1-800-436-8719

Why Rent a Charter Bus in Columbia?

An aerial view of Downtown Columbia

Renting a bus in Columbia may not be the perfect fit for every group. At Shofur, we want to make sure you pick the right transportation option for your needs. Large groups who need a stress-free travel option will be best served by a private bus rental, but if you’d like to explore all your options, check them out below:

  • The COMET: Columbia’s public transportation system includes easily recognizable neon buses that services a wide range of stops in the metro area. Hopping on The COMET is relatively affordable at $2.00 per ride, and it services many attractions like Main Street and the South Carolina State Museum. If you’re planning to travel farther out of the city or have a large group, taking The COMET may not be very convenient for you.
  • Green Cab, Uber, and Lyft: On-demand transportation services are often convenient and efficient ways for groups to travel around Columbia. You can hail a cab or rideshare on your own time and won’t have to wait on a public bus. Keep in mind that most taxis and rideshares do have a passenger limit (usually 6 passengers per vehicle) which may not work for big groups. You’ll have to hail several vehicles, and this may get pricey, especially with surge rates during major events and holidays.
  • Columbia bus rentals: A private charter bus rental is a great option for small and large groups alike. Shofur bus rentals include minibuses for small groups and full-sized coaches for large groups. Bus rentals in Columbia may get expensive depending on when you’re traveling and your group’s itinerary, though charter bus rentals often end up being more cost-effective per person than most other transportation options. A charter bus rental will also give your group the option to travel according to your schedule instead of waiting on a bus or rideshare.

Comparing Columbia Group Transportation

Shofur

The COMET

Taxi

Rideshare

Private

x

x

x

Personal, professional driver

x

x

Curbside drop-off

x

On-board climate controls

x

On-board entertainment

x

x

x

Nationwide access

x

x

x

Tailored to your schedule

x

x

x

One vehicle for your entire group

x

x

1-800-436-8719 Call Us Today to Rent a Charter Bus - Available 24/7

Easy Transportation for Weddings in Columbia

Historic Columbia offers beautiful brick wedding venues for future newlyweds to say “I do.”  Shofur has provided wedding shuttle services for ceremonies big and small. A wedding shuttle bus rental can save your guests the hassle of finding parking in busy areas in the historic district. Your wedding guests won’t have to struggle to find street parking and risk arriving late for your ceremony. Arrange a shuttle bus rental to pick up your guests at one designated location so they won’t have to park at your venue. Are you having your ceremony at your local church but hosting your reception at 701 Whaley? Have your guests hop on a private shuttle operated by a pro driver to make sure everyone arrives safely and doesn’t get lost between venues.

Corporate Shuttles in Columbia

From employee shuttles to and from your Columbia office to conference transportation services to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Shofur offers group travel options for professionals across all industries. We’ve serviced workers heading to construction sites, healthcare workers going to off-site medical centers, and business officials on their way to important meetings. No matter your industry or type of travel needs, we’ll make sure your colleagues have the best travel experience possible. Request a charter bus with additional amenities like WiFi, reclining seats, and power outlets to transport conference attendees or employees around town in optimal comfort.

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Address: 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: (803) 545-0181

Highlights: Downtown Columbia event venue with 60,000 square feet of meeting space

Cooperative Conference Center

Address: 169 Laurelhurst Ave, Columbia, SC 29210

Phone: (803) 772-9811

Highlights: Multipurpose event venue in St. Andrews with more than 25,000 square feet of space

Spacious Shuttles for Columbia Sporting Events

A group of sports fans wearing red and cheering in the stands

Although South Carolina doesn’t have any major league teams, college sports offer plenty of entertainment for sports fans. Book a game-day charter bus rental for your USC or Clemson fan club. Travel together to Williams-Brice Stadium or Memorial Stadium without the hassle of handling game-day traffic on your own. Instead of spitting into a multi-vehicle caravan while in stadium gridlock, everyone can hop on one bus rental and leave everything up to a professional driver.

Even if you’re planning a group trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to support the Panthers, Shofur will make sure you have a comfortable bus rental and smooth ride. Store your tailgating tents, chairs, and coolers in your bus rental’s spacious luggage compartments and stretch out in reclining seats.

Williams-Brice Stadium

Address: 1125 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: (803) 777-4271

Home to the South Carolina Gamecocks college football team.

Memorial Stadium

Address: 1 Avenue of Champions, Clemson, SC 29634

Phone: (800) 253-6766

Home to the Clemson Tigers college football team.

Bank of America Stadium

Address: 800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Phone: (704) 358-7000

Home to the Carolina Panthers NFL team.

1-800-436-8719 Call Us Today to Rent a Charter Bus - Available 24/7

Safe Field Trip Transportation in Columbia

Upgrade your Columbia school’s field trip ride with a bus rental from Shofur! Our group transportation services are safe, secure, and comfortable for students and chaperones traveling throughout Columbia. Every bus rental in the Shofur network is thoroughly inspected and maintained to keep your students safe. Your school class, scout troop, youth group, or academic club will have a safe Columbia bus rental to these top educational destinations:

EdVenture Children's Museum

Address: 211 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone:  (803) 779-3100

Highlights: Largest children’s museum in the region with 92,000 square feet of galleries and hands-on exhibits; popular exhibits explore topics like veterinary medicine and aviation; field trips and guided academic workshops can be requested online in advance.

Columbia Museum of Art

Address: 1515 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: (803) 799-2810

Highlights: Art museum located on the campus of the University of South Carolina; the permanent collection features works from around the world including sculptures from China and East Asia, large-scale photos from American photographers, and post-Impressionist works from European painters; virtual and in-person school programs are available for pre-k through 12th-grade students.

Columbia Children's Theatre

Address: 3400 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29204 (Inside Richland Mall)

Phone: (803) 691-4548

Highlights: Professional theatre that focuses on kid-friendly plays and musicals; performing arts classes and workshops are available for schools and youth groups.

Our Favorite Group-Friendly Destinations in Columbia

A family feeding a giraffe at a zoo

If you’re organizing a vacation or private trip to Columbia, we’ve compiled a few top spots you should add to your itinerary. When you travel with Shofur, you’ll have a bus rental and pro driver dedicated to wherever you want to go across Columbia. Hop on your Columbia bus rental and visit these popular group-friendly destinations:

Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Garden

Good for: Groups of nature lovers and families with kids

Address: 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29210

Phone: (803) 779-8717

Highlights: Zoo and botanical garden with a variety of exhibits and adventure activities; popular animal residents include giraffes, sea lions, and several species of big cats; guests can also enjoy zip-line adventures, rock wall climbing, and high-rise rope courses; botanical exhibits with 4,200 species of plants located across the Saluda River 

Bus rental parking tip: There’s plenty of parking available at the zoo, but you may have to pay additional fees for your bus rental. When you reserve tickets for your group visit, be sure to inquire about parking costs and admission for your driver.

South Carolina State Museum

Good for: Groups traveling with young inquisitive minds

Address: 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone:  (803) 898-4921

Highlights: Downtown Columbia museum filled with a diverse range of exhibits that cover everything from paleontology to Civil War-era history; suitable for both kids and adults who are interested in a range of topics; additional features include a planetarium, 4D theater, observatory, and art gallery 

Bus rental parking tip: The South Carolina State Museum has plentiful parking in a designated area for bus rentals. Free bus parking can be found in a lot at the corner of Williams Street and Washington Street.

Congaree National Park

Good for: Groups of outdoor enthusiasts

Address: 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061

 

Phone: (803) 776-4396

Highlights: Park located 18 miles from Columbia filled with old-growth hardwood trees, hiking and boardwalk trails, picnic areas, and water features for aquatic activities; located in picturesque flood plain area along the Congaree and Wateree Rivers

Bus rental parking tip: Entrance fees and parking at Congaree National Park are completely free of charge. Many visitors park at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center or the South Cedar Creek area where most of the trails are located.

Book Your Columbia Charter Bus Rental Today

Reserving a bus rental in Columbia only takes a few minutes! Call our team of rental experts at 1-800-436-8719 with any questions you may have. We'll just need your Columbia itinerary and you'll have a personalized, no-obligation bus rental quote in no time.

1-800-436-8719 Call Us Today to Rent a Charter Bus - Available 24/7

Prices for Charter Buses and Minibuses in Columbia

Vehicles Passengers Luggage Hourly Min Hrs
vehicle image

CHARTER BUS

57 55
$110 - $170
5
vehicle image

MINI BUS

25 7
$105 - $160
5
  • From

    Columbia, SC

    To

    Atlanta, GA

    $

    roundtrip

  • From

    Columbia, SC

    To

    Charleston, SC

    $

    roundtrip

  • From

    Columbia, SC

    To

    Charlotte, NC

    $

    roundtrip

  • From

    Columbia, SC

    To

    Greenville, SC

    $

    roundtrip

  • From

    Columbia, SC

    To

    Miami, FL

    $

    roundtrip

  • From

    Columbia, SC

    To

    Pensacola, FL

    $

    roundtrip

  • From

    Columbia, SC

    To

    Port Canaveral, FL

    $

    roundtrip

Prices displayed here are estimates and may not reflect the price of your bus rental. The only way to get an accurate quote is to call our 24-hour team at 1-800-436-8719.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answer is: it depends. When you call one of our 24/7 reservation specialists with your trip details, they will build a quote for you based on a few factors, including how far you'll be traveling, which bus you rent, how many hours or days you will need the rental, and where and when you will be picked up. Depending on your trip itinerary, your rental cost will be broken down by hour, day, or mile.

You can learn more on our charter bus pricing page, and your reservation specialist will be happy to break down pricing further when you call.

Our network offers full-size charter buses, minibus rentals, and sprinter vans. Full-size charter bus rentals are great for larger groups or longer distance trips and can accommodate up to 56 passengers, while minibus rentals work well for medium-sized groups of 12 to 25 passengers. Groups even smaller than that can rent a sprinter van, which comfortably accommodates up to 12 people.

Visit our buses page to learn more about the charter bus options available in Shofur's network.

Every bus model in our network comes with their own special amenities and capabilities, including but not limited to:

  • WiFi and/or power outlets
  • A/C and heating
  • TV monitors and a DVD player
  • Onboard restrooms
  • AM/FM radio
  • Overhead storage bins
  • Luggage bays
  • ADA accessible features

If you have a specific amenity request, be sure to let your reservation specialist know and they will be happy to work with you to find the best bus for your group.

When you call to get a free, no-obligation quote, you will get a number that is transparent and all-inclusive. Below is a list of components your quote covers:

  • The bus itself
  • A professional charter bus driver
  • The bus's mileage and fuel
  • Insurance
  • Tolls
  • Processing fees

Remember that your quote will not include certain aspects that are out of Shofur's control or at your own discretion, such as:

  • Gratuity for your driver (at your discretion, typically 5-10% of the total cost of the rental)
  • Parking fees
  • Lodging for your driver (required for multi-day trips)

No. Your professional, trained, and highly experienced charter bus driver will take care of all the driving so you can sit back and relax during your journey. Each charter bus driver has undergone numerous background checks and driving tests to ensure their safety and expertise.

Yes. A fee of 10% of the total cost of the trip is due at the time of your booking.

Your rental will need to be paid in full 7 days before your trip date.

Most charter bus providers will allow you to drink on your bus. However, be sure to let your reservation specialist know so that they can determine for sure. Also, be mindful about not leaving a mess behind, or you may be subject to a cleaning fee that is usually $250.