1-800-436-8719

Why Rent a Bus in Gainesville?

a view of gainesville's skyline at dusk

Planning a group trip can be a difficult task, especially when you have to account for so many people. Florida is a massive state, which means traveling can take quite a lot of time depending on your itinerary. Plus, with Gainesville being the home of the University of Florida and the largest city in North Central Florida, it can be tricky for newcomers to easily get around. No matter the size of your group, there’s a transportation option for you in Gator Nation.

  • RTS Public Transit (Gainesville Regional Transit System)

    Individuals and smaller groups can get around easily with the RTS. With stations located throughout downtown, UF, and, the surrounding neighborhoods, you can get to your destination with ease. The RTS offers affordable fees with either one way fares or passes with handy swipe-and-go fareboxes.

    Cheap, fast, and easy, RTS is a viable option for smaller groups. but if your group is bigger than five people, this transportation method can end up being more of a headache. The fees add up, the buses can be crowded, and your group may end up separated and lost. If you’re looking for more organization and privacy on your trip, then a charter bus rental will be a better fit.

  • Rideshares

    Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are quick and easy, but when it comes to privacy, you might be in for some awkward rides. Pricing is always fluid, meaning you can expect a big price surge if you’re going to a popular event like a UF game due to high demand.

    You can have a more relaxing, dependable experience with a private bus rental. Enjoy privacy with friends while you indulge in some of your favorite drinks as you prepare for a night out downtown. The price you pay for your bus rental will be the same price you agreed to since the beginning without any surprise fees at the end. Keep that extra money to treat yourself.

  • Charter bus rentals with Shofur

    When you’re traveling with a group, you want to stay together and spend time with one another. With a bus rental, you can enjoy the city sights and each other’s company without the hassles of transportation.

    A bus rental allows your group freedom and flexibility with enough room for everyone. Minibus rentals allow up to 25 passengers, while charter buses can seat 56 of your best friends. No matter who you invite, there won’t be any other groups mixing with yours, so your ride is all yours. Each bus will come with a professional driver experienced in all the transportation logistics, giving your group a stress-free experience.

    Keep each guest entertained and comfortable with special amenities that you can add, like reclining seats and a climate-controlled cabin for ultimate comfort. Request WiFi, power outlets, AV systems for fun and games, and if you’re in a bigger model, ask for on-board restrooms to minimize the pit stops.

Charter buses may seem expensive, but larger groups lower the price per person, and transporting so many people at once is greener than alternative methods. If you’re coming to explore the attractions, the stress bus rentals take away make your Gator experience better than ever. 

Comparing Gainesville Group Transportation

Shofur

RTS

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

Get Married in Gainesville with a Bus Rental

a married couple show off their Florida Gator-themed

Planning a wedding is stressful enough, and transportation for the wedding party and guests is the last thing the bride or groom want to think about on their big day. Bigger parties mean more responsibility, and if you're transporting guests from separate ceremony and reception venues, you don’t want lost or late arrivals to miss out on all your hard work.

A charter bus rental handles all these logistics so you can focus on what’s really important: your love. While you’re preparing to exchange vows, a minibus can shuttle your guests from their hotel to your venue to make sure they arrive on time and stay on schedule for a magical evening. Bringing friends and family from out of town? Treat them to chauffeured services where they can ride to and from your special event while they celebrate together.

Plan an unforgettable fling before the ring with a personal minibus at your beck and call, ready to take you to the next adventure. With amenities like reclining seats, climate-controlled cabins, WiFi, and speakers for your music, passengers can continue to celebrate without any interruptions. Ready to make wedding planning a breeze? Call us today at  1-800-436-8719.

 

Baughman Center

Address: 982 Museum Rd, Gainesville, FL 32603

Phone: (352) 294-0049

 

Sweetwater Branch Inn Lodging and Events

Address: 625 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Phone: (352) 373-6760

 

Gainesville Country Club

Address: 7300 SW 35th Way, Gainesville, FL 32608

Phone: (352) 372-1458

Field Trips and Campus Tours in Gainesville

Plan a memorable field trip for school kids, but make it even better with comfortable, reliable, and professional bus rentals to keep everyone together and on schedule. Whether students are learning about conservation efforts at the Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation or exploring the history of the world at the Florida Museum of Natural History, you can rest assured that all the transportation logistics are taken care of and your itinerary will stay on track.

Want to take highschool students to tour Gator nation at the University of Florida? A minibus rental helps you plan your tour to let students unlock their potential without the hassles of transportation. Your private minibus rental will shuttle your group across campus, dropping you off as close as possible for quick, easy access all around campus.

Your bus rental can come with various amenities to make your trip comfortable and easy for everyone involved, including students, staff, and faculty. Reclining seats and air-conditioning provide optimal comfort, TVs with DVD players and free WiFi keep everyone entertained, on-board restrooms help bring bathroom stops to a rest, and big, panoramic windows let everyone see sights of the city from their seat.

Your professional driver will ensure the safest routes with the most convenient drop-off and pickup locations so students don’t have to walk too far. Forget the traffic and navigation, and spend that extra time with your class.

 

Carson Springs Wildlife Conservation Foundation

Address: 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611

Phone: (352) 846-2000

 

Florida Museum of Natural History

Address: 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611

Phone: (352) 846-2000

 

University of Florida

Address: Office of Admissions, 201 Criser Hall - PO Box 114000, Gainesville, FL 32611

Phone: (352) 392-3261

1-800-436-8719 Call Us Today to Charter a Coachbus, Minibus, or Shuttle

Sports Events in Gainesville

Are you part of Gator Nation or a rival? Either way, focus on cheering on your side without stressing over the navigation, traffic, or parking. Shofur helps die-hard fans get to their game with a dependable, private ride. Avoid surge pricing and overpriced parking; instead, you can tailgate (with the chance to drink on the bus) in style with plenty of room on your bus to store coolers, snacks, and all your favorite merchandise. After being out in the heat, get to your next destination in comfort with reclining seats and air-conditioning.

Sports teams of all kinds, whether high school teams or professional leagues, can travel to away games together in a bus rental tailored to them. Charter bus rentals let your entire team stay together to prepare for another victory. Store luggage and sports equipment with ease in luggage bays, and enjoy longer trips with TVs, DVD players, WiFi, power outlets, and speakers to blast your team’s favorite songs.

 

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium

Home of the Florida Gators

Address: 157 Gale Lemerand Dr, Gainesville, FL 32611

 

Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center

Address: 250 Gale Lemerand Dr

 

Alfred A. McKethan Stadium at Perry Field

Address: Gale Lemerand Dr And University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32611

Phone: (800) 653-8000

Our Favorite Group-Friendly Destinations in Gainesville

a view of Gainesville city hall with trees lining the city sidewalks

Gainesville is more than gators and college football. No matter what you’re in town for, your group can explore a variety of activities that everyone will love. When you’re planning your itinerary, be sure to check out these fan favorites:

Gainesville Raceway

In some need for speed? Get your heart racing at the Gainesville Raceway, the most well-known vacation of the NHRA GatorNationals, an annual drag racing event. The raceway hosts weekly and monthly races if you’re into smaller events, though. Whether you’re a thrillseeker or just want to experience something new, this activity will surely get your group on their feet. However, due to loud noises and the intensity, this won’t be the best option if your group has small children.

Address: 11211 North County Road 225, Gainesville, FL 32609

Group tickets: Call 1-800-884-6472 or email groupsales@nhra.com

Samuel P. Harn Museum Of Art

Looking for something more relaxed? The Samuel P. Harn Museum gives your group over 10,000 works to experience, ranging from traditional to contemporary styles. What’s even better is the museum is completely free. Once you’ve admired the art indoors, your group can get some sunshine as they stroll through the gardens, get some delicious food, and buy some souvenirs.

Address: 259 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA

Group tours: Call (352) 294-7062 or email tours@harn.ufl.edu

Note: If you want to plan a tour, while admission is free, the museum kindly asks for a $3/person donation to help support the work.

Explore Gainesville with Charter Bus Rental

Ready to see what Gator nation has to offer? Don’t let the stress of group transportation stop your plans! Shofur can match you with the perfect bus rental for the best experience yet. Call our 24/7 team at 1-800-436-8719 and we’ll handle the rest.

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

Prices for Charter Buses and Minibuses in Gainesville

Vehicles Passengers Luggage Hourly Min Hrs
vehicle image

CHARTER BUS

57 55
$110 - $170
5
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MINI BUS

25 7
$105 - $160
5
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    Atlanta, GA

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    Charleston, SC

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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.