablets, and phones during the trip. Smaller minibuses may have USB ports at each seat and a few standard outlets toward the front or rear of the cabin. If you need a bus with device charging at every seat, just mention it when booking—we’ll make sure your vehicle has the right setup.

Yes, most of our charter buses offer onboard Wi-Fi that supports basic internet browsing, email, and social media. The system connects to a 4G or 5G cellular network and is suitable for general web use, but bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming video or large downloads may be limited. Larger coaches can support multiple devices simultaneously, though performance depends on signal strength in rural areas. If reliable Wi-Fi is essential for your trip, please specify this when booking so we can assign a coach with the best available connectivity.

Yes, full-size charter buses have spacious undercarriage luggage bays that can accommodate large suitcases, equipment bags, or coolers. Additionally, there are overhead parcel racks inside the cabin for smaller items like backpacks and duffel bags. A standard 56-passenger coach can handle one large suitcase plus a carry-on per person. Minibuses have limited luggage space—typically just the interior overhead racks and a small rear cargo area—so they’re best for groups traveling light. If your group has extra baggage, sports gear, or bulky items, let us know when you request a quote so we can recommend a vehicle with adequate storage.

Our fleet includes vehicles that can accommodate anywhere from 18 to 56 passengers. Minibuses seat 18, 20, 25, 28, or 32 passengers and are ideal for small groups, while full-size charter buses hold up to 56 people and are best for large events or long-distance trips. We can also send multiple buses for very large groups.

In Dubuque, popular bus loading zones include curbside areas near the Grand River Center, Diamond Jo Casino, and Five Flags Center. Schools often use designated lots at Hempstead High School, Senior High School, and Loras College. For downtown events, buses can stage on East 7th Street or near the Port of Dubuque. If those are full or unavailable, try the Iowa Street ramp (9th & Iowa) or the Bee Branch Greenway lot. Always coordinate with your venue ahead of time—some locations have specific loading procedures or require advance notice for groups arriving by bus. Our team can help identify the best spot based on your itinerary and will work with local officials if special arrangements are needed.

It’s best to book your charter bus at least three to six months in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the busy spring or fall seasons. Summer trips should be booked two to three months ahead, while winter trips can sometimes be arranged with shorter notice. Large events, multi-day trips, and peak dates (such as homecoming or tournament weekends) may require even more lead time. Last-minute bookings are possible if we have availability, but your vehicle and pricing options may be limited.

You can get an instant quote by calling our 24-hour reservations team at 563-348-4800 or by filling out the easy online form on our website. Just provide your pickup location, destination, travel dates, group size, and any special requests. We’ll quickly prepare a personalized quote and send it to you by email or phone.

Your quote covers the rental of the bus, driver’s pay, fuel, insurance, and all standard onboard amenities. Additional expenses such as tolls, parking fees, and driver lodging (for overnight trips) are not included and will be billed separately. Gratuity for the driver is optional but recommended (typically 10–15%).

Once you receive your quote, review the terms and itinerary, then sign the contract electronically and submit your deposit. The balance is due before departure. Our team will confirm your reservation, assign a vehicle, and provide a detailed trip sheet with pickup times, contact numbers, and emergency procedures.

Yes, you can rent a charter bus for multi-day and overnight trips. We regularly handle out-of-town excursions, athletic tournaments, corporate retreats, and school trips that require several days on the road. For overnight trips, the group is responsible for providing the driver with a hotel room. Most hotels offer discounted “driver rates” for this purpose. Just provide your full itinerary—including departure and return times each day—so we can quote the trip accurately and ensure compliance with driver hour regulations.

Yes, we can provide long-distance charter bus rentals to any destination in the continental United States. Whether you’re planning a multi-day trip to Chicago, Minneapolis, or beyond, we’ll make sure you have a comfortable, reliable vehicle for the journey. Just provide your full itinerary when requesting a quote.