The best party bus is the one that fits your group and your night. Up to 14 people, book a Sprinter party van or Sprinter limo; 15 to 25, a limo bus or mid-size party bus; 26 to 40, a full party bus; and up to 50, the biggest buses. Here are ten of the best, with what each one is like inside.
On this page
A party bus turns the ride into the party. Instead of splitting your group across cars and meeting up later, everyone rides together, with the music on and the lights going, from the first stop to the last. Party buses come in every size, though, from a 12-seat Sprinter to a 50-passenger bus, and the right one depends on two things: how many of you there are, and what kind of night you want. Here are ten of the best party buses you can book through our party bus rental service, smallest to biggest, with what each one is like inside and what it’s great for.
The ten at a glance
| Party bus | Passengers | Great for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter party van | Up to 12 | Birthdays and small groups |
| 2. Sprinter limo with LED lighting | Up to 14 | Bachelorette and bachelor parties |
| 3. Party bus with laser lights | Up to 16 | A night out dancing |
| 4. Luxury limo bus | Up to 20 | Wedding parties |
| 5. Limo coach with a lounge | Up to 22 | Milestone birthdays and company nights |
| 6. Party bus with a light-up floor | Up to 25 | Proms and quinceañeras |
| 7. Party bus with an LED ceiling | Up to 30 | Concerts and game days |
| 8. The big red bus | Up to 35 | Reunions and big birthdays |
| 9. Luxury party bus | Up to 38 | Wedding guests and company parties |
| 10. The 50-passenger party bus | Up to 50 | The biggest groups |
How to choose a party bus by group size
- Count everyone, then add a little room. The number on a party bus is the most people it can carry. If you want space to move and dance, choose one a few seats bigger than your headcount.
- Up to 14 people: a Sprinter party van or Sprinter limo. It feels like a limo you can stand up in, and it fits hotel drop-offs and downtown streets more easily than a bus.
- 15 to 25 people: a limo bus or a mid-size party bus. This is where you get wraparound seating, a proper sound system and room to stand.
- 26 to 40 people: a full party bus, with an aisle to dance in, a light show and space for the whole wedding party or a big birthday crowd.
- More than 40: the biggest party buses carry up to 50. Beyond that, book two buses, or add a charter bus for guests who just need a ride.
- A professional driver comes with every party bus, so nobody in your group has to drive, and everyone arrives together.
Still not sure? Our guide to how many people can fit in a party bus goes into more detail.
The 10 best party buses
1. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter party van: up to 12
The smallest party bus is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter fitted out like a limo, with side seating, mood lighting and a sound system. It’s the easiest way to keep a small group together for a birthday dinner or a night downtown, and it’s small enough to pull up right outside the restaurant.
Great for: birthdays, double dates and small bachelorette groups.
2. Sprinter limo with LED lighting: up to 14
Step inside and it’s all limo: long leather benches down both sides, LED light running along the ceiling and the floor, and room for 14. A Sprinter has a tall roof, so in a Sprinter limo most of your group can stand up inside, which a stretch sedan can’t offer.
Great for: bachelorette and bachelor parties, wine tasting days and a stylish ride to the airport. See Mercedes Sprinter rental for more.
3. Party bus with laser lights: up to 16
Small enough to feel private, big enough to dance. The seats on this bus run around the walls, so the middle stays open as a dance floor, and a laser show plays across the ceiling. Sixteen friends fit comfortably, which makes it a great size for a birthday that turns into a night out.
Great for: birthdays, nights out dancing and small office parties.
4. Luxury limo bus: up to 20
From the outside it’s a sleek white bus; inside, it’s laid out like a stretch limo, with seats facing in so everyone can talk. For a wedding, it carries the bride and her bridesmaids, or the groom and his groomsmen, together in one vehicle, and the white paint looks right in the photos.
Great for: wedding parties, anniversaries and wine country days.
5. Limo coach with a lounge: up to 22
This one trades the nightclub look for a lounge: deep leather seats wrapping around the back in a U, a TV on the wall and wood-look floors. It’s the party bus for groups who want to talk as much as dance, and it looks the part outside a steakhouse or a company dinner.
Great for: milestone birthdays, company nights and anniversaries.
6. Party bus with a light-up floor: up to 25
Blue and purple light runs along the walls and the floor glows under your feet, so it feels like a club the moment the doors close. With room for 25, a whole friend group goes to the dance together, with photos at every stop.
Great for: proms, quinceañeras and sweet sixteens. See prom limo rental and quinceañera transportation.
7. Party bus with an LED ceiling: up to 30
Thirty people, one long wraparound seat and a ceiling that glows blue from end to end. This is the size where a party bus starts to feel like a venue of its own: big enough for a whole tailgate crew, with the music up all the way to the stadium.
Great for: concerts, game days and tailgates. See concert transportation.
8. The big red bus: up to 35
Some groups want to be seen arriving. This full-size bus is painted bright red, with room for 35 inside, and it turns heads before anyone steps off. It’s a fun pick for reunions, milestone birthdays and any party with a theme.
Great for: reunions, big birthdays and themed parties.
9. Luxury party bus: up to 38
Long quilted-leather benches, a glowing ceiling in pink and orange, and room for 38. It’s smart enough for wedding guests moving from the ceremony to the reception, and lively enough for the after-party.
Great for: wedding guests and company parties. See wedding guest transportation.
10. The 50-passenger party bus
The biggest party buses carry up to 50, so a whole wedding, a graduating class or a company can ride as one party. Inside, it’s seating along both sides with an aisle down the middle, lighting and sound throughout, and space to move.
Great for: the biggest groups: weddings, graduations and company events.
What to check inside before you book
- The seating layout. Seats around the walls leave the middle free to dance; a lounge layout is better for talking.
- Lighting and sound. LED lighting, lasers and starlight ceilings set the mood. Ask whether you can play your own playlist.
- Room to stand. Party buses and Sprinter limos have headroom. A stretch limo doesn’t.
- A restroom. Only some of the biggest buses have one, so ask if your night is long.
- The real photos. Every party bus on RentX has its own page with photos of that bus, so you know what you’re booking.
Which party bus for which occasion
- Bachelorette and bachelor parties: a Sprinter limo or a 16 to 20-passenger bus. See bachelor and bachelorette party transportation.
- Prom: a 20 to 30-passenger bus keeps the whole group together, with one driver and one set of rules for parents. Our prom transportation guide covers the rest.
- Quinceañeras: the quinceañera rides with her court, the chambelanes and damas, in one bus, so the entrance happens together.
- Weddings: the bridal party in a limo bus, the guests in a big party bus or a charter bus.
- Concerts and games: one bus there and back, so nobody has to find parking or a ride home.
- Want the big entrance instead? Compare Hummer limos and party buses.
Questions people ask
How many people can fit on a party bus?
From about 12 on a Sprinter party van to 50 on the biggest buses. The listed number is the maximum, so book a little bigger if you want room to dance. See how many people can fit in a party bus.
What’s the difference between a party bus and a limo bus?
A limo bus is usually smaller, with limo-style seats facing in and a lounge feel. A party bus is bigger, with room to stand and dance, and more lighting and sound.
Does a party bus come with a driver?
Yes. Every party bus comes with a professional driver, so your group can relax and nobody has to drive home.
Is there a minimum booking time?
Most party buses have a minimum number of hours, especially on weekend nights. Our guide to minimum hours explains why.
How much should we tip the driver?
See our guide to how much to tip a party bus driver.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can for prom season, wedding Saturdays and holiday parties, when the best buses go first. Weeknights are easier.
