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How much does a wedding guest shuttle cost?

We price the run from the hotel to the ceremony, the return runs at the end of the night, and any wait time. We pick the cheapest mix of vans, shuttle buses, and coaches, or price the type you choose.

Prices updated: · United States (USD) · free, no sign-up

guests

Usually 40-70% of guests - the rest drive or take a rideshare

Runs
mi
hours

Only if the shuttle then takes guests on to a separate reception venue

Return runs at the end of the night

Reception → hotels; add an earlier run for families and older guests

1
mi

Calculator result

Shuttle cost

$2,650

from $2,250to $3,300

2 × shuttle bus

Per guest
$45
Vehicles
2
60 seats
Runs
2

Runs

  • Hotel → ceremony2 × shuttle bus, 10 mi$1,100
  • Return runs1 × (2 × shuttle bus)$1,100
  • Driver gratuity20%, often added to the bill automatically$440
  • Before you sign, ask about the minimum hours, wait time, fuel and late-night surcharges, and whether gratuity is included. Check that the company is licensed and insured - for buses, look up its USDOT number.
  • Hotels in your room block often run a free shuttle within a few miles - ask them before you book a bus.

How we calculate

  1. Each run is billed as a booking with a minimum of 3-4 hours: about $400 for a Sprinter van, $550 for a shuttle bus, and $800 for a motor coach. Long trips cost more - about $3.50, $5, or $7 per mile, counted both ways because the vehicle returns to its garage.
  2. By default we pick the cheapest set of vehicles that fits everyone, e.g. one motor coach instead of two shuttle buses.
  3. Wait time is billed per vehicle and hour like driving time ($110-180 an hour). Guests head back in waves, so each return run carries part of the group. We add a 20% driver gratuity.

Cheat sheet: prices and good practice

Rates in 2026

  • Sprinter van (14 seats): $100-150 an hour, 3-hour minimum
  • Shuttle bus or trolley (30 seats): $125-200 an hour, 3-4-hour minimum
  • Motor coach (56 seats): $150-250 an hour, 4-hour minimum
  • Driver gratuity: 15-20%, often on the bill

Typical runs

  • Hotel → ceremony: 30-45 minutes before it starts
  • Ceremony → reception: only if they are in different places
  • Reception → hotels: at the end of the night, sometimes an earlier run too
  • Book 4-6 months ahead

Questions and answers

How much does a wedding shuttle cost?

One run with a shuttle bus from the hotel usually costs $500-700 with gratuity, and a full evening with a return run $1,200-1,500 per bus.

Is a motor coach worth it?

Once more than about 30 guests ride (more than one shuttle bus), usually yes - one 56-seat coach costs less than two shuttle buses or a bus and a van. The calculator compares the options for you.

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