Charleston Party Bus on a Budget
Charleston is the perfect place to book a party bus for your next big trip. There’s great nightlife, golf courses, an amazing food scene, 6 different beaches and nearly a dozen different cool towns/neighborhoods. All of these great attractions are spread out and are more thoroughly enjoyed while drinking alcohol, making it the perfect scenario to book a Charleston party bus!
Unfortunately, party buses are often sold out and when they are available, they tend to be expensive. That’s why we’ve built this list of 5 must-know tips that will help you save money while having the best party bus experience possible.
1. Make Sure your Party Bus has All of the Right Features
Before you can start comparing rates, you’re going to want to make sure that all of the vehicles you’re checking out are actually party buses. The necessary features for a party bus are wraparound seating, surround sound speakers, LED mood lighting and high enough ceilings to dance in (no limos!). For a more in depth look, check out our article 6 things to look for in a Charleston party bus.
The most classic mix up here is when people accidentally book a charter bus with row seating instead of wraparound seating. This may not sound like a big deal at first, but trust us this will completely ruin the party atmosphere by making everyone sit in groups of two and not allowing any room for dancing. Wraparound seating creates an intimate experience for all of your guests to interact with each other and opens up the middle for a big dance floor.
Other features that you may want your bus to have include ice bars (to keep your beverages cold), Bluetooth (so you don’t get stuck on the radio), TVs (for extra entertainment) and a wall partition (to give your group privacy from the driver). Don’t worry, all of Double Black’s party buses have all of these extra features as well!
2. Considering Booking a Non-Peak Time Slot
Booking a party bus is similar to booking other services, in which the time and date of your reservation is reflected in the final price. Considering Charleston hosts over 4,500 weddings a year, Saturdays (especially in the Spring and Fall) are the most sought after dates for party buses. Fridays are also busy, as they are part of the weekend and a big night for bachelor(ette) parties. Booking a party bus on a Thursday or Sunday can be a great way to save some money and still have a blast. Make sure to check out Double Black’s party bus weeknight discounts!
3. Decide what Type of Service
While most people decide to book party buses with an hourly service, where they have access to the vehicle the entire time, it’s not your only option! A great way to save money is by booking a round trip discounted rate where you only have access to the vehicle at the beginning and end of the reservation. This is ideal for groups staying in Isle of Palms, Kiawah, Folly Beach or one of the many other beach towns located 30+ minutes away from Downtown Charleston and just looking for transportation to and from the city, rather than partying on a bus all night long.
4. Compare Rates
The best way to ensure you are getting the best price for your Charleston party bus is to get quotes from all three of the major providers (Double Black Transportation, Coastal Limo and Charleston Black Cab Company). Charleston Black Cab Company has the biggest fleet and vehicles, so make sure to check them out if your group is 50+ passengers. Meanwhile, Double Black has the best discounts including weekday, roundtrip, half-day, full-day and multi-day. They also have the newest vehicles!It’s best to get quoted from all three vendors and then go from there.
5. Decipher What’s Included
Different companies have different rate packages with various fees and gratuities included. A lot of transportation companies like to add on fees after promising a lower hourly rate, these can include a fuel surcharge, booking fees, cancellation insurance and more. At Double Black we include all of these costs in order to give our clients a straightforward price without any surprises when they get the bill. Some companies also include gratuity while others do not. At Double Black we allow our clients to decide on the gratuity after the ride is over, this way they can decide themselves if and how much our drivers deserve, rather than it being an automatic charge.
6. Read Reviews!
You’ll want to check the internet for some authentic reviews once you think you’ve found the right party bus for your next adventure.
We recommend looking for these on Google rather than the company’s own website, where they can cherry pick and edit the most favorable reviews out there.
Make sure to look at the lowest reviews left on Google, this will offer you a look into what could go wrong and how the charter company handled it.
Conclusion: Find the right Charleston Party Bus
Between the excellent year-round attractions, the extravagant features and the world-class service, there’s nothing quite like a Charleston party bus. Unfortunately, this desirable trio can create high demand and costly prices. The best way to guarantee you a great rate and an even better experience is by requesting non-peak times, comparing rates and determining the right service/vehicle for your group. We hope this guide has helped you figure out the right next couple of steps in your planning process. If you have any questions or need help coordinating your next party, request a quote from Double Black today!