Why Rent a Bus in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is a huge, sprawling city—in fact, it’s the largest city by land area in the U.S. That means your group will have to think carefully about how you’re going to get around once you arrive. Should you rely on Jacksonville’s public transit, call for rideshares, or book a vehicle ahead of time? Here are a few pros and cons of each option:
- Jacksonville Transportation Authority: The JTA manages public buses, a ferry that runs from Mayport Village to Fort George Island, and the Skyway, a monorail that runs throughout downtown Jacksonville. The monorail and ferry are both worth taking for the experience but only visit limited locations, while the buses have a wider range of service but can be slow and only pick up at designated times.
- Taxis and rideshares: Taxis and rideshares are usually faster than public transportation, since they’ll take you straight to your destination. The downside is that your group will have to split up, and paying for multiple rideshares multiple times a day can quickly become very expensive.
- Charter buses: Charter buses can keep everyone in your group together and take you straight to your destination. You’ll also pay for most of the costs up-front. That said, you may need to do some advance planning to make sure you can afford the initial costs.
Comparing Jacksonville Group Transportation
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Shofur
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JTA
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Taxi
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Rideshare
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Private
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Personal, professional driver
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Curbside drop-off
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✓
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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 Us Today to Rent a Charter Bus - Available 24/7
Beaches in Jacksonville
Once you’ve figured out how you’re going to get around Jacksonville, you’re ready to start exploring Jacksonville’s beaches. Jacksonville has the most shoreline of any major U.S. city, with 22 miles of beaches, 40 miles of Intracoastal Waterway, and the longest stretch of the St. Johns River in Florida. The hardest part will be figuring out whether your group consists of ocean people or river people (or both).
If you want to sunbathe or surf in the Atlantic Ocean, head to Jacksonville, Neptune, Mayport, or Atlantic Beach. All four of these public beaches welcome pets and feature surf shops, seafood restaurants, and charming oceanfront stores that you can explore when you’re done swimming.
More into fishing or kayaking? Visit the St. Johns River, which stands apart from other rivers because it’s part freshwater and part seawater. This distinctive blend means the St. Johns River sometimes provides a home for dolphins, manatees, and sharks. Stow your gear on your charter bus and ask your driver to drop you off near one of the river’s many boat docks so you can kayak or fish while looking for local wildlife.
Corporate Events in Jacksonville
Thanks to the city’s rapid growth and the bustling Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Jacksonville has become a popular destination for corporate conferences. Florida’s biggest city is also known for its unconventional event venues. Sure, you can always go with a hotel conference room, but what about holding your next meeting in one of Jacksonville’s famous breweries?
Aardwolf Brewing and Hyperion Brewing Company are just two of the many local beer joints that provide event space for cocktail hours or casual meetings. Aardwolf has a banquet room for up to 50 people, while Hyperion has a beautiful beer garden that can hold up to 75. And of course, you can sample local drafts as part of your event. Your bus driver will happily serve as your group’s DD.
Aardwolf Brewing Company
Address: 1461 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Charter bus parking: There are several public paid lots near the brewing company where your bus can park.
Hyperion Brewing Company
Address: 1740 N Main St, Jacksonville, FL 32206
Charter bus parking: Hyperion relies on street parking and paid public lots, so your driver can find a spot after dropping your group off in front of the brewery.
1-800-436-8719 Call Us Today to Rent a Charter Bus - Available 24/7
Weddings in Jacksonville
Jacksonville’s miles of waterfront and bustling downtown area make it a popular site for weddings. If you’re planning a ceremony by the Atlantic Ocean, your charter bus can take you to an oceanfront venue like the Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach. Get married on the sand, dance the night away, and then let your bus take your guests safely back to their hotel.
Couples who would rather get married near the St. Johns River can book a spot like the Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club, an opulent mansion built in 1926. Prefer to stay in the heart of the city? The popular River Club lies on top of the Wells Fargo Center in the middle of Jacksonville’s vibrant downtown.
Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant
Address: 691 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Charter bus parking: Casa Marina doesn’t have on-site parking, so you’ll need to park in the small shopping center across the street.
Epping Forest Yacht & Country Club
Address: 1830 Epping Forest Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32217
Charter bus parking: Epping Forest has its own parking lot that your charter bus can use.
The River Club
Address: 1 Independent Dr # 3500, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Charter bus parking: Though The River Club provides validated parking in garages, your bus probably won’t be able to fit. You’ll want to let The River Club staff know you’re bringing a bus when you book the space so they can help you make other arrangements.
Sporting Events in Jacksonville
Although Jacksonville isn’t the home of a major college football team, it is the home of two major college football games. Every year, Jacksonville’s TIAA Bank Field hosts the rivalry game between the University of Georgia and the University of Florida and the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
TIAA Bank Field also provides a home for Jacksonville’s professional football franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars. That means the stadium is nearly always busy, and parking can be tricky. If you’re with a large group, you can save yourself the stress of figuring out where everyone is in an enormous parking lot by sharing a charter bus to the game.
Jacksonville also boasts many beautiful golf courses. There are about 20 courses within city limits and around 15 more within 20 miles. Perhaps the most famous of these is TPC Sawgrass, which frequently hosts The Players Championship on the PGA Tour. Whether you have a reservation on the links or just want to watch the Tour, your bus driver can easily drop your group off near this renowned course.
TIAA Bank Field (home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Georgia-Florida game, and the Gator Bowl)
Address: 1 TIAA Bank Field Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Charter bus parking: TIAA Bank Field has many parking lots, but you will need to pre-purchase parking for your bus before the event to guarantee you have a spot. You’ll be encouraged to do so when you buy tickets.
TPC Sawgrass (home of The Players Championship)
Address: 110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Charter bus parking: TPC Sawgrass has parking lots, but for major events, like The Players Championship, you’ll need to pre-pay for parking when you purchase your tickets.
1-800-436-8719 Call Our 24/7 Team to Rent a Charter Bus Today
Field Trips in Jacksonville
Jacksonville draws in school groups from throughout northern Florida with its museums and zoo. The Jacksonville Museum of Science and History, aka MOSH, welcomes kids and teachers who want to learn about the natural world through interactive activities. Let your kids try Health in Motion to discover how exercise can change their bodies, or take them to experience the Intertidal Touch Tank at the Atlantic Tails exhibit.
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens was once the home of Ninah Cummer, a devoted garden designer and private art collector. In her will, Cummer bequeathed her home to the city of Jacksonville to serve as an art museum and botanical garden. The museum now has more than 5,000 pieces of art. Take your students to see works by Mildred Thompson, Winslow Homer, and Norman Rockwell, and then escort them outside to tour the oak trees, flowers, fountains, and sculptures of the gardens.
Jacksonville Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
Address: 1025 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Charter bus parking: When booking your school group reservation, note that you have a bus so the museum can provide parking information.
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Address: 829 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Charter bus parking: The museum has a free parking lot across the street from the entrance.
Book Your Trip to Jacksonville Today
Jacksonville welcomes many corporate travelers, wedding parties, and sports fans each year. If your group is headed to Jacksonville’s beaches, golf courses, or museums, give Shofur a call at 1-800-436-8719 to book your transportation. We offer comfortable charter buses to take you anywhere you want to go in this massive and exciting city.
Prices for Charter Buses and Minibuses in Jacksonville
Vehicles |
Passengers |
Luggage |
Hourly |
Min Hrs |
CHARTER BUS
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57 |
55 |
$110 - $170
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5 |
MINI BUS
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25 |
7 |
$105 - $160
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5 |