1-800-436-8719

Why Rent a Bus in Athens?

Aerial view of Athens Clarke County City Hall at sunset

Like most towns in Georgia and throughout the Southeastern U.S., Athens is best traversed by car. But we understand that may not always be an option. Whether you’re transporting minors, coming into town from nearby cities like Atlanta or Chattanooga, or simply not eager to put miles on your personal vehicles or strain on your group members, you’ll need to find alternative modes of transportation. Here are your options:

  • Athens-Clarke County Transit: The ACC public bus system is composed of 20 routes. The standard fare is $1.75, and most bus stops are frequented once an hour. Many of the routes are designed as loops, with outbound buses on a given route not returning on the same street. This can prove confusing for out-of-towners, and large groups may not want to risk getting separated or lost in transit.
  • Rideshares and Taxis: The area offers a few taxi companies, but your group may have better luck hailing a Uber or Lyft. These services can be convenient if you don’t have a set itinerary and need on-demand transportation. One drawback of taxis and rideshares, however, is vehicle capacity—these vehicles can usually only hold 6 people at a time, which is not ideal for larger groups who don’t want to split up. Also, rates and availability can be unpredictable (especially on busy game days), and no one likes waiting at the curb for their ride to show up when there are places they need to be.
  • Private Bus Rentals through Shofur: For many medium- to large-sized groups, renting a bus in Athens is the most convenient and comfortable way to get around the city. While minibus and charter bus rentals can be more expensive than other modes of transport, it’s easier to budget and plan ahead with one—especially when you book through Shofur. We offer transparent and up-front pricing and free, no-obligation quotes, so you know what to expect before you reserve your Athens bus. Additionally, our motorcoach network grants your passengers access to comfortable amenities you won’t find on other vehicles. Free WiFi, onboard restrooms, luggage storage, TVs, and a DVD player—just let us know what you want aboard your bus when you call 1-800-436-8719, and Shofur will deliver!

Comparing Athens Group Transportation

Shofur

ACC Transit

Taxi

Rideshare

Private

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Personal, professional driver

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Curbside drop-off

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On-board climate controls

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On-board entertainment

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Nationwide access

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Tailored to your schedule

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One vehicle for your entire group

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1-800-436-8719 Call Our 24/7 Team to Rent a Charter Bus Today

 

Cheer on the Dawgs, Hassle-free

A stadium full of rowdy football fans during a game

There’s nothing quite like sporting events in a Southern college town! Nearly 90,000 people turn out to see the Dawgs play on any given Saturday in the fall—which makes for a fun game day atmosphere and a nightmare when it comes to arranging transportation logistics.

Luckily, group tailgates have never been easier than with a Shofur gameday bus rental! Securely stash your coolers and tents in your charter bus’s undercarriage until it’s party time, so your fan group can stretch out in reclining seats, check the stats on free WiFi, and rest up before the game. And with a professional at the wheel, your fans can celebrate as much as they want without having to elect a DD!

 

Sanford Stadium

Address: 100 Sanford Dr, Athens, GA 30602

A historic football stadium that seats nearly 90,000 people.

 

Stegman Colosseum

Address: 100 Smith St, Athens, GA 30605

The campus basketball, gymnastics, and indoor event arena.

 

Foley Field

Address: 1 E Rutherford St, Athens, GA 30602

UGA’s official 3,000-seat baseball stadium.

 

Collegiate Shuttle Services

The historical and iconic steel arch at the entrance of the University of Georgia campus

When it comes to transporting your Greek organization, intramural team, club, or student body, Shofur wants to create perfect routes and schedules to ensure your event, outing, or day-to-day travel goes off without a hitch. That’s why we offer custom rental plans tailored to your passengers’ needs—whether you can fill out multiple full-size charter buses or simply need a sprinter van shuttle. We can even establish an ongoing contract for your college, university, or organization, so everyone has a reliable ride throughout campus and beyond. Call 1-800-436-8719 to get in touch with our long-term reservation team!

Taking your prospective students and transfers for a tour of the campus instead? We can help you there too. With a pro driver on your side, everyone will arrive at the admission office or campus visitor center all at once, all together, and ready for whatever campus tours and advisor appointments you have scheduled.

 

University of Georgia

Visitor Center Address: 405 College Station Rd, Athens, GA 30602

A four-year public research university with over 230 years of history and an average student body of 35,000+.

 

Athens Technical College

Address: 800 US-29, Athens, GA 30601

Originally established as a vocational school in 1958, this college offers certificates and associate degrees in business-, technical-, health-, and manufacturing-related fields.

 

Ease Your Employees’ Business Travel

On the road for business reasons? Whether your team is here for a Classic Center conference or you’re looking to ease employee commutes to manufacturing centers on the city’s outskirts, consider a Shofur bus rental an important investment for your company’s travel. Not only will your shuttle services run on a schedule that works for you (not the other way around), but you can boost your passengers’ productivity with onboard amenities. After checking their emails over free WiFi, recharging their devices with individual power outlets, and freshening up in an onboard restroom, everyone is sure to arrive calm, composed, and ready to get to work.

 

The Classic Center

Address: 300 N Thomas St, Athens, GA 30601

A downtown conference center with 12 venues or varying sizes—from the up-close-and-personal Olympia Rooms to the 54,000-square-foot Grand Hall.

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

 

Stress-Free Wedding Transportation

Planning your Classic City wedding can be stressful. But Shofur can help take one worry off your mind: how your guests will get to the venue. Rather than having everyone drive between their hotels, the ceremony, and the reception, let a professional driver from our network take care of your loved ones on your big day. That way, they’ll arrive right when you want them to, and no one has to volunteer to carpool or worry about parking.

And your shuttle plan doesn’t have to start and end on your wedding day, either! Whether you’re planning a relaxed outing with your newlywed-to-be at Southern Comfort Brewery or a bar-hopping spree throughout Athens’ nightlife scene, your wedding party and guests will always have a DD at the end of the night—no matter how crazy your celebration gets.

 

Safe and Fun Athens Field Trip

Autumn leaves fall on a paved path through the woods at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Educators and academic organizers—when it comes to coordinating your next field trip, we know you have enough on your plate. Let us grant you and your chaperones peace of mind with safe and reliable transportation. Our network of coaches is regularly inspected and updated with the latest safety features, and your driver will always be a certified professional with a spotless background check.

Stress less about how your class, afterschool group, or youth sports team will get around Athens, and spend more time enjoying the ride. It’s easy to do when there are onboard DVD players and TV monitors to keep the kids entertained as well as WiFi for streaming music and podcasts and plenty of storage space to tuck backpacks away while on the road!

 

State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Address: 2450 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605

These 313 acres of land are the official botanical garden of the state—and for good reason. Wander through a multi-story greenhouse, learn about local foliage and herbs, and explore the miles of hiking trails in this beautiful green space!

 

Georgia Museum of Art

Address: 90 Carlton St, Athens, GA 30602

Located on UGA’s campus, this museum has a lot to offer for young creative minds. Pose for photos with the funky outdoor sculptures, check out the history-minded permanent collection, or schedule a workshop or educational program for your aspiring artists.

 

Washington Farms

Address: 5691 Hog Mountain Rd, Bogart, GA 30622

Picking berries, navigating a corn maze, petting fluffy animals—all this and more awaits at this family-run farm! Despite the place’s small-town vibe, this farm is especially group-friendly! Reserve a field trip here for discounted admission and private educational programs about agriculture and livestock.

 

Reserve Your Athens Bus Rental Today

Whenever you’re ready to streamline your group’s travel plans in Athens, Shofur is here for you. All you need is an accurate headcount and a finalized itinerary to receive a free and personalized quote tailored to your bus rental needs. Call 1-800-436-8719 today to get started or to learn more about our Athens bus rentals!

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

Prices for Charter Buses and Minibuses in Athens

Vehicles Passengers Luggage Hourly Min Hrs
vehicle image

CHARTER BUS

57 55
$110 - $170
6
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MINI BUS

25 7
$105 - $160
5

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.