Charter Bus Etiquette 101

Group trips, tours, and vacations can be made easy by choosing to use a charter bus for your transportation. Bus transportation is gaining popularity due to the convenience and efficiency. According to a study by the American Bus Association, passenger bus travel increased by 8.5% between 2016 and 2017 which makes it the fastest growing mode of transportation in the country. In recent years, the inconvenience of air travel has further accelerated this trend.

Group bus travel can be great as long as all of the passengers are considerate of one another. Of course, the word “considerate” can mean a lot of different things to different people. When considering a charter bus rental, there are a few things you should remember about proper etiquette:

Be on Time and Follow the Schedule

There’s nothing worse than everyone being in their seats and ready to go, only to be delayed by one tardy person. Don’t be the person that everyone loathes for making them late. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get your things together and get on the bus on time. At rest stops, make sure you get back to the bus by the time your group leader gives you.

Be Mindful of Your Snacks

Food that has a very potent smell or is very loud to munch on probably isn’t the best choice. Make sure you clean up after yourself too, especially if you drop anything on the floor.

Monitor Small Children

Traveling with small children can be difficult, and most people understand that. But it’s important to keep them entertained so they aren’t being a nuisance to the other passengers. Bring activities, snacks, screens, and movies to keep them busy throughout the trip.

Be Respectful with Your Entertainment

Don’t play your movie out loud or have your music volume blasting so loud the other passengers can hear every word through your headphones.  Mind your personal space. Don’t try to look at or touch the other passengers’ belongings and keep your hands and feet to yourself.

If you’re sitting in a window seat, try to stay in your seat as much as possible so you aren’t disturbing your neighbor too frequently by asking them to move so you can get up.

For your next vacation or group trip, you might want to consider a charter bus rental. It can be a convenient mode of transportation that gives you one less thing to worry about when planning your trip.

I Want To Book A Charter Bus

Nationwide Bus Charter and it's friendly staff are ready and waiting to help arrange transportation for your next Charter Bus Rental. Give us a call at 800-439-2015 or visit our website at www.nationwidebuscharter.com.

Top 3 Times You Should Rent A Charter Bus

In the beginning stages of planning a trip, travel logistics can make the outing seem impossible. Moving large groups of people from one area to another is not an easy feat. A charter bus is an excellent solution to this problem. Here are three trip ideas made possible with a charter bus.

1. Family Vacations

Arranging transportation for family members coming from several different locations can be overwhelming. A charter bus condenses all the planning into one vehicle. Sometimes part of the stress that comes from large family gatherings is the logistics it takes to get there. The driver of each vehicle is under pressure to keep everyone safe and arrive at the destination on time. With a charter bus, no member of your family is expected to carry this burden. Booking a charter bus for a family vacation allows everyone to relax and have a great time.

2. Business Trips

Bonding with colleagues during a work trip is a second-hand benefit of these outings. Use travel time for ice-breakers or team building activities. Booking a charter bus will bring everyone together and possibly introduce employees to co-workers they weren’t aware they had so much in common with. Most charter buses have wifi available as well so you can use travel time to collaborate on conference meetings.

3. School and Club Trips

The designation of being the responsible party for a large group of underage kids can make anyone nervous. Instead of spreading out kids into groups via separate vehicles, consider a charter bus. Containing your students in one area means you can keep track when anyone leaves the group. A charter bus may also have TVs or wifi for in-transit entertainment.

Ready To Book Your Charter Bus? Nationwide Bus Charter and it's friendly staff are ready and waiting to help arrange transportation for your event. Give us a call at 800-439-2015 or visit our website at www.nationwidebuscharter.com.

3 Things NOT To Do When Renting A Charter Bus

If you are taking a trip with a group, a smart choice to travel around is by renting a charter bus. Over 700 million buses are booked every year and it’s only growing in popularity. Nationwide Bus Charter will do everything possible to make your service perfect and according to plan, it is important to return the favor. Here is a list of things that can make it easier for both you and your bus company to make your service smoother.

Tardiness

Arguably the most important point, it is always important to be on time when traveling. If an individual passenger is late, the entire bus and all of the passengers have to wait and potentially they will arrive late to the desired destination. Apart from that, the bus has it’s own schedule that it has to stick to so if the first service of the day runs late then it potentially can be late for the next service.

Be Mindful of Your Food

If you are traveling for a few hours, most likely you will bring some snacks along the way for when you get hungry. While there is nothing wrong with snacks on the bus, foods like eggs, fish, and certain cheeses will not go over well with the other passengers on the bus.

Don’t Be Too Loud

While it’s perfectly normal to talk to the people in your area, be mindful of how loudly you are speaking to them. While we are on the topic of speaking to people on the bus, try not to shout at the person in the back of the bus while you are sitting in the front. Furthermore, try to keep phone calls and music at a moderate level so that the people 5 rows behind you can’t hear you.

I Want To Book A Charter Bus

Nationwide Bus Charter and it's friendly staff are ready and waiting to help arrange transportation for your next Charter Bus Rental. Give us a call at 800-439-2015 or visit our website at www.nationwidebuscharter.com.

Bus Charter Rental For Film Companies

When it comes to a movie or commercial production, the process is extremely complex and requires a lot of coordination. From the cast and crew to the equipment and set design, everything needs to be in place in order for filming to commence. One of the most important aspects of movie production is transportation. If everyone needs to get from one location to another quickly and efficiently, then you need a bus charter company on your film set.

Transportation for Cast and Crew, Equipment and Props

Nationwide Bus Charter can provide transportation for cast and crew, as well as equipment and props. This is a critical service that can help ensure the smooth operation of a film set. Having all of the necessary people and items transported in one trip eliminates the need for multiple trips back and forth, which can save time and money.

In addition, Nationwide Bus Charter can help transport crew and cast to and from the airport. This can be especially helpful if there are multiple locations involved in the filming process. Having a bus ready to take everyone to the next destination ensures that everyone arrives on time and avoids any missed connections or delays.

Large Fleet to Provide the Right Vehicles for Your Specific Needs

No matter what type of film set you are working on, Nationwide Bus Charter will have the perfect vehicle to meet your needs. With a large fleet of vehicles ranging from large coach buses to shuttles and smaller passenger vans, they can provide whatever you need to make sure everyone arrives safely and on time.

Charter Buses Can Serve As A Mobile Office

When filming, it is often helpful to have a mobile office or meeting space. This way, the crew can take breaks and conduct meetings without having to leave the set. A bus can provide this necessary space for your film crew, ensuring that they stay productive.

Charter buses have all the necessary amenities to keep you and your team comfortable and productive by providing Wi-Fi, power outlets, and much more.

Provide a Comfortable Place for People to Relax in Between Takes, or During Long Shooting Hours

This is especially useful for large shoots with a lot of extras. A bus can provide a comfortable place for people to relax in between takes, or during long shooting hours. This will help keep everyone on set happy and productive. Plus, it’s a great way to avoid any unnecessary stress or conflict.

Ready To Get Started? Nationwide Bus Charter and it's friendly staff are ready and waiting to help arrange transportation for your next Charter Bus Rental. Give us a call at 800-439-2015 or visit our website at www.nationwidebuscharter.com.

Renting a Charter Bus For Hospital Shuttle Service

During these difficult times, the last thing hospital and medical personnel should have to worry about is how they’ll get to work. Remove one source of stress for your nurses, doctors, physical therapists, and office staff by booking a shuttle service to carry them to the hospital or clinic each day. Nationwide Bus Charter has experience in setting up long-term shuttle service, and we can help your team find the buses you need when you call us at 800-439-2015 to speak with one of our Charter Bus experts to get your shuttle service setup.

Why Use A Charter Bus?

On public transit, you have no direct control over whether other people wear masks, how often the train or bus seats are sanitized, or how close people will sit or stand. A charter bus offers you the ability to set your own regulations.

Require passengers to wear masks and receive temperature checks, ask your driver to sanitize at the end of each trip, or request a 56-person bus even if you only need to transport 25 people so everyone has ample room to social distance. Your driver will always wear a mask and make sure the bus gets cleaned, and your team will only be exposed to people they already work with instead of to hundreds of strangers.

You Setup The Route and Schedule

Public transportation often serves the center of cities but doesn’t extend fully into the outskirts or suburbs. With a shuttle service, you can create your own route and pick up employees even if they don’t live in a specific area of town.

Public transit is also often designed to accommodate 9-5 work schedules. Far more buses or trains will run at 7:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. than at midnight or 4 a.m. But hospitals don’t work on a 9-5 schedule. A private shuttle can accommodate shifts that start and end at any time. Just let us know when you need transportation, and we’ll provide it.

I'm Ready To Get Started

Ready to setup your Hospital Shuttle Service? Nationwide Bus Charter and it's friendly staff are ready and waiting to help your Hospital Shuttle Service to meet your needs. Give us a call at 800-439-2015 or visit our website at www.nationwidebuscharter.com.

Use A Charter Bus To Transport Your Wedding Party and Guests on Your Wedding Day

It’s the minor details that make your wedding day special. From the flower arrangements to the place settings, every element of your big day comes together to create an event that you will never forget. If you’re already knee-deep in planning, there’s one important thing you must not forget: wedding transportation

Don't worry, Nationwide Bus Charter has you covered! Making sure that you, your wedding party, and your guests make it to the ceremony on time is an absolute must. So, what are your options and when should you start looking at fun vehicles to do the job?

When You Need Wedding Transportation

Chances are, you will need some type of wedding transport for your event. However, how many vehicles you will need depends on your guests and where you are holding your reception and ceremony. The first step in planning your transport is figuring out what you need and at what times throughout the day.

Who Needs Wedding Transportation

Wedding Party

Of course, you and your partner will need an efficient way to get to and from your ceremony venue and reception. That’s a given. You may also wish to hire some transport for your wedding party so that they arrive at the locations on time.

Wedding Guests

If your budget allows, you can offer all of your guests transport. This is especially important if you have any guests attending the wedding from out of town, and their hotel accommodations are not near the ceremony or reception venue.

When to Book Wedding Transportation

Starting to plan your event? Booking your wedding transportation nice and early is the way to go. Leaving this part of your wedding planning to the last minute is a recipe for disaster. Make it a real priority from the start. Nationwide Bus Charter and it's friendly staff are ready and waiting to help arrange transportation for your special day. Give us a call at 800-439-2015 or visit our website at www.nationwidebuscharter.com.

Top 5 Bus Charter Trips from Miami

Believe it our not, Miami is a great place to be in to take a quick bus charter trip for  the day or even multiple days given some great destinations that are near by. Here are the Top 5 destinations for a bus charter trip from Miami.

The Everglades

Distance from Miami: ~1 hour

Everglades National Park offers hours of things to do for educational groups of all ages. There are multiple entrances and visitor centers to the Everglades, each a different distance from the heart of Miami. The Shark Valley Visitor Center in far west Miami and the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center in Homestead are the best places to start your Everglades visit. Both visitor centers offer educational programs like ranger-guided tours by foot and by tram. Your educational group can learn about the diverse native wildlife in the Florida Everglades and the importance of protecting this sprawling wetland. On top of touring a small portion of the 7,800 square miles, your group can also go on a boat ride, canoeing or kayaking, fishing, and bird watching.

Palm Beach


Distance from Miami: ~1.5 hours

Miami definitely has its ritzy neighborhoods but those areas often come with big crowds and hordes of tourists. If you want to soak up the sun, do some luxury shopping, have an upscale waterfront meal, or tour a historic attraction—the Palm Beach area is the perfect place. Do some high-end shopping on Worth Avenue (Palm Beach’s Rodeo Drive), soak up some sun at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, take a historic tour of Juno Beach Pier, and learn about rescued exotic animals at McCarthy’s Wildlife. Once your group works up an appetite, you’ll find a variety of upscale eateries around South County Road like locally-loved Buccan or Café Boulud.

The Keys

Distance from Miami: ~2 hours

Well, the northernmost Keys at least. Traveling all the way down to Key West from Miami is doable for a day trip, but will take around 3.5 hours each way. You can easily reach Key Largo and Islamorada in under 2 hours, which makes these islands easier for day trips The Keys offer a laid-back atmosphere for adults looking to unwind and fun activities for groups traveling with kids. If you’re an active bunch, plan a day of snorkeling off of Key Largo at Cannon Beach or picturesque John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Groups that want to stay on land and enjoy the waterfront breeze should grab drinks at ​​Florida Keys Brewing Company or Islamorada Brewery & Distillery. These northern Keys are also home to aquatic wildlife sanctuaries like Theater of the Sea where you can get up close and personal with animals while learning about vital conservation.

Naples

Great for: adult and family vacations
Distance from Miami: ~2 hours

Want to feel like a group of retirees for the day? Naples is the place. This small Florida city is located on the East Coast and is often considered a sleepy waterfront retirement town. But don’t worry if you’re traveling with kids and still want a little excitement, Naples will still have some things for you to do. Consider visiting the Naples Botanical Garden or Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary to get in touch with nature, enjoy the sunshine at Lowdermilk Beach or Delnor-Wiggins State Park, and stroll historic areas like Third Street South in Old Naples. If you find that your group has some extra time to spare, consider hopping up north a few miles to Bonita Springs for quiet, pristine beaches and prime golf courses.

Orlando

Distance from Miami: ~3.5 hours

Okay, traveling from Miami to Orlando may be pushing it for a day trip, but is it doable? Sure. When you’re traveling by charter bus, you won’t have to worry about driving after a long day of fun at Disney World or Universal Studios. Enjoy a day at one of the major theme parks or visit a smaller park like LEGOLAND, Crayola Experience, or Gatorland. There’s plenty to do outside of theme parks in Orlando too. Tour the gorgeous Bok Tower Gardens or Harry P. Leu Gardens, stroll around bustling Downtown Orlando or check out local educational spaces like the Orlando Science Center. If theme parks aren’t your thing, your group can shuttle over to Cape Canaveral to check out the Kennedy Space Center, one of NASA’s most famous facilities.

Ready To Book? To get started with your bus charter day trip from Miami, give Nationwide Bus Charter a call at 800-439-2015 or visit our website at www.nationwidebuscharter.com

Top 3 Bus Charter Day Trips From San Francisco

San Francisco is without a doubt one of the best cities in the United States. It boasts a huge technology landscape, national parks, great restaurants, and more. No wonder its one of the most expensive cities to live in the US. With that said, it is also a great place to be in get to some great destinations with a bus charter. Below are the Top 3 destinations in the San Francisco areas that you can visit using a bus charter.

Napa Valley

These destinations are no secret—nearly 3 million folks venture out to nearby Napa Valley for a vineyard or winery tour to seek fresh air and some of the world’s best wineries. Nearly 95% of the 500 establishments here are family-owned, which means your group can support local growers while you take in the beautiful Mediterranean-esque views and delicious sips.

And while the area does offer preset vineyard-hopping tours that span the 150-year history of the valley, for those who like to taste and explore at their own pace, we recommend reserving a private bus rental. That way, your connoisseurs can pick and choose which establishments they want to visit rather than hoping the Napa Valley Wine Train stops at their desired winery. Plus, everyone will have a designated driver already when it’s time to head home, so no one has to worry about sitting out and driving their personal car or waiting around for an Uber or Lyft to arrive.

Yosemite National Park

At 340 miles round-trip, the journey to this famous national park made famous by Muir’s writings is a bit of a long haul—but once you see the breathtaking views of El Capitan and the Half Dome, we bet you’ll think it’s worth the drive.

You can technically see the park’s highlights in a day, especially if you leave very early in the morning and let a bus charter driver handle the ride home after a long day on the trails. But considering there’s so much to take in even while driving through—not to mention all the world-renowned hikes you can take here—we recommend spending at least two days if you want to make the most of Yosemite. (If you do decide to spend the night, just keep in mind that you’ll be responsible for your charter bus driver’s lodging as well.)

Muir Woods

Feel adventurous? Then round up your hiking buddies, outdoor adventure group, or fellow picnickers for a day trip out to Muir Woods National Monument! In these 240 acres of woodlands, kids and kids-at-heart will enjoy taking in the larger-than-life redwoods, giant ferns, banana slugs, and other ancient wildlife that’s been here since the days of the dinosaurs.

The most common mistake first-time visitors make when planning a visit to Muir Woods is forgetting to make the proper reservations—which are required to enter the forest and to park on the grounds. To ensure availability, we recommend contacting the park’s office at least a month ahead of your visit so there are no awkward mix-ups at the gate. Parking reservations are on a per-car basis, which is why visiting in an oversized vehicle like a minibus or a charter bus can be beneficial for larger groups. Rather than arriving multiple vehicles and paying $8.50 per car, you can rent a minibus and pay $30 for everyone or rent a charter bus and pay $45. When you split the cost evenly amongst your passengers, many groups find it cheaper to take the bus!

Ready To Book?

To get started with your bus charter trip to one (or even all 3) of these great destinations in the San Francisco area give Nationwide Bus Charter a call at 800-439-2015 or visit our website at www.nationwidebuscharter.com 

4 Reasons To Hire A Private Bus Charter Company

Hiring a private bus charter company can be the best decision you make for your business. Private bus charter companies are cost-effective, which helps your business save money on transportation costs. They also offer flexible rates for different company sizes and budgets. These businesses also tend to be more experienced than other companies because they have been around longer. The following four reasons will help you understand why: 

1) You'll save money on travel expenses by cutting out rental cars and hotel rooms, and enjoy more privacy than an airport transfer would provide. In addition to reduced expenses, traveling by a private charter bus is more luxurious than a taxi.

2) Your company's image will benefit from scheduling meetings with passengers in luxurious surroundings. A better company image will also potentially allow you to attract new clients and help retain employees. 

3) Bus charters are easier to plan as they require fewer people to book seats ahead of time. You determine how many seats are occupied and there is no need to fill each seat. Your bus charter is priced based on your trip, not on a per-seat cost. 

4) You can choose whether or not to include food service onboard the bus depending on how long the trip will be. For short trips such as transfers to and from hotels, conference centers, and airports food is usually not needed on a charter bus. However, if you are planning a long-distance trip, it may be a good idea to cater food onboard the bus charter.

This is why hiring a private bus charter company should make your list of travel priorities! 

Ready to get started? Give the team at Nationwide Bus Charter a call at 800-439-2015 or visit our website at www.nationwidebuscharter.com. The team is standing by ready to help you book your trip and answer any questions you may have. 

What Type of Events Are Suitable for a Party Bus Rental?

There are many types of events that a Party Bus Rental can be used for such as weddings, parties with large crowds, corporate team building activities or bachelor/ette weekends away - the list goes on! Here are a few more example of times where you may want to rent a Party Bus from Nationwide Bus Charter:

School Dances: Prom Night and homecoming dances are a great reason to rent a party bus. You can rest easy knowing that your teens are safe while they are dancing the night away because they are being driven by a professional driver.

Wedding Celebrations: There are several wedding celebrations that may be made extra wonderful with the use of a party bus. Bachelor parties and bachelorette parties can be taken to the next level when no one has to drive alone. The rehearsal dinner, on top of that, maybe far more pleasurable if it is concluded with a cruise around town

Bachelor/ette Parties: Renting a party bus is the ideal pretext for throwing a girl's night or a guy's night. Do some club hopping or go on a themed bar crawl to keep everyone safe while the transportation arrangements are taken care of by a driver.

Birthday Parties: Birthday parties may be a lot of fun. Have your teen plan a mobile party for her sixteenth birthday, for example. Dance to music and watch movies as you journey from place to location. This exciting and luxurious experience will be appreciated by your youngster.

Keep your children safe while also providing the grown-ups a little bit of enjoyment by riding on the inside of a party bus during Trick or Treating. Adults can take the bus for a spin after the kids have gotten their candy fill to enjoy several adult beverages.

Tailgating: On your party bus, get ready for the big game! The wet bar will keep your beer cold. You may watch all of the action on one of the plasma TVs if you don't have tickets.

Other Activities: Retirement parties, engagement parties, and family get-togethers are a lot more enjoyable when a party bus rental is included! Invite your friends and relatives for an exciting night out.

To get started with your Party Bus Rental, give Nationwide Bus Charter a call at 1-800-439-2015 or click here to get a free quote.