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Why Rent a Bus in Detroit?

Buildings of Detroit skyline along river

Your group can choose from several methods of transportation in Michigan’s largest city. The Detroit Department of Transportation offers public buses, and many taxi and rideshare services operate in the city. And then, of course, there are minibus and bus rentals, like the ones provided by Shofur. Here are a few upsides and downsides of each:

  • DDOT buses: Public buses are an affordable and environmentally friendly way to get around the city. But if you’re on a tight itinerary or traveling with young children, public transit can be both time-consuming and stressful. You’ll also have to build your plans around existing bus stops.
  • Taxis and rideshares: When public transportation can’t get you where you want to go, many people turn to taxis or rideshares as an alternative. This is a great option if you’re with a small group. However, if you have dozens of people in your group, you’ll need so many separate cars that costs will quickly pile up.
  • Charter buses: Private charter buses, like those offered by Shofur, will keep your entire group together and take you exactly where you want to go. They can even offer amenities like WiFi and TV players. Bus rentals can be expensive, though, so you’ll want to budget for rental costs ahead of time and perhaps split the costs among your large group.

Comparing Detroit Group Transportation

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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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Corporate Events in Detroit

Skyscrapers of the GM Renaissance Center

If you work in the automotive industry, there’s a good chance you’ll end up in Detroit for work at some point. But Detroit also hosts conferences for people who work in the medical, insurance, and energy spaces. Many of those conferences take place at the GM Renaissance Center, a series of interconnected skyscrapers on the Detroit riverfront that hosts hotels, restaurants, and shops along with exhibit halls, ballrooms, and meeting rooms.

Planning an elegant corporate event? Consider taking a charter bus to The Henry Ford, a museum, historical village, and factory that hosts private gatherings. Located in Dearborn on the outskirts of Detroit, The Henry Ford offers ballrooms as well as plazas and theaters for your cocktail party, company dinner, or awards banquet.

GM Renaissance Center

Address: 400 Renaissance Dr W, Detroit, MI 48243

Charter bus parking: The Renaissance Center relies heavily on parking garages, so you will probably want to ask your charter bus driver to drop you off and then park in a paid lot that can accommodate buses.

The Henry Ford

Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124

Charter bus parking: Parking is available in the lots around The Henry Ford for $6.

Field Trips in Detroit

Outside of Detroit Institute of Arts

The Henry Ford hosts many field trips, but it’s just one of many museums that school groups love to visit in Detroit. The Detroit Institute of Arts, one of the largest art museums in the U.S., features more than 100 galleries with works by legends like Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, and Diego Rivera.

If you teach music, take your students to the Motown Museum, where they can learn about Berry Gordy and the game-changing recording studio he created. Hitsville, U.S.A. gives your kids the chance to walk in the footsteps of legendary artists like Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and The Temptations.

Detroit Institute of Arts

Address: 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202

Charter bus parking: You can find a lighted, secure parking lot across the street from the museum on John R between Kirby and Farnsworth. Parking costs $7.

Motown Museum

Address: 2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48208

Charter bus parking: The museum doesn’t have designated parking, but there is street parking along West Grand Boulevard.

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

Weddings in Detroit

Table decorated for Belle Isle wedding

Detroit offers many beautiful places to host your wedding. If you want to celebrate downtown, reserve the historic Gem Theatre, where you’ll be surrounded by 1920s Arts and Crafts architecture, or The Colony Club, which offers two ballrooms with decor in the Louis XVI style.

If you’re willing to venture a bit outside of downtown, Belle Isle Park is one of the most popular wedding destinations in Detroit. Located in the Detroit River near the U.S.-Canada border, Belle Isle offers stunning views of the water and the Detroit skyline for your ceremony.

Gem Theatre

Address: 333 Madison St, Detroit, MI 48226

Charter bus parking: When you reserve a wedding at the theatre, the wedding team will provide pre-paid parking in a nearby lot or garage. Just let them know you’re bringing a shuttle for your wedding party so they can find adequate parking for it.

The Colony Club

Address: 2310 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Charter bus parking: The Gem Theatre and The Colony Club are run by the same wedding and event planning team, so the same parking rules apply.

Belle Isle Park

Address: 99 Pleasure Dr, Detroit, MI 48207

Charter bus parking: Where your bus parks depends on which wedding venue you choose on the island, but most locations, including the casino, conservatory, and pavilion, have parking areas.

Sporting Events in Detroit

Exterior of Ford Field

Only a few cities can claim a major league franchise in the four principal U.S. sports (baseball, football, basketball, and hockey), and Detroit is one of them. Cheer on the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, home to the famous fountain, or root for the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, which is also home to concerts and monster jam performances.

If you’re a hockey fan, Detroit has you covered too. You can book a bus with plush seats and plenty of legroom to take your group of fans to Little Caesars Arena, home to both the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons.

Comerica Park (home of Detroit Tigers baseball)

Address: 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Charter bus parking: Book your group tickets by calling 313- 471-BALL, and let them know you’re bringing a bus. Charter buses can park on eastbound Fisher between Woodward and Brush and on Brush north of Fisher. Bus parking doesn’t cost anything but is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ford Field (home of Detroit Lions football)

Address: 2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226

Charter bus parking: Because Ford Field lies next to Comerica Park, your bus can park in the same location as you would for Tigers games. You can also book group tickets online.

Little Caesars Arena (home of Detroit Pistons basketball and Detroit Red Wings hockey)

Address: 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Charter bus parking: Once again, your bus’s best parking option will be on eastbound Fisher between Woodward and Brush and on Brush north of Fisher, because the closer parking garages don’t allow oversize vehicles. However, your bus can drop you off closer to the arena.

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College Tours in Detroit

University of Michigan entrance in fall

Michigan’s second-largest university, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, lies only 45 minutes from Detroit, and Wayne State University lies in the heart of the city. That makes Detroit a popular destination for local high schoolers who want to explore their college options.

If you’re a teacher, guidance counselor, or coach, you can rent a charter bus to take your students throughout Detroit, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor. A charter bus is one of the easiest ways to get between cities without worrying about your students having to drive, and you can request onboard WiFi to help them research their college options in between stops.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Address: 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Charter bus parking: When group visits are available, you can request one by filling out the Group Visit Request Form. UM relies on public parking garages and lots, so you’ll need to ask your driver to drop you off at the student center and then find a public lot that allows buses.

Wayne State University

Address: 42 W Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48202

Charter bus parking: When Wayne State University is holding group tours, you can reserve one online. Since Wayne State is located in the heart of downtown Detroit, the university relies on public parking lots. Your bus driver will need to drop you off and then find a public lot that accepts oversize vehicles.

Explore Detroit on a Charter Bus

Indulge your love of Motown, see your favorite pro sports team, or attend an industry event in Detroit with the help of Shofur. We offer comfortable, climate-controlled buses with reclining seats to take you around downtown Detroit or even out to Dearborn or Ann Arbor. Just give us a call at 1-800-436-8719 to plan your next group trip in The Motor City.

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

Prices for Charter Buses and Minibuses in Detroit

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.