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Why Rent a Bus in Memphis?

a view of the memphis skyline at dusk

In Memphis, you’ve got a few transportation options to choose from. A MATA bus or a taxi can be helpful for smaller groups who aren’t on a tight schedule, but if you’re traveling with a large group or trying to stick to a strict sight-seeing itinerary, you might want to book a private bus to keep your trip flowing smoothly.

  • MATA Buses: The Memphis Area Transit Authority, or MATA for short, operates public buses throughout the City of Memphis and into some parts of Shelby County. Base fare for a bus ride starts at $1, and with a MATA ID, senior citizens and passengers with disabilities can ride at a reduced fare. The bus runs about 30 routes through town and can take you to the airport, suburbs like Germantown and Frayser, or to the University of Memphis.
  • MATA Trolley: This charming streetcar operates on three separate routes and is modeled after Memphis’s original streetcar line from the early 20th century. It’s great for a casual ride through downtown, especially if you’ve got a few history buffs in your group!
  • Taxis & Rideshares: Memphis has a few taxi services you can call, such as Bluff City Taxi and METROCAB. Uber and Lyft also operate throughout the city and into the suburbs. Small groups can call any of these services on-demand, but if you’re traveling with more than 6 people, you’ll have to split up your group and arrive at your destination separately.
  • Charter Bus Rental: A charter bus rental from Shofur offers your group plenty of flexibility when it comes to transportation. You can choose a bus size that perfectly suits your group so you don’t waste any space, request special amenities like WiFi or DVD players, and enjoy the services of a professional driver who runs on your schedule—all at a predictable price point with no surprises!

Comparing Memphis Group Transportation

Shofur

MATA

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

Explore Memphis’s Music History

No one can deny that Memphis is one of the best places to visit if you’re a fan of blues, rock ‘n roll, or soul, or just a lover of all things music history. So, whether you’re planning a field trip for your music class or a personal trip with your bandmates, Shofur can make sure you get to visit every museum, recording studio, or live music venue on your list! While you’re on the road, you can get your group amped up (or do your own custom music history spiel) right on your bus with auxiliary plug-ins and sound systems to play your favorite hits. Be sure to add these classics to your tour!

If you’re not sure where to park your charter bus, check out Memphis’s official guide to motorcoach-friendly parking areas.

 

Blues Hall of Fame Museum

Stop here for an in-depth look at the history of blues music, shared via recordings, old album covers, and videos of the museum’s 400+ inductees!

Address: 421 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103

Phone: (901) 527-2583

 

Rock and Soul Museum

Located right on historic Beale street, this museum highlights the contributions made by early soul music pioneers amid their struggles with racial and socio-economic obstacles.

Address: 191 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103

Phone: (901) 205-2533

 

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

The Stax Museum tour starts in a replica of an old country church—the place where soul music first developed—and continues through exhibits that feature period recording equipment, albums previously released by Stax, and even a dance floor.

Address: 926 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38126

Phone: (901) 261-6338

 

Sun Studio

The legendary Sun Studio was the recording site of many albums released by the likes of B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and Elvis, earning its title of “The Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll.”

Address: 706 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S

Phone: (901) 521-0664

Tour Memphis’s Best BBQ Joints

Even though music is what first comes to mind when most people think of Memphis, the city holds its own when it comes to barbecue, too—rivaling that of nearby barbecue hubs like Kansas City and Texas. Memphis-style barbecue is known for its heavy use of pork products (particularly the ribs), is often cooked in a pit, and can be served wet, dry, or shredded on a bun. If your mouth is already watering, consider adding the restaurants below to your itinerary before you book your bus. And don’t worry about driving—you’ll have a professional driver to take you back home after you’ve slipped into your inevitable food coma.

barbecue ribs in a memphis restaurant

A&R Bar-B-Que

Address: 3721 Hickory Hill Rd, Memphis, TN 38115

Phone: (901) 365-9777

Charter bus parking: A&R is located in a shopping center with plenty of space to park your charter bus. Be sure to call the restaurant before your arrival if you’re bringing a large group.

 

Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous

Address: 52 S 2nd St, Memphis, TN 38103

Phone: (901) 523-2746

Charter bus parking: Your bus can park in one of the reserved bus parking spaces at the Tennessee State Welcome Center, just a 5-minute drive away, and wait until your group is ready to leave.

 

Central BBQ - Downtown

Address: 147 E Butler Ave, Memphis, TN 38103

Phone: (901) 672-7760

Charter bus parking: The welcome center lot is just a quick drive away from the downtown Central BBQ location. You can also choose another charter bus lot in the city or visit a different Central BBQ location.

Wedding Day Transportation in Memphis

Planning your big day in Memphis? With all of the live music and delicious food to choose from, your wedding is guaranteed to be a party. But if you’re worried about how your guests will get around after a night of dancing and drinking, Shofur has you covered. Book a private wedding shuttle bus and leave the driving to us so that no guest has to begrudgingly take on the role of designated driver, or volunteer to drive their own car. Plus, if your wedding venue has limited parking options, your shuttle bus can help get everyone over to the venue from your hotel without missing a beat!

Support Your Favorite Memphis Teams

Excited to see the Memphis Grizzlies, the Redbirds, or the UofM Tigers? Getting to a game is easy, whether you’re coming in with a small group of fans or your entire UofM alumni fan club. Book your bus rental, load it up with tents, TVs, snacks, and other tailgating essentials, and let a professional do the driving while you ride into Memphis. When the game’s over, you’ll have a reliable ride back home, and you won’t have to do any of the driving.

Do you need transportation for your sports team? We can help you there, too! Head out to a tournament in Little Rock or Nashville with a bus rental by your side. Whether you need one minibus or a custom fleet of full-sized charter buses, we’ll make sure every team member and coach is accounted for.

 

FedEx Forum

Home of the Memphis Grizzlies

Address: 191 Beale St, Memphis, TN 38103

 

AutoZone Park

Home of the Memphis Redbirds

Address: 200 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103

 

Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

Home of the Memphis Tigers

Address: 335 S Hollywood St, Memphis, TN 38104

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

Tour the University of Memphis

Getting your high schoolers to the University of Memphis is easy with a minibus. Load everybody in, take a quick driving tour of campus, and arrive at Wilder Tower with plenty of time before your campus tour begins. While you’re in town, your bus can also take you to local restaurants, museums, or other hotspots your students might be interested in.

Address: 3641 Central Ave, Memphis, TN 38111

Experience Memphis in May

an entrance to beale street in memphis

Each May, Memphis explodes with a month-long international festival that celebrates the city’s culture, food, and music through various events. Five themed festivals make up the extravaganza, so if a month of celebrating sounds a little intimidating, you can choose when you visit based on your interests!

The celebration begins with Beale Street Music Festival, which features musical performances from both well-known stars and newcomers over a period of three days. Next up is International Week, which honors one specific foreign country (recently, the festival celebrated the Czech Republic in 2018 and Colombia in 2017) by showcasing that country’s foods and culture and hosting educational programs for local schoolchildren. The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, one of the world’s largest contests of its kind, enters in the 3rd week and spans four days. The Great American River Run features a half-marathon and a 5K for runners of all skill levels. And finally, 901Fest, one of the festival’s newer additions, rounds out the month with a celebration of all things Memphis.

Bringing a group to the Memphis in May festivities? Don’t let transportation overwhelm you—we’ll help make sure your group can get to the festivities with ease, whether you’re staying in Memphis or outside of the city. Your group will be able to arrive at a dropoff location of your choice when you’re ready to get the celebration started.

Other Group-Friendly Destinations in Memphis

Once you’ve filled up on barbecue and checked out the music museums above, add these classic Memphis stops to your itinerary to finish out your tour of the city:

 

Graceland

Is there any better destination for a rock ‘n roll fan than the former home of the King of Rock ‘n Roll? We certainly don’t think so. Graceland’s 100 acres immerse visitors in the life of the late Elvis Presley, featuring his career highlights, his cars, his wardrobe, and of course, the home in which he lived for 20 years. You can choose from a few different tours based on your budget and interests. If you want to see the mansion, be sure to select the “Elvis Experience Tour.”

 

National Civil Rights Museum

This complex covers the history of the U.S. civil rights movement from the 17th century to today. The main museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, the site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, and two other properties associated with King’s assassination are available for visitors to explore. If you book at least two weeks in advance and your group has more than 20 people, you can request group tickets at a discounted rate.

Book Your Memphis Bus Rental with Shofur

Ready to explore Memphis for yourself? Shofur’s reservation specialists are always available to help you choose the best bus for your group. All you need is a headcount, an itinerary, and a few amenities you might want on board, and we’ll handle the rest. Call today to get a free, no-obligation quote on your Memphis bus rental!

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

Prices for Charter Buses and Minibuses in Memphis

Vehicles Passengers Luggage Hourly Min Hrs
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CHARTER BUS

57 55
$110 - $170
5
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MINI BUS

25 7
$105 - $160
5
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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.